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 1824 -

• .		i6560 Having lived in Hierschau, Molotschna Colony, he arrived 25 Jul 1875 on the steamship NEDERLAND, built for the International Navigation Company of Philadelphia (better known as the Red Star Line) by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co and was launched on 23 June 1873. 2,839 tons; 329.2 x 38.6 ft (length x breadth); straight stem, 1 funnel, 2 masts; iron construction, screw propulsion, compound engines, service speed 13 knots; accommodation for 70 passengers in 1st class and 800 in steerage.
  		i6560 He signed "Benjamin Dirks" on this 1 Sep 1876 homestead application. Cliff Wall's collection of Benjamin's Land Documents.
  		i6560 Then in 1881 signed "Benjamin Dircksen" on his Proof document, having to secure the testimony of his neighbors Peter and Henry Wall to attest he was the same man that filed an application in 1876.
  		I6560 Photo is Abraham E Duerksen's Marion, SD monument. He homesteaded 5 miles south of Benjamin in Parker Township. Cliff Wall reports that some family members believed Benjamin was a brother to Abraham E Duerksen (buried in Marion, SD), but no certain evidence has yet confirmed it. My collection of Abraham E Duerksen's Documents. Chuck Vaux sent additional data: Descendents of Abraham E. Duerksen: Helena Doerksen b. 5 May 1894, Viola June Ratzlaff b. 6 Jun 1917, Charles Patrick Vaux b. 5 Mar 1955, Lacey Micheon Vaux b. 5 Jun 1979 married Chad Williamson whose parents are Ron and Dorothy Williamson, Easton Kale born 3-5-2005, Michoen Reagen born 4-9-2009, Adam Joshua Vaux b. 4 Aug 1983 married Cami Martin whose parents are Gary and Pam Martin.

• Birth	24 May 1824	Russia   [1, 2, 3, 4]
  Immigration	25 Jul 1875
  Individual ID	I6560	Brotherfield
  Father	Heinrich Duerksen
  Mother	Anna Baier
  Family ID	F2483	Group Sheet
  Spouse 1	Susanna Wedel, b. 14 May 1830, South Russia
  Married	Bef 1856  [5]
  Children	1. Eva Dirksen, b. 1857, Russia   2. Cornelius B. Dirksen, b. 5 Dec 1858, Russia   3. Anna Pauline Dirksen, b. 28 Nov 1864, Russia   4. Susanna Dirks, b. 05 Mar 1867, Russia
  Last Modified	20 Jan 2010 20:51:40
  Family ID	F2917	Group Sheet
  Spouse 2	Katharina Dueck(?), b. 8 Jun 1838, Russia
  Married	Abt 1880
  Last Modified	02 Aug 2009 18:31:00
  Family ID	F1262	Group Sheet

• Notes

  Birth Source: Turner County, South Dakota. Kirchen-Buch der Mennoniten Gemeinde, 1876 , page 24. Birth Source: Gossen, Robert K.; Family Records. His surname is given as Dirkson and his age is given as 53 on the ship passenger list in 1875, both of which are incorrect. He wrote his name Dirks on his land papers, and then changed it to Dirksen, then had to get witnesses to verify he was the same man when it came time to prove up his land. Need to better identify this Susanna (Anna?) Wedel. Marriage to Katharina Dueck? Theisen Vogt by Bette Vote's note that said, "Married Benjamin Duerksen by 1887 according to Land claim deed". Immigration Source: Brothers in Deed to Brothers in Need , page 246. Marriage Source: 1885 Dakota Territory census. Cliff Wall's research for "Remembering Our Heritage" (p.226) includes Esther Neufeld Ramsey's contention that Benjamin, Abraham and Agnetha were siblings and their father was named Johann. Benjamin Dirks/Dirksen seems to have used the two surnames interchangeably at times. his land application was made as Dirks, but his patent application used Dirksen, which caused problems. This is the largest collection of pioneer papers in DakotaDirksens. Cliff Wall did his homework! Homestead Application. - $14 receipt. - Citizenship. - Affidavit to Prove. - Witness letter. - Final Affidavit. - Intent to Prove. - Publication. - Witness letter. - Witness Letter. - Testimony of Claimant. - $4 receipt. - Patent Issued. - Quit Claim Deed. Arrived Philadelphia 25 Jul 1875, S. S. Nederland. Immigration: S. S. Nederland; Arrived Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Sources

  [S108] Goessel, Kansas. Gemeindebuch der Mennoniten-Brudergemeinde zu Goessel, Kansas, (MF Chr 15). [S97] Gossen, Robert K.; Family Records. [S275] Pauls, John; Gedcom File, Jan 2002. [S642] Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Kirchen Buch der Mennonite Gemeinde, 1877, MF CHR 15., 24 (Reliability: 0). [S117] Quiring, Mary Ann; Gedcom File, Mar 2002.