DeGroot, John

Notes:

Family History Researcher:
Notes from Steve Turek;
John DeGroot was born on February 12, 1855 in the town of Harrison, Calumet County, Wisconsin. He was the son of Henrieus (Henry) DeGroot and Huberdine Van Rooy from the Netherlands. His family moved to Bay Settlement in 1858, and in 1881 he moved into Green Bay to take up the blacksmith trade. One year later John married Anna Roppel of Montpelier, Wisconsin on May 16, 1882 in Eaton, Wisconsin.
They had nine children:
*Henry Hubert DeGroot (May 2, 1883-April 30, 1963) who married Louise Moreau
*Frank Conrad DeGroot (November 13, 1885-January 17, 1934) who married Elizabeth Anderson
*Rosa (Rosie) Catharine DeGroot (June 1, 1890-May 20, 1900)
*Virginia DeGroot (died at birth)
*Delia Mary DeGroot (March 22, 1892-April 23, 1976) who married Frank Thyes
*Angelina Magaretha DeGroot (January 12, 1894-March 18, 1894)
*Maria Magdalena (Anna Marie) DeGroot (August 24, 1895-June 3, 1994) who married Frank Francis Turek
*Agnes F. DeGroot (May 25, 1897-September 25, 1897)
*Jessie Virginia DeGroot (July 30, 1900-January 6, 1966) who married William Van Iten and then to Frank Baenen (1944)

The John DeGroot family circa 1902
Clockwise from left: Mother Annie, Frank, Delia, Henry, Father John, Anna Marie, and Jessie (with doll)
John was a gray-eyed blacksmith in the Green Bay area for many years. He had the wooden wagons built at a nearby shop and he added his nameplate to the wagons. The shop and the family residence were located at 1356 Main Street. At one time his mother's sister (a Van Rooy) lived with the family. She ran a candy shop located directly across the street from John's blacksmith shop. He had the house built on land that was previously owned by Reimer's Meats after the birth of the two oldest boys. Before that time, the family lived on Cedar Street.
In 1900, DeGroot and Vanderstein owned Lots 93-95 in Green Bay with John listed as the single owner of Lot 96 &97. The value of Lot 96 was $450 with taxes of $15.98 and Lot 97 valued at $225 with a tax of $7.99. According to a 1906 and 1907 record he continued to the same two lots in sewer district 8. The value of Lot 96 was $1050 with a tax of $23.31.
Lot 97 was valued at $700 with a tax of $15.54. John made a good living, but Anna Marie stated, "that whenever he had $10 he would go out and buy a lot of things."
John's daughter Rose contracted spinal meningitis in 1900. Anna Marie recalled how they would plunge Rose into a tub of hot water. The neighbors would bring tubs of hot water over to the house from the Rahr's Brewery located across the street. Knowing the end was near, Anna Marie remembers being told by her father to come to the deathbed with a lit candle and watch her die. Rose was only ten years old.
Around 1907, when Anna Marie was aged 12, the family moved to the Piggly Wiggly area in east Green Bay to run a tavern. Anna Marie remarked that it was "the biggest mistake ever made" because her father was not a good tavern manager. Anna Marie bartended and sold beer, and it is there that she believes that she met her future husband Frank Turek. The DeGroot's rented a brick house while living in that area. After seven years in the failed tavern business, the DeGroot family moved back to 1356 Main Street around 1915.
Anna Marie remembers the wonderful Christmas tree that was always up for the holidays. There would be home baked cookies, apples and candied cherries neatly decorating it. Her father John would often crawl under the tree and eat some of the cookies.
John DeGroot developed cancer of the mouth late in life and part of his tongue had to be removed. Just as he was re-learning how to talk, on December 10, 1920 he died. Following John's death there was a small mystery concerning his will. No one knew where it was located. A neighbor, John Smits told the son Henry, the executor, that indeed there was a will as he was the witness to the signing of it. They searched the house thoroughly. Eventually it was found in an old secretary desk taped under the desk drawer. The will signed and sealed on October 6th, 1919. John DeGroot is buried in the Allouez Cemetery.

John married Roppel, Anna 16 May 1882, Eaton, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA. Anna was born 26 Nov 1861, Montpelier, Kewaunee, Wisconsin, USA; died 27 Jun 1947, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , Allouez Catholic Cemetery, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Henry married Moreau, Louise Aft 1901, , , Wisconsin, USA. Louise died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• WWI Draft Registration Card: 5 Jun 1917
• 1920 Census: 1920, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA
• 1920 Census: 1920, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA

Notes:

WWI Draft Registration Card:
Notice this Frank DeGroot (born 12/22/1887) lists in 1917 he has three children. The other Frank DeGroot born in 1885 (married to Eliz Anderson,) would only have 1 child by 1917.

Name:Frank Degroot
County:Brown
State:Wisconsin
Birthplace:Wisconsin
Birth Date:22 Dec 1887
Race:Caucasian (White

1920 Census:
Frank Degroot33
Jennie Degroot27
William Degroot6
Elmer Degroot5
Edward Degroot2 [2 11/12]
Laurette Degroot1 [1 1/12]

1920 Census:
Frank C Degroot34
Elizabeth A Degroot31
John F Degroot8
Margaret E Degroot1
[1 5/12]

Frank married Anderson, Elizabeth Bef 1911, , , Wisconsin, USA. Elizabeth was born Abt 1888; died 11 May 1955; was buried , Fort Howard Memorial Park Cemetery, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Delia married Thyes, Frank 23 Jul 1912, , , Wisconsin, USA; divorced 22 Feb 1939. Frank was born 15 Mar 1892, Preble, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; died 15 Apr 1967, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Biography: Bef 3 Jun 1994

Notes:

Had name as Maria Magdelena but DeGroot Family History lists her as Anna Marie.

Biography:
By Steve Turek;

Anna Marie (christened as Maria Magdalena) DeGroot was born August 24, 1895 at 1356 Main Street in Green Bay, Wisconsin. At age 7 she started school at St. Willebrod's School where she loved Reading, Spelling and Arithmetic. She hated Grammar and was quite upset that in Arithmetic class that they never studied Algebra. A favorite memory Anna Marie had was of walking to school when a neighbor on his way to business school would stop and give her a ride on his ice/snow cutter. Her daily chore at home was cleaning and filling the coal lamps and lining them back up on the wooden shelf in the kitchen. She graduated from 8th grade, which ended her schooling as her parents thought that there was no reason for her to go on. Upsetting Anna Marie was the fact that her older brother Henry got to further his education by attending a business college.

The first winter after she graduated Anna Marie, at age 16, went to a sewing school that was held in an "old maid's" home near St. Peter & Paul's church. There were six or seven in the class, and she stitched the blue silk dress that is in the photograph. The following year her expert sewing abilities got her hired at the Brown County Asylum that housed the TB and "mentally insane" patients. She repaired and sewed outfits, linens and even underwear. Quite often on her "ladies time off" or break time, she was called upon to help with the patients. Anna Marie was paid over $17 a month plus room and board which included working some Sundays. The meals were excellent as the asylum had their own cows, which meant fresh milk and butter. She was eventually put in charge but after working there for over a year, Anna Marie's mother made her quit. She was afraid with Anna Marie working among those "crazy people."

At the age of 16, Anna Marie started dating a neighbor, Frank Turek. Living just two lots down from the Turek Brothers Meat Company, Anna Marie knew the Turek family well. In fact, when Anna Marie was a little girl she remembers walking old Grandmother Turek to the Christman-Cross Dry Goods Store on Main Street in Green Bay.
For a short time Anna Marie's father owned a tavern. At age 12 Anna Marie would sell beer and help bartend, and it was there that she believes she first met Frank. On September 14, 1915 Frank Turek and Anna Marie DeGroot married.

Early in their marriage they lived on Elm Street in Green Bay. But after about six weeks they moved out to the Turek farm on Cedar Creek Road now known as University Avenue. On November 26, 1919 their first child was born and they named her Elaine Anna Marie. James Francis was born eight years later on July 1, 1928.

Anna Marie's first car was purchased in 1922. It was a Roadster that had curtains to put up if it rained. Following Elaine's birth they got Anna Marie's favorite car, a slate gray Coup. Frank would hold the baby while Anna Marie drove, as he wasn't interested in driving ever since they changed the design of the Model T.
Anna Marie was an active member of St. Willebrord's Catholic Church, as well as the Women's Relief Corp.
Her son Jim recalls her pounding on the piano as the women marched patriotically around the hall. They were active in planting geraniums on the graves for Memorial Day as well. She loved playing all kinds of cards, especially Bridge, and was excellent at crossword puzzles. Anna Marie was a fine piano player and would often sit down and perform "Midnight Fire Alarm" or "Moon Winks."

Anna Marie's specialties in the kitchen included cherry tarts, cooked rice with raisins, homemade jams and jellies, and molasses popcorn balls for the Christmas season. Her husband Frank would help out in forming the popcorn balls as his hands were calloused from years of farm work. The Catholic Friday supper that Anna Marie prepared was scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes and butter with a can of peas. Her son recalls her "grease bread" where she would soak bread in a pan of hot lard.

Sadly, on December 26, 1958 Frank Turek died. Anna Marie lived alone at the Turek homestead on University Avenue (previously known as Cedar Creek Road as well as Willow Street) until the late 1970's. The land was sold to the state to make way for a widening and re-structuring of the road. Anna Marie relocated to a small white house at 1484 Mc McCormick Street in Green Bay in October of 1975. The cement silo of the Turek farm was still standing as of 2001.


In her later years Anna Marie was moved to the Odd Fellows Rebekah Nursing Home. She was a resident there for several years. On May 8, 1994 she was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with pneumonia and a 102 degree temperature. Anna Marie DeGroot Turek died on June 3, 1994 at age 98. Her daughter Elaine Bellin, her son James Turek, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren survived her.

Anna married Turek, Frank Francis 14 Sep 1915, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. Frank was born Bef 1897; died 26 Dec 1958. [Group Sheet]

Jessie married VanIten, William Abt 1921. William (son of VanIten, Peter and Unknown, Mary) was born 14 Feb 1897; died 1 Apr 1940; was buried , Allouez Catholic Cemetery, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Jessie married Baenen, Frank J. Abt 1944. Frank (son of Baenen, Joseph and VanLannen, Anna) was born 4 Mar 1887; died 25 Jun 1956. [Group Sheet]

John married Smits, Stella Marie 27 May 1935, St. Mary Catholic Church, Depere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA. Stella (daughter of Smits, Martin Jacob and VanDyck, Louise) was born 17 Dec 1913, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; died 10 Jun 2009; was buried , Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 30 Oct 2016; Green Bay Press Gazette

Notes:

Obituary:
Shirley A. Baeten, 86, Humboldt, died at a local hospital with family at her side, Friday afternoon, October 28, 2016.
She was born in Green Bay on March 11, 1930 to the late William and Jessie (DeGroot) Van Iten.
She graduated 8th grade in 1945 from SS. Peter and Paul School in Green Bay. In 1949 she graduated from East High School.
On May 30, 1950 Shirley and Alwin J. Baeten were married at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Green Bay. Together they farmed in the Town of Humboldt where for thirty of the years together they owned and operated Baeten Trenching.
Shirley was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Ladies Altar Society leading many of the activities during this time. She led the funeral committee at Our Lady Queen of Peace/St. Thomas the Apostle Parish for over 25 years. Also for the parish, Shirley created the artificial floral arrangements for the altar and laundered vestments during this time.
She belonged to two snowmobile clubs, "Ranger City Riders" and "Sugarbush Trail Tramps". With Al, she spent many hours touring country trails with their UTV.
She loved crafts.
Her enjoyments also included attending the Allouez Village Band Concert at the Meyer Theater, and especially loved attending activities her grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved with. Shirley was so proud to participate on the third Friday of each month gathering with her eighth grade classmates from SS. Peter and Paul School, at a local restaurant.
Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Alwin and four children, Pam and Jerry Strand and their three daughters, Dawn (special friend Nick Prevost) Rost, and her daughters, Faith and Anna; Karen (Jason) Miller and their sons, Jordan, Mason, Carson; Heather Strand, and her son Clintin. Donna and Clyde Brunner and their three daughters, Lori (Jason) Dart and their son Jace; Amy (Nicholas) Ullmer and their daughter, Amelia; Tammy (special friend Tony Schuh) Brunner. Marty Baeten and his son, Kenny Baeten. Bev and Gary Reckelberg and their three children, Rebecca (Dan) Van Pay and their daughter Aurora; Dennis (Lindsey) Reckelberg; Wendy (Jason) Van Pay; and three babies arriving in Spring of 2017! Two sisters, Virginia Nickodem and Gladys Habeck. Many nieces and nephews further survive.
Shirley was preceded in death by three sons, infant Dennis, infant Gilbert and Stanley Baeten; one great grandson, Alexander Ullmer; two brothers, Armond (Gen) Van Iten, William Van Iten; brothers in law and sisters in law, Antone Nickodem and James Habeck, Norman Baeten, Bernard (Lorraine) Baeten, Gordon (Rosella) Baeten, Clayton (Betty) Baeten, Eugene (Shirley) Baeten, Beatrice (Robert J.) Janssen, Bernice (Lawrence) Vanden Plas.
Friends may call at McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, LUXEMBURG, 4:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday, October 31, 2016.
Closing rosary service at 7:00 pm.
Visitation will continue on Tuesday, November 01, 2016 between 9:45 and 10:45 am. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 5930 Humboldt Road, Luxemburg, Wi. 54217.
Funeral 11:00 am, Tuesday at the church with Rev. Carlo Villaluz officiating.
Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Humboldt.
Green Bay Press Gazette Oct 30 2016

Shirley married Baeten, Alwin 30 May 1950. Alwin (son of Baeten, John Renier and Jacobs, Theodora) was born 14 Aug 1930, Humboldt, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; died 26 Apr 2017, Humboldt, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Humboldt, Brown, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet]