Derk Freerks Woltjer was born on January 9, 1838 in Beerta District, Groningen Province, Netherlands. He was the son of Freerk Jakobs Woltjer and Elsien Derks Mooi. He was united in marriage to Kornelia Pieter Geeneral on October 1, 1858 in Midwolda District a few miles west of Beerta. Kornelia, the daughter of Pieter Hindriks Geeneral and Eltje Harms Tuin, was born on November 26, 1838 in Oostwold, Midwolda District. Derk and Kornelia had at least five children: Pieter (1858), Elsien (1861), Freerk (1863), Nikolaus (1875) and Nello (1878). The family lived in Oostwold until they immigrated to the U.S.A. around 1894. At first they settled on a farm near Clara City, Minnesota. Around 1903, they moved to a farm in Crooks Township, Renville County, Minnesota. Kornelia died there on January 21, 1909 and was buried at Emden Cemetery north of Renville. Derk was killed on August 15, 1921 when he was attacked by a vicious bull on the farm of his son Nick. He was buried next to his wife in Emden Cemetery. For more information on the ancestors of Derk Woltjer please send email to me or to Gordon Bruins.
The children of Derk and Kornelia: