| Notes |
- Joseph Joosten was born on January 21, 1838. Joseph was born in the village of Gerwen.
Joseph was one of four boys in his family.
Martin Joosten, his father, lived on a small farm, which was not completely paid for. In
the spring of 1851 he was sure that the United States afforded bener opportunities for him and
his sons. Only two of Joseph's brothers were at home with him.
Joseph and his brothers sailed on the "Lila" from Rotterdam in June 1851 and reached
New York after they sailed for thirty-eight days. Joseph's dad new he wanted to come to
Wisconsin. Joseph arrived in Milwaukee after leaving Buffalo by water. Then he went from
Milwaukee to Green Bay in August.
Joseph and his father settled in Kaukauna. They built a cabin of poplar poles, with a
chimney in a corner. Their roof was constructed of red clay and this was their protection from a
storm.
Then Joseph, his brother's and his Dad began to clear away the land around the cabin.
The first tree was cut shortly cut after their arrival. Then it became necessary for Joseph to get a
job. He successfully held a job as workman for Fox River Improvement Company.
Joseph also contained a job which required him to travel south at one time. His job was
to cut wood down in Arkansas and louisiana.
Joseph soon left the south after the Civil War was about to begin. When he got back up
to the north he worked for a farmer before purchasing land in Kaukauna.
On May 4, 1861, Joseph was married at Bay Settlement, Brown County. He was married
to Nellie Van Lannen who was born in Holland May 20 1840.
Then Joseph and his wife rented a farm near Bay Shore. They then removed to Grand
Chute with their children; Elizabeth, Frances, Anna and Mary.
Their farm in Grand Chute was one of the best farms in the area. It was only partially
cleared so they cleared it all the way.
Joseph is not yet dead yet.
by Cole Wyngaard, 2010
- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
COPYRIGHT 1895 PAGES 837-8-9
Joseph Joosten a pioneer of Grand Chute Township, Outagamie County, is a native of Holland. He was born January 31, 1838 in the Village of Gerwin. He died January 9, 1907. Martin Joosten, his father, lived on a small farm, which was not entirely paid for. In the spring of 1851 he decided that America would better suited for himself and his sons, of whom three of the four were still at home. He and his family sailed on the Lila, from Rotterdam, in June of 1851, after 38 days at sea they reached New York. He had decided to come to Wisconsin, traveling from Buffalo, to Milwaukee, by boat, then to Green Bay, arriving in August.
A quarter section of land was entered in section 8, township 21, range 18, Kaukauna. Once at Kaukauna they built a cabin of poplar poles, with a chimney in one corner, a roof of the same material was added, covered over the top with red clay, and this was their protection from the harsh northern environment. Then the next step was clearing the land. Then some of the sons had to go to work, else where, to earn money, to help support the farm. Because Joseph being more robust, he got a job with the Fox River Improvement Company, working side by side with him, were many young pioneers, who later became substantial citizens, in Brown, and Outagamie Counties. In 1860 he went south to cut wood in Louisiana, and Arkansas, remaining there, he felt intense feeling against northerners, and the difficulties were liable to make trouble for him, so he returned to home in 1861, later finding out his friends that stayed behind, never their northern homes again. Coming as far as Lincoln County, Illinois, Mr. Joosten worked for a few weeks for a farmer, and then returned to Kaukauna Township, where he remained several years.
On May 4, 1861, he was married, at Bay Settlement, Brown County, Wisconsin, to Nellie Van Laanen, who was born in Holland May 20, 1840, daughter of George Van Laanen, who with his wife and family had come across the ocean on the same vessel with the Joostens. The acquaintanceship there formed between the young people ripened, and, although for nine years they had been separated their marriage followed as stated. Joseph Joosten, up to the time of marriage, had given his earnings to his parents, and was without money or much clothing, but he bravely set his face towards the future and took the important step. With the capital of about 35 dollars the young couple began life on a rented farm at Bay Settlement, where they lived three years. They then rented a farm by Bay Shore for three years more, and on the first Monday in October 1867 removed to Grand Chute Township, Outagamie County. Their children at that time were Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Van Handel, of Kaukauna Township; Frances, now Mrs. Walter Bernards of Oregon; Anna, now Mrs. Anton Hermanns, of Oregon; and Mary, now Mrs. John Verhagen, of Grand Chute Township. The goods of the family were hauled to their new home of 80 acres in section 19, Grand Chute Township, a distance of 35 miles, by a yolk of oxen and two horses, with a couple of cows following behind the wagon. The land had been only partially cleared, and years of hard work was yet necessary before it could be made a profitable farm. That work was duly performed, and the place today ranks the best in the township. It now consists of 100 acres of highly improved land, on which a substantial brick residence and a commodious barm have been erected and evidences of prosperity abound. Here the family had since had their home, with the exception of one year, when Mr. Joosten, with a portion of his family, resided in Washington, Oregon, at a point 25 miles west of Portland, on this farm, also, the following children have been born: Jennie, now Mrs. Cornelius Hermans, of Oregon; Catherine, now Mrs. William Weyenberg, of Kaukauna Township; and Martin, Christine, and Margaret, who are living at home.
Since Mr. Joosten marriage farming has been his occupation, and his success has certainly been gratifying. He has been an extensive traveler in his adoptive country, having visiting visited both the eastern and western coasts, and traversed southern regions as far as the Golf of Mexico, and has worked in many of the states of the union, becoming thoroughly acquainted with its resources. In party preferences he has always been a Democrat, but has preferred to let other men attend to the management of political affairs, giving his attention to his farming interests instead of aspiring to office. In religious connections the family are members of St. John's Catholic Church, at Little Chute.
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1838 - 1907 (68 years)
