Great Grandfather Wibben

From Gene's diary 

Gerd CW Wibben  Geerd Wibben was born 7.21.1845

1845-1915

My great grandfather Wibben must have been a stinker. He had a daughter out of wedlock, and she took the name of Bentheim (her mother's family name) or something like that. I once had a letter from her descendents at Green, Iowa to see if I had any more background info on him. I didn't. Well, he was married to my great grandmother, Mettje; her maiden name is Bentheim.  I think they had only one daughter, my grandmother, Anna, who died in childbirth at 39 yrs old. 

The next excerpt from great grandfather Wibben comes at Anna's funeral, when he was dead drunk and fell over in a stupor in "the yard." My dad Henry (Hindirk's son) who was 7 years old at the time his mom died, never got over that - and maybe that is why grandpa Wibben was never a part of our lives. 

His wife, Mettja died when she was 47 or so.  Somewhere along the way he met my great Aunt Trentje and married her. My great aunt became my step-great grandmother also. 

The next look into their lives is - somehow I got hold of his "sale-bill" when he quit farming near Dumont, SD.  His farm was 1/2 mile north of Dumont. I should have a file on Wibben and the sale-bill is in that file.

            We saw the tiny Christian Reformed Church in Dumont. Great grandfather Wibben must have "dried out" and because he become an elder in that church.

            In retirement they (he and Trientje) moved to George, Iowa and both he and Trientje are buried in the George Cemetery. Art Bingner (cousin) told me he remembered going to George, Iowa to visit Aunt Trientje - he said nothing about Gerd Wibben. 

            

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