Individual Details
Harm Behrens Heiken
(25 Dec 1817 - 4 Nov 1899)
Immigrated from Germany in 1855. First settled near St. Paul, MN and about 1859 bought land in Ellsworth County, KA
The following is an excerpt from a historical study of the Koop and Siefken families by Laurel Lee Koop Turner in 1986:
HARM BEHRENS HEIKEN
Harm Behrens Heiken, son of H.B.Heiken and Talke Maria Pierst'ck was born in the Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany on December 25, 1817. After receiving his education in Schortens, he worked as a carpenter and was registered with the Oldenburg army. On March 24, 1842 in Schoost, Gemany Harm married Rixte Margareta Willms, daughter of Johan Willms and Hieme M. Heiken (a bloodline relationship between Harm and Hieme has not been established).
Circa 1872, Harm and Rixte immigrated to the United States, bringing one son, Henry Jurgens with them. Three of their children died in Gemany and three others - Talke Maria, Johan Willms, and Herman Behrens - immigrated prior to their parents. Historical narratives suggest that Harm and Rixte landed in Baltimore, Maryland, visited with friends and relatives for several months, and then settled in Green Garden Township, Will County, Illinois.
Two separate deeds dated September and October, 1876 record Harm's purchase of sixty acres in St. Francis Township, Effingham County, Illinois. Both deeds state that he was residing in Will County at the time. He purchased the property from Thomas A. Jackson for $20.00 per acre. Harm's land was located one section to the north of his daughter Talke Maria and her husband, Gerhard Siefken. Ham and Rixte resided in the St. Francis Township community for over fifteen years. They were members of the Lutheran church and politically, Harm was a Republican.
In February, 1880, their son Henry Jurgens married Paulina Gust and moved to Ellsworth County, Kansas eight days later. Two other sons were also living outside of Illinois - Johan in Minnesota and Herman in either Washington or California. In 1881, Harm and Rixte's grandson, Eilert Reents immigrated from Germany at age fourteen and came to live with them. Eilert's mother (Ham and Rixte's daughter) died in 1877 and he left hisfather and younger brother in Germany.
"Thisindenture made this 21st day of May AD 1894 between Harm Behrens Heiken and Rixty M. Heiken his wife of Ellsworth county in the state of Kansas of the first part and Gerhard Siefken of Dieterich in the county of Effingham in the state of Illinois of the second part, Witnesseth that said parties of the first part in consideration of the sum of One Thousand three hundred Fifty ($1,350.00) and no/100 Dollars the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do by these presents grant bargain sell and convey unto said party of the second part... the following described real estate situated in the county of Effingham and state of Illinois ... The North West quarter (NW 1/4) of the South West quarter (SW 1/4) of Section number twenty four (24) ... and also the North half of the North east quarter of the.South east quarter N 1/2 of NE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of section number twenty three (23) ... In Witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written.
Harm Behrens Heiken (signed)
Rixty M. Heiken" (signed)
Why Harm decided to move to Ellsworth County, Kansas is unknown. He was seventy-seven years old. However, the 1900 Federal Census provides a possible clue. In Valley Township, near Holyrood, Kansas the census lists consecutive households for Henry Heiken (moved there in 1880), Johan Heiken (moved there circa 1883/4), and Eilert Reents (moved there circa 1890/1).
Four years after Harm moved to Ellsworth County, Kansas, he decided to write his will.
"I, Harm Behrens Heiken of Ellsworth County Kansas being of sound mind and memory do hereby make and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made.
First - It is my will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid as soon after my death as soon as convenient by my Executor.
2nd I hereby Will devise and bequeath all my Estate both real and personal to my Wife Rixte Margaretha Heiken for her use and benefit as long as she may live and I desire that she be required to give no bond or render an account of the same to any person.
3rd It is my will that after the death of my Wife Rixte Margaretha Heiken all my Estate both real and personal be sold by my executor at Public or private sale - within two years after the death of my said Wife at the market value thereof, should said Estate not bring the market value then the time of said sale may be extended so as to sell at market value.
4th The proceeds of said sale (after all my just debts are paid) shall be divided and distributed as follows. (1/5) one fift to the Heirs of my deceased Daughter Talke Maria Siefken Wife of Gerhard Siefken Effingham County, Illinois (1/5) one fift to my Son John Willms Heiken, Ellsworth Co. Kans. (1/5) one fift to my Son Herman Behrens Heiken at present in California (1/5) one fift to my Son Henry Jurgens Heiken Ellsworth Co. Kansas (1/10) one tenth to my Grandson Eilert Janssen Reents Ellsworth County Kansas. ($1.00) one dollar to my Grandson Herman Reents Germany
5th The then remaining part shall be Kept by my Executor untill after the settlement of the Estate of Heirs of Johan Willms my deceased Fatherinlaw of Schoost Jever County Germany and if my Grandson Herman Reents of Germany shall take said Estate of ?? Heirs for not less than (40,000.00) Fourty Thousand Mark and pay over to the other Heirs their just shares not less than (36.,000.00) Thirty six Thousand Mark, or in case said Herman Reents should not reside in Germany at that time and shall give his consent to sell at Public or private sale said Estate of Johann Willms Heirs and the proceeds be devided and distributed among the other said Heirs, then and only then the said remaining part shall belong and be paid to said Herman Reents but other wise said remaining part shall be devided and distributed among the other Heirs mentioned and sett forth in Article #4 of this my Will, pro rato of their portion allready received 6th This my Will shall be opened and admitted to probate forthwith after my death.
7th The executor of this my will shall be appointed by the Probate Judge with the consent of at least (3) three of my Heirs The foregoing is my full Will and Testament and I desire the same to be kept and carried out, notwithstanding any mistakes in form or law.
In witness Whereof I have set my hand this 13th day of September 1898.
Harm Behrens Heiken" (signed)
One year and almost two months after Ham sealed his will, he died on November 4, 1899. Probate records reveal his extensive land holdings 680 acres - in the county. How or why he purchased this land is unknown. The executor of the estate was to be appointed by the court, with the approval of three of Harm's heirs. His son, Henry Jurgens was appointed and approved by his mother, his brother Johan, and his nephew, Eilert Reents.
After her husband's death, Rixte lived with her son, Henry and is listed as a member of that household in the 1900 Federal Census. She died of bronchial pneumonia on March 16, 1906. Both Harm and Rixte were buried in St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church cemetery in Valley Township, Ellsworth County, Kansas.
The following is an excerpt from a historical study of the Koop and Siefken families by Laurel Lee Koop Turner in 1986:
HARM BEHRENS HEIKEN
Harm Behrens Heiken, son of H.B.Heiken and Talke Maria Pierst'ck was born in the Duchy of Oldenburg, Germany on December 25, 1817. After receiving his education in Schortens, he worked as a carpenter and was registered with the Oldenburg army. On March 24, 1842 in Schoost, Gemany Harm married Rixte Margareta Willms, daughter of Johan Willms and Hieme M. Heiken (a bloodline relationship between Harm and Hieme has not been established).
Circa 1872, Harm and Rixte immigrated to the United States, bringing one son, Henry Jurgens with them. Three of their children died in Gemany and three others - Talke Maria, Johan Willms, and Herman Behrens - immigrated prior to their parents. Historical narratives suggest that Harm and Rixte landed in Baltimore, Maryland, visited with friends and relatives for several months, and then settled in Green Garden Township, Will County, Illinois.
Two separate deeds dated September and October, 1876 record Harm's purchase of sixty acres in St. Francis Township, Effingham County, Illinois. Both deeds state that he was residing in Will County at the time. He purchased the property from Thomas A. Jackson for $20.00 per acre. Harm's land was located one section to the north of his daughter Talke Maria and her husband, Gerhard Siefken. Ham and Rixte resided in the St. Francis Township community for over fifteen years. They were members of the Lutheran church and politically, Harm was a Republican.
In February, 1880, their son Henry Jurgens married Paulina Gust and moved to Ellsworth County, Kansas eight days later. Two other sons were also living outside of Illinois - Johan in Minnesota and Herman in either Washington or California. In 1881, Harm and Rixte's grandson, Eilert Reents immigrated from Germany at age fourteen and came to live with them. Eilert's mother (Ham and Rixte's daughter) died in 1877 and he left hisfather and younger brother in Germany.
"Thisindenture made this 21st day of May AD 1894 between Harm Behrens Heiken and Rixty M. Heiken his wife of Ellsworth county in the state of Kansas of the first part and Gerhard Siefken of Dieterich in the county of Effingham in the state of Illinois of the second part, Witnesseth that said parties of the first part in consideration of the sum of One Thousand three hundred Fifty ($1,350.00) and no/100 Dollars the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged do by these presents grant bargain sell and convey unto said party of the second part... the following described real estate situated in the county of Effingham and state of Illinois ... The North West quarter (NW 1/4) of the South West quarter (SW 1/4) of Section number twenty four (24) ... and also the North half of the North east quarter of the.South east quarter N 1/2 of NE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of section number twenty three (23) ... In Witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written.
Harm Behrens Heiken (signed)
Rixty M. Heiken" (signed)
Why Harm decided to move to Ellsworth County, Kansas is unknown. He was seventy-seven years old. However, the 1900 Federal Census provides a possible clue. In Valley Township, near Holyrood, Kansas the census lists consecutive households for Henry Heiken (moved there in 1880), Johan Heiken (moved there circa 1883/4), and Eilert Reents (moved there circa 1890/1).
Four years after Harm moved to Ellsworth County, Kansas, he decided to write his will.
"I, Harm Behrens Heiken of Ellsworth County Kansas being of sound mind and memory do hereby make and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made.
First - It is my will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid as soon after my death as soon as convenient by my Executor.
2nd I hereby Will devise and bequeath all my Estate both real and personal to my Wife Rixte Margaretha Heiken for her use and benefit as long as she may live and I desire that she be required to give no bond or render an account of the same to any person.
3rd It is my will that after the death of my Wife Rixte Margaretha Heiken all my Estate both real and personal be sold by my executor at Public or private sale - within two years after the death of my said Wife at the market value thereof, should said Estate not bring the market value then the time of said sale may be extended so as to sell at market value.
4th The proceeds of said sale (after all my just debts are paid) shall be divided and distributed as follows. (1/5) one fift to the Heirs of my deceased Daughter Talke Maria Siefken Wife of Gerhard Siefken Effingham County, Illinois (1/5) one fift to my Son John Willms Heiken, Ellsworth Co. Kans. (1/5) one fift to my Son Herman Behrens Heiken at present in California (1/5) one fift to my Son Henry Jurgens Heiken Ellsworth Co. Kansas (1/10) one tenth to my Grandson Eilert Janssen Reents Ellsworth County Kansas. ($1.00) one dollar to my Grandson Herman Reents Germany
5th The then remaining part shall be Kept by my Executor untill after the settlement of the Estate of Heirs of Johan Willms my deceased Fatherinlaw of Schoost Jever County Germany and if my Grandson Herman Reents of Germany shall take said Estate of ?? Heirs for not less than (40,000.00) Fourty Thousand Mark and pay over to the other Heirs their just shares not less than (36.,000.00) Thirty six Thousand Mark, or in case said Herman Reents should not reside in Germany at that time and shall give his consent to sell at Public or private sale said Estate of Johann Willms Heirs and the proceeds be devided and distributed among the other said Heirs, then and only then the said remaining part shall belong and be paid to said Herman Reents but other wise said remaining part shall be devided and distributed among the other Heirs mentioned and sett forth in Article #4 of this my Will, pro rato of their portion allready received 6th This my Will shall be opened and admitted to probate forthwith after my death.
7th The executor of this my will shall be appointed by the Probate Judge with the consent of at least (3) three of my Heirs The foregoing is my full Will and Testament and I desire the same to be kept and carried out, notwithstanding any mistakes in form or law.
In witness Whereof I have set my hand this 13th day of September 1898.
Harm Behrens Heiken" (signed)
One year and almost two months after Ham sealed his will, he died on November 4, 1899. Probate records reveal his extensive land holdings 680 acres - in the county. How or why he purchased this land is unknown. The executor of the estate was to be appointed by the court, with the approval of three of Harm's heirs. His son, Henry Jurgens was appointed and approved by his mother, his brother Johan, and his nephew, Eilert Reents.
After her husband's death, Rixte lived with her son, Henry and is listed as a member of that household in the 1900 Federal Census. She died of bronchial pneumonia on March 16, 1906. Both Harm and Rixte were buried in St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church cemetery in Valley Township, Ellsworth County, Kansas.
Events
| Birth | 25 Dec 1817 | Germany | |||
| Marriage | 24 Mar 1842 | Germany, Ostfriesland, Schoost - Rixtie Margartha "Rixia" Willms | |||
| Immigration | 1875 |  |  | ||
| Census (family) | 1880 | Saint Francis Township, Effingham, Illinois, United States - Rixtie Margartha "Rixia" Willms | | | |
| Death | 4 Nov 1899 | Valley Township, Ellsworth, Kansas, United States | |||
| Burial | St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church cemetery, Valley Township, Ellsworth, Kansas, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Rixtie Margartha "Rixia" Willms (1819 - 1906) |
| Child | Talke Maria Heiken (1843 - 1896) |
| Child | Johann Willms "John" Heiken (1849 - 1901) |
| Child | Herman Behrens Heiken (1852 - 1852) |
| Child | Henrich Jurgen "Henry" Heiken (1858 - 1935) |
| Father | Harm Berens Haicken / Heiken (1769 - 1841) |
| Mother | Thalke Maria Pielstick (1783 - 1857) |
| Sibling | Jürgens Haike Haiken / Heiken (1803 - 1844) |
| Sibling | Johan Harken Heiken (1806 - ) |
| Sibling | Beke Margarethe Heiken (1808 - ) |
| Sibling | Dirk Cassens Heiken (1810 - ) |
Notes
Immigration
Heiken, Harm-Behrensage 57, male
Farmer
literacy unknown
country of origin Germany
last residence unknown
destination USA
Staying in the USA [Transit]; Steerage [Travel]
Manifest Identification Number 00015662
Heiken, Rieke
age 56
female
literacy unknown
country of origin Germany
last residence unknown
destination USA
Staying in the USA [Transit]; Steerage [Travel]
Manifest Identification Number 00015662
Census (family)
110, 113, Siefken Gerhard and Mary (daughter) with children.111, 114, Heiken, Henry B, WM, 60 , Farmer, Oldenburg 3x
Heiken, Margaret, WF, 57, wife, keeping house, Oldenburg 3x
Burial
Their tombstone reads:Face: Our Father and Mother
Zur ruhe bingegangen (Gone to rest
Selig sind die todten Blessed are the dead
die in dem Herrn Who go to their eternal sleep
entschlafen in knowledge of the Lord)
HEIKEN
Right Face: Rixte M. Heiken
Gest. Den 16 Mar. 1906
in Alter von
87 J. I M. 6 T.
Left Face: Harm B. Heiken
Gest. Den 4 Nov. 1899
Alter
81 J. 10 M. & 11 T.
Endnotes
1. The National Archives, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration online [http://aad.archives.gov/aad/], accessed March 2008, File Unit: Germans to America Passenger Data File, 1850 - 1897.
2. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1880 > ILLINOIS > EFFINGHAM > ST FRANCIS Series: T9 Roll: 205 Page: 369.