wagenaarp  
 
 

Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     PETER WAGENAAR, a prosperous farmer living seven miles northeast of Ritzville, was born in Ostfrisland, Germany, May 24, 1852, the son of Albert and Anna (Weber) Wagenaar, natives also of Germany.  The parents came to America in 1871 and located in Peoria, Illinois, where they lived the remainder of their lives.  They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, Paul, Edward, Henry, Katharine, Peter, Alfred and Albert.
     At the age of fourteen, having received a common school education, he learned the blacksmith's trade, and entered life upon his own responsibility.  Three years later he came to Peoria, Illinois, from Germany, and commenced work as a blacksmith in the coal mines.  He also farmed to a limited extent in Illinois, but worked principally at his trade until 1888, when he came to Washington and located a homestead in Adams county.  Being a poor man with six children at the time of coming here, he experienced many hardships and inconveniences before getting fairly started in the country, which at that time was quit new.  In 1895 he found it necessary to take a position as lineman on the construction of the Northern Pacific telegraph line, which he followed all through the states of Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.  Since coming here he has continued to acquire land as he became able to buy until now he has two sections of agricultural land, one thousand acres of which are under cultivation, which he farms himself.  He has his home well improved with good buildings and all modern conveniences, also an excellent orchard.  He harvests annually an average of ten thousand bushels of wheat.
     On September 25, 1875, occurred the marriage of Peter Wagenaar to Gretja Herrenga, daughter of John and Hanke Herrenga, natives of Ostfrisland, Germany, where they lived and died.  They were parents of five children, Herman, Gretja, Martha, Dietrich, and Hartjen.  Mr. and Mrs. Wagenaar have been parents of nine children, Lena, Albert, Annie, Martha, Katie, Harry,  Paul, John and Mabel.
     Politically Mr. Wagenaar is a Democrat and an active party man.  He has been school director in his district four years, and road supervisor two years.  He is a well-to-do and scrupulously honest farmer, wide-awake and up-to-date in all his methods.
 
 

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