(submitted by Harry Van Kessel)
It was no small undertaking to pack up a family of nine children, aged one to seventeen. But Martin (1912–1992) and Hendrika (1913–2005) Van Kessel did just that, bringing their entire family from Holland by airplane to Canada in 1956.
Within months a farm on the west ½ of Lot 27, Con. 1 NER (8702 Egremont Rd.), Warwick Twp., was purchased. Martin and the eldest children went to work and the younger ones went to school. Martin farmed there until 1968 when his son Harry took over.
Harry, who married Emma Hendrickx, farmed there until 1998 when his son Harry Jr. took over.
The children of Martin and Hendrika Van Kessel are: Gertie, married to Piet DeJeu; John, married to Cathy Geerts; Karl, married to Henny Ketelaars; Harry, married to Emma Hendrickx; Martin, married to Willy Geerts; Rieky, married to John Van De Wetering; Annie, married to John Thuss; Jo, married to Martin Thuss; and Willy, married to Larry Grozelle.
Van Kessel family. Back: Harry, Gertie, John, Karl. Front: Ricky, Joe (on Martin’s lap), Annie, Willy (on Hendrika’s knee), Martin Jr. Courtesy Van Kessel Family.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Van Kessel, Martin
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