The City of Dublin


Gerrit Hendrik Hungerink was born March 14 1827 on the farm "de Harper" in Noordijk near Neede. "De Hunger" had gone to an other family member before. He was the second son of Gerrit Jan and his second wife Janna te Velthuis, the first son had died early. Untill around 1865 he had high hopes of inheriting "de Harper", since his half brother Jan Willem from the first marriage, at the age of 44 was still single.

But then Jan Willem found his great love. It must have been a terrible blow to Gerrit Hendrik. He embarked in Le Havre, France, on the British steamer "City of Dublin" August 13, 1866 to leave for America. He arrived in New York on September 20. On the immigration records he is listed as having the occupation of "landbouwer" (farmer), religion "Hervormd", class "less well to do", reason "economical improvement".

The journey went on to Zeeland Michigan where two years later at the age of 41 he married 28 year old Gerritjen Morgenstern, the daughter of Gerrit Jan Morgenstern and Harmina Kelhorst, all from Neede just like Gerrit Hendrik. It is not known when they came to America, but they might well have been old acquaintances.

On August 1, 1871, he bought 40 acres in Sec. 16 in the N.W. Corner of Felch Street and 72nd Avenue for $1400.00. It is presumed that he built the red brick house that stood there until about 1950 when it was destroyed by fire while his bachelor son Bert was living there. Gerrit Hendrik remained on the farm until his death July 19, 1900 at the age of 73. His wife Gerritjen stayed on the farm with their yougest son Bert until her death at the age of 82 on April 18, 1923. All were buried on the same lot in the Vriesland Cemetary.

A nice little anecdote in "Archief 1977" illustrates the character of the many farmers from the region "de Achterhoek" Gerrit Hendrik came from. Hermanus Johannes Bos from Neede, a door to door seller of bibles and a nephew of Gerrit Hendrik, left for America July 23, 1889, and arrived there after what must have been a long and eventfull journey. They had arranged that his uncle would collect him at a nearby station with his carriage and team of horses. Having waited some time, still seeing no sign of his uncle, he picked up his heavy luggage and decided to try and find his way there on his own. After a while Hermanus encountered a horsed vehicle, he halts the driver and the following conversation takes place:
"Bun iej Hungerink?"
"Dan bun iej Bos"'.

Not all may still speak the old "Achterhoeks" language. So here is the translation:
"Are you Hungerink?"
"Then you are Bos".
They are not a people of many words.


Story from sources by Jo Bos, Sherwin Hungerink and A J Derking

The City of Dublin was built by Smith & Rodger, Glasgow. She was a 2,138 gross ton ship, length 318ft x beam 36.3ft, clipper stem, one funnel, three masts (rigged for sail), iron construction, single screw and a speed of 11 knots.

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