Saturday, August 02, 2008

Hendrikus "Henry" Dykema

Hendrikus Dykema, also known as “Henry,” was born 1836 in the Netherlands.

“Henry” immigrated to the United States, and eventually settled in western Michigan. (He may have been related to a farmer named Pieter Dykema and his wife Ida, both born in the Netherlands and both of whom immigrated to America sometime before 1850 when they were living in Holland, Ottawa County; they were still living in Holland, Ottawa County in 1860.)

By 1860 Henry (listed as “Dickma”) was employed as a mill worker in Allendale, Ottawa County, working in the Richard Roberts’ mill along with Jerry Sullivan, who would also enlist in Company C.

“Henry” was 25 years old and possibly still living in Allendale when he enlisted in Company C on May 13, 1861. (Company C was made up largely of German and Dutch immigrants, many of whom lived on the west side of the Grand River in Grand Rapids. This company was the descendant of the old Grand Rapids Rifles, also known as the “German Rifles”, a prewar local militia company composed solely of German troopers.)

He was wounded in the shoulder on May 31, 1862, at Fair Oaks, Virginia, but his wound was apparently not severe and he soon returned to duty.

Henry was wounded a second time, this time severely, on August 29, 1862, at Second Bull Run, and subsequently hospitalized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania through the rest of the year. He was dropped from the company rolls on January 10, 1863, at Camp Pitcher, Virginia, but returned from dropped status on March 5, 1864, at Brandy Station, Virginia. Nevertheless, he apparently did not rejoin the Regiment and was a provost guard at Philadelphia in March, and in April was reported on detached service in Philadelphia. He probably remained on detached service until he was mustered out of service on June 20, 1864.

After his discharge Henry apparently returned to Ottawa County.

Henry apparently died sometime before January of 1869 when he was reburied on January 13, 1869, in Pilgrim Home cemetery in Holland, Ottawa County. (It is entirely possible that Henry died of his wounds in Philadelphia and his body returned to Michigan for burial.)

No pension seems to be available.

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