Our Family Background

Henry Brinks, born in 1843 near Gescher, in northwest Germany in the State of Westphalia, came to America in the Spring of 1867 along with his fiancee, Gertrude Boesing and her family.  They settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he built a successful carpentry and contracting business.  His brother, Bernard, came to Quincy in 1880.  He was also a craftsman, carving beautiful wood facings for church pews, railings, confessionals.  Their oldest daughter, Mary, married George Liesen.  The next was Bernard J., who married Mary Frieburg.  Their other son, Henry, married Katie Michael.  Their daughter Catherine married William Meyer and their 3rd daughter, Clara, first entered the convent for a number of years and was forced by ill health to return home. 

The following attachments tell 1) the story of Germany and coming to America, 2) the building of the Brinks carpentry business and 3) each of their childrens' families.