(submitted by Mary Vander Ploeg)
Klaas (1903–1989) and DieWerke A. (Niewold, 1905–1957) Venhuizen and their seven children emigrated from the Netherlands in 1950, settling first near Wallaceburg and Dover Centre. Work was plentiful in the Chatham canning factory and in sugar beet or tomato fields for Klaas and his oldest children, who all pooled their earnings.
In 1953 the family moved to Warwick Twp. to Bethel Rd. just north of Brickyard Line. Klaas grew two acres of cucumbers. Bags and bags of them were set by the road for a truck to load them up and take them to the pickle factory. Eggs were traded for groceries at the Birnam Store and Egg Grading Station. Canning produce from their huge garden was a must, as they did not own a freezer.
The children attended SS#4. Klaas remarried, to Minke Riemersma (1912–2001). When Klaas retired, his daughter Jannie and husband Sjoerd Klazinga took over the farm.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Venhuizen Family
Contact Us
Subscribe to this page