Hendrik was a weaver and/or farmer in Halle before he and Geziena emgriated with their children from Bremen Harbor aboard the 400-ton ship Coriolan with 242 passengers. Although unreported by Captain H. Wulf, word has it that sons Johann and Herman died at sea and were slid down a plan into the ocean, before the family's arrival in New York on 7 May 1855.

The family settled south of Graafschap, MI, and by the 1860 census owned about 80 acres worth $100 (map of farm). The 1870 census values their land at $1,000.

After Hendrik died of lung cancer, Geziena lived with son Derk, refusing to leave the old homestead and cooking in her own part of the house, as was agreed when the family's 100 acres was divided evenly between Derk and Jan Harm. She once noticed oil slicks on their creek and predicted that the land contained oil, which was later discovered and tapped by the Boeve family. She died of apoplexy while Derk was preparing to relocate to South Olive, MI.

Hendrik is buried in East Holland Cemetery (L100 G1), and Geziena beside him (L100 G2).