751. Jacob Hendrik BINNEMA Pastor
Jacob is the person who so graciously supplied me with the final people allowing me to link my mother's family with my father's family. He also recently sent me an incredible treasure trove of work done by my first cousin twice removed, (now deceased) Bartus Willem Kapteyn. I have been able to increase the family database to almost 2,200 names. (written by Bryan William Kapteyn)
Rev. Jacob Binnema, who was Christ’s faithful representative on three continents, passed away May 28, following some years of struggle with cancer. He was 86.
Binnema was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Munnekezijl, in the Dutch province of Friesland, but grew up in the town of Landsmeer, in the province of Noord Holland. He graduated from the Christian Gymnasium in Amsterdam in 1940 and pursued his theological education at the Free University of Amsterdam, from which he graduated in 1947. That was also the year he married Hilda Scholtens.
The young couple’s first congregation was the Gereformeerde Kerk of Siegerswoude, 1947. During the late 1940s the Netherlands was militarily involved in the former Dutch colonies of Indonesia, and Binnema felt compelled to offer his services as a chaplain. After two years he returned to Holland, where he accepted a call to the Gereformeerde Kerk of Oude Pekela, in the province of Groningen. Five years later the Binnemas agreed to serve the Gereformeerde Kerk of Lemmer, Friesland.
During the early 1950s, emigration from the Netherlands to Canada (and other places) was in full swing, and the Binnemas felt called to minister to the new church communities there. They served the following churches in Canada: First CRC, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta (1960); Maranatha CRC, Cambridge, Ontario (1965); Emmanuel CRC of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia (1969); Cochrane (Ont.) CRC (1973); Telkwa (B.C.) CRC (1978); and Nobleford (Alta.) CRC (1983). The Binnemas retired in 1987.
Rev. Binnema was a thoughtful, gentle pastor who loved and understood the people he served. But he was equally concerned about bringing the gospel into the neighborhoods around the churches. An unassuming man, he was a biblical scholar in his own right. He also was an accomplished linguist, fully familiar with some eight languages. He was deeply interested in the coming of God’s kingdom in the sciences as well as in society. His family remembers him as a sweet, caring father with a broad range of hobbies and interests.
Binnema is survived by his wife, Hilda; by their children, Aukje Willemina Kapteyn, Jake and Magda Binnema, Harmanna Binnema, Hank Binnema and Mary Swytink, Garry Binnema, Calvin and Wilma Binnema, Ted and Helen Binnema, and Tim and Christine Binnema; and by 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Author
Louis M. Tamminga
Important Dates in the Life of
Johannes Kapteyn and Annie v.d. Kraan
1940
Our engagement was on Christmas Day
1940 - 1945
World War II. Jan was working in the N. O. Polder for some years
1946
Our wedding was on October 10. Our address: Hogedijk 9, Aarlanderveen.
1947
Maria (Mary) was born at home on November 25 at 11:45 p.m.
1948
Making plans to emigrate
1949
Emigration to Canada via Germany, Denmark, Sweden on the boat, "The Gripsholm" out of Goteborg, Sweden. We left Holland on March 31 and arrived in Elmvale on April 12. Our boss's name was Howard Ritchie. After two months we had some privacy in the two rooms they allowed us in their house. The rest of the furniture was stored on the barn floor in the moving crate. Wages were $75 a month plus milk and some eggs.
1950
Cornelis (Cor) was born in Midland Hospital on March 5 at 3:30 p.m. On March 17 we moved to Don Cameron in Barrie (Vespra Township). Wages were $80 a month, plus house, hydro, milk, wood for the woodstove and a big garden!!! In September we had a visit from Oom Bram v.d. Kraan (California). He came from Holland and was on his way to California.
1951
A visit from Oom Jan v.d. Kraan (California); he was on his way to Holland.
1952
Petronella (Nellie) was born at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie on May 4 at 8:30 p.m.
1953
Nel arrived in Canada; she lived and worked in Toronto. A visit from Oom Piet en Tante Marie Kapteyn out of Zwammerdam, Holland. In Holland, it was the 40th wedding anniversary of my parents (C. v.d. Kraan and Petronella Splinter) on April 24. There was also sorrow in the family when Trini de Boer passed away in her 5th year.
1954
In June we moved to Nestleton. John was working for Mr. Bowles. Wages were $125 a month, plus free house, etc. On July 23 Paul John (Paul) was born in Port Perry's hospital at 5 a.m.
1955
At the end of April we moved to Chippewa and rented a 50 acre farm. John was a truck driver for Mr. Teunissen, our landlord, who had a killing plant for chickens. The chickens had to be picked up during the night. During the summer John was in the hospital of 10 days (pneumonia). It was a hot, dry summer: crop failure, some pigs and sheep got sick and died. In the fall, John was laid off. Not a good year!!
1956
On May 4 we moved again. This time to Barrie were we rented a 50 acre farm from Mr. Bouius on Highway 11 (close to Wonder Valley).
1957
We were happy to be back in Barrie. We had one cow and kept sows in the barn, selling the little piglets. John had a job in town driving for Hoar's Transports. We had lots of fun in the winter time with the toboggan run down the hill. In Holland, my brother Piet v.d. Kraan passed away at the age of 43.
1958
A visit from my parents from May - September. In July Father went to California to see his three brothers.
1959
Riet arrived in Canada. She had a job as nurse in Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto. In October we moved to the farm in Flos Township, address R.R. #2 Phelpston. The barn was old and the house needed some paint but it was nice to know that we were the owner of this farm.
1960
Betty-Ann was born at Royal Victoria Hospital on May 29 at around 3 p.m. That year we took 40 cows in to pasture from other farmers but we were not satisfied with it.
1961
In the spring we bought some calves and heifers to put in the pasture. In August a visit from Oom Piet, Holland and in September a visit from Oom Jan and Tante Cassie, Ripon, California. They went to Holland for a trip and on the way home visited us. It was thrashing-time here and we were using some very old machinery. We were way behind in Canada!
1962
During the winter of 1961-62 there was lots of snow! John was still working in Barrie, so a shovel came in handy. In July, Tante Nel married Uncle Jerry in Toronto.
1963
Peter William (Pete) was born at Royal Victoria Hospital on April 18 at 1:30 a.m. He was very ill, but we could take him home after 2 weeks. Also a very busy summer with the demolition of the old barn and rebuilding of the new. In Holland my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
1964
Building of the first silo. John was home to help with that job, but it was too high for him! In Holland, Vader Kapteyn passed away at 80 years of age.
1965
During the winter of 1964-65 a skating rink was in front of the house. Lots of fun!! Betty-Ann learned to skate. In August I went to Holland all by myself (first time).
1966
John, Mary and Cor painting the house for the first time. The winter of 1966-67 was snow, snow and more snow.
1967
The summer of 1967 was rain, rain, and more rain. On July 10 a cloudburst flooded the garden and the driveway was washed out. On July 18 it happened again. We also bought a new tractor, the David Brown, and a new hay baler. In the previous years the men had worked with old, old machinery. Betty-Ann was sick and tired of her pigtails so she cut her hair short. Mary and Rien celebrated their engagement on December 25.
1968
In April I went to Holland for the second time. There we celebrated Vader and Moeder's 55th wedding anniversary. In May Pete invented his own "seed drill", and he drove that heavy thing up and down the back lane, causing him to have a sore hip. He needed bed rest for 6 weeks. Luckily I brought some "Flipje" books back from Holland. During the summer the milk house was built. On October 12 Mary and Rien were married.
1969
During the spring John bought the milk contract. For a few years Cor was working at home and John went back to Hoar Transport but this year they made a change: Cor worked in town (Simcoe Block) and John was a full time farmer. First visit from Tante Ge Splinter.
1970
In May we had a visit from Mrs. Eikelenboom from Aarlanderveen. In August we had a visit from Wim, Marie and Pietertje (Holland). During the summer Paul and Nellie painted the house a second time. The second silo was built. On December 2 Michelle Joanne Schoenmaker was born. In Holland, Jantje de Boer passed away at the age of 13.
1971
A second visit from Tante Ge Splinter in June. In September Paul and Noll came over from Holland. We celebrated our 25th anniversary a little early with a Family Day on September 25. On October 15 Nellie and Ed were married.
1972
During the summer Rien's Mom came over for a day at our place. On October 16 Dennis Eric Schoenmaker was born. In Holland Pieter de Boer (Gijsje's husband) passed away on April 3 at the age of 65. And on May 3 my mother passed away at the age of 85.
1973
On March 10 Cor and Ricki were married. During the summer I went to Holland for the third time. My Vader was moving to "Aar en Amstel", Nieuwkoop.
1974
In April we had a visit from Henk and Rie Oudshoorn, Holland. In May a visit from Mrs. Eikelenboom, Truus and Vries, Zuidam, Holland. A third visit from Tante Ge Splinter in June. During the summer Cor and Ricki went to Holland. On November 26 John Darren Kapteyn was born. From December 13 to January 10, 1975 we had our first visit from my sister, Gijsje.
1975
On May 31 Paul and Kathy were married. During the summer a visit from Piet and Truus Kapteyn, Holland. On September 23 my Vader celebrated his 90th birthday.
1976
Christine Marie Eisses was born on January 26. During the summer Betty-Ann and Pete (with the help from Cor) painted the house the third time. Betty-Ann and I went to Holland (my fourth visit). In October a second visit from Gijsje. A family day was celebrated on October 2 for our 30th wedding anniversary. On October 18 Corinna Lynn Kapteyn was born and on November 16 Jennifer Denise Schoenmaker was born.
1977
A visit from Jo, Corrie, Ton and Pieter (Amsterdam, Holland). In August Paul and Jans Kapteyn, Holland, came for a visit with Jaap and Hetty. In September Paul and Noll came for a second visit.
1978
On March 11 Michael Andrew Eisses was born. Had a third visit from Gijsje. We went with the Polar Bear Express from Cochrane to Moosenee.
1979
Betty-Ann went to Holland. Her cousin Pieter was ill with leukemia. On June 27 David Bradley Kapteyn was born.
1980
A visit from Annie and Anneke Schering, Holland. John and Betty-Ann paint the house for the fourth time. We also had a visit from Dirk and Gre Kapteyn and Paul, Hans and Marleen Kapteyn, Holland. They came over for the wedding of Herman and Jane Kapteyn. In Holland, my father passed away at the age of 94 and on November 1 Pieter v.d. Kraan passed away at the age of 20.
1981
On July 17 Darren Edward Eisses was born. Had a second visit from Wim, Marie and Pieter Kapteyn. Fourth visit from Gijsje. We also had our 35th wedding anniversary. On August 29 Aleasha Mariann Kapteyn was born in Calgary, baptized Oct 11 at the First C.R.C. in Barrie. Jerry de Jong, brother-in-law, passed away in Toronto.
1982
Betty-Ann graduated from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI. During the summer Betty-Ann and I went to Calgary to visit Paul, Kathy and Aleasha. In August we had a second visit from Ton v.d. Kraan, also a visit from Cor and Ann Kapteyn, Holland. In September a visit from brother Cock and his wife Bep, Holland. A busy summer.
1983
On February 6 Lorra Rosemarie Kapteyn was born in Calgary. In July John and I went with Simon and Yet Kloosterman "out West" to visit Paul, Kathy, Aleasha and Lorra. In August we had a visit from Nel Verduin-Kapteyn, nd her sister Rie Oudshoorn-Kapteyn, Holland. John's brother, Paul, passed away in September at age 68. Later on a visit from Cor and Loes Verburg, Holland. During the summer the new pole barn was built.
1984
Betty-Ann and Michael were married on July 7. A visit from Jan and Annie Schering, Holland. Also a visit from Johan and Gijsbert Bos, Holland and in August a visit from Wim and Jannie Kapteyn and their two children also from Holland. In October John and I make our first trip to Betty-Ann and Michael in Grand Rapids, MI.
1985
Again visitors from Holland: Arie and Rika de Boer, Jaap and Bep Stolk. Also an afternoon visit from Nel and Bart, Wawa and her sister Ma and husband Jaap from Holland. In the spring of 1985 John and I took a trip to Holland, first time together.
1986
Again a visit from Gijsje, 5th time she crossed the ocean. In October we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We also went with Gijsje to Grand Rapids.
1987
A visit from Maartje and Rie Oudshoorn. Start building the new house.
1988
Peter and Michele were married on June 25. We moved to the new house on Highway 27 and Pete and Michele bought the farm. In August visitors from Holland: Anton and Nel Visser-Kapteyn and their two boys Martyn and Jeroen. Again a visit from Gijsje (#6) and this time she came with Teuna Eikelenboom, my old schoolfriend. We also went to Grand Rapids.
1989
A visit from Truus Heyns. First she went to Florida and Riet brought her here. We had snow on May 7. In June we had a day visit from Cor and Jannie deVries, Clinton, and Nel and Jaap de Vink, Holland. In August - September, John and I went for a second trip to Holland. Wat ben je toch mooi!!
1990
On April 11 Nathaniel Jacob Kapteyn was born and on May 1 Anna-Marie Lynn Boss was born (Grand Rapids, MI) So another trip to Betty-Ann and Michael. A visit from Bets and Wilt Bos, Holland and in August a visit from Rie Oudshoorn and her son Jan, Haarlem, Holland. Jasperine Kapteyn, Hamilton, also stayed for a few days. Believe it or not but Gijsje came again (7th time). We had again a nice visit with Betty-Ann and Michael and Anna-Marie.
1991
We went again for a trip to Holland. On October 12 we had our 45th wedding anniversary. On November 2 my brother Jo passed away at the age of 72.
1992
On May 18 Truus Heyns passed away in Holland, age 58. On June 16 Nicole Beth Kapteyn was born. In August we had a vist from Cock and Bep and in September a visit from Maartje Oudshoorn and Rie Oudshoorn-Kapteyn. On November 3 Deena Lynn Boss is born in Grand Rapids, MI.
1993
In May we went to Grand Rapids to visit Betty-Ann, Michael, Anna-Marie and Deena. Tante Riet was with us and we went home via Sault Ste. Marie (Bart and Nel). In June we had a visit from Cor and Emmy from Holland. July 5 was John's 75th birthday and Gijsje came over for the occasion (visit #8). In October we celebrated the 25th wedding anniversary of Mary and Rien. That time they moved to M & M Farms in Gilford.
1994
In August John went to Holland for a visit and Gijsje came back with him. That was trip #9. Because of my illness I was not able to go so it was nice of Gijsje to come here.
1995
In March Mary and I went to Florida for 10 days, visiting Tante Riet and in May John and I went to Betty-Ann and Michael again. I was feeling a little better, but during the summer I became very ill. Tante Gijsje made a surprise visit for 5 days, with Klaas and Cess in August. Later on I was feeling better.
1996
On January 2 Kelsey Marie Kapteyn was born.
At this point Mom stopped writing and she passed away on March 26, 1996.