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Note: BIOGRAPHY: The prospects for the farm which Pieter Nicolaas inherited from hi father Cornelis were far from favorable because of the heavy debt load. On December 8, 1899 he married Cornelia Evertje Treur, daughter of Jan Treur, a well-to-do farmer from Vriezekoop. Jan Treur was very pessimistic about his daughter entering a business which was burdened with so much debt, an he brought this to her attention. Among others his words were these; "It will have to rain money from heaven if you people are ever going to prosper." However, he did agree to the marriage and the young people ventured out looking much to God in prayer. Cornelia Evertje had inherited 3,200 Guilders from her deceased mother. Th size of the farm was +/- 45 acres (18 Hectare); 10 acres he owned and the remainder rented. They also owned the buildings, but these stood on the rented land. the inventory consisted of 22 milkcows, hogs, wagons, implements, etc. The debtload was 12,000 Guilders with an annual Total payment of 2,200 Guilders mortgage payment plus land rent. Although the first year was relatively prosperous, difficulties soon began mainly because of disease and death among the cows and hogs. This kind of adversity could not be absorbed because of the financial circumstances, and the result was still greater indebtedness through borrowing additional money. Although Pieter Nicolaas and his wife both feared the Lord and daily made their needs known to Him in prayer there was not yet cause for discouragement. In addition the family increased in size quite rapidly. In the course of a ten year period 8 children were born; Cornelis, Jan, Jacob, Willem, Evertje, Cornelia, Maria Cornelia, and Juliana Louise Emma Maria Wilhelmina. this youngest daughter recieved all five names given to Princess Juliana of The Netherlands since she was born on the same day and almost the same hour; namely April 30, 1909. The year 1909 turned out to be an eventful year for Pieter Nicolaas and family. In September they were notified that the rented land was to be sold be the owner, Mr. Gregarie of Den Haag. Understandably the were crushed since purchase was impossible, father Kapteyn not having the means to accomplish this All this was cause for much prayer ans supplication to have peace in this and also to find another farm. The sale was accomplished and everything became the property off Mr. Gerardus Van Dam from Zwammerdam, who intended to farm the lan himself. After looking in vain for another farm in the region, Father Pieter Nicolaas began to look at Overijssel. After 2 trips father found a farm for rent in Goor. It was a mixed operation of 25 acres. After much hesitation the decision was made to rent this farm and the move took place on April 6, 1910. The farm was situated in Herike in the municipality of Markelo. The surrounding terrain was beautiful, but the soil was poor. We lived there for 7-1/2 years. The children attended the Christian school in Diepenlein, a 7 Kilometer (about 4-1/2 mile) walk. The farm was too small to yield a good livin for such a large family. The result was a meager existence with no chance to get ahead. The youngest and last daughter was born in 1911, Antje. All of us were blessed with good health and all the children grew up happily during these years. Although the change from Zwammerdam to Markelo was great, it needs to b stated that these were good years, especially concerning our spiritual life. Father and mother both set the example in leading all of us to serve the Lord i the way that leads to eternal life. During this period we also experienced military mobilization in our countr because of World War 1, 1914-1918. The year 1917 brought another tremendous change in our lives. When the fourth son Willem (this writer) finished grade school, father began looking around for a larger farm. On May 31 he traveled to Almelo to loo at a 140 acre farm which was for rent. Father looked up against tackling such a large operation since this was impossible without financial help. Mother was in favor of it immediately and did everything possible to go ahead with it. Mother's father, Grandfather Treur, was approached and promised help. And so it happened the farm "De Leemslage" was rented as of November 1, 1917. The move was made on November 6, and thus began our life in and around Almelo. Now also began a period of increased prosperity, since circumstances were favorable; i.e. a large farm run with internal help and no hired hands, but it was yet quite some time before financial worries were a thing of the past. there was yet much indebtedness from the past to be paid off. "De Leemslage" offered many possibilities, although only half the land was productive. (the other half was lowland which flooded every winter) It was possible to support a dairy herd of 25. The soil was sandy loam and fertile. We four sons thus worked the farm with father. Father Pieter Nicolaas was quit conservative and because we youngsters were somewhat more progressive there was a certain amount of friction from time to time which led to my brother and myself beginning to look for our own farm or other employment. The oldest brother, Cornelis began a greenhouse and flower business, which yielded him a good living after a period of "slim pickings" because of lack of capital. He married in 1931. Brother Jan had lost all interest in farming, went to seminary at the age of 19, and became a pastor at age 29. His first congregation was at Lochem. Jacob and Willem (this writer) remained farmers and started their own operation when they married. On November 2nd, 1920, we were shocked when mother suffered a stroke. Thi was a sore trial for our family since she remained an invalid for the rest of her life even though she did regain some of her bodily functions after being severely paralyzed at first. She endured her affliction with admirable patience.* *Willem's oldest son Pieter Nicolaas, (born 21 April 1930) translator of this writing can attest to this personally as I was privileged to know her for the first sixteen years of my life. I remember her as a grand lady. She was only 44 years old when she had the stroke on November 2nd, 1920. Pieter Nicolaas continued to work the farm in Almelo, some of the details from this point onward can be found in the notes for his son, Willem. Pieter Nicolaas was tragically struck by a Canadian army trunk in the waning moments o World War II, and after drifting into a state of unconsiousness, after 6 days h died on 6 June, 1945.
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