 |
| Location of Huppaye, Belgium in comparison to Brussels |
John had two sisters; Marie Therese Genotte (b.1843) and Clemence Genotte (b. 1853).
In 1866, on the 27th of February, John Baptiste Genotte married Hortense Marlaire. Two children were born shortly after; Mary Aurelia (b. 1867) and Joseph Marcelin (b. 1869).
In 1870, John, Hortense, Mary and Joseph immigrated to the United States and settled in the Clifton, IL area, 15 miles south of Kankakee, IL. There, one more son was born to John and Hortense; Joseph Leon Genotte (b. 1872). John was naturalized on the 6th of November, 1876. I have been unable to get his petition for Naturalization, so I do not know the exact date of his immigration, nor the ship he came over on.
 |
| St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, L'Erable, IL (Original Source here) |
In 1880, tragedy struck when his wife, Hortense, passed away on the 15th of February. April of that year, when the 1880 census was taken, John was working as a farmer. His 12 year old daughter, Mary Aurelia was at home, caring for the house. His two sons, Joseph Marcelin (age 9) and Joseph Leon (age 7) were listed as being "at school." Along with having to provide for his children, John had the additional burden of caring for his 82 year old father-in-law, Henry Marlaire who was also living with them. His brother-in-law, Frank, aged 36, was a shoe-maker, and you'd think he'd be able to help provide, but he had been unemployed for 11 months and was also living with John and his family.
Apparently, John was not one to linger in his grief. Less than a year later, he married Adophine Mathy (b.1849), a widow with a son of her own, Cornell Mathy (b. 1876). They had a daughter, Julia (b. 1888).
 |
| Clifton Advocate, Feb 17, 1921, Page 1 |
He was renting his farm in 1900 in Chebanse Township, Iroquois county. While he was already 60 years old by this time, he was still working as a farmer, though he did have a hired man to help with the work around the farm. His step-son, Cornell lived next door.
By 1910, John and Adolphine had their 22 year old daughter living with them. Julia was noticeably absent from the census records ten years prior. Where was 12 year old Julia? John was still renting his farm, though this time, he was 20 miles away from L'Erable, in the tiny town of Milk's Grove, IL. John is no longer listed as being a "farmer" for his occupation. By now, he is a "studman."
John continued to farm in the Clifton / L'Erable area for many years and eventually retired. In 1920, John and Adolphine were living in Kankakee with his step-son Cornell's family.
 |
| Clifton Advocate, February 24, 1921 Page 1 |
Five days later, a longer obituary was printed in the same paper, again on page 1. This obituary indicated that John had been a resident and farmer in the area for fifty years and that the "floral tributes were numerous and beautiful." It also included more details about his family members and history.
He was well known enough that 40 years later, the same newspaper chose to re-print his obituary in their "this day in history" column. I would love to know how or why he was so well known.
He was buried in the L'Erable cemetery. I visted there a few years ago and was unable to find his grave or a gravestone. I was also unable to find anyone who might know where his grave is.
Interestingly, many of John's relatives from Belgium immigrated and settled in the same area as he and attended the same church, and many are also buried in the L'Erable cemetery. This includes his sister Clemence and her husband, as well as many of Hortense's family. Coincidentally, one of John's great grandsons married the great-granddaughter of Hortense's brother Francois - though I don't think either were aware of this at the time!
John Baptiste Genotte is my 3rd great grandfather on my mother's side. As far as I am aware, no picture of him exists.
No comments:
Post a Comment