The Wynkoop Family by Caroline Sellers Castle.
The Wynkoop Family.

THE WYNKOOP FAMILY

by

Caroline Sellers Castle

    In giving the origin of our families, most writers commence: "Once upon a time two brothers came over from the old country and settled--", etc. etc. So the Wynkoop family dates back to 1639 and 1642, when Peter and Cornelius Wynkoop came to this country from Utrecht, Holland, and settled near where the city of Albany, New York now stands.

    We find that the descendants of these two families, from time to time, figured prominently among the early settlers and later on in the development of our country, either in legislative, judicial, religious or in military life. Honorable mention is made of several in the early history of New York.

    It is with gladness that we are able to say that no one of our ancestry was ever hung or convicted of any serious crime. Among the earliest names were: Peter, Abraham, David, Deborah, and Daniel, showing a reverence for the Bible and sacred records. The favorite names as carried down were Peter, 20 times, Nicholas 40 times; Cornelius, 29; William, 28; Henry, 29; Catharine, 141; John, 39, and Mary, 31. We find honorable mention of several in the early history of New York State.

    In 1717 Gerrit or Gerardus, moving his family to the township of Moreland, now Montgomery county of Pennsylvania. He was an elder in the church of North and South Hampton of Bucks County in 1744-45, and his descendents now own and occupy land in Northampton township, which has been in continuous possession of some of the family ever since.

    We can point with pardonable pride to a long line of elders and ministers running through the generations up to the present time; they have been closely identified with the religious element of our country as officers in the local churches where they worshipped. Among these were: Rev. Silvester Wynkoop, pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church at Catskill, 1817, and of whom a fellow minister wrote, "the memory of Dominie Wynkoop, was cherished with love and respect by the entire community."

    Rev. Richard Wynkoop was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, West Chester county N. Y., 1827-1834. Rev. Jefferson Wynkoop was pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church of Hempstead, N. Y., 1825-1836, and filling several other successful pastorates after these dates. Rev. Stephen Rose, son of David Wynkoop, represented Bucks county in the Legislature six or seven years, and was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Wilmington, Delaware, 1838 - 1858. In 1833-1834 he explored the western coast of Africa on behalf of the American Board of Foreign Missions.

    Rev. Theodore S. Wynkoop was the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church at Huntingdon, Long Island - going to India in 1864,

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as a missionary. He returned to this country for his health, and was elected pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Washington D. C. In 1907 he was again in India.

    Henry, son of David Wynkoop, lived and died in Bucks county. He served as ruling elder in Thompson Memorial Church of Solebury for fifty-two (52) years and was known only to be beloved by all who knew him.

    There are many more honored names of elders and deacons who were identified with Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed churches.

    We find several honored members of the Bar and Judges on the bench. Cornelius C., was an attorney at law in 1795, practicing in the courts of New York City. Gerardus was for nineteen (19) successive years a member of the House of General Assembly of Pennsylvania and for a series of years the Speaker. He died in 1813. Dirk or Derick was a member of the committee of safety, and of the Second Provincial Congress which met at New York November 14th, 1775. He was appointed a Judge of the Common Pleas of Ulster County, N. Y., in 1777, was a member of the New York Assembly 1780-1788, a member of the State convention to which was submitted the Federal Constitution.

    Henry, son of Nicholas Wynkoop, was an officer in the Revolutionary Army, and at one time an Associate Judge of the Common Pleas of Bucks County. He greatly distinguished himself by the active and determined part he took in favor of our struggle for independence. He served as a member of the First Provincial Conference of Pennsylvania which convened in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, on the 18th of June, 1776, and was elected a member of the First Congress, which assembled at New York, on the 4th of March, 1789. Judge Wynkoop's house was distinguished as the home of Colonel Monroe - afterwards President - during the time he was disabled by a wound received at the battle of Trenton. It was the letter of General Washington, addressed to his friend Wynkoop, that procured these hospitable quarters for Col. Monroe and for whom kind attention from the family of Judge Wynkoop. President Monroe, as late as March 26th, 1834, in a letter expressed the most lively gratitude "for the kindness received during an interesting period of our Revolutionary War."

    General Alexander Hamilton and Judge Wynkoop were members of the First Continental Congress. On one occasion while walking on Chestnut street, Philadelphia, General Hamilton was urging very strongly the claims of a bill before the House, for which he desired to secure his friend's support. But the Judge desiring to avoid the discussion because he was adverse to the measure, changed the subject by calling the General's attention to two very beautiful women who had just passed them. The conversation was not resumed; but forty-eight hours afterward Mrs. Wynkoop arrived quite unexpectedly, having traveled all night in consequence of a letter received from General Hamilton, requesting her immediate presence, as her husband was in a very dangerous condition. The joke was well taken and caused great merriment to all concerned. Cousin Captain William Wynkoop, a cousin of our parents, had in his parlor a chair used by Judge Wynkoop in his lifetime. Judge Wynkoop died March 26, 1816.

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    Many others might be named, but with mention of Richard a son of Rev. Richard Wynkoop, we will turn to the military record of the family. He was born in 1829, educated at Rutger's College afterward studied law in New York City, and was admitted to the Bar in 1852. He served for some time in New York Custom House, under Collections Barney, Draper and Chester A. Arthur, afterwards President of the United States. He wrote in his leisure hours a genealogy of the Wynkoop family to which the writer is indebted for many records in this paper, also was the author of several poetic effusions.

    The Wynkoop family has ever been loyal to our flag and many of them took up arms in their country's defense. We mention a few only. Adrian, son of Cornelius Wynkoop was elected major of the First Regiment, Ulster County, New York, May 1, 1776, and in October, 1776, was placed in command of 200 men to guard the passes of the Hudson.

    Cornelius D. was appointed Major of the Third Regiment, same company, June 30th, 1775, and promoted Lieutenant-Colonel of the same regiment August 2, 1775. He was made Colonel April 11, 1776, and received honorable mention, in the archives of that day.

    Evert, a son of Cornelius, Jr., was a Captain in the old French war and died of camp fever, 1750. Jacobus, son of Cornelius Wynkoop, was elected Captain of the 4th New York Continental Regiment, August 15, 1775, and was transferred to naval service on recommendation of Major Gen. Schuyler, to take command of all the vessels on the Lakes George and Champlain, near Ticonderoga. He had the misfortune to offend General Benedict Arnold by reporting to General Gates instead of General Arnold; but General Schuyler had him reinstated and he retained his command until the evacuation of Ticonderoga.

    Francis Murray Wynkoop was born 1820 and on the 13th of December, 1857 while hunting birds to tempt the delicate appetite of his wife who was ill, was accidentally shot and died in half an hour. During the Mexican War he enlisted as a private under Governor Shunk's call for volunteers; he was elected Colonel of the regiment, was present at the capture of Vera Cruz, in the battles of Cerro-Gordo and Humantla, exhibiting great skill and bravery, and receiving honorable mention in the autobiography of General Winfield Scott. Under President Pierce he was U. S. Marshal of the eastern district of Pennsylvania. General W. W. H. Davis, fought by his side during the Mexican War, and will bear testimony of his soldierly ability.

    Edward H. [sic] Wynkoop, brother of Francis, was Major of a Colorado regiment. He performed perilous and efficient service against the rebels of New Mexico and against the Indians, and was one of the members of the original Pikes's Peak expedition.

    Coming to the Civil War, we find John Estill Wynkoop was Colonel of the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry and commanded a brigade at Cumberland, Md., in war of 1861-1865. His brother, George, was Lieut. Col. of the 98th Pennsylvania Infantry at Chancellorsville, where he was wounded and resigned in consequence.

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    William Wynkoop, son of Thomas L. Wynkoop of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was a captain of the Civil War. He served for three years in the First New Jersey Cavalry, enlisting as a private and was promoted successively to sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain. He served on the staff of Brigadier General Davis in Gregg's cavalry Division, as provost Marshall, ordnance officer, and assistant adjutant general. He was wounded three times, and received an honorable testimonial for meritorious service.

    Captain William Wynkoop's late home was Newtown, Pennsylvania. For fifteen years he was Justice of the Peace, was chief burgess three years, and borough treasurer for several years. He was a member of the school board for fifteen years - June 1895 - 1910 - being president of the body nearly the entire time. He was president of the local teacher's and director's institute and was seldom absent from institutes and other educational gatherings. He served as ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Newton since 1872, and acted as the Clerk of the Session. lie was superintendent of the Sabbath School for twenty-eight consecutive years, then declined further election. For eight years, beginning with 1873, he was president of the Bucks County Sabbath School Association. He prepared a number of valuable papers for the Bucks County Historical Society. To G. A. R. affairs he was also much devoted, and to the day of his death as commander of the T. H. Wynkoop Post, No. 427 of Newtown, Pa., which was named in honor of his brother who was killed in battle, June 1862, being a member of General Davis's 104th regiment from Bucks County, Pa. He attended the National Encampment of the G. A. R. at Atlantic City and participated in the parade. In 1904 he served as aid-de-camp to Gen. John C. Black, commander-in-chief of the G. A. R. of the United States. For thirty-five years he was secretary of the Newton Cemetery Company, and was a director many corporations.

    I, Caroline S. Castle, have spoken at length in regard to Captain William Wynkoop, for two reasons; first, because he was a nephew of our own Grandmother, Caroline Wynkoop Divine, and a first cousin of either our mother or father. Second, it is to him that we are indebted for the information recorded in this manuscript.

    In 1884 Captain William Wynkoop and his good wife, Rachel Ann Blaker (Wynkoop) went to Utrecht, Holland, in order that he might be able to add to the records and genealogy of the Wynkoop family in which he was deeply interested. We might add here that this genealogy of the Wynkoop family is a book of 130 pages with about 1000 names, before our generation.

    Our families are direct descendents of Gerrit or Gerardus Wynkoop of New York State. In 1717 he brought his family to Bucks County, Pa. His wife was a daughter of Gerrit Fokker and Jakomyntje Slecht. They had nine children - one named Gerrit. This Gerrit Wynkoop had three children, namely: Gerardus, Adrian and James.

    The above last mentioned Gerardus Wynkoop married Elizabeth Bennett of Pennsylvania. They had a family 12 children (and this was before the days of Roosevelt). This Gerardus Wynkoop was a man of note. For 19 successive years, he was a member of the House of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and for a number of years its' Speaker. He was an officer in the Revolutionary War, and if any wish to prove the right to become a member of the D. A. R., he gives it to his descendants. He died in 1812 or 1813.

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    Of the twelve children of Gerardus and Elizabeth Bennett Wynkoop, one was named William who is of our line. This William was born June 25, 1778. He married Mary Langstroth on April 13, 1801. To this union were born only eleven children. As these people were the writer's (Caroline S. Castle) great-grandparents, I am listing their names.
1. Thomas L. 2. Gerardus. 3. Elizabeth Rose. 4. Catharine. 5. Susannah 6. Christopher L. 7. Margaret F. 8. Anna Marie. 9. Susan (6?) 10. Mary Frances (16). 11. Caroline L. who was the writer's grandmother.

    Caroline Langstroth Wynkoop, my grandmother, was born in or near Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1821. Her early life was spent at the home of her parents in her native town. On October 12, 1843 she was united in marriage with John B. Divine, who was also a native of Newtown, Pennsylvania. He was born January 31, 1821. The first twenty-two years of his life were spent in and near his early home, as a comfort to his mother, and an elder brother to his sisters.

    After his marriage to Caroline Wynkoop, they came to Michigan in November of the same year to find for themselves a home in the then infant peninsular state; enduring the hardships of the early settlers, with patient toil, early and late, he made a home for his little family.

    God blessed this union with six children; the first child dying in infancy; 2. Mary Wynkoop, born January 26, 1845. 3. Elizabeth Alice, born October 8, 1846. 4. Frances Caroline, born October 14, 1849. 5. James E. born April 21, 1853. 6. William Wynkoop, born March 29, 1856.

    After eighteen (18) years of work and service in their new home, where love was the motive power of service, God in his infinite mercy and all-wise providence, called the loving mother and wife to the home above; but her earnest Christian life and Godly example had not been in vain. The husband, John B. Divine, never married again, but ever held his first love in hallowed memory; his whole life was for his motherless children; no toil too severe, no sacrifices too great, no burden too hard, that his children might be made better, and more like Christ, the great pattern and example.

    The five children grew to manhood and womanhood, and in due time established homes of their own, with the exception of the second daughter, Alice Elizabeth, who remained in the home until the death of her beloved father. She never married and died in 1919.

    John B. Divine was a real American; he loved his country, his state and his home; he filled from time to time, offices of trust, performing his duties faithfully and well. He was a loyal citizen, an obliging neighbor, a loving father, and he labored on until February 16, 1894, when he lay down "The Implements of warfare." leaving behind him a hallowed influence. He left three sisters, one brother, five children, eight grandchildren and many other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

    The funeral of John B. Divine was held at his home February 29, 1894 and burial in Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was laid to rest beside his beloved wife who had gone on to her reward almost thirty-three years before. Her funeral had been held in the same home, although it was at that time their new home, and she had been permitted to live in it only a few years.

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    At the time of the mother's death the oldest child, Mary Wynkoop, was sixteen (16) years of age but she took up the household cares, and she and her father kept the family together. The Divine homestead was about three miles northwest of Three Rivers, between Three Rivers and Fishers Lake. It is now known as the Haines Airport or Dodge farm.

    In 1936 the house burned. The home that they had so lovingly planned for themselves and family; where the five children had been reared; where the happy voices echoed, and tiny feet of the grandchildren had loved to romp and play; but it is no more; but the spot is cherished in the memories of those whose joy it was to go to "Grandfather's house", and to find him waiting at the gate or the door to greet them in his cheerful, loving manner. Yes, loving memories! Always at Thanksgiving to grandfathers and all the fine things were there for the children and grandchildren that came, "Over the river and through the wood to Grandfather's house."

    Mary Wynkoop Divine, (my mother) the eldest daughter was married to James Sharon Castle on October 12, 1865 at the home of her father. To this union one daughter was born. Caroline Sellers Castle, on January 19, 1876, who is the author of this document. She was born on the Kline farm near Fisher's Lake, attended rural schools and Three Rivers High School, graduating in 1895. Then attended Teachers' Colleges at Ypsilanti and Western at Kalamazoo, graduating in 1922. She took special courses in geography at the University of Columbus at Worcester, Mass. Her life work was teaching - one in a rural school known as the Tanck District north of Moorepark and forty-four years in the Three Rivers Schools. Her special work was the teaching of geography, history, and literature.

    The second daughter of Caroline Wynkoop Divine and John B. Divine was Alice Elizabeth who remained at home with her father until his death. She was a spinster. She died in 1919.

    Caroline Frances, the third daughter, was married to Joseph Thoms, December 27, 1870. Five children were born to this union. (1) John Sharon, September 27, 1871. (2) James William, June 8, 1873. (3) Alice S. born July 28, 1877 (died August 23, 1888). (4) Maurice J. born March 13, 1881. (5) Lillian Mae, April 14, 1887.

    John Sharon attended rural school and Three Rivers High School graduating in 1891. He attended Medical College at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating in 1898. He married Marion Wells of Gorbutt, near Rochester, New York on September 27, 1898. She was also a graduate of Ann Arbor University. They went to Arabia as medical missionaries, and were stationed first at Bahrein in Persian Gulf. Two daughters were born to them, Frances Marion, February 3, 1900 in Busrah, and Lois, July 3, 1902 in Bahrein. A son, William Wells was born December 14, 1903 in U. S. A. while they were home on a furlough. Soon after their return to Arabia the loving wife was called to her heavenly home. She is buried in Bahrein and here the "Marion Wells Thoms Memorial Hospital" has been erected in her honor. It is a Woman's Hospital. July 21, 1906 Dr. Thoms married May DePree, a teacher in the Mission School of Bahrein. Later Dr. Sharon Thoms was sent to Mascat, Olman, S. W. Arabia to pioneer work in S. E. Arabia. While he was thus employed lost his life January 1918, and is buried at Mascat. It is here in Mascat that the "Sharon Thoms Memorial Hospital for Contagious Diseases is being erected at the present time.

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    Sharon's daughter, Frances Marion, married a Reformed minister, Rev. Walter Scholten in Chicago, June, 1921. They are now located at Poughkeepsie, New York. Six children have blessed this home. (1) Constance, born June 3, 1923 at North Tarrytown, New York. She married LaVerne G. Bainrinkel on June 12, 1948 and now lives at 410 1/2 Douglas Street, Freeport, Illinois. (2) Marion Wells, born August 20, 1924 in Tarrytown, New York. She married Dudley Kopen February 14, 1949. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (3) Dorothy Alice was born December 16, 1925 in Tarrytown, New York. She married Douglas C. Cochran on January 2, 1948 and lives as Soacklenkel Road, Poughkeepsie, New York. (4) Walter Augustus was born August 29, 1927 in Tarrytown, New York. He was in the service of his country during World War II and is now attending Hope College, Holland, Michigan, studying to be a physician. (5) Frances Divine was born January 28, 1929 in Tarrytown, New York. She is now attending school at Hope College, Holland, Michigan. (6) Sharon Thoms was born in Morristown, New Jersey, August 10, 1933 and is now attending high school in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The second daughter of Sharon J. Thoms married Raymond Kuiper of Holland, Michigan, August 28, 1925, and resides there at the present time. They have two children Robert James and Elizabeth May. (1) Robert (Bob) was born December 8, 1926. He served his country during World War II. He married Ellie Armstrong June 9, 1948. He lives in Holland and is attending Hope College at the present time. (2) Elizabeth was born November 6, 1928 and at the present time is living at the home of her parents in Holland, Michigan, and employed at the Telephone Office.

    The third, a son, William Wells, was born December 14, 1903, in U. S. A. He graduated from Medical School at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1927. His interns work was done in Panama Canal Zone and New York City. He married Ethel T. Scudder, of a family of missionaries of India. They were married in North Tarrytown, New York on July 5, 1930. Dr. Wells Thoms was the first son of the mission to return to Arabia. After studying the Arabic language at Jerusalem and Basrah, he was appointed to medical work in Bahrein, where his father and mother, both of them also doctors, had worked, thus carrying on the work which they began. In the spring of 1937, he and his family were transferred to Kuwait to take charge of a men's hospital. In October 1939, Dr. Wells, his wife Beth and children arrived in Mutrah. It was exactly thirty years after his parents, with their children, had arrived there to build Knox Memorial Hospital, and start medical missionary work in Aman, S. W. Arabia. They have four children. (1) Nancy was born September 11, 1931 in Beirut, Syria. She is now a student at Oberlin College, Ohio where she has a scholarship. (2) Peter was born April 15, 1933 at Kodal Kanal, India. (3) Norman was born November 5, 1934 at Bahrein, Arabia. (4) Lois was born February 10, 1938 at Kuwait, Arabia. At the time of this writing "The Wells Thoms" Family are home on furlough, and are located at 1848 Godrey Avenue, Grand Rapids, Michigan in the Reformed Mission Church House and Peter, Norman, and Lois are attending Grand Rapids School.

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    The second son was James William, born June 8, 1873, near Three Rivers, Michigan. He attended rural schools and Three Rivers High School graduating in June 1893. After his graduation he was connected with one of the business concerns here. Later he went to Detroit where he was employed in the office of the International Correspondence School (I. C. S.) and this became his life work. He retired in 1947, having been with these people forty years. His work here was one great success, especially among the young people. His kind helpful advice and efficient leadership started many on the road to success in more ways than one. His first wife was Jessie A. Hills of Mason, Michigan. They were married in Detroit on April 29, 1903. She died in January 19__. His second wife was Kathryn Herrman of Detroit and they were married in 1946. James had no children. He died at Detroit, Michigan on March 22, 1960.

    The fifth child, Lillian Mae, was born April 14, 1887 near Corey in Fabius Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan. She attended rural schools, and Three Rivers High School, graduating in June 1909. She married Vernon Walz, June 8, 1910, and resided in Three Rivers at 823 N. Main Street until after his death. Three sons were born to them. (1) Sharon Thoms Walz on May 3, 1911. (2) the second son Gerald Vernon was born July 22, 1921. A third son died in infancy in 1916. Both sons were born in Three Rivers and attended the Three Rivers Schools. Sharon Thoms graduated June 7, 1929. He then entered Michigan College of Technology at Houghton. Graduating June 3, 1933. Then he began work with the Square D Electrical Company. He married Maria Pastori at South Range, Michigan August 3, 1935. They have one son, Jack Vernon, born February 10, 1938. When World War II broke out in 1941, as all good Wynkoop descendents, he took his stand for his country. (See supplement). The third son, Gerald Vernon finished his High School work in Battle Creek and graduated May 29, 1940. He also entered the Michigan College of Technology at Houghton. In 1943, he, another good descendent of the Wynkoop family, entered the service of his country; when discharged September, 1945, he re-entered college at Houghton, Michigan, graduating in June 16, 1947. He married Ruth Sullivan of Battle Creek, January, 1943 at the Congregational Church in Battle Creek. They have one son, Gerald Vernon, Jr. born August 28, 1944. Gerald Vernon, Sr. is also employed by the Square D Electrical Company, and at present is living in Moline, Illinois.

    James E. Divine was the fourth child of Caroline Wynkoop and John B. Divine and the first son. He was born near Fishers Lake in St. Joseph County, April 21, 1853. He was married to Lydia Schoch. Three daughters and one son blessed this home. (1) Harry Lee. (2) Hazel Frances. (3) Helen. (4) Hettie. Harry Lee was born near White Pigeon, January 29, 1892. He married Ida Reiff September 10, 1911. They have a daughter (1) Ellen Maurine, born August 11, 1912 in Santa Ana, California. She has married Paul E. Miller June 5, 1938. They have a little daughter born October 5, 1941. Their son (2) Howard Eugene, was born August 2, 1913. He married Maxine V. Beekly. They have two children - two sons born (1) July 27, 1945 and (2) October 19, 1947, at Long Beach, California.

    The second child of James E. Divine was Hazel Frances, born near Three Rivers, October 13, 1890. She married J. Carson Reiff on November 8, 1911 at Holmesville, Nebraska. They had two (2) children, a daughter, Helen and a son, John. Helen was born April 6, 1918 at Holmesville, Nebraska. She married Robert S. Johnson on January 24, 1938 at Grand Island, Nebraska. They have two daughters, Diana Lee, who was born at Garden City, Kansas, on

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October 3, 1943, and Kristine Ann born at Bend, Oregon, March 9, 1947. This family is living at Bend, Oregon at the present time. (2) John B.(?), the son was born at Garden City, Kansas on February 21, 1923. He entered World War II as a private, was promoted to sergeant serving his country as a weather observer in the Air Corps. After he was discharged he entered college at Manhattan, Kansas, graduating in June 1948. He is now working for the Kansas Highway Commission as a geologist. He was another of the Wynkoop descendents to aid his country in time of need.

    Helen, the, third child of James E. Divine was born December 4, 1896 at White Pigeon. She married E. J. Holtzen, born July 11, 1891 at Easton, California. They have three children, all born in Fresno, California. Craig Kenneth born July 11, 1922. He served his country during World War II as a flight instructor in the Army Air Corp, assigned to Air Transport Command, sent to India, where he flew supplies over the hump into China, and was promoted to Captain. After he was discharged in April 1946, he finished his work in school for Foreign Trade in Phoenix, Arizona. In June 1948, and in July of 1948 left for San Tome, Venezuela, where he is employed in the Industrial Relations Department of the Mene Grande (Gulf) Oil Company. He will have to remain two years. Geraldine, the second child, was born July 16, 1922. She was a teacher and her first husband was Joseph H. Voelker. They were married March 6, 1943. He entered the service of his country and was killed in action over Italy, October 3, 1944. She again taught, and was later married to Francis Pacassi April 3, 1948. The third child Gilbert Lee was born December 17, 1924. He served his country in the Air Corps, and was radio operator, assigned to Air Transport. Based at Bovingdon, England where he flew into most European countries. He was a sergeant and was discharged December 21, 1945, having served his country two years and nine months. He is now Federal State Fruit Inspector and is inspecting peaches and grapes. The father of his family served in World War I.

    The fourth child of James E. Divine was Hettie. She was born February 18, 1899 in White Pigeon, Michigan. She went to California with her parents, and was married to Vier Hostettler in Raisin City, California, February 27, 1918. Their daughter, Maxine, was born February 15, 1919 in Fresno, California. She married V. E. Rice, June 12, 1938. They had one child, Gary, born in Compton, California on September 1, 1939. In 1940 they separated and in August 15, l942 Maxine married Russell W. Stoope. They have a son, James, born in Compton, California on June 29, 1943. Hettie's second child was Donald, born in Raisin City, California in 1921. He married Maria Stophel on April 17, 1943. They have no children.

    William Wynkoop was the second and youngest son of Caroline Wynkoop and John B. Divine. Born March 29, 1856, near Three Rivers in Lockport Township, St. Joseph County. He married Lillie Mae Frankboner of near Schoolcraft for his first wife. Two children blessed this home. (1) Lucile was born ______ at ______ and (2) a son Clyde Earl born March 31, 1886(?) at ______. His second wife was Rebecca Wallbrink of near Grand Rapids. A Daughter, Myrtle was born to this union on _______ at ________. She married William Bush of Glendive, Montana and has eight children.

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(1) Lucile married a man by the name of Larson, and lives at 7625 University Avenue, LaMesa, California. (2) a son, Clyde E., was born ______ at ______. He married Marta E. Wells of Lincoln, Nebraska. There were seven living children in this family; one was still born. (2) Marta Lucile was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 17, 1913(?). She married M. W. Bennett. They have two sons, both born in Seattle, Washington - Sheldon Wells born February 25, 1942; Kirkley Waldo, born March 7, 1945. Carol Viola was born at Mason, Wisconsin on July 24th, 1916; she married Edward Ernest Brlggs and they have three children. (1) Terrill Parker Briggs, born October 27, 1939 in Iron Mountain, Michigan. (2) Denis Alan Briggs, born October 7, 1942, in Iron Mountain, Michigan. (3) Merlin Clark Briggs born June 23, 1945.

    George Wells Divine born in Mason, Wisconsin on July 1, 1918 married Lorraine Weiser. Their son, Gerald Robert Divine, was born November 26, 1945 in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

    Gratia Elizabeth Divine was born March 16, 1920 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She married Steve Wallace Doucette. Their sons (1) Stephen James born December 16, 1940 at Alpena, Michigan. (2) Ronald Gene was born May 9, 1944 in Iron Mountain, Michigan. (Born while father was overseas in the Navy).

    Clyde Earl Divine, Jr. born in Ashland, Wisconsin on August 9, 1923; married Elaine Mary Dykstra on August 9, 1947 in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

    James Lincoln Divine, born February 12, 1926 at Mason, Wisconsin and is engaged to a girl in Europe, Melitta Dollavsky of Czechoslovakia. James L. is in Germany at the present time.

    Nancy Star Divine was born October 13, 1929 in Iron Mountain, Mich. Married Wesley Frank Domenget on March 1, 1947 and lives in Iron Mountain. Her husband served in the U. S. Navy.

    The daughter of William and Rebecca Divine was Myrtle. She was born at ___________ in __________. She married William Bush, and has eight children. The oldest (1) is Gertrude. (2) William, Jr. (3) Florence Myrtle. (4) Earl Douglass, and do not know the names of others. Cannot find out anything about them.

ARMY RECORD OF S. T. WALZ

    Sharon T. Walz was called to active duty as a first lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers U. S. Army on February 27, 1942. He went to Fort Leonard Wood for training, however, with a few days he was requested to go on foreign duty.

    Within 6 weeks, he was in Alaska where he spent a year with the 340th Engineer building the Alcan Highway. This was considered a vital link with the United States, should Japan attack Alaska proper.

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    In 1943, Sharon was ordered back to the United States as Cadre Officer to help form the 156th Engineer Combat Battalion at Camp Cook, California. His promotion to Captain had been received.

    Then in 1944, Sharon was promoted to Major and sent to Camp Van Drone, Mississippi to command the 1288th Engineer Combat Battalion. Within a few weeks of his arrival at Camp Van Drone, he was placed in command of the 1697th Engineer Combat Battalion and took his unit immediately to England for further training.

    Early in 1945, his unit was sent to France to join the 6th Corps of the 7th Army under General Patch. This unit moved into Germany where it distinguished itself receiving several commendations. During this period, Major Walz was promoted to Lt. Colonel. This unit was southwest of Munich, Germany on V. E. Day.

    Colonel Walz was returned to the United States in November 1945 to resume his civilian duties as Southeastern Region Manager of Square D Company, located in Atlanta, Georgia.

    Colonel Walz had served in all three foreign theatres. American, Asiatic and European. He received two battle stars for participation in the Battle of the Rhine and the German campaign also commendation and occupation medals for service in Europe.

ARMY RECORD OF WALTER AUGUSTA SCHOLTEN

    He was inducted March 5, 1946 at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. Re-enlisted for 18 months March 7, 1946 at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. He was sent to Fort Bragg, N. C. for basic training and spent 8 weeks there, becoming a cannoneer. Then he was sent to Camp Kilmer and Fort Dix early in June and was sent overseas on June 25th on the Central Falls Victory. He was in the Straits of Gibraltar on July 4th and landed in Livorno, Italy on the 7th of July. Spent about 14 months in Italy with the 339th and 338th and 337th Field Artillery Battalions and 88th Infantry Division Artillery and also on Detached Service with MTO USA Headquarters in Leghorn. The rest of the time was spent in Gorizia in northern Italy near Trieste. In all, 13 months and 29 days were spent overseas and 4 months and 17 days in the Z. I. He was discharged from Camp Kilmer on October 13, 1947.

ARMY RECORD OF GERALD VERNON WALZ

    He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on August 12, 1942 while attending College at Michigan Tech, at the age of 21 years.

    He was called to active duty on May 12, 1943 as an Aviation Cadet. His basic training began at Boca Raton, Florida. Six months later he was transferred to Yale University in New Haven, Conn. where he completed his cadet training, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on January 12, 1944. From there he was assigned to various air fields and received his flying wings as a flight engineer at Alamogordo, New Mexico on October 10, 1944.

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    After receiving his wings he was stationed at Pratt Army Air Field, Pratt, Kansas. Here he was assigned to a B-29 bomber crew and trained for overseas duty with the 20th Air Force, 314th Wing, 29th Bomb Group, and 6th Bomb Squadron.

    On completion of this training the Bomb Group were assigned new B-29 airplanes and departed for overseas on February 12, 1945. The next seven months were spent on Guam in the Marianas. From this air base, he completed 35 missions over Japan bombing the major industrial centers, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, etc.

    After his 6th mission, he was commissioned a First Lieutenant.

    He returned to the United States on August 23, 1945 and was separated from the service on December 29, 1945 holding rank as First Lieutenant in the Reserves.

    He received the following decorations and citations.

Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Battle Star
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

ARMY RECORD OF DUDLEY R. KOPAN

    He enlisted first in the National Guard on July 29, 1940 and was in that ten months. He was inducted into active military service of the United States at Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 15, 1940 pursuant to the Presidential Order of September 25, 1941. Then he was a T/5 cook for 18 months a Medium Tank Crewman and a Gun Crewman Lt. Art. 844 for six months. He served in the 136th Inf. Regiment in Luzon and Japan with the 33rd Inf. Division. He was a member of a 30 ton medium tank and was the radio operator of the crew operating a voice radio, keeping up communications between tanks and battalion headquarters. Also he was a machine gunner during combat operations and was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the radio.

ARMY RECORD OF ROBERT KUIPER

    In November, 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. On December, 1944 he reported to Great Lakes Training Station in Illinois for boot training in December 7, 1944. In February, 1945 he reported to a Radio School in Indianapolis, Indiana and studied there to be a radio operator. In September, 1945 he was graduated from the school and reported to Shoemaker, California, then was sent to Treasure Island, California and across to Saipan and then to Guam. In November, 1945 he reported aboard the Submarine Chaser 1034(?) as a radioman, left Guam and sent to Pearl Harbor. He stayed in Pearl Harbor and was appointed mail(?) clerk which job he held while on board as well as being in charge of all communications.

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    He returned to the United States in the middle of January, 1946, and was discharged from the service at Great Lakes on July 22, 1946. He signed up for a Naval Reserve of which he is now a member, with the rank of Radioman 3/c.

ADDITION -- New Babies In our Family

1. Douglas Clifford Cochran, Jr. born January 23, 1949 at Poughkeepsie, New York.

2. Carol Jean Cochran born December 11, 1949 at Red Oaks Mills, Poughkeepsie, New York. These are children of Dorothy Scholten Cochran (Mrs. Douglas Cochran) who is a great great granddaughter of Caroline Wynkoop Divine.

3. Rene Robert Kopan was born June 4, 1946 in Grand Rapids, Michigan (adopted).

4. Marlene Joy was born September 9, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. These are children of Marion Scholten Kopan (Mrs. Dudley R. Kopan) who is also a great great granddaughter of Caroline Wynkoop Divine.

5. Jeffry Francis Paccassi was born August 3, 1949 at Fresno, California, son of Geraldine Moltzen Paccassi. She is a daughter of Helen Divine Moltzen and also great great granddaughter of Caroline Wynkoop Divine.

6. Carol Dale was born February 12, 1950 at Manhattan, Kansas, daughter of John and Frances Reiff. John Reiff is a son of Hazel Divine Reiff, who was a granddaughter of Caroline Wynkoop Divine, and John a great grandson of hers.

7. In the Lutheran Hospital In Moline, Illinois, on March 13, 1950, a little daughter was born to Ruth (Sullivan), and Gerald V. Walz, weight 6 lbs. 2 oz. and her name is Teresa Sue Walz.

8. Elizabeth May Kuiper, daughter of Lois (Thoms) and Raymond J. Kuiper was married to Howard Ray Kole at her father's home in Holland, Michigan during the summer of 1949. She is a great, great, granddaughter of our beloved ancestor, Carolyn Wynkoop Divine.

On April 2, 1950 at the Holland Hospital, their little son was born. His name is James Ray Kole. So we add another baby to our large family.


Source:

Spruance Library
Bucks County Historical Society
84 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901

GF Wynkoop Family
197

Created April 30, 1999; Revised October 29, 2002
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Copyright © 1999, 2001-2002 by Christopher H. Wynkoop, All Rights Reserved

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