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Lena DeVries Jacobs

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Birth	:	22 Aug 1872 Friesland, Netherlands
Death	:	6 Sep 1950 Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Van Hook Cemetery, New Town, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.9556045, -102.3660781
Description	:	Lena DeVries was born in Antwerp, Holland in 1872. When she was seventeen years old her family left their homeland and came to the United States to make their home in Renville, MN. In 1894 she married Joe Jacobs who had recently left Germany with his parents. They saw many hardships. One I shall always remember them telling us about is when Mother developed cancer in one of her breasts and then little was known about the dread disease. It spread rapidly, and finally an old country doctor was called in. He said they had to have surgery immediately, so... Read More	Lena DeVries was born in Antwerp, Holland in 1872. When she was seventeen years old her family left their homeland and came to the United States to make their home in Renville, MN. In 1894 she married Joe Jacobs who had recently left Germany with his parents. They saw many hardships. One I shall always remember them telling us about is when Mother developed cancer in one of her breasts and then little was known about the dread disease. It spread rapidly, and finally an old country doctor was called in. He said they had to have surgery immediately, so Mom laid on the kitchen table, and with Dad as nurse the breast was removed with a lot of flesh and bones. She never went to a hospital, taking care of the wound herself, and it healed beautifully. Of course she had a terrible scar, but how thankful they were. They had nine children and she nursed them all on one breast. Four girls, Tena, Anna, Hannah, and Jennie, and two boys, Jake and Augie, were born in Minnesota. Times were hard and Mom often had to do without supper so the kids got enough to eat. Dad was a carpenter but there was not much work, so in 1906 they moved to Noonan. There was no money so the neighbors and relatives helped build a sod house. It was warm but had few of the needed conveniences. Grass grew on the roof so really it was quite picturesque. Another boy, John, was born there but an uncle knew this was no place for babies. He had a house built himself and he wasn't married so the family moved over to live with him. Here another girl, Evelyn, and twin boys were born. Harry and Henry were tiny and Doctors were hard to get so Harry died at birth. However, Henry grew fast and is the biggest of the family. He and his wife, Alice, also have twin boys. The territory just north of the Indian Reservation in Liberty Township was opened for the homesteads. In 1912 Dad filed on a quarter of land. He built our first real home which was one room, 14 x 16. In 1913 the family came. I was four years old but can remember it in detail. We had some cows and with all our other possessions we took the train to Plaza which was the nearest depot. Dad met us there with a fine team of grey horses and a spring wagon. The three youngest were privileged, and got to ride all the way to our new home. The older ones had to walk and drive the cows, a distance of 21 miles. It w as dark but we were happy. I'll never forget our first night. Dad had cut new prairie grass and across one side of one room he made a hay mattress and all of us slept crosswise. I can almost feel all those prairie needles yet. We had frightening times with prairie fires and hungry coyotes but were fortunate not to lose everything we owned. When a fire started we could see the smoke for miles and everyone would prepare for the worst by plowing fire breaks and gathering sacks and anything available to beat out the flames. The next year another room was built on which had an attic that served as two bedrooms. The winters were long and cold with blizzards blowing snow in onto our beds. In 1915 a neighbor gave one room of his house for a schoolroom, and I had to go to school as a fifth grade student or a teacher couldn't be hired. Those were the days when we really learned the three Rs. We spent many evenings listening to Mom tell of the Netherlands. That was a beautiful country with all the dikes and windmills. The Dutch language is so fascinating. When a letter would come from Holland, Mom would gather her brood around her and read it to us. That made our day. The Indians were friendly and we never had any fear of them. When we butchered a critter or hog they would come pick up everything but the "Squeal." The squaw always had to ride in the back with their loot. Mom was doctor and nurse and midwife to everyone for miles. One night an Indian came to her for her to deliver a baby. The doctor refused to come, but I heard my mom say, "She needs help and is just as human as we are." She was proud of her papoose and was treated royally. One by one the kids left home for work or marriage. The nine of us lived many years and had such fun at family reunions. Dad passed away in 1941 and Mom in 1950. They were fine Christian parents and we lived by the Golden Rule. Every meal they would hold hands and Dad would say the Lord's Prayer in German. Tena passed away in 1969, Jennie in 1973, and Augie in 1975. We feel quite fortunate to have lived our lives in love and devotion for one another. By Evelyn Wing in "Tales of Mighty Mountrail, page 422, 1979.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Lena DeVries Jacobs's memorial?
Lena DeVries Jacobs's memorial is located at: Van Hook Cemetery, New Town, Mountrail County, USA.
When did Lena DeVries Jacobs death?
Lena DeVries Jacobs death on 6 Sep 1950 in Saint Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Lena DeVries Jacobs's memorial?
Latitude: 47.9556045
Longitude: -102.3660781

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Joseph W “Joe” Jacobs

(1868 - 1941)

Siblings

Henry John DeVries

(1875 - 1976)

Jennie DeVries Light

(1889 - 1957)

Children

Tena Jacobs Rubesh

(1896 - 1969)

Anna Jacobs Rubesh

(1897 - 1989)

Hannah Jacobs Petersen

(1899 - 1984)

Augie Jacobs

(1904 - 1975)

John Jacobs

(1907 - 1996)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Van Hook Cemetery
New Town, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9556045, -102.3660781

2. New Town Cemetery
New Town, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9838142, -102.4715881

3. Finstad Cemetery
Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0374985, -102.3660965

4. Riverview Cemetery
New Town, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9944000, -102.5385971

5. Grand Valley Lutheran Cemetery
Sanish, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9222603, -102.5580444

6. Little Shell Church Cemetery
New Town, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8317986, -102.4509246

7. Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery
Belden, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0307007, -102.1838989

8. Saint Bridgets Cemetery
Parshall, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9622700, -102.1328910

9. Parshall Cemetery
Parshall, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9357200, -102.1282000

10. Belden Finnish Cemetery
Belden, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1245900, -102.3364000

11. Holy Family US Scouts Cemetery
Sanish, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8101807, -102.5134048

12. Snowbird Cemetery
Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9780540, -102.6517660

13. Epworth Cemetery
Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1258011, -102.2174988

14. Goodbird Cemetery
McKenzie County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9768982, -102.6600037

15. Matthews Cemetery
Four Bears Village, McKenzie County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9489136, -102.6715164

16. Johns Cemetery
Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1055984, -102.1461029

17. Bethany Cemetery
Belden, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1608009, -102.2917023

18. Bohemian Cemetery
Ross, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1702995, -102.3003006

19. Church of God Cemetery
Raub, McLean County, USA
Coordinate: 47.8041344, -102.0656662

20. Knife River Lutheran Cemetery
Stanley, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2162600, -102.3526900

21. Independence Congregational Church Cemetery
Dunn County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6944300, -102.3767700

22. First Lutheran Wabek Cemetery
Wabek, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9633300, -101.9691000

23. Scandia Valley Lutheran Free Cemetery
Ross, Mountrail County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2117770, -102.4836020

24. Saint Anthonys Cemetery
Mandaree, McKenzie County, USA
Coordinate: 47.7352300, -102.5972520