The accidents of William Witvliet (1870-1936)

William Witvliet was born on 22 September 1870 in Vriesland, Ottawa, Michigan, USA. His parents are Lammigje (“Emmely”) Bartels (1837-1921) and Pieter (“Peter”) Witvliet (1830-1897). William's paternal grandparents were Mattheus Witvliet (1801-1873) and his second wife Elizabeth Sandifort.
Among William's siblings was a brother Mattheus (“Matthew”) Witvliet (1861-1938).

At the age of 30, William married Hendrika Krans on 13 June 1901 in Zeeland, Ottawa, Michigan, USA. She was born in June 1877 as daughter of Henry Krans (1837-1922) and Henrietta Hoving (1846-1925).

William Witvliet was operating a saw in a factory, when his right hand was caught in the machine, and badly damaged. An amputation was necessary, and his arm was amputated above the elbow. William was still a young man, and had only been married for 3 months.
Matheus Witvliet, the ironmonger on 8th Street, is his brother.

De Grondwet (newspaper), 26-4-1904

After the amputation of his right arm, William had hardly any means of subsistence. Once in a while he did some temporary police service, or other temporary work.
In January 1929, William Witvliet had an unfortunate fall on the slippery sidewalk, and broke his other arm.

De Grondwet (newspaper), 29-1-1929

William Witvliet died in January 1936. His widow, Henrietta Krans, died on 26 August 1970 in Zeeland, Ottawa County, Michigan.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl, William Witvliet (1870-1936) - Find a Grave Memorial, Ancestors.Familysearch.org.