My 5th Great Grandpa was retired seargent Hendrik Jekel. He was the father of Jan Willem Jekel, who was born in Emmen, Drenthe in 1797. He was the father of my 3rd great grandma Aaltje Jekel, born in Emmen in 1823. Aaltje married Harm Wassen and emigrated to Michigan in the US in 1846. Aaltje's brother also named Jan Willem Jekel emigrated with them.
I believe Hendrik Jekel may have been from Hesse or Bavaria. Perhaps a Hessian mercenary who ended up in Drenthe and retired there? His wife was definitely born in Nassau-Dietz, right on the border with Hesse circa 1865. That's about all I know.