History of Van der ploeg

Excerpts from letters written by Uncle Tom to Mary Bingham.  (Read at reunion, Bear Lake, Aug 4,5,6, 2011)

          Like most of the people we knew who migrated from Holland, our parents and especially our grandparents were so glad to be in America, they seldom ever spoke of their early days in Holland. 

          Grandfather, Thomas vander Ploeg, a farmer, and wife, Naatje List, moved from Den Helder, Holland in 1890 with their son and daughters and migrated to Paterson, New Jersey.  Maternal grandfather, John de Man and wife, Neeltje Kattestaart, and family left Dirksland for Passaic, New Jersey in 1880.  Grandma de Man told of long and unhappy voyage as “steerage” passengers—the crowded quarters, sick and crying children plus the bad stench.  Those in the bottom of the boat were not allowed to go up on deck.  The ship had motor trouble and when conditions were good, sometimes a sail was used.

          Grandfather vander Ploeg (Thomas) and family lived in a 2-story house on a small truck farm of 10 to 20 acres.  In 1920, he left for California with son, Peter, orphaned grandson Bill, son Jacob (my father) and family.

          Grandfather de Man (John) & family lived in the basement in a row of houses in Passaic then moving to Paterson where he worked in the building trade.

          As was the custom in those days, I was named after my paternal grandfather, Nell after our maternal grandmother, Netta after paternal grandmother and John (2^nd son) after maternal grandfather.

          Having no electricity, telephone, automobile, indoor privy or water heater, but we did have gas for cooking and lights but the family kitchen stove was mostly used burning coal.

          Our big event of the year was the annual Sunday school picnic—riding on a summer time street car to a part at the edge of town.  The other looked forward to event was a visit to country Grandpa’s and on occasion riding in their small truck farm in their surrey.

          We didn’t feel poor as most of the neighbors in our Dutch community with children were not any better off.  Like most kids in the neighborhood we did a lot of “barrel picking”—going to the more affluent part of town for better loot.  That is how I got my fist bicycle, first an old frame, wheels but never had tires or a good chain or seat.  Mostly one used leg power.  My allowance was 4 cents/week—2 cents to spend and 2 cents to save.  Ice cream cones were 1 cent, 2 cents for one heaped high using a regular kitchen spoon.   One summer I had a job shagging fruits and veggies from the peddle wagon to the customer’s back door for 25 cents and sometimes would get the left over’s to take home.  Big pay --  big deal!

During the year, I worked delivering milk before school and twice on Saturday for $2.00 a week.  The milk farm was 1-2 miles from our house so I had to get up at 3 a.m. to get there in time by walking.

          Once boys came of age 14, they were expected to have an 8-hour job ready.  I worked as an apprentice at one time where my Dad worked—The National Silk Dyeing and Finishing Co. in East Paterson.  My Dad was a millwright and in charge of all “belting”.  I was very proud of our Dad who could take a loosed belt, flip it up and over the pulley on the shafting 8-10 or more feet high.

          Both mother and father were the first of their families to wed.  Sisters Minnie, Katie and Lena made my mother’s wedding dress.  That was in 1902 at the Holland Baptist Church on Hillman St., Paterson New Jersey where both families were in attendance.  Grandfather Thomas van der Ploeg and family drove in from East Paterson by horse and surrey.

          My mother’s lot was not easy having seven children.  No modern conveniences, no telephone, inside bathroom or electricity.  However, we did have gas for lights and a stove but hot water came from a tank attached to a coal burning stove.  We did have cold water and a sink.  Upstairs lived Dutch people named Broers.

          After Elmer was born, Mother’s health was not good and as time went by it became worse.  She had a goiter and other complications.  Not then, but later I often thought of the dull and painful life she endured until at the end of the nation-wide influenza epidemic, she passed away at the age of 38 in 1919.  She lies in the de Man family plot in Cedar Grove Cemetery along the Passaic River on River Road close to East Paterson.”

          In 1920, after the death of my Mother, Jacob, my Father, left New Jersey along with his 7 children, his parents, his brother Pete and a nephew, William van der Ploeg, and traveled by train to Pasadena, California arriving July 4, 1920.  All twelve of us lived in a small house for a year until larger quarters could be obtained.  There Jacob lived out his life.  His health was not good and he felt California would be a healthier place and offer more opportunities for his children.  He converted to Jehovah’s Witness faith before moving to California and did much missionary work.  His three oldest children, Tom, Nell and Netta had to quit school to help support and family and to care for the younger children. 

          There was love in our home, but like the custom of the day, people we knew never said the words, “I love you.”

          John Van Dell.  How do we ever say thanks to John, or show by actions our appreciation.  Perhaps no one will ever know how John in various ways helped and did for so many people.