Catherine Natalia (Muelemans) Hermens

Daughter of Peter Muelemans and Rosalie Victoria Breeze 

Born May 31, 1843 in Brussels, Belgium

Died June 28, 1911 at Verboort, Oregon

Married William Hermens in 1861 at De Pere, Wisconsin  (1830 - 1916)

William & Catherine's children:

Antone m: Anne Joosten

Rosalina Victoria. m: John Bernards

Louis m: Wilhemina Krieger

Cornelius m: Jane Joosten

Cornelia m:  John Peters

Constance Frances m:  John VanDyke

Peter Martin m:  Nettie VanDerVelden

Adelia Maria  Sister Julianna (St. Mary's of the Valley)

Pauline Elizabeth m: Peter Krieger

William (Willie) Jr. Passed away at age 13 (SW397)

Petronella (Nellie) Passed away at a young age

Her Brothers and Sisters:

Mary Leone,   Guilielmus, Constantinus, Louis Englebert, Elizabeth Pauline, Adelia,

Barbara Maria &  Constance Frances

Catherine Natalia Muelemans came to Americawhen she was 16 by sailship in 1859.  They had a very stormy, dangerous passage and after 72 days on the ocean they landed in New York.  She related to her daughter, Constance, that the ship had taken on sea water and that as the ship would roll from side to side the trunks and water would slide back and forth across the ship.  The passengers were so frightened that they wanted to get out of the ship so the hatches were fastened shut to keep them in.

From New York they went to Wisconsin and settled near De Pere.  She married William Hermens at De Pere in 1861 and they came west by the newly completed railroad to Portland, Oregon and settled near Verboort on Dec 26, 1883.