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Recollections
of Mary Gutzman Govaerts Thompson
In 1885, Daniel married Dina Keppels. Dina was b. in Enchede, Holland,
October 29, 1867. As an infant she came to America with her father after
the death
of her mother. They settled in Cleveland, Ohio, for about a year. The family
then
moved on to Harvard, Nebraska. She worked as a slave husking corn and all
outdoor work until her marriage to Daniel. Daniel taught her many lessons,
which
he had learned batching after the death of Rosa. She became a special good
cook
and housewife. Everything had to be spick and span, a beautiful washer
and
ironer... everything spotless.
There were nine children b. to this union. Susie, b. March 29, 1886; Herman,
b., July 12, 1887; Mary, b. March 10,1889; Frank, b. December 12,1890;
Emma, b. January 11, 1893; Rosa, b. January 9, 1895; George, b. January
7,1897; Clarence, b. September 6,1903; and Albert, b. December 17,1905.
Another outbreak of disease, diphtheria and scarlet fever, spread through
the
family in 1906. George was seized with the dreaded malady, diphtheria,
and died.
The family was under quarantine for several days until Emma, Rosa and Clarence
all recovered.
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