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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-5-8, Page 44Paola 13 Courage :helped the family overcome hardships... MItIYiLm' 17 Life in Holland offered no future for the family. Simply put by John, "There wasn't enough room in Holland" to ex- pand or offer land far farming futures for his children. The Van Ninhuys joined the great Dutch exodus to Canada. In May of 1949 the family boarded ship with more than 600 other people. Nine days later they would land in Quebec. The sea voyage sickened Nellie for seven of the nine days. The children were restless, John wondered if they would ever see land. Old army boats were turned into massive immigration vessels. Accom- modations were crude and Nellie and the four children slept in one bunk. On June 2, 1949 John and Nellie Van Ninhuys and their four children, ranging in age from five to 11, landed in Canada. John arrived with $400 in his pockets and $50 for each of his children. A farmer in Benmiller sponsored the Van Ninhuys family and John worked there before moving to the Clinton area. In 1957 the family finally settled on their own farm, on the eighth concession of Goderich Township. Today their son Martin and his family live on the home farm. Martin continues to work with the purebred Holstein herd that his father built up. .Iohn and Nellie an ,. - 1919 John and Nellie retired to a home across the road nine years ago. "I said that when I quit farming, I'd sleep for half a year," John laughs. Yet to this day, John and Nellie are up at five in the morning and John's off to do the chores. The day starts early for the Van Ninhuys and it ends early, by 9 p.m at the latest for John. John attributes his good health and good marriage to getting up early and go- ing to bed early. Who's the boss? John and Nellie share a laugh and joke when asked this, but they agree that their marriage is based on togetherness - working together and making decisions together. John and Nellie keep busy around the home, in the gardens and with the chores. They are active members of St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Clin- ton. In fact, they were the first Dutch family to join the church, back in 1952. They enjoy the company of three children, Martin, Anne of Londesboro and Gerard of Wainfleet and eight grand- children. A fourth son died in 1955, another was stillborn. John and Nellie Van Ninhuys have ex- perienced hardships and heartaches that many of us may never know. There are memories that will never be erased and scars that will never fade. They belong to a generation of people that have shown great strength, deter- mination and faith throughout their lives. Those qualities helped them overcome the crises and struggles, and those same qualities allow John and Nellie to laugh and enjoy life today. SNELL ENTERPRISES SINCE 18341 THE OLD MILL FACTORY OUTLET SINCE 1960 (,udrr,, h' N"4 Clinton to IAIn(1Un KI\lh Old Mill N Si ratlurd KLOMPEN FEEST WEEKEND HOURS FRI. & SAT. 9am-9pm SUNDAY 1 pm -6 pm WE'D LIKE TOMEET YOU:. NOT ONLY A FACTORY OUTLET - BUT A SHOWCASE OF FASHION LEATHER, SHEEPSKIN WOOL & FUR You've Come So Far...You wouldn't want to miss it! The Id `1RliU IN THE COUNTRY SOUTH OF BLYTH ON NO. 4 MAIL INC. ADDRESS, THE 0(1)MII E. P.O. 80% 9"1, 81) TH. 0N1• NOM 1H0 (119)321-4i9i/