| Notes |
- 1895 Census confirms birth year. 1915 Iowa census shows an HL Garrels from Canaan, Henry Iowa at about the same age. It is possible he is a brother. He lists Germany as his birth place. Also listed in Henry, IA is an Albert L Garrels in 1930 census (about same age).
Iowa Death Records show her mother's name is Aije, not Antje as it appears on the ship's passenger manifest. It seems to indicate her maiden name was Klingenborg
Garrels were also present in Ireton, IA. The earliest known from 1839 could have been her mother. At least one of Hilka's children was born in Matlock, Sioux County, IA, which is very close to Ireton. Appears to be many Haans in the area as well, so this is likely the family that appears to be related to Hilka.
1880 Census shows a Harmon Garrels and siblings living with Weert and Sara Garrels in Franklin, Des Moines, IA. His birthplace is listed as Ostories Laduch.
1920 Census confirms German heritage. So does her obituary.
It is unclear at this point the exact location from which Hilka emigrated. Census data and her obituary shows she came from Germany, and her name is spelled "Hilke", the German form. According to her obituary she is from the Emden area, Ostfriesland, Germany. Emden may have been her port of departure. Most immigrants from Germany at that time came to the US through New Orleans.
Lana Kratz, a decendent of Hilka, stated in an email that her mother told her that Hilka was from Emden. It is unknown as to where her mother received that information. It was possibly passed down from generation to generation. It is confirmed by information of Familysearch.org.
There is another family from the same area (Theodorus Garrels and Hilke, or Hilka according to census, Harms) who came from Germany. Hilka came from Ostfriesland, but it is unclear the origin of Theodorus. In any case, their families have many similarities. Birth dates of the children are within 2 years from each other. Their childrens names are Trientje (Trina), Agnes (?), Harm, Elske (or Elka), Helen (Hilka). Theodorus and Hilke Harms were married in Parkersburg, Butler County, IA. You will find Haan's and Garrels both in that county. In fact, there was a Bena Garrels born in Emden who immigrated with her parents, Jacob Sluiter and Anna Garrels.
From Appledorn genealogy:
[387] Theodorus Garrels married Hilke Heren Harms in 1885. Mrs. Garrels was born Hilke Heren in Ogle County, llinois. Her parents died when she was very young and she lived with the Wesley Harms family. At the age of eight 8
moved with her foster parents to near Parkersburg, Iowa where she lived for many years. Here she met Mr. Garrels. They were married and soon after that moved to Lyon County. The Garrels farmed until they retired to George many years later.
[386] [SOURCE] "In and Around George, Iowa 1871 - 1912" [GEO 0148]
Cresent Publishing Company, Hills, Minnesota, 1971
reprinted: Kruger Office Supply, George, Iowa, 1998
[384] [SOURCE] 1900 USA Census - Iowa (Lyon County), Wheeler Township
Supervisor District No.: 11; Enumeration District No.: 57
Page 74A; Sheet: 10; Line: 46
[385] [SOURCE] Germans to America, Ira A. Glazier and P. William Filby, Scholarly Resources
listed as Garrels, Theod., age: 22; ship's name: Weser
manifest ID: 36138, embarkation: Bremen, debarkation: -
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1867 - 1937 (70 years)
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