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Johannes Groen was born on September 22,1839 in the province of Friesland, The Netherlands. He married Hankje Bruinewoudt; she also was born in Friesland, on March 1, 1842. They had 7 children: Margaret, Elizabeth, Albert, Yetje, Jochem (Joe), Fieke (Fred), and Reinder. In the month of April, 1893, this family came to the United States, bringing all their children except their daughter Elizabeth with them. She came a few months later. They arrived at the depot in Armour, South Dakota, since at that time the railroad tracks were not laid any further; neither was there a railroad to Platte. Henrick Kuipers came to get them with two lumber wagons which were fixed up for the passengers and all their worldly goods. There were 32 people in the group, which included the Groens and the Henrick T. Bultsma family. They all made their homes in the Platte area.
In this group, along with Margaret the oldest daughter (born January 18, 1866), was Margaret's husband, Johannes Vander Tuin (born January 27,1847) and the three Vander Tuin children: John born April 14,1889; Johannes, born December 25,1890; and Hilda, born September 5,1892. The children were all born in Wolvega, Friesland.
(A brother of Mrs. Johannes Groen, Reinder Bruinewoudt, came to the United States later and lived with the Groen and Oldekamp families. He never married and passed away in 1916.)
The Groens made their new home in Castalia Township; their postoffice was Nieveen. After their children were married and had established homes of their own, the parents moved to a small home in Old Platte. The house stood just north of the bend in the Platte Creek on the south edge of the Henry Oldekamp place. Mrs. Groen passed away on January 10, 1923 at the age of almost 81 years. Johannes spent his last years with his daughter and her husband, Elizabeth and Henry Oldekamp. He passed away May 5, 1925 at the age of 85 years. They are both buried in the Old Platte Cemetery. The Groens were members of the Christian Reformed Church in Friesland, which was located in Castalia Township. This church group later joined the Platte Christian Reformed Church.
The Johannes Vander Tuins later moved to Douglas County and spent their lives in the New Holland area; they joined the New Holland Christian Reformed Church. Johannes passed away on January 28, 1927, and his wife Margaret died on June 11, 1947. Their son John helped the family on the farm and also was a carpenter. He served with the U.S. Army in World War I, and passed away on October 4, 1967. Johannes, the second son, was also a farmer. He too served in the U.S. Army in World War I. and like his brother spent time in Europe. He served many years as county chairman of the A.S.C. farm program. Johannes spent his last years in the Platte Nursing Home, and passed away on September 13,1965. Hilda married John Krediet (born March 3, 1890) on March 3, 1915. The Krediets had eight children and lived in the New Holland area.
The Johannes Vander Tuins had seven more children after they came to America. Anna was born June 17,1894, and married William Likkel on February 23, 1920. Elizabeth was born May 19, 1896, and married Gerrit Henry Veurink on March 3, 1915. They had ten children. She died June 23, 1976. Sip Vander Tuin, born January 23, 1898, married Rickie Likkel (born October 16,1897) on March 6, 1920; they had one daughter. Sip died September 27, 1973; Rickie died July 16, 1965. Albert Vander Tuin was born December 21, 1899; he married Sadie Vander Werff (born May 7, 1912) and they had three children. She passed away on October 6, 1981. Bonne Vander Tuin was born July 29, 1901, married Rickie Feenstra (born October 10, 1905) on December 22, 1927. They had six children. Bonne died on January 1, 1978; Rickie on June 28, 1980. Jochem Vander Tuin died in infancy. Adrian Vander Tuin was born June 24, 1908, and married Johanna Feenstra (born May 22, 1909) on November 21, 1934. In 1980 the Vander Tuin descendants numbered 351.
Elizabeth Groen was born October 27, 1868 in Wolvega, Friesland. She was married on February 13, 1899 to Henry Oldekamp at Nieveen by Rev. Henry Kamps of the New Holland Christian Reformed Church. She passed away April 1, 1963. They adopted one daughter, Betty, born February 26, 1919. She married Henry Kuipers (born June 2, 1919) on December 14, 1945. They are the parents of Arlan, James, Douglas and Bob. (Elizabeth and her brother Albert J. Groen, were married in a double wedding ceremony.)
Albert J. Groen was born on February 13, 1871 near Wolvega, The Netherlands to Johannes and Hankje Groen. With his parents, sisters and brothers he came to the United States in 1893. He was then twenty-two years of age. They came directly to Charles Mix County in South Dakota.
Prior to this time he had completed his time of service in the Dutch Army, serving in the artillery division. Young men were drawn by lot even in peace time. He referred to this experience as a rewarding one for young men.
Albert diligently applied himself in adjusting to new and strange surroundings. The family settled southwest of what is now Platte. Here farming was begun in the spring of 1893. The younger brothers could help in farm work, so Albert worked for a cement contractor, Mr. Magrett, thereby learning the new language as well. He had, however made efforts to learn the English language while traveling from the Netherlands to South Dakota. To become a naturalized citizen was desired and carried out in due time.
In 1896 Albert and some of his brothers and sisters went to northwest Iowa to work for others on farms. Hard times and low wages had to be reckoned with. Their means of conveyance often was their own two feet.
They returned to the home of the parents in Charles Mix County again. On March 13, 1899 Albert was joined in marriage to Zwaantje Zylstra, daughter of Rienk and Geertje Zylstra, also a pioneer family who came to the United States and settled in this vicinity.
The new couple lived on a rented farm until 1907, when they purchased a home five miles north and 1/2 mile west of Platte in Forbes Township. Two daughters were born to them; Anna and Gertrude, now living in northwest Iowa- in Hull and Sibley, respectively. The family were members of the Platte Christian Reformed Church. (The town of Platte was started in 1900).
Accuracy, fine penmanship and mathematical skills stood Albert in good stead for whatever assignment he had in church and community. Many times he was the treasurer of organizations or groups, as well as filling the duties of clerk. Township board meetings were sometimes held in his home. The local telephone company had officers, in which capacity he helped out, as well as in the local school which his children attended. Election days in the precinct found him as an all-day clerk. Duties as Assessor for Forbes Township were later taken up. His files and records were accurate and dependable.
In 1920 the family left the farm and moved to Hull,Iowa. Here again he was often involved in church and community and was Township Assessor. His wife died shortly after moving to Iowa. In 1924 he was married to Mrs. Hilda Los, who also preceded him in death. Later, in 1936, Albert moved to Platte once more. He made his home with his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Oldekamp, for nearly 25 years. Here again he was involved in serving as an elder in the church. When he was past seventy years of age, he was twice selected as a delegate to the broader assembly of the church, the Synod, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In 1963 he departed this life at the home of his daughter in Hull, Iowa; he attained the age of 92. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
Yetje (Edith ) Groen was born September, 1894. She married Dirk Dykstra (born July 13, 1869) on February 22, 1897. She died January 3, 1903; he died December 28, 1958. They were the parents of Ane Dykstra, born February 25, 1898, married on March 2, 1922 to Bertha Westerhuis (born April 6, 1896). She died on June 29, 1976. Ane Dykstra died on November 8, 1988. They had four children; Henriette, Bertha Mae, Dick and Kayrene. Hattie Dykstra, the second child of Dirk and Yetje Dykstra, was born on July 21, 1900, and married Peter Nydam (born December 28, 1899) on March 12, 1925. He died on December 2, 1955. They had three daughters: Adeline, Henriette, and Berdine.
Jochem (Joe) Groen was born June 12, 1876 in the Netherlands and died September 13, 1956 at Bellflower, California at the age of 80 years and 3 months. He came to the United States in 1893 with his parents, brothers and sisters, and lived in the Platte area most of his life, except for a few years in California. He was married in 1905 to Elizabeth Woudstra; she passed away February 15, 1921. They had nine children; Hattie, married John Plooster; Anna, married Peter Westra; Edith, married Gordon Montze; Hans, married Myrtle Van Zee; Margaret, married Ray Carter; John married,; Gertrude married Leon DeRaad; Betty, adopted by the Henry Oldekamps, married Henry A. Kuipers; Albert, died in infancy. The family farmed north of Platte, moving away after the children grew up. The children now live in Platte; California; Denver, Colorado and Oklahoma.
Fieke (Fred) Groen was born May 3, 1890, and died August 5, 1931. His birthplace, Oldetryne, Friesland, is where he had his schooling. After coming to the United States he also went to school in Castalia Township. Albert DeVries was one of his teachers ( he later became Dr. DeVries and had his practice in Platte). Fred Groen married Jentje (Jennie) Winters on April 22, 1908 during a Sunday worship service in the Platte Christian Reformed Church. Jennie was born September 11, 1886, at Blesdyke, The Netherlands, and died June 9, 1958 in Ripon, California. She came to the United States in 1905, coming by train to the Running Water Depot near Springfield, South Dakota (this depot is still there). She came with some of her brothers and sisters, leaving her parents in Holland. She later came to Platte to marry Fred Groen. When they were married they moved on a farm N.E. 1/4 section 28, Carrol township. (Fred's brother Reinder farmed with him in partnership as Groen Bros. for one year until Reinder was married.)
The first of their ten children, John, was born February 22, 1909. Then in March the family moved to the West 1/2 section 34 in Forbes Township. This farm was rented from Peter Dietz. John attended school in Forbes #4. He helped out on the farm, and worked with a team of black horses and a team of gray horses on the W.P.A. putting in the dam in Platte Creek west of Platte in 1932. He later moved to Ripon, California and was married on May 1, 1940 to Luwina Uterdyk, born August 12,1912 in Manhattan, Montana. They made their home in Ripon , California where he worked over 25 years in the Nestles coffee plant as a coffee bean roaster. They have a son, Fred; three daughters, Alice Airola, Loretta Halsey, and Helene Lappenga; and nine grandchildren.
The second child, Jacob Groen, was born May 15, 1910, and died December 15, 1975. He was married in Ripon, California on June 6, 1940 to Josephine Westerling from Platte, South Dakota (born July 4, 1917). Jacob farmed in South Dakota and also in California. He was active in the church an in the Christian School. They have a son Francis; three daughters, Joyce, Donna Kloosterman, and Lynette; and five grandchildren.
Albert F. Groen, the third child, was born December 23, 1911, and was married to Swaane Westerhuis ( born October 27, 1912)and on April 15, 1937. They were married in the bride's parent's (the Koob Westerhuises') home south of Platte. They spent most of their married life on a farm southeast of Platte in Darlington Township. Albert was on the board of the A.S.C. farm program until retiring in December of 1982. He helped organize the Platte Rural Water district. Swaane worked many years as a nurse's aid. They have two children; Lorraine Scott in Illinois, and Lee Allen in California.
Jeanette, the fourth child, was born August 1, 1913, and married on January 31, 1935 to Jerry Jongejeugd. He was born May 6, 1904 and died April 9, 1960. They spent 25 years on a farm east of Platte. Since 1960 Jeanette has lived in Platte, working as a store clerk. Children born to them were; premature twin girls who died at birth, and three daughters, Geneva Beltman, Harrison; Carol Bordewyke, Armour; and Shirley Eshuis, Orange City, Iowa. There are seven grandchildren; Trent, Jill and Joy Beltman; Barry and Troy Bordewyke; Darren and Jarret Eshuis.
Hattie, the fifth child, was born March 8, 1915 and was married on December 23, 1937 to Adrian T. Hansum (born April 15, 1914). They were married in the home of Albert and Swaanee a week before Jennie Groen and six of her children (John was already there) moved to Ripon, California. The Hansums farmed east of Platte in Darlington Township. They have a daughter, Norma Spears, in Dorr, Michigan; and a son Bruce Tony , in Sioux Falls; and three granddaughters; Tonja Spears; Christine and Tina Hansum.
Nick Jacob, the sixth child, was born May 8, 1917. He married Mildred Spears; this marriage was later annulled. He lives in Ripon, California and has a real estate business there. He served in the navy in World War II.
Margaret Elizabeth, the seventh child, was born September 27, 1918 and married Alfred Hollander on May 23, 1941 in Ripon, California. He was born August 30, 1917 and died November 18, 1967. They were almond growers. They have a son Charles; two daughters, Elaine Van Vuren and Nancy Vander Veen; and seven grandchildren. Margaret married Dr. Harold DeJong on August 20, 1980.
Henry John Groen,the eighth child was born October 24, 1920 and married Wendela Hekman (born March 25, 1922) at Ripon, California on April 2,1944. They were married during the time Henry was serving in the Army in World War II. They are farming in the Ripon area; they have two sons, William and Ronald; and two daughters, Sandy Vander Kam and Cheryl Brinks.
Reinder Joe, the ninth child, was born September 24, 1922 and married on September 9, 1950 to Jane Maaskant who was born March 5, 1926 in Hanford, California. Rein served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. All their married life they have lived in the San Jose area. Reinder has been employed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 31 years and is now retired. Jane was a dental hygienist. They have three children; Martin, Barbara, and Thomas.
Edna Ida was the tenth child, and was born April 10, 1925. On July 5, 1946 she married Dr. Fred Buddingh (born January 28, 1923) in Ripon, California. They have moved different times as Dr. Fred pursued his studies and his work in veterinary science. Edna is a legal secretary. They now live in Lubbock, Texas, and two sons, Gerrit Jan and David; a daughter, Patricia Fader and four grandchildren. After John move to California in 1936, the ten brothers and sisters were never all together again until August of 1971.
The Fred Groens lived on the Dietz place 19 years, and then moved to a farm 3 miles west of Platte for one year. Then they bought and lived in the North 1/2 section of section 20 in Forbes Township. Fred Groen passed away on August 5, 1931 leaving his wife and 10 children, the youngest of whom was six years old. This was at the start of the "dry thirtys." Mrs. Groen and children Jacob, Nick, Margaret, Henry, Reinder, and Edna had sale and moved to Ripon, California in January of 1938.
The youngest of Johannes Groen family to come to the United States was Reinder, born October 25, 1883 in Wolvega, The Netherlands. He married Jennie Beltman March 31, 1909. She was born in Douglas County on February 15, 1887; she died June 11, 1943 and Reinder died October 9, 1956. They lived on a farm two miles south of Joubert, South Dakota, and later move to New Holland. One daughter was born to them Johanna, born August 4, 1925. She married Arie Paul Van Zee on September 25, 1945. He was born November 3, 1918, and died September 26, 1975. They farmed the same farm Johanna's parents did. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to New Holland. Johanna and Arie had six children; Rodney Gene, Gary Pierce, Alwyn Paul, Cheryl Mae Hoekstra, Joan Kay and Lois Ann.
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