Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009 Historical Magazine of The Archives Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 pagepage 6page 16 (616) 526-6313 Origins is designed to publicize 2 From the Editor 13 Michigan’s Polar Bears and advance the objectives of Robert J. Yonker The Archives. These goals 4 Diary of POW Jacob Fridsma include the gathering, in Germany 18 Jacob Van Hinte organization, and study of 23 September 1944 to Pioneer and Preeminent Scholar historical materials produced by 22 April 1945 of Dutch American Studies the day-to-day activities of the Peter Ester Christian Reformed Church, its institutions, communities, and people.

Richard H. Harms Editor Hendrina Van Spronsen Circulation Manager Conrad J. Bult Book Reviewer Tracey L. Gebbia Designer H.J. Brinks Harry Boonstra Janet Sheeres Associate Editors James C. Schaap Robert P. Swierenga ppageage 30 page 42 Contributing Editors HeuleGordon Inc. 24 To America: The Diary of 35 Building the Reformed Church Printer Jacob Van Hinte: Pioneer of in Early Wisconsin Dutch-American Studies Robert P. Swierenga Peter Ester 45 Book Notes 46 For the Future Cover photo: upcoming Origins articles POW telegram 47 Contributors from the editor . . .

the entire diary via our website. Mov- Richard H. Harms. In 1847 the fi rst ing a bit back in time, the second is Dutch immigrants arrived in West the 1921 diary Jacob Van Hinte kept Michigan and one of their earliest during his tour of the United States in efforts was the formation of a church, preparation of his pioneering studies which in 1850 joined the Reformed on the Dutch-American experience. Church in America as First Church. Next, Peter Ester, who edited the A division within the congregation Time to Renew Your Subscription diary, provides background on Van in 1882 saw the majority of mem- As is our practice, to save the cost Hinte and the place of his work in bers, who retained ownership of the of a separate notifi cation of renewal Dutch-American scholarship. Mov- building, leave the Reformed Church mailing, we use this column to notify ing still further back in time, Robert in America and several years later you that this is the time to renew your Yonker provides his discoveries about join the Christian Reformed Church subscription. A renewal envelope for a relative who was part of a little- in North America. At this point the this is included with this issue. Sub- known WW I Allied military expedi- congregation changed its name to scriptions remain $10 (US) per year. tion on Russian soil. And, Dr. Robert Ninth Street Church, refl ecting its Gifts above $10 are acknowledged as Swierenga presents the results of his location in Holland. The information charitable gifts to Origins and we are research on the unique experience of available via http://www.calvin.edu/hh/ grateful for your generosity. D Dutch immigrants in Wisconsin com- family_history_resources/Pillar_church. pared to their kin in West Michigan htm was extracted from the church’s This Issue or Iowa. D original handwritten records. D We present two diaries in this issue. One was kept by Pfc. Jacob Fridsma Available On-Line News from the Archives while he was a prisoner of war dur- Early membership information from A large collection, the research and ing the last months of 1944 and early Pillar Church, Holland, Michigan, is reference papers of Dr. Quentin months of 1945.Because of the original now available on-line thanks to the Schultze on Christianity and the mass diary’s length, this is an edited version; work of volunteer Willene De Groot, media, and Christians and informa- in the near future we plan to provide student assistant Cyndi Feenstra, and tion technology, was organized and

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opened for research. We also received because the campus Fine Arts Center changes to the translated and exten- and organized the papers of William was being vacated for remodeling. sively annotated minutes of the CRC Van Regenmorter, a prominent West Most of these recordings are of musi- synodical meetings (then called clas- Michigan politician, who specialized cal and visual arts performances by sical or general assembly meetings), in the rights of crime victims. This college faculty and students. 1857–1880. spring and summer also saw an infl ux Our volunteers continue the trans- of denominational records and as a lation from Dutch into English of Staff result of this we organized those that the additional minutes from Pillar Richard Harms is the curator of the came from the former Paw Paw, Mich- CRC, Holland, Michigan, and Hol- Archives; Hendrina Van Spronsen igan, Christian Reformed Church; the land, Michigan’s Central Avenue CRC is the offi ce coordinator; Wendy denominational campus ministry pro- minutes. Indexing of The Banner Blankespoor is librarian and catalog- gram; the Campus Ministry program vital records continues. Paul Bremer ing archivist; Melanie Vander Wal is at the University of Western Ontario continues his work in organizing the departmental assistant; Dr. Robert (London); and the former University papers of H. Evan Runner, as does Bolt is fi eld agent and assistant archi- Church in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. the indexing and organization of our vist. Our student assistant is Dana We processed two smaller collections, genealogical material. D Verhulst. Our volunteers include the records of the Fremont, Michigan Willene De Groot, Ed Gerritsen, Fred (Calvin College) Alumni Guild and Publications Greidanus, Ralph Haan, Dr. Henry the papers of Leo Peters, an active The history of the CRC mission effort Ippel, Helen Meulink, Rev. Gerrit critic of the college and its faculty in China, 1920-1950, by Dr. Kurt Sell- W. Sheeres, and Janet S. Sheeres. D during the 1980s and 1990s. The Pe- es, is being prepared for publication. ters material came from his estate and At this point we do not have a more includes correspondence as well as exact publication date than spring copies of advertisements he purchased 2010. It will be produced through the in the Grand Rapids Press. We also offi ces of the Historical Series of the Richard H. Harms completed processing a large amount RCA. Based on comments from edito- of audio material sent to the archives rial readers, Janet Sheeres is making

3 Diary of POW Jacob Fridsma in Germany 23 September 1944 to 22 April 1945

Information provided by the family (editor): Jacob Fridsma was the fi rst son and with the Russians advancing into East the third child born to Meindert (died Germany, he and his fellow prisoners 1 March 1933 from pneumonia) and were marched across northern Ger- Anna (nee Van Dyke) on 4 November many. They walked approximately 434 1921 in Passaic, New Jersey. He re- miles in 49 days. ceived his basic training north of Biloxi, Mississippi. On 23 September 1944, a Upon Jacob’s release, he returned to C47, with two gliders in tow, was shot the United States. His mother hav- down over Holland, one of these gliders, ing moved in the summer of 1944, the one in which Fridsma was fl ying, Fridsma joined his family in their new landed in a fi eld between Arnhem and home in Bellfl ower. One week after his Nijmegen, during the ill-fated Allied discharge he became a letter carrier, attack on Arnhem, and was taken and on 4 November 1946 he married prisoner. Ruth Ligtenberg. They had three daugh- The prisoners were sent to Stalag II B; ters, Anne Marie, Joyce, and Laura JacobJacob Fridsma prpriorior to leavileavingng CamCampp Shelby for Fridsma later went by boxcar to Dun- Sue. While on a family vacation in Europe as a member of the glider infantry. He was part of Operation Market Garden which rose Farm in Stolp, Poland. He worked Dubuque, Iowa, he drowned in a motel included plans to land 14,589 troops by glider there until February of 1945 when, swimming pool on 10 July 1963. and 20,011 by parachute as part of an effort to secure a series of bridges for an invasion of Germany. Image courtesy of the family. aptured in Holland on 23 Sept. of about 600 GI and British were Cat approx. 4:45 p.m. Slept in loaded into box cars. Stayed here 2 civilian home. On 24th slept in a days and nights. Then 5 days and barn. Early in the morning rode nights traveled slowly through Al- by truck for about an hour to a lied pocket in Holland to Limburg, school house. Stayed about 2 hours. Germany [north and east of Frank- Marched about 10 kilometers to fort]. Very weak and dizzy from Culemborg—a Netherlands Red lack of food and exercise. Deloused After his youth in New Jersey and mili- Cross Hospital. Searched there, here, searched, and no chow. On tary service during World War II, Jacob Fridsma (1921-1963) worked as a let- fed and slept. Joined up with more 5 Oct. left for Frankfurt for inter- ter carrier in the Bellfl ower, California, GIs and British boys. Marched 7 rogation. Locked up in solitary area. He was married to Ruth Ligten- hours through Doorn and several confi nement for 5 days 8-12 Oct. berg; they had three daughters. other towns to Amersfoort. Fed Left for Luftwaffe camp—shower there and about 9 at night a group and good chow. On the 13th was

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shipped back to Limburg with fi rst 27 November, Monday thing all the time. More than ever issue of Red Cross clothing and Traveled 110 kilometers from Stalag I am looking for the time of libera- toilet articles. Red Cross parcel—1 IIB to Kommando at Stolp3 near tion. I pray God several times a day box per man.1 Searched again at Baltic Sea. Made it in about 4 hours for you and for the day of peace.5 Limburg and no chow. Jerry’s [a in box cars hooked onto a regular The Lord grant it may be soon. term for German soldiers] excuse passenger train to make good time. 5 December, Tuesday being “the kitchen is locked.” So we I had a different job today, pitch- dived into our boxes. Slept on the 28 November, Tuesday ing hay in a loft and also feeding concrete fl oor. Stayed here until 14 Arrived at the city of Stolp about hay into a chopping machine. The Nov. Had many air raids and little 3:00 p.m. to work on the farm. We machine eats a lot of hay and I chow. Kitchen had Red Cross par- were met by a farmer who had a have to work quite fast but it is not cels cooked in with meals. Sanity couple of wagons fi lled with straw tiresome work. I and an old man conditions bad, much mud outside, and towed by a tractor which was worked together. I have quite a and crowded barracks. powered by steam. The ride to the farm was an hour long and we bit of trouble understanding him 14–20 November froze. It sure was cold with a strong and sometime he gets angry when We traveled 95 kilometers in box wind blowing. The farm is quite I don’t know what he is talking cars from Limburg to Hammerstein big. We sleep in a special barracks about. I pick up a few new words 2 and Stalag IIB. 45 (sic) men in a surrounded by barbed wire. every day. There are quite a few box car, quite crowded and cold. old men (45-65 years old) work- Very little chow and water. Fed 1 December, Friday ing on this farm; only a few young one meal by German Red Cross in It looks like we are going to have kids and about a dozen women. Berlin and another [on] the 19th. plenty potatoes and not much On Sundays a large group of Rus- Good hot soup. Three days without bread. All these potatoes contain a sians work in our place. There are water. When received soup fi rst lot of water and some of us have to many horses, cows, pigs, chickens, time 9:30 at night one GI cried to get up 4 times every night. On top ducks, pigeons, sheep, dogs, cats, get two bowls of soup and Jerry of that our room is locked every and oxen roaming around; and here blew his top. Also that night an night and we have just one bucket we get about 2 lbs. of horse meat engine ran into stationary cars and to relieve ourselves in. It runs over daily for 42 men. I sure would like smashed two cars. About 6 taken every night and you can imagine to get hold of a chicken or duck. If to hospital. 15 more men loaded the smell. Also several fellows are we don’t get more meat, I’m afraid 4 into our car making 65 in each. suffering from the GIs. I suppose this winter our bodies will not be Couldn’t sleep, cold, boys nerves that is caused by us eating the same able to resist the cold too much. shot, several heated ar- WeW see these old men eat guments. Had fever 1½ porkp chops and spare ribs at days; possibly from lack noonn time and we’re eating of food. At IIB had GI coldc spuds and dry bread. clothes taken away by I haven’t had a good piece Jerry and issued too big ofo meat since I’ve been in and too small clothes England.E of different colors—re- 6 December, Wednesday ceived some GI clothes Today another rainy day later. Had 2 [Red Cross] anda still no Red Cross par- parcels here—½ parcel cels.c Three new men came in per man. Good library todayt making us a total of but very little chow. 454 men. One of these men is Attended church here a recognized non-commis- twice Sunday in a nice sioneds and he does not have chapel. Made me feel The Allied operation began 17 September and ended in ffailureailure on 25 September. The glider Fridsma was in was shot down on 23 September; his tot work because he will be 6 very good and received a family received word that he was missing in action a month later. Image our confi dence man. His blessing from it. courtesy of the family. duty is to act between us and

5 jumpingj all night I went to get coal and upon overo us this arriving, three women took off like afternoona ruptured ducks. When fi nding out tryingt to we came for coal also, then they makem us came back and fi nished loading hurryh up their containers. But I feel fi ne and butb noth- much better than I did in Stalag ingi will IIB or Limburg—getting plenty of makem a exercise and fresh air and more GIG rush if chow. When our stomachs swell heh doesn’t up like tonight, we feel full but wantw to. are still hungry. I’ll have my own WeW don’t church service tonight with myself. rushr as Read my Bible, hum a few songs, longl as and utter a prayer for you, the boys The prepared postcard POWs were ggiveniven by the German ggovernmentovernment to notify wew are fi ghting, the preaching of the word familyf l of f being b captured. d Fridsma d wrote hhis on 14 OOctober b 1944 bbut hhis mother h working today, etc. Our confi dence man, did not receive it until three months later on 17 January 1945. Image courtesy of the family. for Jerry. I who has been a prisoner for almost don’t think a year, was telling us that all the Jerry, e.g. see our rations come in, much about the war now as I used roads, bridges, and forests are pa- we do not get mistreated, we have to back in the Stalag where all you trolled 24 hours a day by civilians enough clothes, our parcels come do is lay around and think. But I who are on the look-out for prison- in, etc. I had a new job this morn- do not forget to pray to God twice ers of war, possible invasion by air, ing: leading a horse on top of a daily for the end of this confl ict etc. So it is practically impossible beet top pile so that it got trampled and for you folks at home. to escape from the “Fatherland.” down tight. I never walked in so He has known fellows who tried many circles before. 10 December, Sunday but couldn’t make it. We are close Today for the fi rst time the sky was to the Baltic Sea and the Allies may 7 December, Thursday absolutely A little while ago we had fi ve dip- clear. The pers of good soup and boy! Did sun rose my stomach tighten up! I guess it about 9:00 still is shrunk up. In about an hour and now at (at 7 p.m.) we will get hot boiled 2:30 p.m. it spuds, which will be for breakfast is below the and dinner tomorrow. Our confi - tree tops, dence man is trying to get trans- but it has portation to town in order to get been cold, our Red Cross parcels, but Jerry is beautiful being obstinate and is making ex- day. I wrote cuses and trying to put us off until a few cards next Wednesday. If that is the case, home today we are ready to go on strike. Those and hope parcels belong to us and Jerry is they get to supposed to furnish transporta- their desti- DuringDuring his imprisonment, Fridsma was able to send fi ve letters home on the tion so we can get them. Today I nation soon. stationery provided by the German government. The contents of the letter were censored by both the German and American governments so the infor- worked on my old job—loading We cleaned mation he could send was very limited. Image courtesy of the family. beets. It was quite cold in the fi eld up the today and I had cold feet all morn- place today—swept and scrubbed. make an invasion from this side of ing. I managed to keep warm this The Jerrys around here do a lot of Germany. Then it will be complete- afternoon. The “werkmeister” was stealing from each other. The other ly surrounded.

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beenb here for 5 years— and blue crepe paper put up in sinces Dunkirk. Boy, the window and across the room that’st a long time to be on the central light. It looks very ini captivity. Some boys good. The guard just came over and madem snow creams wanted a detail to go over to the today.t A ½ can of milk “snops verbrech”8 to move some isi made and some fl a- stuff. I don’t have to go because this voringv like pineapple morning for about an hour I helped jamj is added. While load a couple dozen drums of stirrings vigorously, “snops” on a wagon. Here’s a list of adda snow until the the items in our Christmas parcel: solutions is thick and 1 oz. Pekoe tea foamy.f It is supposed 8 oz. pure honey tot be very good. 4 pieces gum 191 December, Tuesday 4 oz. Libby sausage I just made myself 12 bouillon cubes somes snow cream 1 package fi gs and dates 1 can plum jam One ofof the fi rst thithingsngs he did aafterfter beibeingng returned to Allied controcontroll anda it sure was good was to send a letter home on stationery provided by the Red Cross. even though I didn’t 1 lb. plum pudding In his letter Fridsma notes that he had received no mail at all while have any jam to put 2 fruit bars a prisoner of war. Image courtesy of the family. in it. I had the same 12 oz. turkey job as yesterday and I 12 oz. hard candy 13 December, Wednesday worked by myself most of the day. 3 oz. deviled ham Yesterday being parcel day, every- Some of the boys saw a wild boar in 3 packs cigarettes one received cigarettes and they the fi elds today with 2 young. One 7 oz. mixed nuts are used in playing poker.7 So last of these days the Jerrys are going on 1 pipe night a game was going until 2:00 a boar hunt and they will use us as 4 oz. American cheese a.m. this morning. Some boys sold bush-brushers. That’ll be something 1 Prince Albert and traded all their items from their different for a change. Last night 8 ¾ oz. cherries parcels for cigarettes and they lost we could see fl ashes of exploding 3 ¾ oz. butter it all. How glad I am that I don’t bombs in the city of Danzig. The 2 large pictures gamble or smoke!! I woke up at Yanks are still at it! We could also 1 wash cloth 2:00 this morning and half the boys see tracers of anti-aircraft guns. I 1 small game—checkers, were still up, so I got up too and fi nished reading the book Sincerity chess, roulette made myself something to eat then by Gooding. It was quite interest- 1 deck cards went back to bed an hour later. ing. One of the few English books. 25 December, Monday, CHRISTMAS 16 December, Saturday 24 December, Sunday Christmas day here in Germany It is now midnight and I just woke The day before Christmas dawned is dark and not too cold. We slept up from sleeping since about 4:00 cloudy. Got up at 6:15 and at 6:30 until seven-thirty and then I had this afternoon. My stomach was I went for a shower, which felt breakfast of coffee, deviled ham sick since I worked in the horse sta- very good. Soon as I got back I cut and bread. Right after breakfast I ble throwing out manure. However, some fi rewood for our room and went over to the barn for water and I still ate some soup but an hour the kitchen. For dinner we had our washed my laundry. For my Christ- later threw it all up. Now I just regular soup-potatoes and horse mas dinner I had a 12 oz. can of woke up. This morning I worked meat. Right now we’re waiting for turkey, which was delicious, bread on my same job and changed this the guard so we can get Christmas and butter, and for dessert I ate my afternoon. We had a little snow parcels. Downstairs they have their plum pudding (very good—1 lb.) during the night and it was dark all room decorated and a small tree and a can of cherries. That sure was day. There are quite a few French set up. Our room upstairs is also a scrumptious meal; the best I’ve boys here and some of them have fi xed up a bit—mostly red, white had in captivity. I sent 2 cards home

7 iity. Bless our families out” when they will get them back. wwho are far away, He reached for his gun several oour friends, and all times when talking to the sergeant. wwe love; our country 5 Janu\ary, Friday aand our comrades in Our confi dence man didn’t go to aarms. Give us peace town today but will go tomorrow, aand protect us from we hope. There are about six men mmelancholy and in our Kommando who have car- ddespair. And above all buncles all over them. I hope I don’t kkeep us from offend- get them. The weather was warm iing Thee. My God today—nice working weather. Our wwe thank Thee for sergeant received 3 letters today; aall Thy blessings and An approximate map of the nearly 440-mile trek in forty-nine days of the latest one dated November 12. wwe will try and serve the group of POWs that included Fridsma during the last weeks of the I sure am longing to hear from you, war in Europe. Due to the lack of basic sanitary facilities during this Thee as St. Paul has to see how you all are doing. march, when he was returned to Allied control he was covered with told us, “Rejoicing more than fi fty boils. in hope, patient in 7 January, Sunday tribulation, instant in prayer.” I am drinking a good cup of tea as today, 1 to Van Trueren, 1 to Sena, Amen. I am writing this. The tea is from and 1 to Tootsie.9 I am now reading the Christmas parcel. Having this 27 December, Wednesday the book How Green Was My Valley. beverage reminds me very much Last night 3 of the boys took off of Sunday afternoon at home. If 26 December, Tuesday “over the hill.” They took all their only I had a big piece of homemade This is the last day we have off and clothing and food with them. Today chocolate cake!! Got up at 5:45 and I am glad we got 3 days. The fi rst we saw a reconnaissance (Piper had barley for cereal at breakfast. thing I did this morning was get cub) plane cruising around and At 6:30 went for a shower, chopped H O, then cut wood for an hour or looking for any trace of the boys. 2 some wood for an hour or so, so. We had bull beef as an added I hope they make it to neutral cleaned up, and then I read my Text attraction to the soup this noon and country. for awhile. Mashed spuds and gou- all afternoon I read. I think I will 28 December, Thursday lash for dinner and plenty of them. hit the hay early tonight. It will be We had a bit of retaliation from Tonight we are (our room) going to hard to get back in the groove again Jerry today for the 3 boys who took have some brown peas which the on the morrow. Looking back on off. Right after coming in for lunch fellows found in the threshing barn, that Red Cross parcel I think it was four of us in our room heard an for supper. Sundays always make the best that could be made up for offi cer “blowing his top” downstairs me lonesome for home and to go Christmas. I sure am thankful for it. and then a terrifi c slam of the door. to church but I will have to have A Prisoner’s Prayer Then he came to our room. Call- patience until we are liberated. O God our Creator and Protector, we ing attention, we all jumped up. He 21 January, Sunday know that Thou art near us and we looked around and went out, slam- Some of the French boys were in adore Thee and give ourselves to Thee ming the door behind him. Two this morning and said a civilian body and soul and with complete sub- minutes later he came back and we newspaper stated that the Russians mission to Thy will. Thou hast saved all jumped to attention. One boy were driving with a force of 155 us from death which has overtaken didn’t jump fast enough, so the of- divisions and that Jerry is “zerreek- many of our companions and has fi cer made him sit down and stand ing” on both fronts.10 Maybe we permitted that we be prisoners. We up fast about four times. He hol- won’t be here too long yet. will bear patiently and hopefully for lered something and then slammed the love of Thee will lessen all the dif- the door again. Ten minutes later 22 January, Monday fi culties of our state. Bless us and all he came in again with a box and One of the boys went to town to the our companions here. Grant us to live made us turn in all the smokes we doctor today and he heard that all in peace comforting and consoling one had. So now those boys don’t have garrison soldiers in Stolp were on another with fraternal love and char- any cigarettes and they’re “sweating a 30-minute alert. That’s for an air-

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borne invasion. Quite a few military do with us. I’d hate to walk the civilian and military. Also a lot of convoys went through this vicinity country like the POWs we saw Russian prisoners.13 The boys saw today coming from the direction today, but I’d like the Russians to that some of the civilian wagons are of Danzig. Cars and trucks were encircle us and then ship us to the now being pulled by oxen. Running towing each other. They were either coast and from there to the USA. out of horses maybe. saving gas or they ran out. 1 February, Thursday 14 February, Wednesday 23 January, Tuesday Another four or fi ve hundred We had sleet, rain, snow, and

Today about a dozen men from the stopped here for the night. Last cloudy weather all day. There are farm left for the army, we are told. night’s gang pulled out at 10:00 this a lot of offi cers around here lately They are quite old at that. I don’t morning. Boy! When they found and reports are that a command feel well tonight and believe I have out there was spuds in the “snops” post is being set up. Probably de- a bit of fever. The boil on my rear- factory, French, “Limey’s” and fenses will then be set up here also. end pains terrifi cally—maybe that’s Russians all swarmed in the place. I talked with one of the offi cers in what’s causing the fever. Some were boiling spuds in the the factory this afternoon and he furnace. was very friendly. When he fi nished 30 January, Tuesday talking (he could speak a little bit 3 February, Saturday A bunch of the boys had to shovel of English) he slapped me on the Today was warm and everything snow off the highway today so the shoulder and gave me a big smile. is fl ooded from melting snow and convoys could go through. Boy! Lights go out at 8:30 every night mud galore. Another group of 800 What scenes the boys were telling now all over Germany. Convoys are POW’s stopped here to spend the about! Horses hoofs split and bleed- still going by and we didn’t have night. I found out today the old ing, civilian faces black, blue, and any news for several days. I hope man I work with spent 6 years in frozen. Most of the soldiers were those Russians keep going. non-commissioned—leaving the Russia as a POW during the last privates behind again. There were war. He doesn’t holler at us or work 18 February, Sunday many civilians shoveling also— our heads off. I think I have to This morning we received notice kids 10 years old and many old work tomorrow so that means up that we are going to move out to people. Most of the Jerry vehicles at 4:30. Every day now I hope more Stolp. Where we’re going from are Ford V-8s. I don’t know why and more that Joe’s boys get here so there, time will tell. So now I’m these people don’t give up the war. that we can be liberated. packing my stuff and getting rid of all excess junk and clothing to the They would save themselves a lot of 9 February, Friday French.14 misery. Yanks and Russians are now Tonight most of the boys are catch- racing for Berlin. Russians are now ing lice on themselves. I have not 19 February, Monday 113 kilometers from Berlin. found any yet. I doubt if we will get We left Dunrose farm at 7:30 this deloused. I got at least another half morning and arrived at Stolp at 31 January, Wednesday a dozen boils or sores. I’m in misery 9:30. It sure was a cold ride and Weather is a lot warmer today; now. very similar to the very fi rst ride cloudy. Tonight it began to snow to the farm. We (about 300 GIs) again. Probably in for another foot 12 February, Monday are now on a big farm. It will be or two. Today about 1,500 French, I stayed in again today. My rear crowded if we all have to sleep in “Limey,”11 and Russian POWs end is still sore and the boils (or here. came in by here and stopped for whatever they are) are still run- the night. They were walking for ning. Tomorrow we again will get 21 February, Wednesday eight days. Taken out of a town deloused and have another shower. This is the second day on the road while at the other end of town the Probably will have to work Sunday and a hectic day it was. We walked Russians entered. They are on their if we don’t tomorrow. We hear to- about 30 kilometers to the farm way to the Stalag—110 kilometers day from the French that Stalin said where we were supposed to spend from here. The cars and trucks are Berlin will fall by the 15th.12 I sure the night and we found it fi lled with still going by. Several ambulances hope he is right. To have the war Jerry soldiers; too bad. We walked were seen and patients with fresh over in three days would be won- another 10 kilometers and boy! Was wounds. I wonder what they will derful. Convoys are still going by, I tired, and I don’t mean maybe.

9 22 February, Thursday for water. These people are half big church bell was ringing but no Another day on the road—12 hours crazy. one was going to church. from dawn to dark. Had a little rain today. Dead tired. I hear we are 1 March, Thursday 7 March, Wednesday headed for Stetin—145 kilometers So far we’ve walked about 175 Boil broke during the night and to go. I hope the Russians over- kilometers. On marches I always feels good this morning—hardly take us. Boy! I’m very tired of this think of the States and home. This sore at all. Slept 12 hours last night war and now we are on the road passes the time very quickly. Re- with the aid of 2 aspirin tablets. ceived a bread ration this morning for weeks probably. Went through 13 March, Tuesday and butter (margarine). One-third Koslin, quite big. We’re laying over here today. One loaf per man for two days; one lb. of the guards said we have 200 kilo- 28 February, Wednesday of butter for 24 men. Jerry feeds us meters to go. We are 220 kilometers Weather is fair and very windy. very little. Made about 30 kilometers. Quite from Hamburg and 180 kilometers tired after the days march. After 4 March, Sunday from Berlin. We may stay in this being at the barns about 10 min- I saw the French doctor today area and go in circles. Looks to me utes the chef, inspector, offi cers, about my boils and he said “hospi- like Jerry doesn’t know what to do and guards all blew their tops at us tal,” and couldn’t do a thing. Went with us. because we went looking around through a town this morning and a 16 March, Friday Last night my buddy traded off his wristwatch for 3 loaves of bread; so now all we need is a parcel and we could make some real good sand- wiches. I was complaining yester- day about nothing to eat and now we have plenty of bread. Jerry isn’t in any hurry to get us anywhere. 20 March, Tuesday We cooked some spuds and car- rots this morning and so had a good meal. There is a lot of trading going on here. The civilians want soap mostly. Last night several big waves of bombers passed over. The rumors are we have 80 kilometers to go before we reach the Stalag. Some think we will again be sent on kommando but I hope the war ends by then. I met a boy here from Grand Rapids and a member of the Oakdale Christian Reformed Church. He has been a prisoner for 1½ years.15

25 March, Sunday Laying over today and it is a beau- tiful day. We received a good ration of meat this morning and I helped grind it up for 1½ hours. Bombers After his return to the United States, Fridsma with his sisters Effi e (far left) and Hilda who were were over for about an hour today also in military service. Image courtesy of the family. and the buildings shook when the

10 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

bombs hit. More and better raids 29 March, Thursday ately, which was done all through on Deutschland. A beautiful day This is a day of rest and it is rain- the night. Reports had it that the like this reminds me of home on ing. Buds are appearing everywhere GI’s were 30-40 kilometers from Sunday and going to church. Had and this rain will make them here. The Jerry captain in charge of some pickled sardines this morn- grow faster. A Jerry bivouac area us had a nervous breakdown and ing from my buddy and they were was bombed near here last month was very much concerned over our sure good. The soup this noon was and 300-500 were killed. Coming welfare . . . excellent—spuds, meat, and barley through this area we could see all (grits). The wagons have left for the crater holes. The people here 13 April, Friday Domitz for parcels. I hope they get call us swine. Many of them are (Continued from Thursday eve- them. evacuees from Hamburg and Berlin. ning) Artillery stopped and tanks We heard last night that the Allies discontinued fi ring so we came 28 March, Wednesday made another airborne landing out of the castle cellar to await GI Went through outskirts of a large behind the Rhine. I hope it is true orders for evacuation. Finally a city called Salzwedel. Its railroad and successful. I darned my socks private and a fi rst lieutenant came station was bombed recently. My this morning and hope they hold up and boy! What a sight for sore buddy Brown for the past week has together till the end of this “hunger eyes to see some of our own men had intestinal grippe—chills, GI’s, march.” again. We were taken into a fac- cramps, fever. Yesterday I read a tory and were told to spend the Jerry paper addressed to the US and 6 April, Friday night there. Outside in the street English soldiers asking us to join We’re laying over another day. the 5th Armored was lined up and them in their and our fi ght against Weather is dark and cloudy. Had to we told them how happy we were Bolshevism. work 2 hours this morning cover- to see them and also we received iing up a lot of cans. Heard K-rations galore and other chow ““Joe’s redcaps”16 and GI’s have from them—including delicious ccontact below Berlin. Also snow white bread. Although the PPatton has met stiff resistance fi ghting stopped, the town had not bby S.S. troops. I’m tired of offi cially surrendered. The tanks tthis life and sure hope and were able to get into town in 3 ppray that this war will soon hours and 35 minutes but snipers ccease. were still around and a battalion of 16 year old S.S. troops would not 8 April, Sunday “With joy surrender. We were then told that aand gladness in my soul I the tanks and artillery had to take hhear a call to prayer. Let us go it easy in fi ring because they were uup to God’s own house and notifi ed that 500 POW’s were there. bbow before Him there.” I sure If we weren’t, the town would have ddo wish I could go to church been leveled and taken in an hour. bbut I still can worship in my So we held them up several hours. hheart, which I did. Weather is Here again was an instance of God’s bbeautiful but cool. GI bomb- divine care and keeping. About eers went over again. Ate my dark, we moved out of the factory bbread ration for breakfast, to a fi eld 800 yards outside of town. ssoup for dinner (spuds, The 5th Armored backed out and wwheat, peas, horse), and will for two hours the town was leveled. hhave another soup tonight. Fires and noise galore. How many 112 April, Thursday of the civilians’ lives had to be EEverything was buzzing with sacrifi ced because a few snipers and eexcitement last night because a battalion would not give up. . . . After the war Fridsma and Ruth Ligtenberg dated about a year until they married 4 November 1946. Image courtesy tthis town suddenly received Where we’re going I don’t know but of the family. an order to evacuate immedi- we’re on our way out of Germany.

11 What a thrill! We’re in another to a general hospital in France or 2 clean white sheets and a pair of town now. Civilians were chased England. pajamas. This is a luxurious life. out again and we moved in. This Chow is wonderful! I will be here 15 April, Sunday sure is the life! Living in houses only a day or so and will move to How good I feel to be in Allied and cooking and sleeping in beds. a general hospital in Paris, or in hands again, to have good chow, and Tonight for supper we killed a Nancy, or some other. Here Jerry to walk around without a Jerry tell- chicken and fried it, 3 eggs apiece, ing me what I can and cannot do. I POW’s pull KP. You don’t even have asparagus, applesauce, cherries and sure give the Lord all the thanks and to carry your tray out when you’re coffee. What a picnic and extreme praise for what wonderful blessings through eating. They are also work- change from yesterday, but I don’t He has given. Last night the Red ing in the hospital and on the prem- mind it in the least. I think tomor- Cross girl came around and she is ises. This hospital is in Rheims. row we move in to Hanover. going to send a cablegram home that 22 April, Sunday 14 April, Saturday I am in GI hands. Boy, oh Boy! Talk Wrote home today and to Til. Went Right now I’m in another situation! about GI supplies and equipment! It to church this morning and was I still had the GI’s so last night I sure is rolling through this country. disappointed with the sermon. The went to the medics for some pills 17 April, Tuesday Chaplain didn’t preach the Word and showed the Doc my boils of Well, this afternoon at 1405 (2:05 of God. I think I will stop writing which I still have a few. He imme- p.m.) we took off in a C-4717 for in this book now that I am able to diately wrote out a slip for me to be France, arriving there 1635. As write home. If anything unusual evacuated to the hospital at Ha- usual, I got sick up in the air again. happens which will not pass cen- nover. From here I will be moved Tonight I will sleep on a bed with sorship it will be recorded herein.o

Endnotes 1. The Germans included the calo- 5. Fridsma was the third of seven the kommandos. ries from the Red Cross parcels into the children (the oldest son) born to 10. The exact meaning of “zerreek- POW’s minimum daily food allotment. Meindert Fridsma and Anna Van Dyke. ing” is unclear. 2. The camp dated to WWI and was His siblings were Effi e, Hilda, Matilda 11. American slang for British. located 1½ miles west of Hammerstein, (“Til”), William, Jacoba (“Coby”), and 12. Berlin surrendered two-and-one- now Czarne, Poland. The fi rst US POWs Josephine (“Anna Mae”). Meindert half months later on 2 May 1945. arrived in August 1943 from North Fridsma died in 1933. 13. Russia was not a signatory to the Africa. The camp was notorious as the 6. The Germans used the term, Geneva Conventions, so the Germans worst in treatment of prisoners. The vertrauensmann (a person who could be treated Russian POWs much worse than Stalag served as the headquarters for trusted) for a person elected by the pris- POWs from other countries. nine major kommando companies, so oners to represent their interests to the 14. Prisoners from Stalag II B had that a number of POWs credited to the Germans. This word was translated into been marched out in January and camp, were housed elsewhere. “Stalag II English as a Man of Confi dence (MOC); covered approximately 600 miles until B:The Final Report Unclassifi ed, Ameri- often the MOC was the ranking non- being liberated by the 9th Armored can Prisoners of War in Germany (1),” commissioned offi cer in a kommando. Division on 13 April. Prepared by Military Intelligence Service Fridsma consistently refers to the MOC 15. PFC William Vanden Berg (1918- War Department, 1 November http://dar- as “confi dence man.” 2005) who had been the MOC in a farm bysrangers.tripod.com/id64.htm (visited 2 7. Although the prisoners were paid kommando of 26 men. Vanden Berg March 2009, 10 a.m.) A commando was with scrip that could purchase very was a paratrooper captured in Septem- a unit of forced workers, including civil- little, cigarettes became their de facto ber 1943 in Italy and also processed ians impressed from occupied countries, legal tender. through Stalag IIB, and liberated in 12 used by the German government. 8. Presumably Fridsma is spelling April 1945. 3. Now Stupsk, Poland, about twelve schnapps fabriek phonetically. This was 16. Slang for Russian soldiers. miles from the Baltic S ea. an alcohol mill that produced a clear, 17. This was the military workhorse 4. Slang for diarrhea; the terms colorless, 80-proof brandy with a light version of the DC-3 and, among other can also stand for government issue fruit fl avor. things, was used to tow gliders. As a material, or a member of the US armed 9. The Germans generally issued two glider infantryman, Fridsma was famil- forces. postcards per month for mailing from iar with the plane.

12 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

Michigan’s Polar Bears Robert J. Yonker

rom 4 September 1918 to 15 March 1918 (eight months before the FJune 1919, approximately 5,500 Allied armistice). In response the Brit- US troops, about two-thirds from ish government prevailed on Wood- Michigan, fought on Russian soil in row Wilson to send American troops the region near Archangel as part of to Archangel, Russia, ostensibly to the Allied intervention in the Russian get Russia back in the war and to Civil War. During the early months of keep supplies and ammunition from 1919 these US soldiers began to ask falling into German hands. In reality, why they were still fi ghting when the the Americans began to aid the White armistice had gone into effect the pre- Russians (non-Bolsheviks) in their vious 11 November. Talk of mutiny, civil war with the Bolsheviks. threats of courts-martial, and scat- With patriotic fervor running high, tered actual mutinies followed until 1,241 Grand Rapids men immedi- tthe troops were with- ately enlisted.1 In addition eligible ddrawn from Russia dur- men, including four brothers, Dick iing the summer months. (Dirk), Ora, Nicholas, and Cornelius DDuring the withdrawal Jonker Jr., living with their parents tthe men decided to call at 1855 Tamarack, on the northwest tthemselves “Polar Bears” side of Grand Rapids, were required aand were authorized to register for military duty. Dick’s tto wear the Polar Bear draft registration indicates he was iinsignia on their left employed in domestic mission work ssleeves. for the Christian Reformed Church The United States and a theological student at Calvin eentered the war on 6 Seminary, Ora was a timekeeper for AApril 1917, declaring the Grand Rapids Railroad Com- wwar on Germany and pany, Nicholas was a bookkeeper for aallying itself with Rus- Columbia Transfer Company, and ssia, France, and Great Cornelius was a warehouse worker for Nicholas JonkerJonker (1895-1918), BBritain. Germany, while American Seating Company. All four from an undated newspaper clip- stalemated on the West- were single. Both Ora and Nicholas ping reporting he was missing 2 in action. Image courtesy of the ern Front, dealt severe were called to serve a year later. They, author. blows to the Russian Ora born in 1894 and Nicholas born armies of Czar Nicho- in 1895, were the tenth and eleventh las II leading him to abdicate. The of twelve children born to Cornelius Alexander Kerensky government took and Tille (nee Tietje Blom) Jonker, over provisional control but civil war immigrants from Broek op Langedijk, broke out with the Bolsheviks (later a small farming village in the province Robert Yonker graduated from Calvin 3 College with a major in history. He is called Communists) led by Vladimir of North Holland, the Netherlands. retired from a career in property and Lenin. The Bolsheviks gained control The brothers reported to Camp casualty insurance. of the majority of Russia and made Custer (later Fort Custer) just west of a separate peace with Germany on 3 Battle Creek, Michigan, for induction

13 the Archangel to Moscow railroad. Since Russian roads were, for the most part, not paved and were not suitable for motorized vehicle travel, these rivers and the railroad were their only lines of communication and transportation to the outlying posts far from the main base at Archangel. In a series of small engagements, by late October ANREF had moved about three hundred miles south from Archangel. They encountered hos- tile Russian civilians, terribly rainy weather, knee-deep mud, deep forests, snowstorms, and a growing number of Bolo military units. In the arctic winter daylight hours were short, allowing for offensive action for only four to four and a half hours a day. In Cornelius and Tille (neé Tietje Blom) Jonker, immigrants from Broek op Langedijk, and their eight addition, the very cold Russian win- surviving children. Image courtesy of the author. ter was setting in. By the middle of November the Americans halted their on 24 June 1918. The new soldiers six destroyers. While en route fi ve drive and fortifi ed defensive positions were put through the basic training hundred of the 5,500 men became for the winter. Company C halted at a and assigned to the 85th US Army ill with Spanish fl u; some died and town called Ust Padenga, the south- Division then being organized for were buried at sea before they got to ernmost of the fi ve ANREF fronts. overseas combat. Pvt. Nicholas Jonker Russia.4 This was fi rst of many misfor- The records of the Kent County was assigned to Company C and Pvt. tunes to befall the American North WW I Veterans Census indicate that Ora Jonker to Company D, of the Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF), Nicholas Jonker had a week’s training 339th Infantry Regiment. After com- as it was offi cially called. They arrived at a Lewis machine gun school. This pleting only four weeks of training, at Archangel, Russia, on 4 September.5 was a light-weight machine gun most overseas orders were issued that took After arriving, the doughboys offi cial- commonly used by the British, and these troops via the Michigan Central ly suffered an additional 539 casual- Jonker operated such a gun during Railroad through Detroit, Michigan; ties (of which 232 were deaths). the battle of Seltso in October. On Canada, with a stop at Niagara Falls; The Americans were part of an in- 28 November (Thanksgiving Day) 1st and to Camp Mills on Long Island to ternational force consisting of British, Lt. Francis W. Cuff, of Company C, await a convoy overseas. The convoy French, and Canadian military units. was ordered to take a patrol of sixty of eleven ships left New York harbor A relatively small number of White Americans and about forty Russians on 21July, avoided German subma- Russian troops joined them in their to Bresenik, the next town south, rine attacks with a zigzag course, fi ght against the Bolos, as the Bol- where there were an estimated 10,000 and arrived at Liverpool, England, sheviks were called. It was assumed Bolosheviks, well-equipped with artil- on 4 August. They stayed at “Camp by the military command that a large lery and machine guns. They started Cowshot” (known as Camp Aldershot number of Russians would join the early in the morning on 29 November to the British) near Bisley, a village in international force, but no such local and were ambushed when about half Surrey in the south of England, for support materialized. The British had way to the village. The ambush spot twenty days. During this time they overall command of the campaign, in- proved to be the deepest penetration had some additional training in gas cluding the American forces. This was of ANREF forces into Russia. attacks, bayonets, etc., and were is- a very sore spot with the “Yanks.” Cuff ordered the main body of the sued Russian rifl es. The American units moved south patrol to retreat. He and about twenty They left England from Newcastle on fi ve fronts following the Emtsa, others, including Jonker and his as- on three ships with an escort of Dvina, Vaga, and Onega rivers, and sistant, Pvt. Henry R. Weitzel, stayed

14 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

behind to cover the retreat. Thirteen On 21 Sep- of these men were either killed or tember they taken prisoner. When last seen, Jonk- fought their er was operating the Lewis gun, his fi rst battle, helper was wounded and was putting wwith the two a fi rst-aid bandage on his arm. Capt. mmachines is- Fitzgerald of Company C later wrote ssued to each to Ora Jonker, “Your brother died company, no fi ghting at his post like a real man and artillery, and by staying at his gun saved the lives of Russian rifl es. many of his comrades.”6 TThe battle The loss of 1st Lt. Cuff was espe- llasted two cially hard for Company C. He had days and the been a capable leader and was well- From left to right: brothers Cornelius, Dick, Nicholas, and Ora Jonker. Image iintervening liked. Also killed was Pvt. Ray Cle- courtesy of the author. night, when mens whose brother, Roy Clemens, the enemy was missing until 2 December when of his body and reserved one of their with their six gunboats and several he and a Pvt. Greenlund returned to six plots in Blain Cemetery, Gaines pieces of artillery withdrew from the their base at Ust Padenga. They had Township (Cutlerville, Michigan) for town, although they had a numeri- outwitted the Bolos by hiding in the his remains. cal advantage of about three to one. deep snow and moving constantly in In 1926 the Daughters of the Amer- Jonker noted: temperatures of twenty below zero. ican Revolution tombstone transcrip- They were very hungry and had frost- tion project listed the Jonker family I went on every combat patrol and bitten fi ngers and feet, but were still burial plots in Blain Cemetery, Gaines took part in every fi ght our company Township,T and was in and came through it all with only two slight scratches, both on showeds a tomb- the forehead above the right eye. In stones there with one battle at Vistavka, I was on a Colt theth following machine gun for fi ve days and nights inscription:in without sleep and nothing to eat, with the thermometer registering between NICHOLASN forty to fi fty degrees below zero all the JONKERJ time. On May 29, 1919, I was sent to the hospital at Bresnika with an attack AUGA 3, 1895 of appendicitis, but did not have an MISSINGM IN operation performed. I rejoined my ACTIONA company and left the front on the 6th INI THE of June. Our company, Co. D. 339th WORLDW WAR Infantry, was at the front ten months NOVN 29, 1918 straight, without a rest of any sort. We left Egonimy Point on the 15th of June and landed at Brest, France on Ora Jonker’s the 27th. We left Brest on the 1st of wartimew experi- July and landed at Boston on the 12th. encese were also The area south of Archangel where the Allied soldiers fought during the I went to Camp Custer and was dis- th winter of 1918-1919. recordedr by the charged honorably on the 19 of July Kent County 1919, from Co. D. 339th Infantry.8 WW I Veterans alive.7 Of those killed, only fi ve bodies Census. It notes that on 8 September After returning home, Polar Bear were recovered because the American the company started for the front in veterans lobbied state and federal search and rescue party was never dirty coal barges. On the 13th they offi cials to retrieve the bodies of 125 able to get far enough south to reach got off the scows and for twenty-two men known to have been left behind the others. The parents of Nicholas hours hiked fi fty-two miles through in Russia. Since the United States did Jonker hoped for the eventual return knee-deep mud, carrying heavy packs. not have diplomatic relations with

15 Allied troops with a Lewis machine gun that Nicholas Jonker had been trained to operate and which he was using when last seen by Allied troops. Image cour- tesy of the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections Department, Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library.

The troops called themselves Polar Bears because of the Arctic climate in which they fought. Image courtesy of the Grand Rapids His- tory and Special Collections De- partment, Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library.

16 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

the Soviet Union, it took until the the coffi ns were then moved to the autumn of 1929 for the Veterans of Brooklyn army base where a memo- Foreign Wars to obtain permission, rial service was held before each was organize, and conduct a recovery sent with military honor guards to mission that was successful in fi nd- their former hometowns for burial. ing, identifying, and bringing back Pvt. Jonker fi nally had been brought the remains of eighty-six soldiers. The home.9 remains of fi fty-six of these ANREF A memorial service for him was soldiers were then reburied in plots held at the Zaagman Funeral Home around sculptor Leon Hermant’s Polar in southeastern Grand Rapids on 22 Bear Monument in White Chapel September. Jonker’s brother Dick, Cemetery, Troy, Michigan, but the previously a minster in the Christian body of Nicholas Jonker was not one Reformed Church before joining of the eighty-six recovered. the Protestant Reformed Churches, During the Franklin Delano delivered the eulogy. Pallbearers were Roosevelt administration, diplomatic Polar Bear veterans. Ten cars and relations were established with the the hearse carried the mourners and Soviet Union on 16 November 1933. remains the six miles south to Blain Thereupon the Soviet Union sent Cemetery, where his body was in- back twelve bodies of “Polar Bears.” terred in the plot reserved for him and On 16 September 1934, Scanstates, with his tombstone already in place.10 Jonker’s memorial stone was placed in the out of Copenhagen, Denmark, ar- The Polar Bears fi red their rifl es in family plot in Blain Cemetery, Cutlerville, rived in New York with the twelve in a traditional military salute.11 After Michigan, years before his body was returned from Russia. Image courtesy of the Richard H. Russian coffi ns. The American graves almost sixteen years Jonker’s parents Harms. registration service took charge and and loved ones fi nally had closure.o

Endnotes 1. Grand Rapids Press, 21 July 1917. The pandemic lasted from March 6. Ibid. 2. Kent County. Michigan Draft 1918 to June 1920 and anywhere from 7. Kent County WW I Veterans Cen- Registrations, Local and Family History 50 to 100 million people died world- sus provided by the Western Michigan Department, Grand Rapids (Michigan) wide. An estimated 500 million people, Genealogical Society. Public Library. one-third of the world’s population, 8. Ibid. 3. Author’s Jonker genealogy. became infected. 9. Grand Rapids Herald, 17 Septem- 4. The 1918 fl u pandemic (com- 5. The diaries of Edwin L. Arkins of ber 1934. monly referred to as the Spanish fl u) Company C 339th Infantry Regiment 10. Records of the Zaagman Funeral was an infl uenza pandemic that spread and Frank W. Douma of Company D Home, Grand Rapids, Michigan. to nearly every part of the world. It 339th Infantry Regiment (Bentley His- 11. Cornelius Jonker, son of Rev. was caused by an unusually virulent torical Library Collections, University of Dick Jonker, was ten years old and and deadly infl uenza A virus strain of Michigan) were especially helpful with remembered the fi ring of the Polar Bear subtype H1N1. this information. rifl es.

17 Jacob Van Hinte Pioneer and Preeminent Scholar of Dutch American Studies

Peter Ester

The Person The fi rst scholar of the Dutch-Amer- the Association of Economic Geogra- ican experience, Jacob Van Hinte phy. He was particularly committed to (1889–1948), was born in the village the Royal Netherlands Geographical of Muiden and grew up in the city of Society (KNAG), which he joined in Alkmaar—both located in the Prov- 1916 and became a board member in ince of North Holland. He was the 1923 for the fi rst time. During World third of six children; his father was War II he resigned from the society a baker. After studying both history fearing unjustly that it would come and geography at the college level, under German infl uence.3 After the he studied social geography at the war he renewed his membership and University of Amsterdam.1 For most gradually resumed his former re- of his professional life Van Hinte sponsibilities. Some years before the taught geography and history at war, Van Hinte was nominated for the high school level, fi rst in Leeu- the Steinmetz Chair in Geography at warden (Instituut Poutsma), then the University of Amsterdam, but the Den Helder (Rijks HBS), and then city appointed a National Socialist for nearly thirty years at the Second Party member instead.4 In 1946, he Jacob Van Hinte, the fi rst scholar in Dutch- Public Trade School [Tweede Open- was elected chairman of the editorial American studies, later in life. Image courtesy bare Handelsschool] in Amsterdam. committee of the Society’s prestigious of the Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He combined his full-time teaching journal. Van Hinte was also greatly in- position with writing a dissertation on terested in Dutch overseas immigrant Dutch emigration to America. In 1928 settlements in the East Indies, South Van Hinte graduated cum laude from Africa, and Australia. During the the University of Amsterdam with his 1930s he made two intensive study dissertation, Nederlanders in Amerika. trips to these regions. Van Hinte was Een studie over landverhuizers en also a member of the executive board volksplanters in de 19e en 20ste eeuw in of the Netherlands South African de Vereenigde Staten van Amerika. Prof. Society. Sebald Rudolf Steinmetz, well-known Van Hinte was quite keen on hav- social geographer in his time, was his ing his study on Dutch emigration to promoter (doctoral supervisor).2 The America translated into English and Peter Ester is a sociologist and profes- two-volume study (1,135 pages) was perhaps to add a third volume cover- sor at Utrecht University, the Neth- erlands, and adjunct professor at the published by Noordhoff in Gronin- ing the emigration trends in the 1920s Van Raalte Institute, Hope College. He gen. and 1930s. Well-known Michigan has published extensively, including in Van Hinte was active in several pro- publisher William B. Eerdmans, who Dutch-American immigration studies. fessional organizations, including the Van Hinte had met on the cross-Atlan- Amsterdam Geographical Society and tic voyage and later in Grand Rapids

18 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

point for all who desire to learn about and understand the Dutch experi- ence in America.”10 Albert Eekhof, church historian at Leiden University in the 1920s, applauded the book’s thoroughness, versatility, impartial- ity, and topicality.11 Hajo Brugmans, history professor at the University of Amsterdam, wrote in 1929 that it was a “standard work about the sub- ject which will remain so for a long time.”12 And according to Hans Krab- bendam, author of a recent book on Dutch emi- gration to America, “His vo- A view of the main post offi ce in Amsterdam from the period just before Van Hinte made his trip luminous through the United States. Image courtesy of the Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. disserta- tion Ned- during his 1921 trip and with whom 1 March 1948, Van Hinte died quite erlanders he had stayed in regular contact with unexpectedly.8 in Amerika over the years, was an enthusiastic Van Hinte was not married; he was the supporter of the project.5 Eerdmans left no children. He rented from the result of a had purchased the Van Raalte estate, same landlady for thirty years. He was thorough including the colony leader’s library very fond of his extended family and study and personal papers, and was well was an art lover. In its In Memoriam and an The jacket of the EnglishEnglish trans- aware of the fact that Van Raalte was by the KNAG Editorial Committee, intensive lation of Van Hinte’s book pub- Van Hinte’s personal hero and promi- Van Hinte is portrayed as a “pas- research lished by Baker Book House in nently featured in his 1928 study. sionate Dutchman, with a great love stay by 1985, almost sixty years after Nederlanders in Amerika was partly for our country, our people, and our which he the original Dutch version was published. dedicated to Van Raalte. language, with a warm interest for left a gold- Eerdmans proposed seeking a our history and our fellow Dutchmen mine of part-time faculty position at Hope abroad. . . .Van Hinte was a striking information to later historians.”13 This College or to obtain for Van Hinte personality indeed, with great integ- intensive research came from a study the recently established Dutch Chair rity and consistency, outwardly sedate trip by Van Hinte made to America in at the University of Michigan in and controlled, but full of ardor, even 1921. On this trip he kept a diary in Ann Arbor (this initiative was partly fi erceness, regarding the defense of which he described his observations funded by the Dutch Government).6 matters close to his heart.”9 and experiences. This unique and un- As Eerdmans wrote, “You would be published document is currently only the logical man to develop the history The Study available in Dutch. The diary was the and the historical signifi cance and ev- In the words of Robert Swierenga, basis for his book and details how he erything that goes with it of the early himself a renowned specialist on collected and organized the data. Dutch settlements in Michigan and Dutch-American immigration: Although the main emphasis in other states.”7 Apparently, Eerdmans “Nederlanders in Amerika is the only Nederlanders in Amerika is the nine- was successful in convincing the comprehensive history of Dutch teenth and twentieth centuries, the University of Michigan to place Van settlement in America written by a fi rst three chapters of the book’s Hinte as the leading candidate on its Netherlander, from the perspective thirty-one chapters describe the list for the Dutch Chair and Van Hinte of a Netherlander, and intended for fi rst wave of Dutch colonists in the was eager to accept the invitation. a Netherlandic readership . . . . This seventeenth and eighteenth centu- Just a few months later, however, on seminal work is the essential starting ries. Beginning with the foundation

19 of New Netherland in the 1620s, Van Hinte explicates the importance of the Dutch infl uence in this early period of colonization, the role of the Dutch language, the role of the Reformed Church, and the impact of the Dutch on the making of America. The main focus of the book is, however, the causes and consequences of the second wave of Dutch emigration to America, de Groote Trek, starting in the mid-nineteenth century. One of the great strengths of Van Hinte’s scholarship is his ability to apply a multi-disciplinary approach VanVan Hinte dedicateddedicated hhisis bbookook ttoo the fi rst Dutch immigrants to the in understanding migration phe- Van Hinte admired the roles that both United States, and particularly nomena. A broad spectrum of social, Van Raalte and Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte to Rev. Albertus C. Van Raalte, economic, cultural, demographic, (pictured) played in the Dutch immigra- whose photo appears opposite historical, political, religious and of tion to and settlement in West Michigan the dedicatory page of the book. and Pella, Iowa, respectively. Image Image courtesy of the Archives, course geographic factors is included courtesy of the Archives, Calvin College, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, in his analysis of Dutch emigration Grand Rapids, Michigan. Michigan. and settlement in America. Van Hinte is not a scholar who marvels at grand times. Van Hinte’s methodology is nites) are also included. As a geogra- deductive and speculative theories. quite diverse and based on a variety pher Van Hinte convincingly pictures He is at his best in rather down-to- of sources: scholarly books, offi cial the new environment of the settlers in earth straightforward empirical and documents, data from emigration and America: differences in soil, climate, quite specifi c descriptions of the main immigration offi cials, conferring with fl ora and fauna, and the contacts factors that affect migration patterns. other migration experts, personal with American society. He describes As a social geographer he is opposed interviews with immigrants and im- the fi rst two Dutch settlements, in to physical-geographical determin- migrant leaders, library visits, literary Michigan (Van Raalte) and in Iowa ism but very much in favor of an sources, emigrant letters, emigration (Scholte), in a detailed and vivid way open “empathic” approach in which statistics, migration and settlement with a keen eye for the challenges the human dimension is dominant. maps, and of course his study trip to these fi rst pioneers had to face, not Undoubtedly, this eclectic and open America. only in terms of working the land and approach was part of his academic The methodology and open ap- making a living, but also in terms of training under Steinmetz, whose aca- proach used by Van Hinte resulted in the administration of these colonies, demic work was strongly empirical, a systematic and well-organized book. leadership, religious life, the role of inductive, factual, and quite aversive His story starts with an account of the church, education, transporta- of abstract meta-theorizing.14 These the main social, economic, cultural, tion, and the role of the human factor scientifi c premises are clearly refl ected and religious causes of the emigra- in pioneer communities. Van Hinte in the methodology that underlies tion movement in the fi rst half of the also compares Van Raalte and Scholte Nederlanders in Amerika. Van Hinte nineteenth century. Being Dutch Re- in their roles as colony leaders. It is describes the multifold causes and formed himself—though not a strict evident that his sympathy lies with consequences of Dutch immigration Calvinistic believer—Van Hinte very Van Raalte, whose image is promi- and settlement in America in great well understood the theological dis- nently featured in his book right after detail. He does so in very understand- pute underlying the Afscheiding in the the title page. Scholte, as Swierenga able language, void of conceptual 1830s and the psychology that went states, “is given an extremely biased elaborations or theoretical tours de with the emigration of its leaders Van treatment”; he is called a “sphinx” force. The language itself is a bit Raalte and Scholte and their follow- and a “chameleon.”16 high-fl own, sometimes pathetic even, ers.15 Non-Seceder Dutch emigrant Other early Dutch settlements refl ecting the scholarly style of his groups (Roman Catholics, Menno- in Wisconsin and Illinois are also

20 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

portrayed, though more briefl y. The Montana, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, that disturb the modern reader. But as development of the fi rst settlements Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ala- Krabbendam concludes, “Van Hinte is a key topic in Nederlanders in bama, Florida, and North Carolina.17 wrote with revealing pride about the Amerika, particularly regarding mate- In some cases his research zooms in accomplishments of ‘our Hollanders’ rial growth (e.g., agriculture, cattle on the Dutch presence within larger in America. His thorough scientifi c raising, trade, industry, and transpor- cities like New York, Chicago, San approach did not disguise a personal tation), cultural and religious changes Francisco, and Grand Rapids. The identifi cation with his ‘clansmen.’ ”19 (including disputes and splits), process of Americanization, which Nederlanders in Amerika is an education and the advancement of the is the clear underlying theme, is not unexcelled overview and detailed de- school system, political life (settle- masked by the abundance of facts, scription of the experience of Dutch ment politics and local administra- details, and lengthy descriptions. settlers and colonies. It is hard to tion, national party choice; the slavery In analyzing specifi c trends such as imagine that one person could com- issue, the Civil War), and the role of consumption patterns, housing styles, plete all of this given “the tremendous the Dutch press. clothing, leisure activities, club life, amount of material that Van Hinte The second volume of Van Hinte’s music preferences, public holidays, processed, the balance he achieved study details what he calls “daughter” religious life, and particularly the use between a scientifi c approach and and “granddaughter” Dutch settle- of the Dutch language, Van Hinte a sense of humanity, and his amaz- ments, the offspring of the pioneer concludes that Americanization was ing ability to capture the spirit of the colonies. Some were highly success- inescapable. This is especially true for times and the thinking of the immi- ful, others failed. The volume also the youngest generation: “Although it grants, despite spending such a short contains descriptions of new colonies is evident from all the preceding that time in the United States.”20 Almost that were established independently the process of Americanization is far sixty years after the original Dutch of the early settlements. All in all, the advanced, in fact almost completed, it edition appeared, on the initiative volume contains an impressive num- is naturally most strongly expressed of Robert Swierenga, the work fi - ber of descriptions, with encyclopedic by the younger generation and is nally was translated into English and aaccompanied by published in 1985 as Netherlands in aan equally strong America: A Study of Emigration and ssecularism.”18 Settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries Van Hinte in the United States of America (Grand kknew that the Rapids: Baker Book House). ggradual loss of Van Hinte’s 1921 research trip was DDutch identity was crucial for gathering the necessary iinevitable, there material for writing the book. “I was wwas no route but able to assemble a mass of informa- AAmericanization, tion, priceless data were shared with bbut as a proud and me, and rare documents were liberally ppatriotic Dutch- donated.”21 The diary (Naar Amerika) mman he observed that Van Hinte kept during his study tthis process with visit provides fi rsthand insights in mmixed feelings. his observations, experiences, and VVan Hinte was a views. A unique document that HimselfHimself a church member, Van Hinte made it a point to attend wor- sscholar, but also a includes many of his thoughts that ship services in immigrant communities. This is the interior of First passionate Neth- later were elaborated in Netherlanders Christian Reformed Church, Paterson, New Jersey. Image courtesy of the erlander. He does in America. An English t ranslation of Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. not attempt to hide this important diary would be most this in his writ- welcome. detail of Dutch settlements in Iowa, ing. Frequently, he speaks about “our The diary shows a committed Virginia, Michigan, Nebraska, Kan- brethren in America,’’ “our clan,” “our scientist who sympathizes with sas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, race,” “our Dutch character,” “the his study subject: the adventures the Dakotas, California, Colorado, Dutch spirit,” “an exceptional breed,” of Dutch immigrants in American New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, etc. These are, admittedly descriptors society, their struggles and triumphs.

21 His scientifi c approach was not immigrant who still speaks and feels and integral views and analysis it is detached, but based on understand- Dutch, who celebrates Dutch culture, a pioneering, essential, and obliga- ing and identifi cation. Van Hinte and who still identifi es with the old tory work. It is the seminal work on cared for Dutch immigrant culture country. Dutch emigration to America. and his concern is authentic. He was For the modern reader his Dutch The diary presents an honest man not interested in abstract theorizing, pride goes rather far, sometimes be- who is opposed to maltreatment, in grand conceptual thinking; his yond what is desirable in science. But cheating, overt materialism, and method was based on Verstehen. His we have to see Van Hinte and the sci- the pursuit of private gain over the narrative approach was grounded in entifi c method and language in their common good. He is truly interested compassion and curiosity, using every times. This also applies to his social in what drives the immigrant, his source of information he has access Darwinist view on immigration, mindset, his hopes, and his fears. He to. He loves detail and elaboration. in which the strongest immigrant understands the often subtle differ- It has resulted in a very rich and af- groups survive in the American melt- ences between religious immigrant fectionate book, a panoramic book ing pot. Undoubtedly, Netherlanders subcultures. that chronicles the common experi- in America is dated in many respects. All in all, Van Hinte believes that ences of Dutch settlers in America. It shows its historic “embeddedness” the Dutch immigration project in The diary refl ects his way of working, and determination in a double sense. America has been a successful one. thinking, and writing. It shows a man The book was written by a scholar The Dutch settlement is a blessing for who is passionate, sometimes even who applies the scientifi c methods, both Dutch immigrants and American overtly romantic, about his topic and idiom, and perspectives of the early society. This belief is reinforced in the who feels no need to hide this. Van twentieth century. But it also refl ects troubled times in which Van Hinte Hinte strongly relates to the hard- the (still) early stage of Americaniza- fi nalized his study: the turbulent post- ships and strains of immigrant life, tion of Dutch immigrants. Both the World War I years in Europe; a period the worries and anxieties, but also scientifi c methodology and the proc- that was very unstable, even chaotic, notes immigrant achievements and ess of Americanization accelerated in both economically and politically. In successes, their prosperous settle- the past ninety years. Netherlanders this perspective it is signifi cant that ments and immigrant role models. in America is a story of Dutch settle- Van Hinte ends his magnum opus with Van Hinte is proud of Dutch culture, ment and enculturation that stops in a quote from the Dutch poet Adri- habits, and values as they somehow the late 1920s. The story, of course, aan Roland Holst, “Again, like once survive in American society. Noth- continues, and at a much faster pace. before, take up the lead and make us ing moves him more than a Dutch But in terms of its encompassing free, America.”o

Endnotes 1. In Dutch: “M. O. akte Geschiede- xxxvii-xxxviii. he showed a strong need for friendship, nis”, respectively “M. O. akte Aardrijks- 6. See Netherlanders in America, 1002 home life, and intellectual conversation” kunde.” for Van Hinte’s views on the importance (Geografi sch Tijdschrift 1, 1948, nr. 3). 2. The completion date was 13 July. of chairs in Dutch language, art, and His former colleague, W. Telman, remem- His degree certifi cate is kept in the His- history at American universities and col- bered Van Hinte thirty years later as “a torical Documentation Center for Dutch leges. vulnerable human being, totally unsuited Protestantism, Free University, Amster- 7. Ibid., Editor’s Introduction, xxxvii. as a fi ghter for his own rights” (Tijdschrift dam (Collection 283). Van Hinte was one 8. Van Hinte died of pancreatic cancer. Van Hou’ en Trouw [H&T], 1 maart 1976). of the fi rst doctoral students of Steinmetz He was buried on 1 March 1948 in the P. J. Riseeuw, author of the well-known to earn the degree. family plot at Muiden General Cemetery. novel Landverhuizers—inspired as he 3. The Germans demanded that the It was a simple funeral, at his explicit states by Nederlanders in Amerika—wrote designation “Royal” should be dropped wish, with just a few people present. in his In Memoriam that Van Hinte “in from the KNAG. 9. In his In Memoriam W. de Vries the last part of his life still intended to go 4. Van Hinte was certainly qualifi ed also wrote that Van Hinte was a “silent, to America and study the newly found for a professorship but refused to lobby modest worker, who had found full documents about Van Raalte” (Missionary for his appointment at the City Council satisfaction in his studies, his work, his Monthly, Vol. 54, May 1949). This is most (E-mail correspondence with Hans Krab- companionship with books . . . a sensitive likely related to the purchase by Eerd- bendam, 5 February 2009). intellectual. From the outside a quiet, mans of the Van Raalte estate and library 5. This part is based on Swierenga’s collected and calm attitude toward life (including his personal papers) and his Introduction to Netherlanders in America, and, though inclined to introversion, invitation to Van Hinte to become curator.

22 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

10. Jacob Van Hinte, Netherlanders verschiet. Nederlandse emigratie naar Ame- cratic party (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en in America: A Study of Emigration and rika 1840-1940 (Hilversum: Uitgeverij Democratie) or People’s Party for Freedom Settlement in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Verloren, 2006) 322. and Democracy (E-mail correspondence Centuries in the United States of America 14. See: S. R. Steinmetz, “Wat is soci- with Hans Krabbendam, 2 May 2009). (in Dutch, 2 Vols. Groningen: Noordhof, ographie?” Mens en Maatschappij, 1925; 16. Netherlanders in America, Editor’s 1928), Robert P. Swierenga, general editor, Inleiding tot de sociologie (Haarlem: Erven Introduction, xl. Adriaan de Wit, chief translator (Grand F. Bohn. Volksuniversiteitsbibliotheek, 17. “Minutely scrutinized” as Bult Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985), Edi- 1931). writes in his review of the book, pro- tor’s Introduction, xxxi. 15. As Swierenga states: “Besides viding a “constant fl ow of geographic, 11. “Het Nederlandsche element in de being a proud Dutchman, Van Hinte was sociological, and historic data”, Conrad J. bevolking van Amerika.” Tijdschrift voor a proud Reformed Dutchman, although Bult, Origins (vol 3, no 2) 43. Geschiedenis 45 (1930) 429-432. of liberal leanings” (Netherlanders in 18. Netherlanders in America, 981. 12. “Nederlanders in Amerika.” De America, Editor’s Introduction, xl). W. de 19. Krabbendam, Vrijheid in verschiet, Groene Amsterdammer, 16 maart 1929. Vries in his lengthy review of the 1928 322. There was also some cautious criticism, dissertation states that although Van 20. Netherlanders in America, Editor’s e.g., by H. Brink in his review: “Some- Hinte was well-informed about religious Introduction, xxxvi. Another strong fea- times the abundance dominates over and church matters he did not share “the ture of Van Hinte’s scholarship was posing the general picture,” and he advises Van positive-Christian philosophy of life” the right questions, e.g., in comparing set- Hinte to write “a shorter adaptation . . . (“niet de positief-Christelijke levens- tlements, migration patterns, leadership for a larger public.” Nederlandse landver- beschouwing deelende”), W. de Vries, roles, or in comparing the Dutch in the huizers naar Amerika, Maandschrift voor Godsdienst als kolonisatiefactor. Stemmen old country and in America. See Editor’s Nederland en Kolonien 44 (1929) 241- des Tijds. Maandblad voor Christendom Introduction, xlii for an intriguing list. 261. (All translations in this paper are by en Cultuur 18 (1929) 24. Apparently he 21. Ibid., author’s preface, xlvii. the author.) was a liberal in a double sense as he voted 13. Hans Krabbendam, Vrijheid in for the VVD, the Dutch liberal demo-

23 To America: The Diary of Jacob Van Hinte: Pioneer of Dutch-American Studies1 Peter Ester

utch social geographer Ja- fi fty-two days, beginning 12 July 1921. Dcob Van Hinte wrote the fi rst The outward and return voyages were, and still most inclusive overview of respectively, ten and nine days, so Dutch immigration and settlement that he spent thirty-three days travel- in America in the nineteenth and ling through America. Most of this twentieth centuries. His monumen- time was spent in the Midwest. Even tal two-volume study, Nederlanders though Nederlanders in Amerika was a in Amerika, published in 1928, is a broad study, given his time constraints landmark study of the Dutch experi- Van Hinte could only visit the larger ence in the United States. It provides a Dutch immigrant communities. detailed history of the slow but steady The mainland journey, mostly by Americanization of Dutch immigrant steam or electric railroads, took Van pioneers and is still considered by Hinte from Hoboken to Paterson, New many contemporary researchers as an Jersey (by streetcar and train), and a indispensable source for understand- visit to Ellis Island. He then proceeded ing Dutch immigration and settlement from New York City to Albany via the in the United States. Hudson River on SS Washington Irving, Originally Van Hinte planned to and by train to Syracuse, Rochester, stay a full year, but his employer (the Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, New York, city of Amsterdam) was unwilling and then on to West Michigan. He to grant him a year’s leave without spent six days in Grand Rapids, Michi- pay. So he decided to limit his study gan, then fi ve days in Holland, during Inset:Inset: Van Hinte as hhee journey to the summer vacation which time he made short visits to appeared about the time period. Van Hinte kept a diary, Naar the Dutch communities of Zeeland, of his trip through Dutch Amerika [To America], which is still Graafschap, Borculo, and Hudsonville. communities in the United 2 Stated. Image courtesy of only available in Dutch. The hand- After this he crossed Lake Michigan by the author. written diary was transcribed sixty steamer to Chicago, visiting the Dutch years later (in 1981) by Van Hinte’s settlements in Roseland, South Hol- grandniece, Josephine Monique Van land, and Englewood. Next, he trav- Hinte. This 40-page transcription is eled to Des Moines, Iowa, then Pella, the basis of the present study.3 The back to Des Moines, and from there diary reveals a dedicated, gifted, and on to the Dutch “daughter” settlement perceptive scholar with a keen eye for in Orange City where he stayed three both the positive and negative sides days. He made short visits by car to of American society and culture. His Middleburg and Hull in Sioux County. compassion for the welfare of the Then by train, via Chicago and Pitts- Dutch landverhuizers is genuine, as is burg, he traveled to Washington, DC. his aversion to overt materialism and Finally, after some sightseeing in the pursuit of gain among immigrants. nation’s capital, he traveled by Pull- Van Hinte’s trip to America lasted man car to New York (via Baltimore)

24 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

AAnd then years, remain emigrants to me which tthe res- has a peculiar appeal.”8 iignation Van Hinte talks with many land- oof some. verhuizers: Hungarians, Germans, AAfter the Swiss, and of course Dutch (Frisian lluggage and Groninger) emigrants and Dutch- hhan- American citizens. During the Atlantic ddling, the crossing, Van Hinte is a keen observer, mmedical both of people, landscapes, and the eexamina- sea. “The most interesting remains the ttion: one view of the third-class passengers. The bby one multi-colored aprons and headscarves ppeople are made for vivid pictures. But more im- cchecked portant was the difference in expres- SS RRotterdamotterdam of the Holland-America Line (the fourth shipship with this name) in New York Harbor. Image courtesy of the Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, jjust like sions: an indifferent young Dutchman, Michigan. horses a musically talented Pole, a pale Slavic and cows, woman sadly staring at the surround- for the return passage to the Nether- turning their heads from left to right, ings.”9 lands. In total, the journey was well lifting their eyelids. Human meat!”6 Inevitably seasickness struck: “It is over 3,000 miles. On board Van Hinte again meets Mr. again the third-class decks that give and Mrs. William B. Eerdmans from the strangest sight. Sick women every- Crossing the Atlantic on Grand Rapids, “one of the most prom- where.”10 Though there is not much SS Rotterdam IV4 inent Frisians there [Grand Rapids], do to on board there is no boredom. Van Hinte opens his diary in an almost who owns the largest bookstore in Meals, strolling, talking, and playing Oscar Handlin Uprooted way, “Emi- the United States.”7 Many nights were dominos were common activities. grants! A word that already fascinated And as Van Hinte subtly adds: “much me when I was a boy and which I still fl irtation on board.”11 After several feel carries such a deep connotation of days: “Many people get worn out of the tragedy of life. Thus nothing has the voyage. They long for land. The kept me as spellbound as my pursuit mood gets more nervous: some think to investigate the lives of these people they already saw land, others already who attempted to forge for them- took care of their luggage.”12 selves a new existence and livelihood Then on Friday, 22 July, land far away from their native soil.”5 At was sighted! “We relive the days the same time, however, these grand of Columbus.”13 Steaming up the sentiments are punctuated by Dutch Hudson River revealed marvelous common sense, as when he bridled sights of New York City: skyscrapers, at having to pay thirty Dutch guil- the Singer Building, the even higher ders for a visa and twenty-fi ve Dutch Woolworth Building, fast ferry boats. guilders for personal tax, in his view a WilliamWilliam B. Eerdmans,Eerdmans, bbookook He rented a $2 room in Meyer’s Hotel publisher and dealer, who became substantial amount to visit the land of a good friend of Van Hinte and in Hoboken and then took a quick “freedom.” obtained an academic appoint- late night stroll on Hoboken’s main At the Wilhelmina Pier of Rot- ment for him at the University of street, Washington. “The number of terdam Harbor, from which the ship Michigan. Image courtesy of the shops that are still open is remark- Archives, Calvin College, Grand would depart, the sight of groups Rapids, Michigan. able even though it was already 10:30 of landverhuizers struck him deeply. pm. The ice cream parlors still were “Small groups of emigrants make me spent with the couple (he a Frisian, crowded. Walking into one of them, I think of everything I have read about she a German), in conversation and was struck by the number of women these economic exiles and fi ll me with playing dominos. Nice, sympathetic, still present, sometimes even whole compassion. How sad are the stares of quiet, and kind people, “who, though families. Like in a Dutch village, some, how expressionless others look. already American citizens for some everyone sat outside. The number of

25 candy shops seems already astound- in America, though ing.”14 more secretly.”18 On his fi rst Sun- New York City and Paterson, day in America, Van New Jersey Hinte attended First On his fi rst full day in America Van Reformed Church Hinte took an exploring walk in the (RCA) in Paterson, Hudson Street area (near the Holland- New Jersey. He is America Line docks) and noticed touched by hearing a lots of Dutch shops. He has several sermon in Dutch by meetings with Rev. Tjeerd Jongbloed, Rev. Hessel Bouma, responsible for assisting arriving and especially the Dutch immigrants, who provides him singing of hymns in with a wealth of information for his Dutch by hundreds VanVan Hinte also took pphotoshotos on his tritrip,p, a few of which were used to il-il- project.15 Van Hinte goes to “Times of churchgoers.19 lustrate his book, including this image of a Dutch-American in front of Place” (Times Square), he sees “the This emotion is his home in Midland Park, New Jersey (illustration III, Nederlanders enormous number of candy and ice somewhat tempered in Amerika, 1928). by his observation that English and not Dutch is the main then peace: New York Bay, the beauti- language of conversation after the ful broad water over which some big service and Van Hinte is struck by “the sea vessels sail seaward.”23 He met number of non-Dutch (on-hollandse) with Fred W. Overkamp, editor since faces.”20 In the afternoon Van Hinte 1906 of Het Oosten, a Dutch, inde- attended Second Christian Reformed pendent, ultra-orthodox newspaper. Church (CRC) of Paterson, with about “Editorial offi ce, printing offi ce, pack- eight hundred other worshipers. After ing service, all in one room. Extremely the “rather dogmatic” sermon by Rev. noisy and hot! No wonder that the James J. Holwerda (on Romans 5:1) Oosten articles are always somewhat he again notes the emotion when the stirring.”24 Overkamp drew him a map psalms were sung in Dutch.21 He met of the Dutch settlements in America. with several families, including the Van Hinte also met Peter Hoekstra, a Poelstras, who still spoke Dutch and professor at Calvin College and author were proud of their heritage: “Forty of a book on Holland-American trade Rev.Rev. Tjeerd JonJongbloedgbloed (186(1869-9- 25 1926), a native of Leeuwarden, the years in America and still speaking relations. He had an interesting Netherlands, was one of the fi rst Dutch so well . . . Bravo Poelstra!”22 meeting with Dr. Adriaan Jacob Bar- ministers Van Hinte heard preach While in New York, Van Hinte met nouw who held the Queen Wilhelmi- after arriving on his study trip. with various American and Dutch na Chair in Dutch History, Language, Image courtesy of the Archives, 26 Calvin College, Grand Rapids, representatives, offi cials, and busi- and Arts at Columbia University. Michigan. nessmen. He had special permission Not all of Van Hinte’s research in to visit Ellis Island—the main US New York went smoothly. He reported cream shops, the easy shoe polish immigration entry facility—which some bitter frustration with merchants chairs, and above all the parlors where left him with a positive impression of attempting to take advantage of immi- they not only polish your shoes but how immigrants were processed. An grants and a lack of cooperation from also clean your hat while having an Italian ship with some 950 immigrants offi cials in this “ultra-materialistic” ice [cream].”16 Van Hinte even went to had arrived earlier that day. At night metropolis. It was on the fi rst Thurs- a Ziegfeld Follies show in the Globe Van Hinte digests his many impres- day after arrival, “Black Thursday,” Theater on Broadway.17 He noticed the sions of the day, “Dark Italian women as he labels it rather dramatically: separate ladies’ lounges in the theatre and superfi cial American Broadway “Rarely has my patriotism suffered as well as in restaurants, and on ferry girls. Marvelous buildings, somber more than on this day and rarely boats, but also observed that “love deep streets, infernal noise by railway, did I see Holland from a more nasty thrives nowhere less abundantly than elevated trolley, car, and subway. And side . . . Holland at its worst!”27 He

26 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

was cheated by a Dutch barber who overcharged him (“the swindler”). The Dutch consulate-general and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce were unable to give him relevant informa- tion on Dutch immigration and “are barely aware of Dutch life and charac- 28 teristics in the world’s largest city.” To add to his frustration he was not al- lowed to have lunch in the Netherland Club on Gramercy Park because he was not a member.29 He was not even permitted to have a look inside the building. But on this Black Thursday Van Hinte’s annoyance also changed to pity. “Poor dollar-driven people! Poor souls, those bankers and other busi- nessmen, consul-general and chamber of commerce included: Dollars!”30 Fortunately, the day ended well. Van Hinte met music teacher Gebhart from the Bronx, secretary of the Algemeen Nederlandsch Verbond (General Dutch Alliance). The enthusiasm of this “simple patriot” was contagious, his love for the Netherlands genuine, and his insights in the uncertain existence of the immigrant very meaningful. Van Hinte was favorablyfavorably imimpressedpressed with the Pantlind Hotel ((nownow ppartart ooff the AmwAmwayay Grand Plaza But he had to press on from New Hotel), particularly its cafeteria. Image courtesy of the Grand Rapids History and Special Collec- York City: fi rst, to Grand Rapids, tions Department, Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library. Michigan, a trip of three days, by boat and train.31 En route he made short the elegant Pantlind Hotel and Van time at Dutch bookstores, met with visits to Albany and Rochester, and Hinte was impressed by the cafeteria Jacob Steketee, the Dutch Consul, was greatly impressed by Niagara system.35 On his fi rst day in Grand and John Steketee, owner of a large Falls, particularly when walking be- Rapids he also visited Calvin College, department store; he also visited city hind the falls through the Canadian which, due to the summer break, had hall and the chamber of commerce to tunnel.32 empty classrooms that made a some- collect data on Dutch immigration and what somber impression. “I would settlement. Grand Rapids, Michigan have loved to see the Dutch-American Not surprisingly, Van Hinte fi rst boys and especially the girls in ac- Holland, Michigan visited the Eerdmans family and was tion.”36 The Public Museum was a After an earlier, brief visit during his invited to stay in their newly rented disappointment, no memories of the Grand Rapids stay, Van Hinte revis- house.33 He found American houses old settlers, but the Ryerson (Public) ited Holland and upon arrival by generally colorless and unpleasant Library was more interesting, particu- train was “immediately struck by the from the outside but quite cozy (gezel- larly because of the Dutch and Frisian many American fl ags and especially lig), comfortable, and peaceful inside; book collection.37 Van Hinte visited the Dutch red-white-blue fl ag, evi- a sharp contrast with the hectic city Henry Beets, well-known church his- dently to welcome the Free Masons.”39 life. “Americans may be busy during torian and director of missions of the Americans in funny costumes walked the day, after six o’clock they enjoy CRC, who showed him his extensive through the little town: big white their free time more intensely than library and who took him around in painted plume, sword on their hip, Europeans do.”34 They had lunch in Grand Rapids.38 He spent quite some cross on trousers, and three-cornered

27 hat: “Poor America. Where is your to this gathering which was full of households!48 . . . How long-winded plainness?”40 Seeking refuge from the variation. Not in the least because of the Psalms sounded compared to this “carnivalesque” behavior, he entered the response singing and the modern morning’s hymns. And unintentionally Brink’s bookstore where he met two singing of the psalms.”44 Van Hinte I found myself thinking that the de- important, locally well-known con- quite liked the younger crowd, “Easy, velopment of these people was equally noisseurs of Holland’s history, William jovial young people and those were slow or fast as their singing.”49 O. Van Eyck (Holland postmaster) the descendants of those dour, rigid, Van Hinte’s visit to Holland was and Gerrit Van Schelven (justice of ignorant little farmers. . . . Stron- fi lled by meetings with the owner of peace).41 “Both sympathetic and real ger than ever I felt that emigration the Grondwet, J. B. Mulder; Hope Col- Dutchmen, however different. Strange to America has been a blessing to lege president, Edward D. Dimnent; fi gures in Holland: a Democratic them!”45 In the afternoon, he attended several professors from Hope College, postmaster and a Republican justice the Van Raalte Church, which Van including John. B. Nykerk, Evert J. of peace.”42 Being an immigrant and Hinte stated the CRC “stole” from the Blekkink, and Albert Raap.50 Nykerk still able to speak Dutch was a combi- RCA.46 He found the church building showed him around Holland by car nation that time and again impressed and surroundings quite charming.47 and together they visited the Van Van Hinte. But it is interesting to see how Van Raalte grave and those of many of his On Sunday he attended Hope Hinte phrases the differences between followers, the Van der Meulen memo- Church—sitting in the Van Schel- the “aristocratic” RCA Hope Church rial in Zeeland, the Van Raalte house ven pew—where he saw, “especially and the Van Raalte Church: “What (“in neglected condition”), and sever- elegantly dressed women and girls. . plain people and plain faces! As if they al parks.51 He was also interviewed by . . A young man in a white robe takes arrived from the Netherlands the day journalist and novelist Arnold Mulder his position at the organ, and then before. What extremes, the churchgo- of the Holland Sentinel regarding his to my surprise suddenly about eight ers of this morning and this afternoon. study on Dutch immigration.52 young men and eleven young women This morning one did not see any enter the church through two side buggies, there are several this after- Holland has an unusually interest- doors while singing. I thought it was noon. . . . It was Dutch all over here ing visitor Wednesday in the person of Mr. J. Van Hinte of Amsterdam, the city theater! The violin solo of that one heard, also in contrast with The Netherlands, who is in America Miss Ruth Keppel shifted my thoughts this morning. . . . Just for a moment I to gather material for a book about to the concert hall. A short pithy strongly felt the sentiments of the Se- Hollanders in America. . . . His plan sermon by Dominie John Marinus ceders. In church I was struck just like is to tell the story of how a group of Van der Meulen43 from Louisville, in other Christian Reformed churches Hollanders in the nineteenth century Kentucky, gave the ‘Reformed’ stamp by the many children. Complete were transplanted into unfamiliar sur- roundings, how they reacted to the new environment and in the course of years adjusted themselves to new conditions, what they are doing today and how they are making a distinct contribution to the civilization and culture of America. Mr. Van Hinte hopes to show the intellectual and cultural advance that has been made by the Hollanders here as well as their material progress.53

Interestingly, Van Hinte also met with Mrs. Christine Gilmore, Van Raalte’s daughter.54 “A very nice old lady, who in a very amicable way provided me many details. She spoke with such admiration of her father. It was curious that although While visitingvisiting Holland, MichiMichigan,gan, Van Hinte was impressed by the number of reminders the Dutch- Americans had of their native land in their new land. Image courtesy of the Grand Rapids History English was easiest for her to speak, and Special Collections Department, Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library. she switched to Dutch when talking

28 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

still understood Dutch well, though young people mostly spoke in Eng- lish. The short Zeeland visit ended with a meeting with 83-year-old Cornelis Van Loo, former Republican member of Michigan’s State House of Representatives. Traveling back to Holland he saw a lady—apparently a smoker—in the smoking section of the railcar, but who quickly moved to the non-smoking section on ap- proaching the city. His Holland visit ended with a trip by car through “the colony,” through Graafschap, Bor- culo, and Hudsonville.58 Later that night he embarked on The architecture of Pillar Church also impressed Van Hinte, althoualthoughgh the split between the RCA and an old steamer (rader boot) from CRC and the history of the building passing from the RCA to the CRC did not. Image courtesy of the Holland to Chicago across Lake Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Michigan.59 “A beautiful evening. about what her father had told her Hope College library and the various How picturesque the landscape was about the pioneer times.”55 Later that commemorative plaques on campus: a illuminated by the moonlight! I saw day he also met with a granddaugh- donated sidewalk (“class of 1917”), a all of the Van Raalte history in front ter of Van Raalte, “A nice girl, in her tree (“class of 1896”), a bench (“class of me, very much alive. How many car of course, with her hands on the of 1910”). Such class memorials wanderers have already sailed these wheel.”56 In between Van Hinte had were (and still are) uncommon in the waters and what a future many of a most interesting conversation with Netherlands. them looked forward to. If only these former congressman, later US Ambas- There was time to visit “prim and waters could speak! What tales of sador to the Netherlands, Holland proper” Zeeland. He noticed much misery they could tell, but also what native Gerrit J. Diekema.57 Van Hinte activity because it was one of the two noble struggles they witnessed: these was impressed by the large collec- evenings per week that the shops same waters were meant to make 60 tion of Dutch history books in the were open. He observed that people Holland grow and prosper.” Chicago, Illinois Van Hinte’s three-day visit to Chi- cago was packed with meetings; some planned, some unplanned; some formal, some informal; some successful, some less successful. His appointment with the Dutch Consul, John Venneman, had to be cancelled apparently because he was on vaca- tion. Van Hinte met with G. Broes van Dordt, book importer, and with Mr. Dijkstra, the secretary of the Chicago City Club. After inquiring about geography books in a local bookstore, another customer asked him whether Van Hinte was Dutch. His somewhat regrettable positive answer (“was my One of the fi ne homes Van Hinte saw as he toured throuthroughgh West MichiMichigan;gan; this house was in Zee- English that bad?”) led to a conversa- land. Image courtesy of the Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. tion in the beautiful La Salle Hotel,

29 where his new acquaintance—Mr. Verhoef, Dutch-American accountant from Brooklyn—was staying. Back on the streets he was impressed by the noisy traffi c and its heavy fl ow.61 Van Hinte also knew how to enjoy the pleasures of the city. The fi rst evening was spent in the roof garden of the La Salle Hotel, “Cabaret, dance, music, a nicely served chocolate ice cream, coffee and cake . . . and I sensed a longing in myself for money, much money—and beautiful women.”62 Later, Van Hinte met with author and commentator Albert Oosterheerdt (“a simple but pleasant man”) who took him by the Rock Island train to his home in Evergreen Park, where several Dutch gardeners lived.63 Out of curiosity he checked the Chicago The Roseland section of Chicago, home to the Pullman Company, manufacturer of railroad cars, phone book and found about thirteen was another of the Dutch immigrant communities he visited. Image courtesy of the Archives, Calvin to fourteen columns of names begin- College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. ning with Van. Next was a visit to the Dutch the First Christian Reformed Church burg, a relative of Van Hinte (his Chicago neighborhood of Roseland.64 of Chicago.69 The evening was more mother was a Witsenburg). His inter- “One hour by train. How ugly Chi- mundane leisure, a vaudeville show in view with Mr. Van Stigt, brother of cago is: many open spots between the State-Lake Theater.70 writer Kommer Van Stigt, was much houses. And how unkempt these On the next and fi nal day in more informative and pleasant.73 Mr. houses look. Though Roseland is Chicago Van Hinte met with, among Dykhoff, editor of Pella’s Weekblad, part of Chicago, there are large grassy others, housepainter Cornelis Claus- provided him with more details on plains and corn fi elds between the ing, a Dutch immigrant from Alkmaar, the Dutch colony. Van Hinte was two.”65 He got off at 111th Street and who provided him with many details very positive about his meetings with noticed many shops with Dutch on the Roseland settlement. “This vil- Dr. Milton J. Hoffman, president of names. His visit included a meeting lage totally lost its own, independent Central College.74 Hoffman (“a most with J. H. Hoekstra—Frisian poet and Dutch character over the years and sympathetic fellow”) showed him author writing under the pseudonym was, in the end, completely absorbed around campus, drove him around of Hans Hansen and sharp observer by Chicago.”71 The rapid American- Pella and the countryside, and shared of Dutch dominies particularly when ization of this Dutch area was caused his ideas about the future develop- they exceeded their religious re- by the construction of the enormous ment of Central College. Of further sponsibilities.66 Van Hinte was quite Pullman Works employing some ten interest was his visit to the Scholte fond of Hoekstra and called him “my thousand workers. Much of the land house and the meeting with Scholte’s American friend.”67 Hoekstra took for this was bought from Dutch set- daughter. “The house looked like him around by car and showed him tlers. Van Hinte had to move on again. a little museum, not only Scholte’s South Holland (“well run by Peter de A night train took him from Chicago books but also all kinds of memora- Jong . . . a quiet, pleasant little town”), to Des Moines, Iowa. bilia were shown: pipe, wooden shoes, Englewood, and several suburbs.68 writing materials, lamp, some boxes, He furthermore met with Rev. Dr. Pella, Iowa and the Bilderdijk inheritance that was John Van Lonkhuyzen, Dutch-born After a Sunday stopover in Des bought by Scholte, etc.”75 Though the editor-in-chief of the Chicago-based Moines, Van Hinte visited Pella, Iowa welcome by Scholte’s daughter was Christian Reformed and Republican (“a prosperous quiet little town”).72 cordial, he later wrote in Netherland- paper Onze Toekomst and pastor of He met with ex-farmer John Witsen- ers in America, “. . . the only person in

30 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

Pella I was not able to converse with in Dutch was a young [sic] woman who was a daughter of H. P. Scholte.”76 Only Scholte’s youngest daughter, Johanna (1842–1928), was still living when Van Hinte visited, but she was in her eighties. Hoffman introduced Van Hinte to Peter Gaass, “the most well-to-do Pella resident,” whose wealth was estimated at about $300,000. “And though those Dutch-Americans are quite critical of Holland, they oh, oh, like to talk about that little Netherland. A good cigar and a cup of chocolate and it looked as if we were in the Nether- lands. Just as in Holland, Michigan, the outside is American, but the inside 77 is Dutch, and the best is Dutch!” A tourist postcard from Pella, Iowa, about the time of Van Hinte’s trip. ImageImage courtesy of the ArAr-- Back in Pella, he noticed a num- chives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. ber of older local people sitting on benches in the city park, animatedly the daughter colony of Orange City, Herefords [cattle]. An uncommonly talking in Dutch. He approached them Iowa, some three hundred miles away; beautiful sight.”87 They drove north and what followed was an exciting again by train and again with a stop- passing through small Dutch towns conversation in Dutch with lots of over in Des Moines.81 like Middleburg and Hull, into Lyon questions. “Their interest in Holland County. “A delightful morning. And was touching. Did I know so and so, Orange City, Iowa what country! Beautiful! Very under- did I meet a Stam in Amsterdam, etc. Shortly after his arrival Van Hinte standable that the Dutch feel at home Did I know Harlingen and Nunspeet interviewed Editor Hendrik Pieter here.”88 He noticed that tractors were and Ede. And then happy smiles if I Oggel.82 Orange City very much re- not used because they were regarded said to have been there by bike: the minded him of Pella: “the park, the as being too expensive. Plowing was road from Marssum and Dronrijp to churches, the peace and quiet, the done by horses. Van Hinte liked the Harlingen . . . It sure was Holland, this location between two rivers . . . the mayor. “Nice guy, out-and-out plain. park!”78 A visit to Holland Home, for Dutch language, etc. The people are And very calm, not yet this Ameri- the elderly, made him realize that most only somewhat stiffer, somewhat more can humbug. Still a real Dutchman, pioneers were not very affl uent. But reserved, a stronger resemblance to though he arrived with his parents he found them genuinely interested the old country.”83 Oggel took him to back in 1883.”89 Van Hinte then used in the old fatherland. Obviously, Van the editorial offi ce of his newspaper one of his very characteristic expres- Hinte liked Pella very much.79 De Volksvriend.84 Van Hinte described sions to describe Klay, “A real Dutch- The immigration pattern became him as “a meek, bright looking older man.” gradually clear. Though Van Hinte little fellow. Took my notebook. And Van Hinte had a long conversation knew quite well that mastery of then talking. Questions back and with Hendrik Jan Van der Waa, origi- English and identifi cation with the forth. The hours fl ew by.”85 nally from Hattem, Gelderland, who American way of life were a condi- Mayor Gerrit Klay drove him was on the exploration committee tion sine qua non for effective Ameri- around in his Marmon,86 past beauti- from Pella that scouted land in North- canization and acculturation, he was ful Dutch farms and successful Dutch west Iowa. The area around what is touched time and time again by meet- stock-breeders. One of them, Pieter now Orange City was their ultimate ing Dutch-Americans who still spoke Mouw, had a state-wide reputation, choice. Van der Waa—a spry old Dutch and who felt attached to the “What buildings! And what cattle: man—recounted his life, his memories Netherlands.80 superb hogs (of 1,010 and 1,040 of Holland, life in Pella, his service But the journey went on, next to pounds), China Polled [hogs] and in the Civil War, looking for land in

31 this part of Iowa, the development Congress was open. He walked along picturesque as the outward passage. of Orange City, the hardships in the Pennsylvania Avenue, visited Arling- America brought equality. Not the early years, the railroad construction, ton National Cemetery, and enjoyed sense of romance I felt almost every the founding of Reformed churches, the views of the Potomac. Planning moment on the voyage out. Many of colony administration and leadership. to see Washington by night, he took a them go to Europe for business or He also talked about the old coun- nap but did not awaken until eight the pleasure. Among the passengers many try. Van Hinte notes, “How old Van following morning.91 Jews and Italians who go to visit their der Waa would have loved to see the Van Hinte paid a visit to the Dutch relatives,” he observed.94 Aquitania Netherlands one more time.”90 embassy. “Real Dutch: wait for some sailed to London, and from there it One of the last things Van Hinte did time, and then wait for some more was to Harwich by train and next by in Orange City was to watch a neigh- time.”92 The meeting with embassy boat to Hoek van Holland. borhood baseball game. He ended his representative de Vos van Steenwijk Van Hinte’s Netherlanders in Amer- visit to this Dutch settlement in style turned out to be a disappointment ica remains a momentous work in riding to the train station in Mayor since he “knew nothing about im- the history of Dutch immigration and Klay’s classy Marmon. Then it was migration affairs.”93 But he was more settlement research. It is a study that time to take the train to Washington, fortunate as a tourist. When noting in the words of Robert Swierenga “can DC—via Chicago and Pittsburgh—for he was Dutch, he was allowed to visit never be superseded by subsequent leisure since the journey for study was the Blue and other rooms in the White writings. It is narrative history at its almost over. House, which normally required an best—imaginative, interpretative, and introduction from a member of Con- always stimulating and thought pro- Washington, DC/New York City gress. voking.”95 Van Hinte’s diary presents a Van Hinte loved Washington, DC. committed scholar who sympathizes “The fi rst impression was marvelous: Return voyage with his subjects, their struggles, Union Station. I never saw a cleaner The return on SS Aquitania, of the and triumphs. His approach was not and more practical station.” He took a Cunard Line, was entirely different detached, but based on understanding bus tour to see the “biggest buildings than the voyage from Europe. “What and identifi cation. Van Hinte cared of the world,” “the fi nest statues of a totally different company on this for Dutch immigrant culture and his the world,” and “the broadest streets return trip. What a contrast! Even concern was authentic. He loved detail of the world.” As it was Sunday, the the third-class passengers are well- and elaboration and produced a very Capitol was closed, but the Library of dressed, traveling in prosperity. Not as rich and affectionate book.o

Endnotes 1. I want to thank Earl Wm. Kennedy in the possession of Van Hinte’s brother to a letter from Eerdmans to Van Hinte and Robert P. Swierenga of the Van Raalte and sister. from Nijmegen, dated 11 September Institute, Hope College; Michael Douma, 3. Many thanks to Hans Seijlhouwer, 1920; Chapter 16, footnote 77, refers to a Florida State University; Richard Harms, archivist of the Historical Documentation letter from Eerdmans (again from Nijme- Heritage Hall Archives, Calvin College; Center for Dutch Protestantism, Free Uni- gen), dated 24 September 1920. William and Hans Krabbendam, Roosevelt Study versity, Amsterdam, for providing a copy B. Eerdmans (1880-1966) was the son Center (Middelburg, Netherlands) for of the manuscript to me and a digital of a Frisian textile manufacturer who their very useful comments on an ear- copy of the Van Hinte picture. emigrated to Grand Rapids in 1902. He lier draft. I thank Amelia Román, OSA, 4. http://www.halpostcards.com/unof- was the founder of William B. Eerdmans Utrecht University; and Nella Kennedy, fi cial/rot4.html Publishing Company, a national and later Van Raalte Institute, Hope College, for 5. Naar Amerika, 1; Translation from international publisher of religious books. checking the translations of the Van Hinte Editor’s Introduction, xxxv. The transla- His motto was: “the fi nest in religious citations. I am presently working on an tions that follow are all mine. literature.” E-mail correspondence (29 annotated translation of the Van Hinte di- 6. Ibid, 1. January 2009) with William B. Eerdmans ary (with Nella Kennedy). The Van Raalte 7. Netherlanders in America, 828. Jr., the current president of Eerdmans Press will publish this translation in 2010. Van Hinte and Eerdmans had met in Publishing Company, confi rmed that 2. Available at the library of the Free Nijmegen (the Netherlands) in 1920; in Eerdmans and Van Hinte were acquainted University, Amsterdam; and at Heritage Part Two, Chapter 15, footnote 306, of before the 1921 trip to America. Hall Archives, Calvin College, Grand Netherlanders in America, Van Hinte refers 8. Naar Amerika, 3. Van Hinte is Rapids, Michigan. The original handwrit- to an interview with Eerdmans in August quite fond of the Mr. and Mrs. Eerd- ten version of the diary is (or at least was) 1920 in Nijmegen. Footnote 307 points mans, she: “a pale, delicate face, nice

32 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

blue eyes, sometimes a little sad. She zoek/Projecten/BWN/lemmata/bwn2/ Reformed Church from 1907-1909. Van does not speak much but this does not barnouw. der Meulen was the grandson of pioneer matter, on the contrary, it is quite peace- 27. Naar Amerika, 38. Cornelius Van der Meulen, who led the ful. He: a Frisian which one notices 28. Netherlanders in America, 832. emigration movement from Zeeland to more by his psyche than his physique. 29. The Netherland Club still exists, Michigan. Netherlanders in America, 877. He too wields quietness, and also great see: http://www.netherlandclub.com. 44. To America, 16. Van Hinte adds cordiality, which inspires confi dence” 30. Naar Amerika, 39. in a note (5): “Hope Church was the (Naar Amerika, 3). Mrs. Eerdmans was 31. The railway trip from Buffalo, NY, fi rst English Reformed Church in Holland from Bunde, a little German town in to Grand Rapids, MI, cost $17.35 plus . . . Each member has his or her seat. This Ostfriesland close to the Dutch border $4.50 for a sleeping berth. church is a piece of history.” (and not Düsseldorf as Van Hinte 32. Here he takes the Great Gorge 45. Ibid, 17. writes). After their marriage they spent Route Railroad trip (see: www.niaga- 46. The “Van Raalte Church” was their fi rst year in the Netherlands (in ra2008.com/history15.html). called the Ninth Street Christian Re- Utrecht) and that was probably when 33. See Netherlanders in America, 827 formed Church in 1921. In 1984 it was they fi rst met Van Hinte. Information for a picture by Van Hinte of the Eerd- offi cially designated the Pillar Church. In provided by William B. Eerdmans Jr. mans’ house. 1921 Rev. James M. Ghysels (1885-1966), (E-mail correspondence 13 February 34. Naar Amerika, 14. born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was pas- 2009). 35. See: http://www.fl ickr.com/photos/ tor of the Van Raalte church. The Sunday 9. Ibid, 3. eridony/2471219548. The Pantlind Hotel service that Van Hinte attended was led 10. Ibid, 3 . is now the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. by “Candidate Essenberg in rather good 11. Ibid, 4. 36. Naar Amerika, 13. Dutch.” This was probably Benjamin 12. Ibid, 5. 37. See http://www.grplfoundation.org Essenburg (1890-1976), born in Holland, 13. Ibid, 5. and Netherlanders in America, 1001-1102. Michigan, who was ordained in 1921. 14. Ibid, 6. 38. Beets (1869-1947), born in 47. To America, 17. 15. Jongbloed (1869-1926) was born Koedyk (near Alkmaar), the Netherlands, 48. Ibid, 17. in Leeuwarden, Friesland, and received was also editor-in-chief of The Banner, the 49. Ibid,17-18. For the history of the his training at the Theologische Univer- offi cial weekly publication of the Chris- Van Raalte church see: Michael De Vries siteit Kampen. He was a CRC pastor in tian Reformed Church in North America. and Harry Boonstra, Pillar Church in the Hoboken, New Jersey, from 1919 until his 39. Van Hinte most probably stayed in Van Raalte Era (Holland, Michigan: Pillar death in 1926. the Macatawa Park Hotel. Christian Reformed Church, 2003). 16. Ibid, 7. See: http://www.historicottawabeach. 50. Edward D. Dimnent (1876-1959) 17. See: http://www.ibdb.com/produc- com/page5.html. Two pictures of the was Hope’s fi fth president (1918-1931), tion.php?id=12593. Holland Masonic Temple are included and professor of Greek; Evert J. Blekkink 18. Naar Amerika, 7. in: http://www.galenfrysinger.com/michi- (1858-1948) was professor of Systematic 19. The sermon was on Luke gan_holland.htm. Theology at Western Theological Semi- 30:13; the singing included Psalm 57: 40. Ibid, 16. See The Holland City nary; and Albert Raap (1870-1965) was 6 and 7, and Psalm 73: 12. Rev. Hessel News, 4 August 1921, on this new professor of Dutch. Bouma (1884-1971), born in Harlingen, $150,000 Masonic Temple (No. 191) and 51. Van Raalte’s grave is in Pilgrim Friesland, served this church (previ- the opening festivities. Home Cemetery. For details on Van ously known as Eerste Nederduitsche 41. Wm. O. Van Eyck (1869-1934) Raalte’s house see: Elton J. Bruins, Karen Gereformeerde Gemeente van Paterson) born near Holland, Michigan, was city G. Schakel, Sara Frederickson Sim- from 1919-1922. A year after Van Hinte clerk, postmaster, and supervisor of Ot- mons, and Marie N. Zingle, Albertus and visited, Bouma transferred to the CRC, tawa County and son of pioneer immi- Christina. The Van Raalte Family, Home becoming the fi rst pastor of the Bethel grant H. Van Eyck. Author of Landmarks and Roots. Grand Rapids: William B. CRC congregation in Paterson. of the Reformed Fathers or What Dr. Van Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004, 20. Naar Amerika, 7. Raalte’s People Believed (1922). Gerrit Chapter 2. 21. Ibid, 8. Van Schelven (1842-1927), born in the 52. Arnold Mulder (1885-1959) 22. Ibid. Netherlands, was editor of the Holland became a well-known Dutch-American 23. Ibid, 9. City News. “They were intimate friends author of fi ve novels among which 24. Ibid, 11. . . . both were intensely interested in the was The Dominie of Harlem (1913). See 25. Peter Hoekstra, Thirty-Seven Years history of the Dutch colony . . . the pair Michael Douma, “Arnold Mulder as a of Holland-American Relations, 1803 to spent years accumulating data” (Holland Dutch-American Novelist,” in Robert P. 1840 (Grand Rapids, MI, and Paterson, City News, 25 January 1934). Swierenga, Jacob E. Nyenhuis and Nella NJ: Eerdmans-Sevensma Co., 1916). 42. Naar Amerika, 16. Kennedy (Eds.), Dutch-American Arts and 26. See: Gerlof Homan, “Adriaan J. 43. John Marinus Van der Meulen Letters in Historical Perspective. Holland, Barnouw; A Dutch Cultural Ambassador (1870-1936), born in Milwaukee, Wis- Michigan: Van Raalte Press, 2008. to the United States,” Origins (vol 27, no consin, was president (1920-1930) of 53. Holland Sentinel, 4 August 1921. 1) 11-18. the Louisville Presbyterian Theological 54. Christina Van Raalte (1846-1933) See also: http://www.inghist.nl/Onder- Seminary. He served as minister of Hope was six months old when she emigrated

33 with her family to Michigan. She was 64. See Robert P. Swierenga, Dutch Seminary (1925-1956) and RCA minister married to William Brokaw Gilmore, an Chicago: A History of the Hollanders in the in East Millstone, NJ (1956-1970). RCA pastor. After her husband’s death she Windy City (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 75. Naar Amerika, 26. became principal and dean of women at 2002). 76. Netherlanders in America, 1008. Hope College. For further details see El- 65. Naar Amerika, 23. Scholte had three daughters who lived ton J. Bruins, et al., Albertus and Christina, 66. Hoekstra published many of his through adulthood: Sara, Maria, and 147-156. critical observations in Onze Toekomst and Johanna. 55. Naar Amerika, 20. Het Oosten. 77. Naar Amerika, 26. 56. Ibid, 20. Van Hinte does not 67. Netherlanders in America, 875. 78. Ibid, 27. mention the name of the granddaughter. 68. Pieter de Jong (Zwarte Piet), 79. Ibid, 27. I consulted with Elton Bruins and Karen former school teacher in Kerkebuurt 80. See Netherlanders in America, Schakel, co-authors of Albertus and Chris- (municipality of Haringcarspel), was one 985-1023. tina. They believe it could be Julia Van of the founders of the Roseland settle- 81. Van Hinte provided the following Raalte Reimold (1873-1952), the daugh- ment (Netherlanders in America, 154; travel fares: Pella – Des Moines, $1.80; ter of Ben Van Raalte and his wife Julia Swierenga, Dutch Chicago, 299-300). Des Moines – Orange City, $8; Chicago – (E-mail correspondence 17 December 69. Van Lonkhuyzen (1873-1942), Des Moines, $18; Buffalo – Grand Rapids, 2008). See Elton J. Bruins, et al., Albertus former pastor in Aarlanderveen (the $24; Orange City – Chicago, $22 . and Christina, 116-118. Netherlands), was also the author of an 82. Rev. John Engelsman (1864-1938) 57. Diekema (1859-1930) gradu- article on Dutch emigration to Argen- born in Uithuizermeeden, Groningen, ated from Hope College, was a member tina: Argentinië. Een belangrijk land ook was pastor of First Reformed Church in (Republican) of the Michigan State House voor Nederlanders (1908). He was pastor Orange City from 1908-1925. Mayor Klay of Representatives, Mayor of Holland, in Chicago (1918-1928), and Grand was later elected to the Iowa State House Member of Congress, and appointed Rapids (1911-1918). In 1928 he ac- of Representatives. United States Minister to the Netherlands cepted a call from Zierikzee (Zeeland, 83. Naar Amerika, 28. by President Hoover (in 1929). See for the Netherlands); in 1939 he retired in 84. De Volksvriend began in 1874, further details: William Schrier, Gerrit J. Zeist (also the Netherlands). Returned to published by Henry Hospers. From 1891 Diekema, Orator; A Rhetorical Study of the America just before WW II and died in the paper was published and edited by Political and Occasional Addresses of Gerrit 1942 in Grand Rapids. For a picture of Hendrik Pieter (Henry Peter) Oggel. J. Diekema (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, Van Lonkhuyzen, see Swierenga, Dutch 85. Naar Amerika, 28. 1950); Charles Warren Vander Hill, Gerrit Chicago: 181). 86. Marmon Motor Car Company was J. Diekema (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 70. See: http://www.cinematreasures. located in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was 1970). org/theater/348/. Van Hinte was probably established in 1902 and was merged and 58. He also had a meeting with Rev. in the company of Verhoef. renamed in 1933. Marmons had a reputa- John Bovenkerk (1880-1951), of First 71. Netherlanders in America, 347. tion as reliable, speedy, and upscale cars. Reformed Church in Muskegon, who was 72. Van Hinte stayed in “the only 87. See Netherlanders in America, 802, born (probably) in Weesp, the Nether- hotel” in Pella, probably The American for a photo of the Mouw business. lands. House, see: G. A. Stout, Souvenir History 88. Naar Amerika, 30. 59. Sharing a cabin with Rev. Burg- of Pella, Iowa, 1847-1922. Pella, Iowa: The 89. Ibid, 31. graaff from Muskegon, “still a typical Booster Press, 320. 90. Ibid, 29. Dutchman” (Naar America, 22). There 73. Kommer Van Stigt was a local 91. Ibid, 32. Van Hinte stayed in the were frequent steamer sailings each day shoemaker who wrote a history of Pella: Harrington Hotel located between the between Holland and other Lake Michi- Geschiedenis van Pella, Iowa en Omgeving. Capitol and the White House (http://www. gan ports. Three Vols, Pella, 1897 and publisher of hotel-harrington.com). 60. Naar Amerika, 21. De Christelijke Uitdeeler. 92. Ibid, 33. 61. Naar Amerika, 22. 74. Netherlanders in America, 862- 93. Van Hinte had another meeting 62. Naar Amerika, 23. 863. Hoffman (1886-1973) was born that day—in Baltimore—with a person 63. Albert Oosterheerdt, offi ce clerk in in Overisel, Michigan. He had been a called “Meyendirck.” It is neither clear Chicago, was the author of Critisch-psy- Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in from the diary who this person is nor chologische Beschouwingen over het Leven 1912, Professor of Latin at Hope College what the purpose of the visit was. van de Nederlanders in de V.St. v. N.-Ameri- (1913-1917), and after his presidency at 94. Ibid, 34. ka. Onuitgegeven werk. Opstellen mijner Central College (1917-1925) he became 95. Netherlanders in America, Editor’s Jongelingsjaren. Holland, Michigan, 1905. professor at New Brunswick Theological Introduction, xxxviii.

34 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

Building the Reformed Church in Early Wisconsin Robert P. Swierenga

mmigration studies make clear that the prestige and infl uence of domi- IDutch Protestant settlements only nies. As a result, the immigrants had fl ourished with a vibrant church at the to make their own way as best they center of the community. Dutch settle- could; the resulting individualism lent ments in frontier Wisconsin lacked itself to internal dissension. Conse- charismatic clerics of the caliber of quently, many of the fi fteen to twenty Albertus C. Van Raalte in Michigan thousand Dutch immigrants in Wis- or Henry P. Scholte in Iowa. Nor were consin were dispersed and absorbed into the mainstream culture rather than remaining distinct communities as was the case elsewhere.1 Rev. Pieter Zonne might well have been the Wisconsin equivalent of Van Raalte and Scholte. He had studied for the ministry under Van Raalte’s brother-in-law, Rev. Anthony Brum- melkamp, and became a disciple of Scholte. Zonne arrived in Milwaukee in December 1847 with 160 follow- ers as the fi rst Seceder preacher in the state. But the popular and eloquent former businessman from Delft lacked the patience and tact necessary to be a colonial leader. He had also been deposed by the synod of the Christian Seceded Church in the Netherlands, which action Zonne unfairly laid at the feet of Van Raalte. In 1847, Zonne organized a congregation in Sheboy- gan County’s Town[ship] Holland (see inset map).2 Originally Town Holland was known as the “Zonne Settlement” and then as Town Thirteen or, as the Dutch said, “Town Dertien” (town- ship no. 13). After fi ve years, in 1852, A mapmap of the Dutch settlements in Wisconsin, pprovidedrovided by the authoauthor.r. the congregation fell into turmoil and Zonne left, or was dismissed, and there migrations of congregations with formed the First Presbyterian Church their pastors to Wisconsin. Instead lay of Sheboygan.3 It did not help that leaders had to plant colonies and at- he had opened a store to support his tract settlers. These lay leaders lacked family and had stocked whiskey. The

35 continuing congregation later affi liated Mackinac were freezing over. The Van at least 10 percent of Milwaukee’s with the Reformed Church in America Raalte party could not afford to travel population was Dutch-born and most as Cedar Grove.4 overland to Chicago and Milwau- were concentrated in the “Hollandsche Geerard (Gerard) Brandt, an elder, kee—the railroad reached only as far Berg” [Dutch Hill] on the northwest lay preacher, and catechetical teacher, as Kalamazoo, so they prepared to side.10 Bethlehem, located eight miles was another potential Dutch Reformed spend the winter in Detroit, then the north, and Franklin, located fourteen leader in Wisconsin. A Zeeland shop- state capital. This gave businessmen miles south, were satellite settlements keeper who had immigrated in 1848 and government leaders the opportu- in Milwaukee County. to Sheboygan, Brandt gave forceful nity to counter the Dutch dominie’s The second Dutch Reformed settle- leadership to the Bethlehem (then biases against Michigan. The Michi- ment began in 1845 fi fty miles north Town Eight) Church at Fox Point gan boosters stressed the fertile soil of Milwaukee in Sheboygan County’s from 1854 until 1857. Then a con- and verdant woodlands, the railroad Town[ship] Holland, which included troversial third marriage brought him link to New York markets, and the the villages of Gibbsville, Cedar Grove, under classical discipline and caused Calvinistic cultural hue. The Lower and Oostburg. As noted, the arrival a schism in the congregation. He con- Peninsula was heavily populated with in 1847 of Zonne’s followers, mostly tinued to lead a splinter group for two Yankee Calvinists—Old Dutch Re- from the provinces of Zeeland and years, until 1859, when an accident in formed, Presbyterians, and Congrega- Zuid Holland, made these villages vi- the dark of night with his horse and tionalists. In contrast, the Milwaukee able. The third and last concentration, sleigh killed him instantly. His follow- region, Van Raalte was told, was thick located fi fty miles northwest of Mil- ers scattered.5 with German Catholics, winters were waukee in Fond du Lac County, began From the 1840s until the present bitterly cold, and rail connections to with the arrival of Albertus Meenk in day, the two major Dutch Reformed eastern markets were years away. In 1845. The next year, Roelof Sleijster denominations in Wisconsin, the January 1847, after several Michi- and his father John founded a Re- Reformed Church in America (RCA) gan “boosters” took Van Raalte on a formed church at Alto (which served and the Christian Reformed Church personal tour of the Black Lake wa- people from both Alto and Waupun) (CRC), attracted fewer members tershed between the Kalamazoo and in 1847. This was the fi rst true seceder than in Michigan, Iowa, or Illinois.6 Grand Rivers, Van Raalte made the colony in Wisconsin and was com- In 2005, the two denominations in decision to locate his colony there. prised entirely of Gelderlanders.11 Wisconsin counted 14,200 souls, far “Man weighs but God decides,” Van Alto gave birth to fi ve more Calvin- below the RCA Classis of Zeeland Raalte confi ded to his brother-in-law istic congregations between 1845 and alone, with its nearly 17,000 souls. in the Netherlands. Both Scholte and 1883, including the seceding Hol- That year RCA and CRC churches in Zonne castigated Van Raalte’s choice landsche Gereformeerde Sion Kerk of Michigan numbered 76,000 souls; in of the Black Lake region as isolated, Alto (1858) that later affi liated with Iowa, 29,000; and Illinois, 25,500.7 unhealthy, and lacking a harbor; they the Congregational denomination, How different the history of the would not take their followers there.9 the Alto Presbyterian Church (1878), Wisconsin Dutch Reformed would The fi rst Dutch immigrants settled Ebenezer Reformed Church in Alto have been if Van Raalte had carried in Milwaukee in 1844, fully three (1879), and the First and Second Alto through on his initial plans to found years before Van Raalte founded the Christian Reformed churches (1881 his colony at Fond du Lac on the Holland Colony. Milwaukee was a and 1883, merged 1886).12 southern tip of Lake Winnebago. He convenient Great Lakes steamer stop All of the pioneer churches began and his advance party of fi fty-two en route from Buffalo to Chicago. Hen- under lay exhorters, followed by brief followers arrived in Detroit in late ry Lucas lists nine Dutch families in pastorates of ordained men. None of November 1846, intending to take Milwaukee by the summer of 1846, al- the early clerics could hold a candle a ship immediately for Wisconsin. most all from the provinces of Gelder- to Van Raalte, who led his Michigan Michigan’s reputation had suffered in land and Zeeland. No wonder that the congregation for twenty years. Those the 1830s from rampant land specu- “America letters” (1846) of Arnoldus in Wisconsin had the eccentric Rev. lation and the bankruptcy of several Hallerdijk and Roelof Sleijster, follow- Huibertus Budding, who organized canal companies. Immigrants were ers of Van Raalte and Brummelkamp, the Bethlehem congregation and advised to avoid the state.8 had such an impact on the dominies. then departed for Buffalo, New York. Word came that the shipping sea- They even published the letters in Zonne briefl y served at Milwaukee, son had ended because the Straits of their emigration pamphlet. By 1850, Bethlehem, and Town Holland. Alto’s

36 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

privileges.” His colleague, Rev. Cornelius Vander Meulen of Zeeland, Michi- gan, had visited Milwaukee a year earlier. Through the efforts of the two cler- ics gradually the various independent Wisconsin Reformed groups came un- der the aegis of the Classis of Holland. Vander Meulen returned in 1851 to orga- nize the Dutch Reformed church in Milwaukee. That same year the fl edgling body called Rev. Klyn of Graaf- schap, Michigan, a student of Scholte. Klyn accepted and left for Milwaukee Henry DeGroot’s General Store in Alto, Wisconsin. Image courtesy ofof the Archives, Calvin College, GranGrandd without the approval of the Rapids, Michigan. Classis of Holland, which fi rst pastor, Rev. Gerrit Baay, died a The RCA ministers from Michigan condemned his conduct and referred year and a half after his installation. visited the Wisconsin Dutch commu- his case to the General Synod. This Franklin’s fi rst pastor, Rev. Hendrik nities. Van Raalte on a trip through prompted the Milwaukee congrega- G. Klyn (Klein, Kleijn), remained less eastern Wisconsin in 1850 found the tion to request by letter permission to than two years (1852-1853), and then spiritual condition of the scattered join the Holland classis, which it did the congregation remained without Reformed settlers to be “lamentable, by a unanimous vote. Klyn was fi nally a pastor until 1902. Rev. Koenraad S. owing to the temptations peculiar to installed in 1852. A tall, austere man, Vander Schuur left the Grand Haven, their situation, and the lack of church Klyn was remembered for believing Michigan, church in 1852 to accept the call of the Town Holland.13 Vander Schuur, a student of Hen- drik de Cock, father of the Secession of 1834, had accepted a call in 1848 from the breakaway South Holland church in Van Raalte’s colony, while under censure by the Christian Se- ceded Church in the Netherlands. The Holland classis rapped his knuckles and castigated the congregation for issuing a letter of call without fi rst obtaining classical approval, but the classis acquiesced because of the great need for preachers. Vander Schuur was the fi rst pastor to stay put in Wis- Rev. Hendrik Klyn (1793-1883)(1793-1883) Rev.Rev. CorneliusCornelius VanderVander MeMeulenulen briefl y served in Milwaukee in (1800–1876) along with Rev. Al- consin. He served fourteen years until 1850, and then again from 1852- bertus C. Van Raalte attempted to retiring in 1866, fi ve in Town Holland 1854. But the nascent Wisconsin provide early spiritual leadership (that congregation dividing into Cedar congregations did not have the to the Dutch in Wisconsin, which Grove and Oostburg in 1857), and fi nancial means to support his was diffi cult to do from their salary. Image courtesy of the West Michigan churches. Image nine years in Oostburg. He built Oost- Archives, Calvin College, Grand courtesy of the Archives, Calvin burg into a stable congregation.14 Rapids, Michigan. College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

37 the English language was “given to from the Grand Rapids congregation, consin classical minutes of 1854, Van frivolity.”15 again without fi rst obtaining classical Raalte, as clerk, had to tutor them. Milwaukee’s request forced the approval. Apparently, the Milwaukee New classes can only be organized un- Classis of Holland to deal with the consistory did not grant his dismissal, der the auspices of Synod. The Classis larger issue of its “obligation towards given that he had served only two of Wisconsin, Van Raalte explained, the churches of Wisconsin.” In its years. In his defense, Klyn stated that must apply to the Particular Synod letter to the Milwaukee congregation, he had “resided with anguish of soul of Albany, and three congregations penned by clerk Van Raalte at the 17 in Milwaukee, which was constantly and three ministers were the absolute October 1851 meeting of the Classis growing in wickedness, especially minimum for organization.20 The of Holland, the brethren noted that when he thought of his children; that Chicago-area churches had no minis- “our hearts bleed as we observe the he also constantly felt the decisive and ters; Wisconsin had only one—Vander looseness and disunion which prevail binding force of that call in his heart, Schuur. This situation improved in among the Hollanders. . . . We are a in spite of many rising objections;” 1855 when Rev. Martin Ypma of the people one in history, one in faith, and and that the Milwaukee consistory Graafschap (Michigan) church took one in purpose, for which reason we seemed lukewarm as to his staying. the joint call from the two “Prairies” have need of one another and ought A deciding factor might well have congregations south of Chicago and to strengthen one another.” Van Raalte been the defection of a large part of Bolks came to Milwaukee. With continued, “Our annual meetings are, the congregation for the Milwaukee Vander Schuur, Ypma, and Bolks, the to be sure, somewhat diffi cult, and Presbyterian Church, a Calvinist body Wisconsin and Chicago-area churches the work of the church visitors is very with Scottish roots.18 could form their own assembly, the burdensome, but all are conscious that Classis of Wisconsin.21 union is necessary and good.”16 Rev. Seine Bolks Bolks had left Grand Haven for Mil- The Wisconsin congregations were A turning point came in 1855 with the waukee, and at the fi rst meeting (in brought into the Reformed system of formation of the Classis of Wisconsin April 1855) of the now proper Classis church government, even though the and the arrival of Rev. Seine Bolks in of Wisconsin, he was elected presi- struggling churches in Michigan could Milwaukee from Grand Haven, Michi- dent.22 Bolks was an able leader, hav- barely afford to send pastors across gan. The new Classis of Wisconsin ing studied briefl y under Van Raalte in the Lake to supply the vacant pulpits. included three Chicago-area congre- the Netherlands. In 1848, Bolks had Until a separate Classis of Wisconsin gations: First (Dutch) and Second led his Hellendoorn (Overijssel, the could be organized, the letter urged (English) Chicago and the “Prairies” Netherlands) congregation to plant Vander Schuur’s Town Holland con- (South Holland, then Low Prairie, and the Overisel settlement on the eastern gregation to unite with the Milwau- Roseland, then High Prairie churches), fringe of Van Raalte’s Holland colony. kee and Alto churches in “a fraternal and fi ve Wisconsin churches: Mil- Bolks and his congregation united circle” within “our [Holland] classical waukee, Bethlehem, Franklin, Town with the RCA in 1850, along with the circle.” Seven months later came the Holland, and Oostburg. A year earlier other congregations in the Classis reply from the pen of Rev. Vander the brethren had assembled twice (in of Holland. In October 1851, Bolks Schuur to the effect that “their affairs July and October) as an independent had been deposed from the ministry were still too unsettled to enter upon body, hosted by Rev. Vander Schuur because of a sexual indiscretion, but a union, and that they were too poor of the Town Holland church. Alto, a his repentant spirit and the great need to exercise ecclesiastical fellowship by congregation with no pastor, did not for ministers induced the classis to coming hither, or by receiving in their participate. The stated purpose of the reinstate him six months later. midst” any representatives from Mich- classis was to unite with the RCA. RCA statistics in 1857 (the 1855 igan. Distance (read money) militated Until they did, they would no longer and 1856 reports are incomplete) against contact between the Wisconsin send delegates to meetings of the Clas- show eight Wisconsin congregations and Michigan churches. Nevertheless, sis of Holland in Michigan. The $15 with a total of 664 souls; the Mil- in 1852 the three Wisconsin congrega- travel cost for delegates was deemed waukee congregation had 206 souls; tions, with a total of 365 souls, joined prohibitive.19 Oostburg had 110; Alto, 80; Frank- the Classis of Holland.17 The Wisconsin brethren seemed lin, 67; Cedar Grove, 66; Bethlehem, In 1854, Rev. Klyn of Milwaukee not to know proper Reformed church 62; Gibbsville, 58; and Sheboygan was again on the agenda of the Classis polity. When Vander Schuur sent the Falls,15. The churches grew slowly, of Holland. Klyn had accepted a call Classis of Holland a copy of the Wis- with 772 souls in nine congregations

38 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

in 1865, 821 souls in eight congre- Gerrit Baay. Classis also took some assigned the Alto petitioner to draw gations in 1870, and 1,710 souls in controversial theological stands. One up the overture. Subsequently classis thirteen congregations in 1900. The was a decision to baptize children reprimanded Alto elder Abram Beeuw- mission church founded in 1859 of parents who were not confessing kes and Holland Academy student at Eden (eight miles southeast of church members, but who “under- Pieter Baay for submitting letters to Fond du Lac) had about thirty souls stand and desire” the sacrament and classis and publishing the same in the during its eight years of existence had themselves been baptized as Sheboygan Nieuwsbode that ques- (1859-1867). Between 1870 and infants. Such offspring, said classis, tioned whether slave owners might 1900, new congregations were estab- were “covenant children.” Van Raalte be members of the RCA. It was not lished at Greenbush (1884), Waupun espoused the same policy in his Michi- the sentiment expressed in the letters (1887), Hingham (1890), Sheboy- gan congregation. This was a variant that led to the “strong disapproval” of gan (1891), Randolph Center (later of the so-called “half-way covenant” classis but the act of publication (in a Friesland,1893), and Kenosha (1896). that had undermined the Puritan newspaper that reached Dutch immi- The number of souls of the thirteen churches in early New England.26 grant communities everywhere). The congregations in 1900 was as follows: In 1855, Vander Schuur and an authors had put the immigrant classis Cedar Grove 320, Alto 300, Gibbsville elder visited all fi ve Wisconsin con- in the “hot seat” of the denomination, 290, Milwaukee 284, Hope (Sheboy- gregations and found most “dwelling which counted slave owners among its gan) 174, Oostburg 128, Waupun 110, in love and peace.” Two members of members.27 Randolph Center 73, Sheboygan Falls 59, Hingham 55, Franklin 32, Green- bush 24, and Kenosha 21.23 The RCA classical minute books are replete with insight into the lives of these congregations.24 In 1854, the Milwaukee congregation disagreed on whether an elder reading the sermons could stand in the pulpit, a spot gener- ally reserved for ordained pastors. Classis responded that he could. The Cedar Grove congregation was rent by “strife and disunity” when Peter The- une, a member, claimed to own the church building and closed it to the congregation. The council wanted to take the dispute into court, but classis told them to “leave the outcome in the hands of the Lord,” and offered fi nan- cial assistance to build another edifi ce. This decision did not sit well with the Waupun, Wisconsin, was founded in 1839, well before the arrival of Dutch immigrants,immigrants, but oveoverr elders, who refused to attend the next the years it came to be known for its Dutch settlers. Image courtesy of the Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. classical meeting. That year the classis also established a fund to “rescue” the Milwaukee congregation, however, Classis also petitioned the Wis- needy believers in the Netherlands by were excommunicated for leaving consin legislature to restore the death providing money for ship passage, just their spouses and living together in penalty, which “is in harmony with as the Classis of Holland had done.25 “public adultery and whoredom.” God’s Word” and refl ects the will of The Wisconsin churches faith- Elder John Sleijster, a farmer in the the citizens. The delegates agreed fully supported domestic and foreign Alto church, challenged classis to peti- unanimously and Rev. Ferris wrote the missions, and Van Raalte’s Holland tion the synod to require slave-owning petition, which each delegate signed. Academy, and occasionally designated members in the East to instruct their Such was the strong social conscience monies for scholarships, such as one chattel in “the way of salvation.” The among the church leaders.28 for Pieter Baay, a son of the late Rev. delegates “enthusiastically agree” and In 1856, the Classis of Wisconsin

39 ruled that members must not “un- the supervision of both classes, and under a cloud to take the call of the equally yoke” themselves to unbeliev- gave Wisconsin a binding document Town Holland congregation, all with- ers, and specifi cally mandated that to that affect, Wisconsin would cut out a classical letter of dismissal from four congregations, presumably with off all funding. Thanks largely to the the Netherlands or approval of his offenders, must inform their members efforts of the much-trusted Corne- credentials by the Classis of Wiscon- of this decision. Benevolence was a lius Vander Meulen, Holland yielded sin. After he had begun his ministry Reformed church hallmark since the and gave Wisconsin two seats on the the classis condemned him for ignor- Reformation. With help from sister board, and the brouhaha passed. In ing the church order on both sides of congregations, the Bethlehem congre- 1863, the two classes agreed to levy an the Atlantic, but they allowed him to gation was instructed to provide for annual “benevolent contribution” of serve the congregation as an evangelist a woman whose husband was killed seventy-fi ve cents on every communi- while his credentials were sorted out.33 in an accident. Classis concluded that cant member to support the Academy. Six months later, in 1858, at the she must not beg “outside the fellow- The next year, the quota was raised to Spring classis meeting, Van Leeuwen ship.” The Milwaukee congregation one dollar to support two additional raised the issue of freemasons as mem- suffered a schism in 1858, when a professors, which would obviate the bers of the church and, after extensive number of families left to form the need for students to fi nish their stud- discussion, the body decided that no Holland Presbyterian Church (later ies at New Brunswick.31 lodge member could be received as a renamed the Perseverance Church, In 1900, at the instigation of Hope church member unless he could prove because it subsequently twice had to College President Dr. Gerrit Kol- that lodge membership “is not in be rebuilt after fi res).29 len and the urging of the RCA Gen- confl ict with the true Christian faith In 1859, the Franklin congregation eral Synod, the Wisconsin Reformed and the Reformed confessions of our applied to the RCA Board of Educa- churches founded the Memorial Acad- church.” This was a precursor to Rev. tion to support a parochial school to emy at Cedar Grove to prepare high John H. Karsten’s campaign in the strengthen that body of believers from school students for teaching careers 1870s to have the Classis of Wisconsin within. This set off an extended debate and the Gospel ministry. The school overture the General Synod year after in the church and classis over paro- grew to sixty-six students and four in- year to condemn freemasonry.34 chial vs. public schooling. The two structors in 1920, and dedicated a new Hermanus Stobbelaar, a student Franklin elders were on opposite sides three-story brick building in 1925. from the seminary at Kampen, the and would not budge. Several other Unfortunately, the promising school Netherlands, accepted a call from the congregations were also troubled by suffered from a lack of support during Alto congregation in 1858 after the the issue. When Franklin opened its the Great Depression and closed in manse had been vacant for eight years, parochial school, however, the dis- 1937. The building then housed the but he had failed his fi nal examina- agreement subsided. The Cedar Grove fi rst public high school in town. The tion and could not be ordained. Upon church also applied to the RCA Board loss of the Academy, which might have a recommendation of Van Raalte’s of Education for parochial school evolved into a full-fl edged college brother-in law, Rev. Carel G. De Moen, funding. Christian education, includ- like its sister school Northwestern, in as to Stobbelaar’s competency and ing higher education, was clearly a top Orange City, Iowa, caused a crippling orthodoxy, Classis appointed him priority in classis.30 “brain drain” in the Reformed com- an evangelist at Alto, following the The commitment to Christian munities of Wisconsin; the best and Van Leeuwen precedent. The church schools brought the Classis of Wis- brightest went off to study elsewhere order had to give way to the need for consin into confl ict with the Classis of and few returned.32 pastors. However, the need did not Holland over ecclesiastical oversight Obtaining reputable ministers was stretch enough to include Rev. Zonne. of the Holland Academy. Wisconsin the primary concern of the Wiscon- His overture in 1857 to join Classis churches faithfully took offerings sin churches. Most New Brunswick was rejected out of hand. Stobbelaar for the Academy and expected to be Seminary graduates could not preach in 1860 took a call to Zeeland, Michi- given an equal role in its governance. in Dutch, so the churches had to call gan, and made a “hasty and disorderly But the Classis of Holland seemed to pastors from the Netherlands. The few departure” without fi rst seeking the demur, leading Wisconsin to con- men who responded favorably to let- required classical letter of dismissal.35 clude: “Our role is peripheral, and ters of call seemed to be renegades and Even the stellar Bolks had his we are merely an appendage.” Unless malcontents. Willem Van Leeuwen left quirks. The Classis of Wisconsin in Holland placed the Academy under his Christian Seceded congregation 1859 reprimanded him twice; once

40 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

for taking the Sunday school pupils “irregular” call), Pieters came to Alto become the CRC in western Michigan on an outing “in the guise of religion” in 1865, and Karsten replaced Vander barely reached Wisconsin. That year, to see animals, and then for using his Schuur at Oostburg in 1867. Many the Franklin congregation announced medical training to practice midwifery, congregations relied on theological that it was joining the True brothers, which aroused slanderous talk. To students for preaching, especially dur- but its classis talked them out of it, escape the nit-picking criticism by ing the summer months. Those with thanks to the persuasive powers of his colleagues and congregants, Bolks pastors in the manse severely under- Seine Bolks and John Ferris, minister accepted the call of the First Chicago paid them. Oostburg was ordered in of Chicago’s English congregation church and shook the Wisconsin dust 1865 to double Vander Schuur’s salary, (Second Reformed). Bolks rehearsed off his feet.36 in keeping with a general synodical di- the reasons for the Union of 1850 and Until additional credentialed minis- rective on salaries. Clerical leadership attested to the RCA’s “soundness” in ters became available for the churches, in Wisconsin remained weak indeed, doctrine and discipline. Ferris then classis decided in 1861 to ask the and spiritual progress in the pews was initiated “an extensive conversation” synodical board to send out a New not much better.38 concerning the objections of the Brunswick Seminary graduate to serve Franklin congregation (which were as a “missionary” pastor at Milwau- CRC Congregations delivered in writing but not attached kee. Candidate Jacob Vander Meulen, CRC statistics are less sanguine, to or summarized in the minutes). The a son of Cornelius, expressed interest because the denomination grew more gathering “accepted his remarks, and and this prompted the Dutch church slowly in Wisconsin than in other the objections were cleared up and to call him successfully. Milwaukee Great Lakes states. The CRC remained resolved.” The secession of the Frank- then called Candidate Roelof Piet- more conservative in doctrine and lin congregation is not confi rmed in ers. He declined the fi rst call and the traditional in polity than the RCA. It the records of the RCA or CRC, so the congregation called again, this time refused to sing hymns in divine wor- decision likely was rescinded. with a letter from the full classis that ship and banned members of secret For a few months during the winter presented the church situation in and societies. Its initial name, the True of 1862-1863 a group in Milwau- around Milwaukee as dire. The letter Holland Reformed Church, spoke kee joined the CRC, but the lack of continued that there remained only volumes. The CRC was known as the ministers caused the group to join the the sickly Vander Schuur at Oostburg “Dutchy” church for several genera- Presbyterians.40 The fi rst ongoing CRC and the fresh young Vander Meulen at tions, since it retained Dutch as its church in Wisconsin, the Gibbsville Holland. Four congregations—Beth- language of worship and called its (later Oostburg) congregation, came lehem, Franklin, Alto, and Waterville pastors from the Christian Seceded in 1868. The church edifi ce stood two (Eden)—were “pastorless” and in Church in the Netherlands. The RCA, miles equidistant from Gibbsville and “danger of disappearing.” In the case in contrast, was impacted by the Sec- Oostburg. Next came Alto in 1881, of Alto, this was surely a gross over- ond Great Awakening and had become Baldwin (St. Croix County) in 1888, statement.37 English-speaking, except for the new Sheboygan in 1889, and Vesper (Wood Pieters declined again in favor of a immigrant congregations.39 County) in 1898. In 1899 the fi ve pastorate in West Michigan, but fi ve Dutch Reformed immigrants in CRC Wisconsin congregations count- years later he came to Alto. Mean- Wisconsin were generally indepen- ed 818 souls, less than half the 1,710 while, in 1862 the elderly Marten dent-minded and quite willing to as- souls in the Wisconsin RCA. The CRC Ypma accepted Alto’s call and Jacob similate into the dominant culture and church memberships were as follows: Vander Meulen’s younger brother not attracted to the CRC. They could Alto, 270; Oostburg, 200; Baldwin, John, New Brunswick class of 1862, have gone to Van Raalte’s or Scholte’s 163; Sheboygan, 150; and Vesper, 45. took Milwaukee’s call. The sons of colonies but chose otherwise. They Later came Kenosha (1902), Racine Cornelius brought fresh blood and scattered widely in eastern Wiscon- (1906), Randolph (1908), and Wau- sound leadership, but Jacob left after sin and formed house churches led pun (1921). Initially these churches two years. By then, Ypma had died by laymen. When the congregations were part of Classis Illinois, until 24 barely a year after coming to Alto and decided to affi liate, they chose the September 1924 when CRC Classis Vander Schuur, who was often inca- English-speaking RCA and Presbyte- Wisconsin was formed.41 pacitated, leaving only John Vander rians denominations rather than the Many CRC congregations were Meulen, until Stobbelaar returned to Dutch-speaking CRC. born in controversy, including Holland in 1864 (again by way of an The 1857 secession of what would Gibbsville, Alto, and Oostburg. At

41

RRev.ev. JJacobusacobus De RoRooyoy (1812–1884), at various times a Baptist, Independent, and itinerant preacher, served In addition to churches, Christian day schools, like this one in Baldwin, Wisconsin, tended to unite the Oostburg Presbyterian some Dutch immigrant communities. Image courtesy of the Archives, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Church, 1865–1875, when Michigan. he and part of that congrega- tion left to form a Christian Gibbsville, in 1866, sixteen fresh Within months of Vander Werp’s Reformed church, which he served until he died in 1884. immigrant families from various visit and the installation of the consis- Image courtesy of the Ar- provinces—Zuid Holland, Zeeland, tory, the Gibbsville congregation was chives, Calvin College, Grand Gelderland, and Groningen, who split by a schism. Besides the issue Rapids, Michigan. had been worshiping in a log church of singing hymns, a larger part of the northeast of Oostburg, asked the problem was their itinerant minister, seceded to found the Oostburg CRC. nestor of the CRC, Rev. Douwe Vander Rev. Jacobus De Rooy. A man with De Rooy, an Old School Presbyterian, Werp of the Graafschap (Michigan) Baptist leanings, no formal theological disapproved of the merger with the CRC, to come and organize them training, and a questionable ordina- New School Presbyterians in 1870 under the True Church umbrella.42 tion by an independent church in to form the Presbyterian Church in Vander Werp had been the scribe New Jersey, the CRC Classis Illinois the United States. This time the CRC for Rev. Hendrik de Cock (the “fa- would not allow the Gibbsville church welcomed the Oostburg congregation ther” of the Secession of 1834) and a to call him. Yet, he was an eloquent and its minister; apparently, De Rooy schoolmaster in the Christian Seceded speaker and the people welcomed had proven himself in the intervening Church. The key stipulation of the him warmly. De Rooy also “caused a eight years.45 Gibbsville applicants was that they crumbling” of Vander Schuur’s RCA In the mid-nineteenth century, be permitted to keep Peter Datheen’s Oostburg congregation by enticing the experiences of the pioneer Dutch 1566 versifi cation of the Psalms. The half the members and half the con- immigrant churches in southeastern CRC synod meeting in Grand Rapids sistory to form a new congregation Wisconsin stood in marked contrast agreed to send Vander Werp, but he virtually within sight of the mother to their counterparts in western Mich- was told to persuade the Datheenians church.44 igan, where Van Raalte had provided to give up the old versifi cation for the Rev. Hermanus Stobbelaar of the strong leadership in a frontier envi- 1806 hymnbook (Evangelische Gezan- Alto RCA backed a move to have De ronment. The absence of such leaders gen), or at least not to bother those Rooy received into his denomina- in frontier Wisconsin took a toll that who wished to do so. The 1806 collec- tion, but De Rooy’s breakaway group required many decades to surmount, tion, adopted by the Hervormde Kerk, instead affi liated with the Presbyterian but surmount they did. Today, there included 192 hymns, and many seced- Church, which willingly ordained are dozens of thriving congrega- ers refused to sing even one of them in him. De Rooy ministered in the Oost- tions of Dutch Reformed heritage in divine worship, since their lyrics had burg Presbyterian Church until 1875, Wisconsin.o not come directly from the Bible.43 when he and twenty-fi ve families

42 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

Endnotes 1. “John H. Karsten’s A Half Cen- Brandt, Milwaukee Small Collection Alto, 4 January 1849, published in Delta tury of Dutch Settlement in Wisconsin, 47, Box 1, 1850-1860,” available online (Sept. 1959), 26-35. Baay in an 1849 1847-1897,” in Henry S. Lucas, ed., at http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/ letter published in the Netherlands Dutch Immigrant Memoirs and Related wipionexp.Brandt2p. urged marriageable women to emigrate, Writings, 2 vols. (Assen, Netherlands, 6. The Reformed Church in America because “I consider American women 1955, rev. edition, Robert P. Swierenga before 1867 was the Reformed Prot- unsuitable for Dutchmen.” They were ed., Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997) estant Dutch Church in America. too dainty and refused to get dirt under 2:130-31. The Christian Reformed Church was their fi ngernails (ibid., 34). 2. The congregation of Town Holland previously the True Holland Christian 14. Robert P. Swierenga and Elton later divided into First Cedar Grove and Reformed (1861-1880) and the Holland J. Bruins, Family Quarrels in the Dutch First Oostburg. Christian Reformed Church (1880- Reformed Churches of the Nineteenth Cen- 3. In the pioneer period, 1847- 1894). tury (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 1875, four Presbyterian bodies re- 7. CRC Yearbook, 2005; Acts and 67-69. cruited Dutch Reformed immigrants in Proceedings of the Reformed Church in 15. Classis Holland Minutes, 1848- Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, America, 1950, 2005. RCA fi gures above 1858 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1950), and western New York, namely, the Old exclude “adherents.” 35, 41-42, 64, 98; Letter, G. De Jonge, School and New School branches of the 8. For this and the next paragraph Vriesland, Michigan, Mich., to William Presbyterian Church, and the Associate see Robert P. Swierenga, “Decisions, De- Moerdyk(e), Kalamazoo, Mich., 20 Mar. and Associate Reformed branches of the cisions: Turning Points in the Founding 1899, Joint Archives of Holland; Mrs. Scottish Presbyterian Church. The Wis- of Holland,” Michigan Historical Review, G. J. De Gelleke, “The Years of Our Cen- consin Dutch joined all four bodies, but 24 (Spring 1998) 59-66. tury,” First Reformed Church of Milwau- mainly the Old School group. Richard 9. Lucas, Netherlanders in America, kee Centennial, 1847-1947, booklet, 4. Harms cogently clarifi es this confusing 205-06; Albert Hyma, Albertus C. Van 16. Classis Holland Minutes, 64-66. story in “The Other Reformed: Dutch Raalte and His Dutch Settlements in the 17. Ibid., 66, 89; Acts and Proceed- Presbyterians in Nineteenth-Century United States (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, ings of the General Synod of the Re- America,” Calvin Theological Journal, 42 1949), 75 (quote). formed Protestant Dutch Church in North (Apr. 2007) 33-49. See also, “Presbytery 10. A. Brummelkamp and A. C. Van America, 1852, 261. of Milwaukee” and “The Presbytery of Raalte, Landverhuizing, of Waarom Bevor- 18. Classis Holland Minutes, 152-53. Milwaukee,” 1888, unpublished mss, deren wij de Volksverhuizing naar Noord 19. “Classis of Wisconsin Minutes, Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadel- Amerika en niet naar Java? [Emigration, Holland Reformed Church in America, phia, Pa., copies at the Archives, Calvin or why we promote the emigration 1854-1869,” 12 July, 11 Oct. 1854, College. of people to North America and not Western Theological Seminary Collec- 4. Brian R. Winter, “Rev. Pieter to Java?] (Amsterdam, 1846) 40-43; tion, Joint Archives of Holland, Hope Zonne: Founder of Dutch American A. Brummelkamp, Stemmen uit Noord College, translated by William D. Presbyterianism,” unpublished paper; Amerika, met een Begeleidend Woord Buursma. J. G. Zonne, “Brief Biographical Sketch [Voices from America, with an Accom- 20. Van Raalte had disregarded this of the Rev. Pieter Zonne” (Zuidland, panying Word (Amsterdam, 1847)] 53; very rule, when in 1848 he, Vander The Netherlands, 1999), translated by Lucas, Netherlanders in America, 200. Meulen, and Ypma organized the inde- William D. Buursma; Richard Dyk- 11. Lucas, Netherlanders in America, pendent Classis of Holland. stra and Patricia Premo, eds., Cedar 201-08; Elton J. Bruins, “The Dutch 21. Classis Holland Minutes, 164-65; Grove, Wisconsin, 150 Years of Dutch- Immigrant Congregations of Alto, Wis- Gasero, Historical Directory, 23; Classis American Tradition (Cedar Grove, Wis., consin, 1845-1900,” Origins, 7, No. 1 of Wisconsin Minutes, 25 Apr. 1855. 1997); Harms, “The Other Reformed,” (1988) 23-33. 22. Classis Holland Minutes, 70-78, 42; Henry S. Lucas, Netherlanders in 12. Bruins, “Dutch Immigrant Con- 88; Classis of Wisconsin Minutes, 25 America: Dutch Immigration to the United gregations;” First Christian Reformed Apr. 1855. Frederick Beidler, a German States and Canada, 1789-1950 (Ann Church of Oostburg, Wisconsin, Diamond Reformed cleric who had taught one Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Jubilee, 1868-1943, booklet. year at Van Raalte’s Holland Academy, Press, 1955, reprinted Eerdmans, 1987) 13. Lucas, Netherlanders in America, agreed to be the missionary pastor at 206-07. 198, 203, 240; Rev. H. D. Terkeurst, Cedar Grove in 1855. He was fl uent in 5. Lucas, Netherlanders in America, “Historical Sketch,” Seventy-Fifth An- English and had already begun preach- 198; E. William Kennedy, “Annotated niversary Souvenir, First Reformed Church ing in that language. Minutes of the Classis of Holland of the in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1847-1922 23. Acts and Proceedings of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of (Milwaukee, 1930), 3-4; Russell L. Gas- General Synod of the Reformed Church North America,” manuscript, Van Raalte ero, Historical Directory of the Reformed in America [title after 1867], 1857, 186; Institute, Holland, MI. A collection of Church in America, 1628-2000 (Grand 1865, 611; 1870, 92; 1900, 1288; Gas- transcribed and translated Brandt let- Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001), 414; H. J. ero, Historical Directory, 528. ters to his two daughters in Milwaukee Brinks, “Father Budding, 1810-1870,” 24. The Classis of Wisconsin Minute and siblings in the Netherlands are in Origins 4, No. 2 (1986), 22; Gerrit Baay, Book One (1854-68) and Book Three “Wisconsin Pioneer Experience: Gerard “Dear Friends Back Home . . . ,” Town (1877-86) are in the Joint Archives of

43 Holland. Book Two is missing. teenth and Twentieth Centuries in the Hudson: Dutch New York and New Jersey 25. Classis of Wisconsin Minutes, United States of America (Groningen, P. in the Age of Revivals (New Brunswick, 12 July, 11 Oct. 1854, 25 Apr. 1925. In Noordhoff, 1928, Robert P. Swierenga N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 2000). 1858, Classis began extensive discus- editor, Adriaan de Wit translator, Grand 40. Art 11, Classical Assembly held sions to form their own academy, to be Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985), 864- at Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1 October located in Franklin, but the plans were 65. 1862, Archives, Calvin College, Grand “postponed” as impractical in 1859 32. Nancy Vander Puy, comp., His- Rapids, Michigan. (ibid., 8 Sept. 1858, 9 Feb. 1859). tory of the Reformed, Christian Reformed 41. Richard H. Harms, compiler and 26. Classis of Wisconsin Minutes, 25 and Dutch Reformed Schools in Sheboygan editor, Historical Directory of the Chris- Apr. 1855. Classis approved the excom- County (Sheboygan Falls: Sheboygan tian Reformed Church (Grand Rapids: munication of a man in the Oostburg Falls Historical Research Center, 2000), Historical Committee of the Christian congregation for marrying his niece, “in 54-67. Reformed Church, 2004), 511. order to avoid the wrath of God upon 33. Classis of Wisconsin Minutes, 23 42. Janet Sjaarda Sheeres, Son of the congregation” (ibid., 26 Sept. 1855). Apr., 10 Sept. 1857. Secession: Douwe J. Vander Werp (Grand 27. Ibid., 30 Apr. 1856, 20 Aug. 34. Ibid., 14 Apr., 27 May 1858, Rapids, Mich., Eerdmans, 2006). 1856, 23 Apr. 1857, 14 Apr. 1858. 13 Mar. 1861. The anti-freemasonry 43. Bert Polman, “The Hymn Ques- 28. Sleijster resigned as elder a year campaign in Classis started in 1868 tion in the Christian Reformed Church,” later over the decision to baptize chil- (ibid., 22 Apr., 23 Sept. 1868). Classis Origins 16 No. 1 (1998): 17-18. dren of non-confessing parents (ibid., deposed Van Leeuwen from the ministry 44. Robert J. De Smith, “Jacobus 30 Apr., 20 Aug. 1956). in 1859 for committing adultery with De Rooy: Rural Wisconsin Diarist and 29. Ibid., 18 May 1859, 29 Feb., 26 his housekeeper. Preacher,” Origins 2, No. 2 (1984): Sept. 1860. In 1863, the Milwaukee 35. Ibid., 10 Sept., 9 Dec. 1857, 14 27-36; “History of the Church,” First Presbyterian Church birthed a daughter Apr., 8 Sept. 1858, 26 Sept. 1860. Clas- Christian Reformed Church of Oostburg, congregation with 34 families (Harms, sis later approved Stobbelaar’s creden- Wisconsin, Diamond Jubilee, 1868-1968, “The Other Reformed,” 44). tials (ibid., 9 Feb. 1859). booklet (Oostburg, 1968); Harms, 30. Classis of Wisconsin Minutes, 13 36. Ibid., 14 Sept. 1859. Historical Directory, 189; Classis of Wis- Mar., 24 July, 9 Oct. 1861. 37. Ibid., 13 Mar., 24-25 July 1861. consin Minutes, 5 Oct. 1866. 31. Ibid., 9-10 Apr., 10 Sept. 1862, 38. Ibid., 9-10 Apr., 10 Sept. 1862, 45. De Smith, “Jacobus De Rooy,” 27- 8 Apr., 9 Sept. 1863; Jacob Van Hinte, 8 Apr., 9 Sept. 1863, 13 Apr., 14 Sept. 36; “History of the Church.” Netherlanders in America: A Study in 1864, 27 Sept. 1865. Emigration and Settlement in the Nine- 39. Firth Haring Fabend, Zion on the

44 Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009

book notes

Famous Frisians in America Aunt Tena, Called to Serve More than 70 biographies with images Letters and diaries from and to of prominent Frisian-Americans. Tena Huizenga, missionary nurse Peter de Haan and Kerst Huisman, in Nigeria, 1940–1954. editors Jacob E. Nyenhuis, et al., editors Friese Pers Boekerij /Noordboek, 2009 Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans ISBN 9-789033-008733 Publishing Company, 2009 $20.00 ISBN 978-0-8028-6515-1 $49.00

45 for the future The topics listed below are being researched, and articles about them will appear in future issues of Origins.

“‘When I Was a Kid,’ the autobiography of children’s author Meindert De Jong” “Brother Ploeg: A Searching Saint or a Burr under the Saddle?” by Janet Sjaarda Sheeres “ ‘Now I Will Tell You Children,’ Hendrik De Kruif’s Account of His Immigration,” by Jan Peter Verhave

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Storm, Aerdenhout, the Netherlands Henry and Shirley De Witt, Chino, CA Bill and Judy Terpstra, Schererville, IN Jay and Betty Van Andel Foundation, Ms. Barbara Dobben, Michigan City, IN Mr. and Mrs. John C. Vander Haag, Sanborn, IA Grand Rapids, MI Jim Doezema, Grand Rapids, MI Ben and Deb Vander Kooi, Luverne, MN Mr. and Mrs. Claude J. Venema, Jackson, MI Mr. Hendrik Edelman, Milton, NH Mr. and Mrs. William J. Vander Leest, Leduc, AB Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Vermeer, Pella, IA Jake and Frances Engel, Ripon, CA Mr. and Mrs. David Vander Ploeg, St. Joseph, MI Phil and Trudy Erffmeyer, Prinsburg, MN Contributing Founders Mr. and Mrs. George J. Vande Werken, Highland, IN Mr. and Mrs. Robert Essenburg, Grandville, MI Peters Import Marketplace, Grandville, MI Dick and Joyce Van Konynenburg, Hughson, CA Roger and Evelyn Feikema, Bradenton, FL Mr. and Mrs. Leo Peters, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Allan J. Van Popering, Grand Rapids, MI Harold and Nancy Gazan, Holland, MI Clara and Leonard Sweetman, Kentwood, MI Mr. Adrian Van Sledright, Caledonia, MI Dr. and Mrs. Samuel E. Greydanus, Saugatuck, MI Mr. and Mrs. John Zonneveld Sr., Laton, CA Mr. and Mrs. Samuel N. Van Til, Crown Point, IN Mr. and Mrs. Albert J. Griede, La Mesa, CA Contributing Sponsors Max and Carol Van Wyk, Grand Rapids, MI Mrs. Wendlena Groen, Manteca, CA Charles and Gail Alles, Byron Center, MI Wilbert and Berendina Wichers, Bradenton, FL Carl and Sandy Gronsman, Grand Rapids, MI

47 Ms. Adelene Haverhals, Lynden, WA Dr. Ted and Mrs. Tena Minnema, Grand Rapids, MI Gary and Janice Vander Meer, DeKalb, IL Caroline and Henry J. Hoeks, Ada, MI James E. and Janice S. Monsma, Medford, MA John and Donna Vander Meer, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Hoeksema, Jenison, MI Mr. Michael Muilenberg, South Deerfi eld, MA Evie and Al Vander Plaats, Blaine, MN William and Caroline Hoekstra, Oakdale, CA Mr. and Mrs. David Ondersma, Holland, MI Mr. and Mrs. Henry Vander Weide, Ontario, CA Ms. Grace Anne Hoffa, Kalamazoo, MI Mrs. Hilda Ormel, Abbotsford, BC Jan and Adriana Vanderwerf, Mosinee, WI Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hogeterp, Grand Rapids, MI Quentin and Harriet Remein, Bethesda, MD Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Van Dokkenburg, Mrs. Kathryn Hoitenga, Grand Rapids, MI Mrs. Lula Ringerwole, Hudsonville, MI West Lafayette, IN Rev. and Mrs. Alvin L. Hoksbergen, Spring Lake, MI Al and Mary Scholtens, Caledonia, MI Mr. Lester H. Van Eck, Exton, PA Mrs. Leona Holtvluwer, Jenison, MI Mr. and Mrs. William C. Schultze, Grand Rapids, MI Dr. Dick and Carol Van Eldik, Gainsville, FL Dr. and Mrs. Harvey D. Huiner, Lynchburg, VA Ben and Henny Senneker, Lethbridge, AB Mr. Art Van Groningen, Ripon, CA Harold and Esther Huizenga, Grand Rapids, MI Carl and Cora Mae Sinke, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. Carl J. Van’t Hof, Tinley Park, IL Rich and Carla Huizenga, Seattle, WA Dr. and Mrs. Richard D. Sjoerdsma, Kenosha, WI Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Van Tuinen, Longmont, CO Ms. Hermina Iwema, South Holland, IL Bernard and Melinda Smit, Lafayette, IN Dr. and Mrs. Peter D. Van Vliet, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. Rich Iwema, Caledonia, MI Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Smit, Jenison, MI Mr. John R. Verburg, Grand Rapids, MI Mrs. Mary E. Jellema, Holland, MI Dr. and Mrs. LeRoy Stegink, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. John L. Vinke, South Holland, IL Dr. and Mrs. John R. Kamps, Gallup, NM Dr. Joseph C. Stevens, New Haven, CT Mr. and Mrs. Ted W. Vliek, Portage, MI Hessel and Alice Kielstra, Calgary, AB Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Talsma, Bellfl ower, CA Mr. Evert Volkersz, Stony Brook, NY Mr. John E. King, Wyckoff, NJ Dr. and Mrs. Ryan Tolsma, Redlands, CA Bill and Pat Waanders, Grand Rapids, MI Dr. and Mrs. Simon J. Kistemaker, Oviedo, FL Gil and Joanne Van Baren, South Holland, IL Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wassenar, Uxbridge, MA Chaplain Louis and Frances Kok, Lynden, WA Dean and Carol Van Bruggen, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Klaas Wielinga, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Andrew R. Kooistra, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Van Dellen, Dave and Brenda Wiersma, Tucson, AZ Rev. John M. V. Koole, Strathroy, ON Grosse Pointe Park, MI Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wilgenburg, Brush, CO Mrs. Ardene Lambers, Grand Rapids, MI Mike and Irene Vanden Akker, Whitinsville, MA Mr. and Mrs. Leonard D. Wilkins, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Roger Vanden Bosch, Zeeland, MI Mr. and Mrs. Loren J. Lemmen, Lansing, MI Rev. and Mrs. Donald P. Wisse, Wyckoff, NJ Mr. and Mrs. Ronald T. Vanden Bosch, Lakewood, CA Ken and Ruth Lobbes, Grand Rapids, MI Dr. and Mrs. Burton J. Wolters, Spring Lake, MI Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mast, Jenison, MI Mr. Hugo M. Van Den Dool, West Hyattsville, MD Mr. Robert J. Yonker, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. Gerald Meyer, Holland, MI Mr. and Mrs. George Vander Laan, Grand Rapids, MI Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Zimmerman, Herman and Marti Minnema, Visalia, CA Mr. and Mrs. James A. Vander Leest, Westlock, AB Woodstock, MD

48

The Archives Calvin College and Theological Seminary 1855 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

The Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary Archives contains the historical records of the Christian Reformed Church, its College, its Theological Seminary, and other institutions related to the Reformed tradition in the Netherlands and North America. The Archives also contains a wide range of personal and family manuscripts. Historical Magazine of The Archives Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary Volume XXVII • Number 2 • 2009