A New Hope Awaits J
An Immigrant Family’s Journey to America The Milo and Pearl Stapert Story
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By Charles Micheals
Cover Photo: 1906 – Milo and Pearl Stapert with son Jacob (Photo courtesy of the Charles Micheals Collection) 1908 – The T. S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam I of the Holland-American Line1
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https://greatships.net/scans/PC-NI04.jpg
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A New Hope Awaits An Immigrant Family’s Journey to America The Milo and Pearl Stapert Story
Milo and Pearl Stapert’s wedding photo (Photo courtesy of the Charles Micheals Collection)
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© 2018 Charles J. Micheals
Published by the Micheals Family Historical Society
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: Pending First Printing 2018 (Not for Sale)
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 3|Page
Dedication To the pastors, elders and other churchmen who taught our family the Scriptures.
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A New Hope Awaits An Immigrant Family’s Journey to America The Milo and Pearl Stapert Story III John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” This is the diary of the Stapert family’s trip to America It was written in Frisian by Meile (Milo) Jacobs Stapert likely in April 1908 It was translated into English by Tjerk M. Wybenga in June 1908
--- Page 1 --Our trip from the Netherlands, Friesland, St. Anna Parochie, O’ Bdyk, to the United States of America, Michigan, Kalamazoo on 11 April 1908 on the ship New Amsterdam.
11 April 1908! This day will never be forgotten in our memories. I had long the idea to change our residence and not this alone, but to leave the Netherlands, the place of our birth and rearing, and go to the United States. This desire was realized when finally my brother Edward in Kalamazoo, Michigan advised us that we had better make the trip. The preparations were made and we had a farewell to our family and friends. And so on the 11th of April we left on the steamship the New Amsterdam from Rotterdam.
We arrived at Rotterdam several days early. Here we had to be inspected or examined and receive our ship papers or passports. We appeared before the Doctor with uncovered heads. One examined the head, the other our eyes. The eyes were given close inspection. 6|Page
The home of the Stapert family - St. Anna Parochie, Friesland, Netherlands2
There was an old man who was turned down. You can imagine what this meant. Obviously he was expected by his children on the other shore. It could be detected that this man was a farmer. If he has chosen to travel 2nd class he would have made the trip. Second class passengers are not required to pass examination. Anyone who wishes to immigrate to America and has some physical deficiency does well to choose to travel 2nd class.
We stayed this night in a hotel operated by the American Steamship Corp. This hotel is available to anyone. At 8:30 the next morning we boarded ship. This is a tedious process. Anyone who takes such a trip must not be too much in a hurry.
When we left our birthplace a man said to us, “Listen friend, I’ll give you some good advice for the trip.” I said to him, that I would appreciate good advice for taking such a long trip.
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http://www.slagerijbijlsma.nl/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/sta257foto-uideinde.jpg
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1906 - Stapert Family - Top Row (L- R) Jacob Stapert, Milo Stapert, Charles & Anna Stapert, Albert Fewerda, Front Row (L-R) Pleuntje (Pearl) Stapert, Jacob & Wytske Stapert (Parents of Milo, Charles and Tryntje Stapert), Tryntje (Stapert) Ferwerda
The book and the top of the first page of the diary handwritten by Milo Stapert about their trip to America (Photos courtesy of the Charles Micheals Collection)
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--- Page 2 --He said, “Be lazy.” Now this was to our way of thinking strange advice. And should we give others this same advice to be lazy? But, this man’s purpose was genuine. Don’t go at such things hastily and don’t overdrive yourself and fret about such circumstances is what he meant. If we accept it this way, we consider it excellent advice.
After boarding, we shipped off in about 1 hour. What a number of people on the docks to bid us a last farewell. The tugboat Vlaardingen shoved the New Amsterdam away from the dock. The music played the National Anthem, Wiens Neerlands Bloed3.
Wiens Neerlands Bloed 1. Whoever has Dutch blood flowing in their veins, Free of foreign blemishes; Whose heart glows for king and country, Rejoice in song as we do! He sings with us, united in purpose, At the top of his voice This festive song, pleasing to God, For fatherland and king (2x)
2. The divinity on her heavenly throne Serenaded and honoured Favourably disposed to our sound Keeps the holy ear turned: She sings first-rate, in conjunction with the heavenly choir Operating on a higher plain This full and hearty song For King and fatherland (2x)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ed_41T-07U
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3. Pour out therefore, brethren, one in spirit, the far high heard cry; He to God has a virtue less, Who forgets sovereign and country; He burns not for man and brother In his unmoved chest, Who remains cool to prayer and song For Fatherland and prince.
4. Our heart beats, swells our blood, When this hymn is raised: No other sound fills our minds, Our beating heart with such beauty: Here melts the firstmost and dearest worth Of common wealth and weal Into a single feeling by common song For prince and Fatherland.
5. Protect, O God! guard the ground, Upon we breath; The place where our cradle stood, Where yet our grave will stand. We beg your father's hand, Stirred deep in chest, Conservation for the dear fatherland, For Fatherland and prince.
6. Protect him, God! guard his throne; Built on perpetual right; May his crown ever dazzle our eye Even more by virtue than gold!
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Support the sceptre, which he bears, Guide it in his hand; Inspire, O God! Preserve the prince, The prince and Fatherland.
7. Away! Away! Who forges plans for one of them alone: We feel, in weal and woe, that country and king are one. O God! Do not hear upon the call of him who dares to separate them, But listen to our common song For Fatherland and prince.
8. May loudly, from our festive roar This supplication enter your heaven Preserve the monarch, preserve his House And us, his family Grant our wish by this very song Preserve, oh Lord, for ever the King And the dear fatherland (2x)
The cables were loosed and one could notice the movement of the colossus. The Captain was standing on the bridge looked about through his binoculars. All passengers were on deck. It was beautiful weather.
Slowly we moved on. We did see the disabled steamship Berlin because just when we passed the Hoek van Holland we were eating. The menu in 3rd class is good. Those who are accustomed to a common laborers diet say themselves that the 3rd class menu is best: meat, butter, vegetables as much as you desire.
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Rotterdam, Netherlands, Boulogne, France and the coast of England Map4
The sleeping places could be better (when it is cold there are not enough blankets). The space is also too crowded. These are bunks which at 7 x 7 ft. where 4 persons (2 above each other must locate and above which their baggage must be stored. We couldn’t complain because I and my wife and son (Jacob) had the room of 4 persons for the 3 of us.
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http://www.tourvideos.com/Images/maps-big/France/france.jpg
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Third class holds 2,300 and on this trip there are only 180 [I think he likely meant 1,800]. This gave us extra space.
It was nice weather the entire way. At 8 in the evening passed by Boulogne, France. This is a nice sight in good weather. On the right the coast of England and on the left hand France with its thousands of lights around the sea town of Boulogne.
The boat stopped momentarily and waited for a smaller boat. The music played the French Marseillaise5. We must take on passengers. The little steamship came closer and lay still alongside the giant which would point itself to the ocean.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBjS1oFLKOg
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--- Page 3 --Copy of the diary. This 3rd page uses letterhead likely collected when passing through New York in 1908.
This diary is likely the handwriting of Tjerk M. Wybenga who translated it in June 1908 likely from the Dutch diary written by Milo Stapert. This diary was “approved” by the brothers of Milo: Edward and Charles Stapert on June 2, 1908.
It appears that there is but 1 3rd class passenger, a French woman. The whistle blew, the small French boat left and the giant ship began to move. At 9 o’clock we went to bed.
It’s out of the question that we could sleep. The first night far from family and friends and unaccustomed movements of the ship, this all contributes to the problem of falling to sleep soon.
When you awoke, where am I now? One must first become accustomed to the noise and vibrations of the machinery. Children are exempted from this both. Our little boy slept well during the whole trip.
We awoke in the morning at 3:30. The following day, April 12, was clear and sunny. On our right hand and left hand we saw sail and steamships. Most of these travelled along the English and French coasts. At 12 16 | P a g e
noon, figuring from the Hoek van Holland we travelled 361 English miles. The English coast could still be seen because of the clear weather.
On this day we were inoculated. This was an American law that all 3rd class passengers must be inoculated There was great reluctance among the 3rd class passengers, but to quibble about it did little good. 3rd class passengers must be inoculated. Without it you aren’t allowed to enter.
My wife is a little seasick today. This was April 13. Soon there were many sick. You do so quietly come to the great ocean, the Atlantic Ocean.
At 12 o’clock we had added another 388 miles, 28 miles more than the previous day. There was a comparatively strong breeze. This accounted for the number who got seasick today. There just isn’t any thing you can do about it. The best thing is to stay on deck in the fresh air and not down below where it is dark and stuffy.
The Dutch usually were on deck, but the Russians and the German Polish, this is different. These you usually find, under these conditions, down below. This type of people, according to our judgement makes the 3rd class worse. There are with exceptions, generally dirty and unkempt.
Every day the bunks and the rooms were cleaned. At such times you had to be on the deck if the weather at all permitted.
On April 14 it was nice weather. Early in the evening we saw on our right hand side, this to the north of us, way in the distance a freighter whose course was easterly. Toward noon it all of a sudden became misty. At 12 noon we added another 374 miles.
A mist on land can be bad, but a mist at sea is worse. It was suddenly a thick mist so you couldn’t see ten meters ahead. The misthorn was heard at intervals of 2 minutes. This was of course for the purpose to minimize collision.
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--- Page 4 --Just imagine such a collision, which you read about in the papers occasionally. Such a large ship traveling at the speed of 16 miles per hour. Fortunately the sky closed in the afternoon.
Every day we have music aboard and usually in the afternoon. This has a marked effect on the people. You also begin to find friends. The first and second day this doesn’t happen because there is much to see and hear. But when you are well along on the ocean and you don’t see anything but water on every side and the sky above, this changes. The Dutch stick by the Dutch, the Germans by the Germans, etc., etc.. One longs to make friends. This is as it was with us too.
Recruits for the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army marching though Rotterdam6
Our first contact was with a man by the name of Kochoorn and his son from Grand Rapids. They were returning from a pleasure trip to old Holland. The father was 70 years about and the son 45 years old. With these two we had considerable pleasure during the entire trip. Also, another couple whose name has escaped me was with us in the 3rd class. This couple came with their year old child all the way from East Indies and so had already a 30- day sea trip back of them. The man’s parents were already in America.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_East_Indies_Army#/media/File:Isaac_Israels__Transport_of_colonial_soldiers_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg
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He had served in India with the Marechaussee Corp7 and was now traveling to the west to train for missionary [work]. With these people we in a close company on our trip to Amerika.
April 15 was also a very misty day. The mile measure was 376 miles for this day and night. On this day we saw on our left, this would be south, in the very distance a sailing vessel whose course was to the east.
1908 - Sailing ship, the Stork, on the Atlantic Ocean8
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The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is one of the four Services of the armed forces of the Netherlands. It is gendarmerie force performing military police and civil police duties. 8
https://hallnjean.wordpress.com/sailors-worlds/introductory-remarks-on-observing-%E2%80%98this-part-of-theworld%E2%80%99-past-perceptions-and-present-viewpoints/crossing-the-north-atlantic/
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At noon we saw a kudde [school of] bruinvipchen [porpoise] about a stone’s throw from the ship. Otherwise, nothing unusual. On this day our little Ruben [i.e. son Jacob] enjoyed playing on the deck with other children and threw his cap over the railing into the ocean, which we couldn’t retrieve.
On the 15th to the 16th the wind blew very hard. Even though a ship is so large, yet we can be tossed about considerably. Most passengers became seasick and for this reason, my wife too stayed in her bunk the whole day. Today 350 miles. We saw on the north side of our boat a large freighter traveling in the same course as we to the west. Otherwise, nothing unusual. Always water on the right and left.
You begin to hope for land, but no land anywhere to be seen. The next day, April 17, was a bad day. North wind and a lot of rain. We had to hold on when we were on deck to keep from toppling over. Everywhere they had ropes installed, along the stairs below and to the bunks and along both stairs, which led to the dining room. What terrific jolts or rather swells. The sea appears like [a] terrain of hills. Now you see the prow of the ship high plowing into the waves soon to be dunked. Almost all the passengers were seasick. Especially the women personnel. The food remained untouched on the tables. Well still, travelled some 356 miles on this day. A beautiful invention, this Milemeter, and yet very simple.
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--- Page 5 --On the rear of the ship is a sort of clock as large as a Dutch alarm clock. On this clock or rather Milemeter, is fastened a long towrope of approximately 200 meters length on which at the end a copper piece with fins like a fish. When the ship goes forward, the copper piece turns and so the rope turns and inside the clock turns a rod. This rod in turn turns another rod which is attached to the end of the meter. The faster the ship goes forward the faster the rope turns on which is fastened the copper piece. You can tell this way exactly how many miles you’ve travelled. At 12 o’clock the miles are recorded for the entire day. Everyday this is recorded in the dining area for the passengers so that anyone taking the trouble to read this can know how many miles were traveled that day.
On this day we received word from New York about a fire in Boston. This is sent by wireless telegraph. You are about 2 or 3 days from shore so about in the middle of the ocean and there you receive word all the way from New York.
The storm subsided in the afternoon and the sky cleared completely. The day following, April 18, it was nice weather. We discovered in the north on the horizon, smoke. This was believed also to be a passenger boat though we couldn’t determine this through a telescope, which one of the passengers had brought along. We travelled only 342 miles this day.
And yet the sea was not overturning. This must be explained by the strong current which was against us all day. The next day, April 18, it was nice fresh weather, yet a bit cold so that it froze. It was Sunday (Easter). On board we could not tell it was Sunday. Also, there was no worship service aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, at least not this trip.
My friend, which I spoke about at the beginning, the one from India, asked me if we as Hollanders together wouldn’t have a service. I said to him (my judgement) that we could, but we would have to ask permission first. This was then permitted. We could use the dining room for this purpose. There were around 40 persons who took part in it. So, this day ended. We travelled 370 miles this day.
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1908 - T.S.S. New Amsterdam I 3rd Class Dining Room where the Easter worship service took place 9
The other day, April 20, we looked eagerly for land. After 9 days of seeing almost nothing but water and sky one begins to look for land. We were up early in the morning because this was to be the day of arrival. There was little sleeping that last night.
We dropped ourselves over the railing and peered longingly toward the horizon if soon land might be in sight. Finally, yes, the shout is made. Land!
Every eye directed itself to the place pointed out. Is that really land? A dark black spot on the horizon, not more.
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https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/na-1906-3rd-class-web.jpg
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--- Page 6 --We steam further and further and then truly this is finally land. The land, our place of destination. Now it is all commotion. Everyone is looking over the rail. Women hold their children high because these must see the land also. We are coming closer. Everything is beginning to look plainer. Here too we see more shipping. Sail and steamships right and left. In the distance comes the tugboat. This officer must bring us to harbor.
He is brought aboard in a boat by two sailors. We are learning ahead is now clear. A beautiful sight over the water. How too bad that we as 3rd class passengers could not see much of this. We were all locked up in the dining hall where we couldn’t see much. They say this is also an American law that before docking all 3rd class passengers must remain below. Finally we could feel that the boat had stopped.
1908 – New York Harbor from the Battery
We are undoubtedly not yet at the place we should be. The Doctor was put aboard. For this we had to pass by with bare heads. When this is finished and the Doctor has left, the ship again began to move. Slowly we proceed. Every one now is on deck. It was twilight, about 8 P.M.
What a sea of lights to the right and left. Giant buildings, electrically lighted, beautiful Salons (stores), costly lighted, were all ahead and behind. Finally, the New Amsterdam lay still. There we must be. 3 motorboats push the big ship to its berth [in Hoboken, New Jersey]. We are at land. 24 | P a g e
1908 - New York City skyline10
1908 - Rotterdam skyline11 1010
http://www.shorpy.com/node/9457?size=_original https://www.hippostcard.com/listing/netherlands-rotterdam-oudehoofdplein-oude-hoofdplein-en-haringvliet-ships1908/15047029 11
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The 1st and 2nd class passengers may disembark immediately. But we 3rd class passengers must remain on board until morning. This night something happened which was of some interest to tell. It was around 10 o’clock, we were not yet to bed because a person is not sleepy on such nights. One finds on such steamships fire alarms. By every exit is a glass case with a fire alarm inside. When someone discovers fire, he breaks the glass and presses a button inside the alarm. This alarm is connected to the cabin of the captain, the 1st and 2nd pilot, yes all the officers.
Now there was one of the passengers who had loosened the screws on the glass case and pressed the button of the alarm. Everything in turmoil. The captain, the pilots, the officers, the sailors, all on deck because there was a fire according to their thinking. This appeared not to be true. It was sort of a joke. The night advance without incident. We had gone 373 miles the last day (20th April).
The following morning, April 21, we awoke very early. It was beautiful weather. We packed our belongings and left the boat around 9 o’clock. First our baggage and luggage had to be inspected. This is quite a chore. Everything must be opened. Every [one] who travels to America is advised to securely seal all their baggage. We saw baggage that had been completely broken. Now this operation ended [and] we were taken by boat to Ellis Island. This was the worst day of the whole trip. We came there about 11 A.M. Not to leave this building until 6 P.M. Here we had to be approved again.
1908 – Immigrants process though Ellis Island12 12
https://archhistdaily.wordpress.com/tag/ellis-island/
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1908 – Immigrants disembarking the boat to enter the buildings at Ellis Island13
1907 – Immigrants line up at Ellis Island14
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https://www.gjenvick.com/Immigration/EllisIsland/1908-04-TheImmigrantProcessingAtEllisIsland.html https://archhistdaily.wordpress.com/tag/ellis-island/
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1908 – An immigrant answering questions at the Inspector’s Desk at Ellis Island15
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https://www.gjenvick.com/Immigration/EllisIsland/1908-04-TheImmigrantProcessingAtEllisIsland.html
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--- Page 7 --The eyes, the passenger’s papers inspected, the baggage again inspected, etc. etc. too numerous to mention. We were visited here in this building by Dr. Van den Heuvel with two elders. These are at present there to help Dutch immigrants. There was one family from Zeeland who had lost their ticket. The man was nearly overcome with fear. Because the ship brought him no further than New York. Through intervention of Dr. Van den Heuvel and helpers they were fortunate to be able to help them.
1908 – Doctor examining the eyes of a female immigrant at Ellis Island16
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https://www.gjenvick.com/Immigration/EllisIsland/1908-04-TheImmigrantProcessingAtEllisIsland.html
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The Immigrants were divided here into different groups. One had to go to Chicago. The other to Iowa (Orange City), a third to Holland, Michigan, a fourth to Kalamazoo, Michigan, etc. So that we had to shake hands with our good friends who had to go in an entirely different direction than we. A family from Deventer, a woman and children, the oldest child around 18 and the youngest around 2 years old, were in our group to go to Kalamazoo, Mich.
April 11, 1908 – T. S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam I Rotterdam Ship Manifest
My brother Charley from Patterson, New Jersey was present in this building, but would not allow be allowed to see us 3rd class passengers. Finally around 6 o’clock in the afternoon we might leave.
[Editor’s note – Although Milo does not mention the Statue of Liberty, it is very likely that he and Pearl saw the Statute of Liberty while they were at Ellis Island.] 31 | P a g e
1877 - Immigrants in European dress on the deck of a ship see the Statue of Liberty17
Statue of Liberty on Bedloe’s Island, Ellis Island, New York Bay18 17 18
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/File:Immigrants_Behold_the_Statue_of_Liberty.jpg https://picclick.com/Statue-of-Liberty-New-York-Bay-NYC-RPPC-263244648578.html#&gid=1&pid=1
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We were transported by steamship to the station. Over there, we were taken by wagon [to the train]. Around 7 P.M. the train began to move. Praises and thanks to God we said to each other, we are riding. We had brought along some food so that for the present we wouldn’t have to go hungry. At Ellis Island you could buy a box of food for $1.0019, but this seemed too expensive to us. We sped joyfully and healthy toward the west.
The trains in America are better equipped than in the Netherlands. Each car is equipped with a toilet and drinking fountain, etc. and usually a dining car. The seats are fine. No wooden benches, but soft cushions making rest easy. The trains go faster than in the Netherlands. This is because the distances are so great between stops. Sometimes you speed for 2 to 3 hours in one stretch before stopping.
Train station in Buffalo, New York20
The next morning we arrived in Buffalo after an entire night riding. It was now 7 o’clock in the morning. Here we had to get out. A conductor led us to a sort of waiting room. There we sat again. We didn’t know for how long. When we had waited for about 2 hours we thought to get information when we would again
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$1.00 in 1908 is the equivalent of $27.50 in 2018 dollars. http://buffaloah.com/h/nycent/depot.jpg
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leave. But since no one could understand us because we were Hollanders and couldn’t speak English, till finally a conductor appeared in the waiting room and asked for our ticket. Now having seen this he indicated on his watch that we didn’t have to wait until 2 P.M. From 7 A.M. to 2 P.M. means something, especially since you can’t speak with anyone. Luckily, we were together as Hollanders.
1796 – New York State Map (
Route the Stapert’s took)
Niagara Falls Buffalo Kalamazoo o
1850 - Railroads in the United States (
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Route the Stapert’s took)
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--- Page 8 --Finally then, because the time doesn’t stand still in Amerika either, it was 2 o’clock. They didn’t forget us on the train. At 10:30 I had sent a telegram to my brother in Kalamazoo. I did this in view of our arrival in Kalamazoo so that they could pick us up at the station. This process was difficult.
We could locate the telegraph office because we could read that, almost exactly as in Dutch. But how to proceed from there. We could talk to anyone. Accidently I spoke to a conductor who could speak German and could understand what we wanted. He went to the telegraph office with us and directed us how to proceed. It read in English, “Arrival in Kalamazoo at 8:02 A.M. Pick us up at the station.” How this telegram proved to be in error. It should have read 2:08 instead of 8:02.
Our intention was to arrive in the morning at 8:02 in Kalamazoo and so we boarded the train again at 2 P.M. in Buffalo. Toward the west, always toward the west through hill and dale, fruitful and worthless ground. At around 6 P.M. we came to Niagara Falls. The train stopped here for 5 minutes, primarily to allow passengers to see it. We could leave the train for 5 minutes. I also did this. This is a beautiful showplace. The water dashes down some hundred feet to the bottom with a thundering roar. The sun throws its rays upon the descending
water.
A
beautiful
majestic
showpiece.
Again we travelled west. We rode through Canada. An immigration official stepped on the train and marked our baggage with a blue card. Now we can travel uninterrupted through the English country of Canada. 1908 Niagara Falls Postcard
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If we were Canadian immigrants, our baggage would have been inspected, not now. We had to go farther. The night approaches, it is eventually night. We fell asleep from the tiredness, till finally a conductor awoke us and said, “Kalamazoo.”
Quickly we got our things together and followed the conductor, still thinking that we must get out to transfer to Kalamazoo. It was now 2 o’clock at night. How puzzled we looked when at some distance we saw brother and wife waiting for us. They didn’t recognize us anymore. We hadn’t seen each other for 17 years. I recognized him immediately and also his wife. It was the shout, “How are things with you?” And I grabbed his hand. What a meeting and so unprepared. We came sleeping into Kalamazoo. Instead of 8:02 in the morning it was 2:08 in the night. Fortunately, everyone was feeling healthy and happy. We were received with joy.
Kalamazoo Michigan Central Railroad Train Station Postcard
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1887 – Train arrives at the Kalamazoo Michigan Central Railroad Train Station
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--- Page 9 --How much my brother had to tell and how much we had to inform them of. Happily we saw our family again in good health.
God led through rough waters And broad streams, a path for us.
[From Jesaja 43:2a, “Wanneer gij zult gaan door het water, Ik zal bij u zijn, en door de rivieren, zij zullen u niet overstromen.” - Dutch States Bible
[From Isaiah 43:2a, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the floods, that they do not overflow thee.” – 1599 Geneva Bible]
This is a short sketch of our trip from the Netherlands to Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Meile Jacobs Stapert and Family
This is our trip diary, let the entire family read it. Also Yelle Charles De Young.
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Beloved parents and family,
We received your letter addressed to Ed. A letter from us later. I am working at a lumber mill. Well pleased with it. Nine dollars per week, not bad at all. It is quite slick here. The “Lord’s blessing.
M. J. Stapert
July 9, 1950 - Kalamazoo Gazette - Dewing and Sons Lumber Mill employed many Dutch immigrants and likely Milo was one of them
Read and approved June 2, 1908 by Charles J. Stapert.
Considering things here in America which are good are always inspected like brother Meile informed us in his writing. This is also approved by the undersigned June 3, 1908 (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Edward J. Stapert
Rewritten by me. Tjerk M. Wybenga 1908
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This is a photo of the last page of the diary.
Editor’s Note: All items in brackets [ ] were not in the original diary or the translation of the diary, but were added by the editor for the purpose of clarification or for easier reading purposes.
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Appendix Milo Stapert Milo Stapert was born on either October 30 or 31, 1879 in St. Anna Parochie, Netherlands.
Milo Stapert’s Birth Record
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Milo Stapert – Dutch military
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Milo Stapert – Dutch military
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Pearl Stapert Pearl (Kuik) was born on March 29, 1879 in St. Anna Parochie, Netherlands.
Pearl (Kuik) Stapert’s Birth Record
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Pearl (Kuik) Stapert
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Milo and Pearl Stapert Milo and Pearl Stapert were married on May 19, 1904 in St. Anna Parochie, Netherlands.
Milo and Pearl Stapert’s wedding photo
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May 19, 1904 - Milo and Pearl Stapert’s wedding record
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May 19, 1904 - Milo and Pearl Stapert’s city wedding record
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Immigration Paperwork
April 8, 1908 - Stapert family’s approval in St. Anna Parochie to leave the Netherlands
April 8, 1908 - St. Anna Parochie village removes the Stapert family from their village resident records
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The Stapert Family
The Stapert Family - (L-R) - Back Row - Raymond, Chuck, Jake, Elko, Front Row - Anne, Winifred, Milo and Trena, Trena, Dick
(L-R) Mike Stapert, Milo Stapert, Gert (Stapert) Holwerda, Sadie (?) Stapert, Jacob Stapert, Pearl (Stapert) Van Kuiken, Ray Stapert, Ann (Stapert) Stuurwold, Winifred (Stapert) Smith, Dick Stapert and dog
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1913 or 1914 (L-R) Chuck, Jake, Milo, Pearl, Ray, Elko Stapert
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Winifred Stapert (Standing), Trena Stapert (Sitting in chair), Anne Stapert (middle), Pearl Stapert, Dick Stapert (being held)
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Milo Stapert with his daughters (L-R) Winifred, Trena, Anne
(L – R) - Jake Stapert, Ray Stapert, Winifred (Stapert) Smith, Chuck Strapert, Trena (Stapert) Middelbush, Elko (Ko), Anne (Stapert) Stuurwold, Dick Stapert
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Milo and Pearl Stapert’s Death Pearl Stapert died on November 22, 1933. Milo Stapert died on May 1, 1957.
Barb Micheals at Milo and Pearl Stapert’s gravestone – Riverview Cemetery (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
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Milo Stapert’s Handwriting The Bible
The Banner article detailing Milo’s work on the five-volume English Bible set
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August 23, 1942 - Kalamazoo Gazette article detailing Milo’s work on the five-volume English Bible set
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Milo Stapert’s Handwriting The Bible Into Dutch
November 2018 - Barb Micheals at Calvin College’s Rare Book Collection (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Two volumes are the Old Testament and one volume is the New Testament. The Old Testament is 1,473 pages long and the New Testament is 498 pages long.
Each page has exquisite handwriting and amazingly straight lines. The writing is also amazingly consistent throughout all three volumes.
On average, each page had between 42-43 lines. Tracing fingers over the lines and thinking of the writing, took at the least a minimum of 1 minute a line and likely much longer as Milo had to look at the Dutch Bible for each line likely multiple times. So at a minimum it took at least an hour per page and again likely much longer than that.
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Letter detailing the Milo J. Stapert Collection at Calvin College
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Opening verses in Genesis
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Psalm 100
Each of the three-volume books are of significant size
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Last verses of Revelation
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Milo Stapert’s Handwriting The Bible Into English
The five-volume set is kept at Western Seminary’s Rare Book Collection (Holland, Michigan)
The English version is done on smaller size paper and the size font he wrote in is bigger in size than what he wrote in the Dutch version. Thus, the five volumes.
The Old Testament starts off differently than the Dutch copy in that in the first 18 chapters he put the verse markings in the middle of the line. In the Dutch version Milo started each verse on a new line. However, after the 18th chapter of Genesis Milo reverted back to what he did with the verse lines starting on a new line.
It is remarkable that the handwriting in the volumes in Dutch are very close to what is found in the English version. Plus, all the volumes have incredible cursive writing all the way through.
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In the English version at the very back are several separate sheets. One is a hand-copied version of the first prayer of the Continental Congress. The second sheet details interesting information about the Bible. Did you know in the Bible there are 3,566,480 letters. That is a LOT of writing!!!
He writes because of I John 3:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
November 2018 - Barb Micheals looks at the letter detailing the Bible work
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July 1940 - Psalm 119:160
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Opening verses of Exodus
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Last verses of Revelation
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Back To God Hour – 1947 Handwritten Book By Milo Stapert
The Back To God Hour book is kept at the home of Kay Gesch (Spokane, Washington)
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1947 - Radio broadcasts of Rev. Peter Eldersvend – Back to God Hour broadcasts
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Back to God Hour broadcasts written
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November 16, 1947 Back to God Hour broadcast
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Psalter Hymnal Handwritten Book By Milo Stapert
The Christian Hymn’s Book kept at the home of Phyllis Triezenberg (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Hymn # 376 in the Psalter Hymnal - page 78 in the book - We Have Heard The Joyful Sound
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Hymn # 468 in the Psalter Hymnal - page 215 in the book - Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - The Old Hundreth
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All songs copied from the 1934 Psalter Hymnal
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China Missions History 1920 – 1945 Handwritten Book By Milo Stapert
The China Missions 1920 - 1945 Book kept at the home of Jim Triezenberg (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
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One of the pages in the China Missions book
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Several of the pages in the China Missions book
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Stapert Family Reunion – May 2018 and November 2016
May 2018 – Stapert Reunion – Most of the grandchildren of Milo and Pearl Stapert (Grand Rapids, Michigan) (L-R) Top Row: Gayle Wiers (daughter of Chuck & Laura Stapert), Karen Beattie (daughter of Elko & Martha Stapert), John Stapert (son of Koe & Martha Stapert, Doug Stapert (son of Dick & Dorothy Stapert), Bruce Stapert (son of Dick & Dorothy Stapert), John Stuurwold (son of John & Anne - Stapert Stuurwold, Cal Stapert (son of Ray & Jessie Stapert), Ruth Fletcher (daughter of Ray & Jessie Stapert). Bottom Row: Wanda DeJager (daughter of Chuck & Laura Stapert), Phyllis Triezenberg (daughter of Chuck & Laura Stapert), Pearl VanKuiken (daughter of Jake and Sadie Stapert), Brenda Perton- Barb Micheals- Jan Leonard- Kay Gesch (all daughters of Sam & Winnie - Stapert Smith).
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May 2018 – Stapert Reunion – Most of the grandchildren and spouses of Milo and Pearl Stapert (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
November 3, 2016 Stapert get together (L-R) Gert Holwerda, Cal Stapert, Barb Micheals, Gord Pater, Phyllis and Herold Triezenberg, Larry Wiers, Pearl Van Kuiken, Gayle Wiers
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November 3, 2016 Stapert get together (L-R) Larry Wiers, Gord Pater, Gert Holwerda, Ruth Fletcher, Bruce Fletcher, Doug Stapert, Phyllis Triezenberg. Harold Triezenberg, Bruce Stapert, Frieda Stapert, Sherly Stapert, Ruth Koster (Friend), Pearl Van Kuiken, Barb Micheals, Chuck Micheals, Gayle Wiers
Kalamazoo City
1908 - Postcard of Kalamazoo, Michigan
1910 - Postcard of Kalamazoo, Michigan
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1908 – City map of Kalamazoo, Michigan – The Staperts lived in block 30 when they first arrived in Kalamazoo
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Kalamazoo City Census
1920 - City census of Kalamazoo, Michigan - The Staperts lived at 1510 Winslow Ave. (Now Woodward Ave.), Kalamazoo, Michigan
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1930 - City census of Kalamazoo, Michigan - The Staperts lived at 1333 Holland Ave (How Harding Place), Kalamazoo, Michigan
1333 Holland Ave (How Harding Place), Kalamazoo, Michigan
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1940 - City census of Kalamazoo, Michigan - The Staperts lived at 1353 Holland Ave (How Harding Place), Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Milo Stapert’s World War Military Registrations
September 12, 1918 - Milo Stapert’s WW I Registration Card - Milo was living at 1321 Clark Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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September 12, 1918 - Milo Stapert’s WW I Registration Card - Milo was living at 1321 Clark Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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1942 – Milo Stapert’s WW II Registration Card – Milo was living at 1004 Grand Pre. Ave., Kalamazoo, Michigan
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The Editor
Charles Micheals is a native of Michigan and lived the first thirty years of his life there, eventually working in the grocery industry. In 1985 his wife Barbara and their four small children joined Wycliffe Bible Translators and moved to the country of Papua New Guinea (PNG) where they worked with the internationally known non-profit linguistic organization, SIL International (formerly the Summer Institute of Linguistics). Charles served in a variety of administrative roles in PNG, including several years as the Chairman of the SIL PNG Job Evaluation and Wage Review Committee and on the SIL PNG Executive Committee.
During their 15 years of service in PNG, Bible translation work was completed in 67 languages and over 100 additional Bible translation projects were started. Today, almost over 200 language communities, representing more than 2.0 million people in PNG have access to the Scriptures in their own languages.
In 2000, Charles and Barbara moved back to the USA and Charles served for several years as the Regional Director for Recruitment for Wycliffe, living in the Chicago, Illinois area. In 2004 they moved to Orlando, Florida where Charles served for six and one half years as the Vice President for Recruitment Ministries for Wycliffe. He currently heads up Wycliffe’s Management and Professional Recruitment Department and speaks at various mission conferences and colleges each year. Barbara helps coordinate Wycliffe’s Volunteer and Internship program.
Charles holds a BS degree in Food Distribution from Western Michigan University and a MA degree in Organization Management from Dallas Baptist University. He served on the Board of Directors for The Finishers Project, a non-profit mission dedicated to helping people in the second half of life find places to
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serve in missions. He has also been involved in helping create and develop Teach Next, a ministry dedicated to helping place teachers in MK (Missionary Kid) mission schools around the world and Military Believer, a growing ministry dedicated to helping military personnel who are leaving the military, find opportunities for service in global missions.
Charles has also authored a number of articles about the work of SIL in PNG and other historical articles about life in the Aiyura Valley in PNG. (http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs)
Both Charles and Barbara are members of Saint Andrew’s church in Sanford, FL and are involved in a variety of church activities there. Charles serves as an elder at the church. However, they are still members of Second Christian Reformed Church, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which is the church that commissioned them for their work with Wycliffe. All four of their children are actively supporting missions and church ministry work. Two of their four children are serving with Wycliffe around the world.
Back cover – Milo Stapert with sons (L-R) Elko, Ray, Jacob and Charles – Photo courtesy of the Charles Micheals Collection)
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