Jan Vanderwel

Jan Vanderwel

• born August 11, 1863 in Charlois, Holland
• died March 8, 1921 in Newfort Rickey, Pasco, Florida
• came to America in 1900
• business owner selling primarily cheese

Jan Vanderwel was born August 11, 1863 in Charlois, Holland to Arij (or Ary) Vanderwell and Margaretha Krudenier.  There is very little information about his early years. He married Neeltje Barendregt  May 7, 1885.  They were the parents to 5 children, two who died very young and three who lived to adulthood.  Ari was born in 1889, Helena was born in 1890 and Wilhelmina was born in 1893.  They owned and operated a small cheese market and were quite successful.  The missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found and taught the family, they joined the church. They saved and sold their business to earn enough money to come to America. The missionaries had jokingly told them the girls would not be allowed on the ship with their long hair.  They cut Wilhelmina's hair, the missionaries were devastated when they saw what they had done and let them know it was a joke before they cut Helena's.  They gave the girls porcelain dolls to express their apologies.   They sailed on the U.S.S. New England and arrived in August of 1900.  They made their home in Ogden, Utah where they owned a 10 acre farm.  They “Amercanized” many of their names in the family, Jan became known as John, Neeltje became known as Nellie, Ari changed his name to Harry, Helena kept her name the same and Wihelmina used the name Wilma.  Jan and his son Ari worked on the railroad.  They traveled to Salt Lake City in 1903 and were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple.  They moved to Idaho and in 1910 they became naturalized citizens of the United States.  In 1912 Jan and Neeltje prepared to return to Holland.  They left in March.  In July they received word the their daughter Helena was having difficulty after delivering her first child.  Neeltje returned home and arrived in early August, but Helena had passed away eight days after giving birth.  The details of the following events* of Jan and Neeltje's life are unclear.  Something happened to the relationship between Jan and Neeltje and they split up.  He completed a passport form in 1919 with intentions to return to Holland to begin a business selling butter, eggs and soap.  On this passport form he is decribed as being 5’6” tall, with black hair and brown eyes.  There has not been record found that shows him actually leaving America.  In 1921 he passed away on March 8, in Newfort Rickey, Pasco, Florida.

*I wanted to share a story that has been shared among the family but there is little proof to back many of the key details of the story.   -  The story goes that Ari, Jan and Neeltje’s oldest son, was interested in serving a mission.  Jan felt that he and Neeltje should go instead, that was the reason they returned to Holland in 1912.  When Neeltje returned to take care of Helena, Jan stayed and reconnected with a lady that he had known previously and then decided to stay in Holland with her.  Nylin Nelson, a grandson, commented that Wilhelmina never discussed her father and the things that transpired because it was very hurtful.  The details are few and it is difficult to know all the circumstances.  I have found ship passenger lists that indicate that Neeltje returned to America alone in 1912 and Jan returned in 1914.  Then they both are listed returning once again to America in 1915, on this passenger list they are traveling together and Neeltje is listed as his wife. 

Jan Venderwell Family taken circa 1900.