Maps: The Netherlands, West Michigan | Close

Jan (John) Tukker (Tucker)

Born: 24 Aug 1836 in Brandlecht, Uelsen parish, Bentheim, Hanover province, Germany

Died: 5 Nov 1923 in East Saugatuck, Michigan

Parents: Jan Harm Tukker (Tucker)
Tilla (Tella) Lugten (Logten)

Theodora (Ida) L. Jarink (Jeurink, Jurrink)

Born: 9 Dec 1841 in Uelsen parish, Bentheim, Hanover province, Germany

Died: 27 Apr 1929 in East Saugatuck, Michigan

Parents: Berend Jeurink (Jurrink)
Geesje (Grace) Maring (Manenk)

Marriage: 18 Nov 1867

Children Gender Born Died
Gertie (Harkia) Tukker (Tucker) Daughter 28 Jun 1869
Jan Harm (John) Tukker (Tucker) Son 18 Apr 1871
23 Aug 1944
Truida (Trinda) Tukker (Tucker) Daughter 1 Sep 1873
1957
Benjamin Tukker (Tucker) Son 14 Apr 1876
1877
Benjamin Tukker (Tucker) Son 15 Aug 1878
21 Jan 1972
Herman Tukker (Tucker) Son 4 Oct 1880
19 Apr 1960
Hannah Tukker (Tucker) Daughter 1 Feb 1883
9 Aug 1936
Gerrit Tukker (Tucker) Son 19 Aug 1885
5 Jun 1961

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Back: Herman, Truida, Gertie, Benjamin; Middle: Jan, Theodora, Jan Harm; Front: Gerrit, Hannah

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Jan and Theodora

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Back: Hannah, Benjamin, Herman, Gerrit, Truida; Front: Jan Harm, Jan, Theodora, Gertie

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Jan and Theodora

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An 1858 drawing of the Bremen, the ship on which they emigrated

Jan and Theodora departed from Bremen on a ship named Bremen, arriving in New York on 7 May 1866, and settled southeast of Graafschap, MI. By 1873 their farm consisted of 140 acres worth about $1,200 (map of farm). Her brother Henry also worked on the farm, which by 1895 grew to 220 acres, though by 1913 it had returned to 140 acres.

The Tukkers were a well-respected Christian family in the community, and the east-west road just north of their land came to be known as "Tucker Road." Theodora was known as a kind woman; she may have had diabetes, and later did have gangrene in one of her feet. When older, the couple moved in with daughter Gertie in East Saugatuck, MI, where they both died.

Jan is buried in East Saugatuck Cemetery (L23 G2), beside Theodora (L23 G3).