(submitted by Mary Hogervorst and Jean Janes)
In June 1948, Anthony (1900–1969) and Johanna (Vollenberg, 1904–1999) left their 12 acre farm at Langenboom, Nord Brabant, Netherlands, boarded the freighter Kota Inten with nine children, and left for Canada. The family had debated the pros and cons of moving for a long time before they made their decision. In that era, the Dutch government required two years of compulsory military duty for men of eligible age. This was an experience which the Straatmans wanted to avoid. The family attended English classes before they left. They brought $800 with them, which was the amount allowed out of the Netherlands at the time. Their furniture was shipped from the Netherlands as well.
The Straatmans were sponsored by a tobacco farmer in West Lorne. Mr. Straatman, two older sons and an older daughter worked in the tobacco fields, hoeing the crops. However they were compensated only partially for the first week and none for the next three weeks. Not an auspicious beginning and it only got worse. When no agreement could be reached with the employer, they and their furniture were turned out of the house the same day by noon! The family was on the side of the highway with their belongings when a neighbour offered them an abandoned house, at no cost. In West Lorne they walked four miles to church as they had no car.
The family — Gerald (1929–), Herman (1930–), Theresa (1931–), Mary (1933–), Nellie (1936–), Harry (1938–) Anthony Jr. (1940–) Leo (1942–2006) and Elsie (1946–) — continued in the tobacco growing area for a couple of years, but this kind of farming did not appeal to them. Then they purchased a hundred acre farm on Hwy 7 in Warwick Twp. from Ed Thompson in 1951. As did other farmers, they grew sugar beets for approximately five years. As well they picked beans for the first few years. They had cows, chickens and pigs. Several family members worked off farm as well.
While the family was fortunate to have good health, on one of the drives to work in Sarnia by Anthony Sr. and Herman, the car they were riding in slipped on ice on the approach to Warwick Village and hit the cement bridge. One person was killed but Anthony Sr. and Herman were unhurt. In 1963 they bought more land on the Egremont Rd.
In 1956, after finishing elementary school, Leo joined his father to work on the farm. Leo (1942–2006) married Lina Denys. Their children are: Laura, Paul, Julie (1971–2007), and Sandra. Laura and her husband Jim Soetemans farm on the Egremont Rd. Paul lives at home. Julie married Glen App; she died in a traffic accident. Sandra married Todd White and they manage Brookside Manor in Watford in 2008. Leo was killed in a helicopter accident while flying a new helicopter back from California.
Other members of the family also reside in Warwick Twp. Mary married Matthew Hogervorst (–1997). Their children are Pat, Tony, Frank, and Ben. Nellie married Bill Vanderburgt, and their children are Jim, Debbie, Diane, and Cathy. Harry married Ellie Hendrikx, who have five children together: John, Mary, Tony, Jim, and Steven. Anthony Jr. married Rita Gignac, and their children are Lynn, Cheryl, Paul, and Mark. Elsie married John Peters (–1976), then married Alfons Couwenberg. The children are John, Nancy, Michael and Bonnie.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Straatman Family
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