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The following
article is excerpted from a publication titled History of Whatcom County. |
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1926 John Slotemaker |
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Notwithstanding the fact that that Kingdom of
Holland is one of the smaller countries of the world, it has sent
a large number of settlers to the United States from the earliest
years of settlement on this continent, and this country has welcomed these
people, for in every state of the Union they have taken an active and
effective part in advancing the general interests in practically every
line of effort. Among the Hollanders who have become permanent residents
of Whatcom county and have here risen to honorable places in their
respective communities, none takes precedence of John
Slotemaker, whose
fine farm is located near Everson. He was born in Holland on the 6th of
August, 1870, and is a son of Cornelius
and Agnes (Keppel) Slotemaker, that latter of whom died in 1914, at
the age of seventy-five years. Both parents were natives of Holland,
whence they came to the United States in 1881, locating in Iowa,
where they engaged in farming. They remained there until December, 1900,
when they came to Whatcom county, stopping a few days in Bellingham and
then coming on to Lynden. The father first bought twenty acres of land
near the river south of Lynden and later bought a home in the town, where
he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1919, at the age of
eighty years.
John Slotemaker and his wife first established their home on the twenty-acre place with his father had bought and there they lived for ten years, in the course of which time our subject worked steadily on the clearing of the land, which he nearly completed. About 1910 he came to his present farm, which at first comprised one hundred acres, but to which he later added forty acres, the remainder being in pasture, while of the second tract ten acres are cleared. Conditions in this locality when they came here were primitive, the only highways being trails, which were practically impassable in bad weather. Mr. Slotemaker has devoted his attention mainly to dairy farming, for which purpose he keeps twenty-five good grade Holstein cattle. His well cultivated fields produce excellent crops of hay, train and roughage. for his stock, and he also has a good silo, for winter feed. He is an energetic farmer, thoroughly understands his work and does carefully and well whatever he undertakes. In 1900, just before coming to Whatcom country, Mr. Slotemaker was married to Miss Tillie Kramer, who was born in Holland, a daughter of Henry and Jessie (Boersma) Kramer who brought their family to the United States in May, 1889, locating in Iowa where the father followed farming pursuits. To Mr. and Mrs. Slotemaker have been born eight children, namely: Cornelius and Henry: Agnes, who is the wife of Joseph Estie, of Seattle: Richard, Otto, and Jessie: one who died at the age of four years, and one who died at birth. The older boys remain on the home place but work out in the community much of the time. Mr. and Mrs. Slotemaker are active member of the First Christian Reformed church and were among its earliest members. Mr. Slotemaker relates many interesting reminisces of the early days in this locality, showing the contrast between conditions then and now. In 1901 he and his wife drove to Bellingham in a buggy, and when within about five miles of their destination a big black bear walked across the road just ahead of them. Wild animals were numerous in this part of the country for several years after settlers began coming in.....but they soon became scarce as the country became more thickly settled. Mr. Slotemaker has always done his full share toward the improvement of the community and has cooperated with his fellow citizens in all efforts for the betterment of the public welfare. Because of his success, his business ability, his fine public spirit and his genial and affable manner, he has gained an enviable place in the esteem and good will of all who know him.
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