(submitted by Louis Soetemans)
Louis Soetemans (1926–) was born in Belgium. He arrived in Halifax, then came by train to Watford in 1952, where he stayed with Adrian and Mary Kustermans for a few months. Louis worked in tobacco, sugar beets and vegetables in Grand Bend.
Anna (Wouters) Soetemans arrived in Camlachie in 1953 from Belgium with her brother Jules, his wife Julienne and her sister Rachel and her husband Frank DeBorger. Frank and Rachel settled in Warwick Twp. Joe Wouters, his wife Lisa, and Sidonie Wouters and her husband August Van Loy, had arrived in Warwick Twp. the year before. Sisters Josie Wouters and her husband Jules Van den Eynde, and Melanie Wouters and her husband August Verelst, also settled in Warwick Twp.
Louis worked at the Watford Wireworks and Anna worked at Watford Poultry. In 1954 they were married in Forest. That same year they purchased Lot 4, Con. 5 NER, Warwick Twp. (Birnam Line). This was known as the Adam Kent farm. The farm had a number of out buildings which included a partial old log house. One of the barns was built on wooden blocks. The Soetemans started with mixed farming but eventually concentrated on their hog operation.
In 1967 Louis and Anna received their Canadian citizenship. By then they had five children: Paul, Rita, Elsie, Dannie and Andre. For 24 years the family grew cucumbers. They purchased several more properties over the years. They enjoyed attending summer picnics with SS#16 families every year.
Three children remain in Warwick Twp. Elsie married Frank Devet and settled on Brickyard Line. Dannie married Rita Van Gorp and bought the farm next door to the home farm on Birnam Line, while Andre and his wife, Cathy Donkers took over the home place. Louis and Anna retired to York St. in Forest.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Soetemans Family
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