Kempen Tree

The Kempen Tree

This tree is documented back to the 1600s. Great X 5 Grandparents.

I had to turn it sideways so it could fit.

Esther Kempen (our Grandmother)

ALL four of Esther's grandparents were born in Holland (in yellow highlight above).

This line is our strongest heritage!

Born: Sometime in 1904 in Wrightstown, Wisconsin.
She was the youngest of 7 children.
She married the war veteran at 21 yrs, and proceeded to populate the earth.
She had 10 kids with William C. Farrell (Dad's dad). See their story on the Farrell tree.
She died VERY young from pneumonia in 1947 at 43 yrs.
Both Ruth and Grace loved their mother very much, and speak very highly of their 'Moma'. Grace likes to tell that Moma was a concert pianist. Ruth warned me of this, and said, yes, she was a very good pianist. The family would often gather around the piano and sing songs, such as 'Big Rock Candy Mountain'.

George Kempen (Great Grandfather - Esther's Dad)

Born in 1853 somewhere in Wisconsin.
He lived in Woodville, Calumet, Wisconsin as a child.
Sometime after his 27th birthday (1880 Census) he married Anna.
Died between the 1910 and 1920 Census (at least 57 yrs). Before Dad was born.

Anna M Kerkhoff (Great Grandmother - Esther's Mom)

Born abt 1864 in Wrightstown, Brown, Wisconsin USA
Both her parents were born in Holland, even though we don't know their names.
She lived in the household with Dad's family until she died when he was about 12.
Died 2 Oct 1942 at 78 yrs.

Anna M Kerkhoff

Their Story

1905 Wisconsin Census

Shows 6 kids starting with John (19) and the youngest Esther (1).

He was 52; She was 41.

1910 US Census

Shows 5 kids starting with John (24) and the youngest Esther (6) living in Wrightstown, Wis.

He was 57; She was 46

1920 Census

Shows she was 55 yrs, widowed, and living only with Esther (15), her youngest.
By 1930 she moved to Racine and lived with William C Farrell and her daughter Esther (25).
The 1940 Census shows she was living with William C Farrell, her daughter Esther (36), and a LOT of kids, William J Farrell Jr included.
See these records on the Farrell tree.

Wilbert and Ardina Kempen (George's parents)

His parents were both were born in Holland. From there, the lineage goes way back to the 1600's, thanks to research from a multitude of people on Ancestry.com.

Henry Wilbert Kempen

Birth: 15 Apr 1827 in Mill, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Parents: Adrianus Kempen 1791-1891 and Johanna van Els 1787-1891
Arrived in USA: May 5, 1848 (21 yrs.)
Death: 2 Jul 1906 in Woodville, Calumet, Wisconsin (79 yrs.)

Ardina Vandehei

Birth: 2 Nov 1821 in Zeeland, Landerd, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Death: 18 Jan 1899 in Hollandtown, Wisconsin (78 yrs.)

Their Story

They married June 10, 1849 at Little Chute, Wisconsin. He was 22 yrs., She was 28 yrs. - 6 years older than her him.

Since he arrived in 1848, they probably met in the USA.

Wilbert's Naturalization record.

1880 Census

Shows he and Ardina still have their 6 kids living with them, including George (27).

1900 Census

Shows Wilbert (73) and his son Henry living with the Kerkhoffs, his son George's wife's family.

Ardina had just died the year before.