- Anthony Goemans (deceased), who during his lifetime was a much respected farmer of Rockland township, Brown county, was a native of Holland, born September 29, 1821, in the province of Limburg. He was a son of John Goemans, a well-to-do farmer, who had six children, Anthony being the eldest in the family.
During his youth Anthony Goemans had very limited educational advantages, as he had to commence work very early in life, and was reared to farming, which he always followed. In 1856, hearing that he would have better wages and opportunities for advancement in the United States, he left his native country, and coming to Wisconsin remained here ten years, engaging in various kinds of work. In 1866 he returned to Holland, and on February 28, 1867, was there married to Miss Joanna Bernards, who was born November 5, 1839, daughter of John Bernards, a farmer of that country. Bidding farewell to their home and friends, they left Holland a month after their marriage and, proceeding from Rotterdam to Glasgow, took passage there on a vessel bound for New York, at which port they landed after a voyage of twenty-four days. Their destination being in Wisconsin, they proceeded thither by rail, and after a short stay in Little Chute, Outagamie county, came to DePere township, Brown county, where Mr. Goemans purchased a tract of eighty acres in Section 11.
The land had not been improved in any way; in some places it was covered with logs and wood, all of which had to be cleared away, the task involving no small amount of hard work; but being anxious to have a home he could call his own, Mr. Goemans persevered, and in time succeeded in hewing a fine property out of the dense forest. On this farm all their children were born, as follows: Anna M. (Mrs Martin Baeten), John W., Mary M. (Mrs. Henry Hermsen, of Green Bay), Frank S., Peter J., Katie, Christina M., Herbert, and Nellie E. Of these, John W. is a carpenter by trade, moves buildings, drives piles, and builds bridges; Frank S. entered the monastery of the Servite Fathers September 4, 1894, and is still there. On January 2, 1886, the father of this family was called from earth, and was buried in De Pere Cemetery. He was a Catholic in religious faith, and in politics a Democrat. At the time of his death the eldest of the nine children was but seventeen years of age, but Mrs. Goemans has carried on the farm successfully, and has displayed no little business ability and sagacity in the management of the place, which comprises 120 acres of prime land. The farm work is now attended to by the sons, Peter J., and Herbert, who have proven themselves fully competent, and the entire family are respected for their industry wherever they are known. In church connection they are all members of St. Mary's Catholic Congregation, De Pere.
Commemorative Biographical record of the counties of Brown, Kewaunee, and Door, Wisconsin. Published 1895. Page 168.
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1821 - 1886 (64 years)
Immigration
