In my post, Mulders Everywhere, I wrote about finding Merry, my 2nd cousin, 1x removed. I mentioned that Merry is the granddaughter of my great-grandfather Charles Mulder’s younger brother, Henry (born Hendrik). We are all descended from Pieter Philippus and Neeltje (Peter and Nellie) Mulder who arrived in Grand Rapids with two babies.
Great-grandpa was the oldest child. Henry was in the middle of the family, born April 19, 1897, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a stonecutter who engraved monuments.
Henry married Hettie Mae Simpson. I think Hettie was known as Mae. Merry, please let me know where I’m wrong and what I should add!! By the way, do you know his middle name? Did it begin with a J?
Here are photos of Henry and Mae from Merry.
More photos of Henry and Mae:
A very cute couple!
Henry and Mae had four lovely children: Eloise/Fern, James, Mary Ellen, and Judith. All four children were born in the 1920s.
Henry and Mae: each with their four children
Henry passed away from tuberculosis in a sanitarium on May 27, 1947. According to Merry:
He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids. I was 2 years old when he died so I do not remember him at all. I do know that my mom took me to the sanitariium so he could see me but she had to stand across the room at a distance for this. A few years ago I had my mom write about both of her parents and this is what she said. “My dad, Henry, was a very gifted man. He had a beautiful singing voice, played the violin and could draw beautifully. Dad only got to see 2 or 3 of his grandchildren as he spent the last 4 years in a hospital with TB. He loved children. Dad was a good father. He wanted the best for his children. Dad died at the age of 50, too young.”
My great-grandfather also had TB and sometimes had to spend time at a sanitarium. I remember visiting him there.
It means a lot to me that Merry and I have found each other because my great-grandfather was very overtaken with grief when Henry passed away far too early. They must have been quite close.
The Family Kalamazoo 
That is so sad. TB really ravaged the world. So many millions died from it.
How old was Henry when he and Mae married? They look like teenagers—young teenagers—in that photo!
Great question! They married on October 26, 1916. They were 19. Hubby and I were 19 when we got married, too. We didn’t think we were young. Hahahaha.
TB was terrible. We’ve all but forgotten how bad.
Nineteen is young! But sometimes we do make wise choices when we are young. We were 23 and 22, and I thought I was old (I was almost 24). Nowadays kids think getting married at 30 is young….
My son is 31 and finally engaged.
My daughter is 31, and there’s nothing on the horizon.
Nice posting Luanne. I will put it one of my FB genealogy pages for others to see how a family story can be told.
Ah thanks, Jose. That’s so nice of you!
Luanne, I posted your link to this FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Clarkston-Independence-Township-Genealogy-Society-933098470117575/ — which is the Clarkston Genealogy group I found last month through a newspaper announcement. A real newspaper, image that. Thanks again for your post
Thanks for sharing! Such beautiful treasures and wonderful stories!
I never dreamed I would see these photos and hear about Henry. The Internet can sure be an exciting place. Without it I wouldn’t have met Merry!
I’m so glad you and Merry connected! Such a sad loss.
I feel bad for Henry and for Mae and their children, but also for my great-grandfather so sad at losing his brother.
Loved this post. Henry was born on my birthday and died on my mothers. Just kind of struck me. I have loaded up my tree with all this wonderful information. You are fabulous.
Ah, thanks, Mary. If you need more info, just let me know!