Namesake – Joseph Dijkstra

My father’s name was Joseph but went his entire life as Joe.  He was named after his grandfather Joseph Gerbens Dijkstra, who was named after his father Gerben Dijkstra.

Joseph Gerbens Dijkstra was born in Workum, Friesland, Netherlands on Wednesday, 18 Jan 1871. He was the fourth child of Gerben Willem and Klaaske Douwes (DAMSMA) Dijkstra.  In June 19, 1897, at 26 years of age, he married Hiltje Oosterman who was then 24 years old, in Workum.

On April 8,1898, less than a year after they were married, their first child was born.  They named her Grace (Grietje) after Hiltje’s mother.  Two years later Klaaske, named after Joseph’s mother, was born, but she lived only eight days and was buried in Workum. By the end of the same year, 29 Nov 1900, Gerrit was born. Some time between 1900 and 1904 the family moved from Workum to Bovenknijpe, in hopes of finding better work since Hiltje had brothers who had previously moved there. Hendrik, who was named after Hiltje’s father, was born there in April of 1904. Klaas, (my grandfather) followed 17 Dec 1907. Not finding enough work there to support his growing family, Joseph returned to Workum where he had family some time after 1908.

Still, life wasn’t easy for Joseph and Hiltje. Some of Hiltje’s family had previously moved to “the New Land”. They wrote to Hiltje and others ‘back home’ asking them to join them in America. Posters were everywhere praising the opportunities awaiting those who came to the new land and the riches to be found there. Ads were published in the newspapers promising work and good wages. It was 1912 and Hiltje discovered she was pregnant again giving birth to another girl in May that the couple named Klaaske, to honor the daughter they had loved for only a short time 12 years earlier. Unfortunately, the second Klaaske died at birth. 

Joseph worked hard over that summer and Hiltje cared for the children and regained her strength. Finally the day came when Joseph decided to seize the opportunity and emigrate to the United States. He booked passage on a steamer to cross the vast Atlantic. They packed up their most valuable possessions and made their way to Rotterdam. On September 20, 1912 they boarded the S. S. Rijndam bound for New York. Joseph was 40 years old with a wife and 4 children in tow. Behind, they were leaving the comfort of family, friends, church and all things known. Ahead of them was the unknown, but also hope for a better life.

They were aboard the ship for 18 days. The living conditions were tight. Sickness passed from passenger to passenger throughout the ship. Days were spent with little to do. But finally they were standing on the deck of the ship and watched as the outline of the city grew larger and larger. They passed the solitary image of a woman whose upheld hand held a torch and they knew their lives would never be the same.

Line 11: Joseph Dykstra age 40, laborer, Born in Workum Holland, Father Gerben Dykstra, from Workum; passage paid by Hiltje’s brother, sponsor T. Oostermann, Whitinsville, Mass. Joseph age 40 is 5ft 7 in tall with blond hair and blue eyes. Hiltje Dykstra age 39, 5ft 3in with blonde hair and blue eyes, Grietze age 14, 5ft 5in with blond hair and blue eyes, Gerben age 11, Hendrik age 8, Klaas age 4.

They arrived at the port of New York in the United States on October 8, 1912. Hiltje’s brother, Tiejks Oosterman (who had also paid their passage) met the family and signed the papers of sponsorship at the immigration office. The family was then on their way to Whitinsville, Massachusetts and soon settled into a new home.

The year they arrived in the United States:

• The Titanic strikes an iceberg and sinks, 1500 perish
• Woodrow Wilson and Thomas Marshall are elected President and VP
• The National American Women’s Suffrage Association organizes to campaign for equal rights for women.
• Hellmann’s Blue Ribbon Mayonnaise and Oreo Biscuits are introduced
• Juliette Lowe starts the first troop of Girl Scouts in Savannah, GA
• Cracker Jack puts toy surprises in bags of caramel-coated popcorn
• The Boston Red Sox defeat the New York Giants to take the World Series
• Arizona enters the union as the 48th state

Henry started feeling ill shortly after arriving at Whitinsville and died three months later. He was only eight years old. He is buried in the Riverdale Cemetery, Northbridge, MA.

Joseph found work at the Whitin Machine Works company which manufactured spinning rings for the textile mills located throughout Massachusetts and southern New England. Joseph worked at the WMW for more than thirty years as a machinist, retiring in 1940.

Joseph, known by his grandchildren as Pake Joe, and Hilda, known as Bep Hilda, belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church.  Sunday, being Sabbath, was very much respected.  The women would spend many hours on Saturday preparing meals for Saturday and also for Sunday.  

Early Sunday mornings the children would go off to Sunday School.  At 10:00 would be the first Service of the day.  Afterwards the family would return home and have supper followed possibly by a walk or family gathering and relaxation.  They would return to church at 2:30 PM for the Dutch service.  After the Dutch service families would prepare for supper.  Once nicely fed, the family would return to church for the evening service.  It was always a full day but the children and grandchildren loved spending time with Pake Joe and Bep Hilda.

Bep Hilda died on 19 September 1941. Pake Joe died 17 July 1953. Joseph and Hiltje are buried in the Riverdale Cemetery in Northbridge, MA with many other of their family members.

When my father became a grandfather for the first time, he told me he wanted to be called Pake.  “Pake Joe” lived on.   All of his grandchildren and many friends, called him that.  It is gratifying to know where your name comes from and to proudly carry it on.