Koolen

(submitted by Linda Koolen)

Harry Martin Koolen was born in Vlierden, Deurne, The Netherlands. He was the son of Louis and Antonia (van Mierlo) Koolen. He immigrated to Canada in 1951 with his parents and five siblings. Five more were added to the family in Canada. By 1965 the family had opened Koolen Farm Equipment on Townsend Line and Harry worked there as a farm machinery mechanic.

In 1976 Harry purchased a farm at Lot 21, Con. 5 NER (7105 Quaker Road). There were large maple trees along the north fence line and along the road. More trees were later planted, both maples and evergreen. Harry married Linda Edwards in Arkona United Church in March, 1977. Linda was born to Gerald and Thelma (Wight) Edwards, who farmed just north of Arkona in Bosanquet Twp. Linda was an elementary school teacher. Linda’s grandfather, Ernest Albert Edwards, grew up in Warwick Twp., living with his family on Egremont Rd. He moved to the New Liskeard area from 1902 to 1921, then returned to the Arkona area to the farm where Linda grew up.

Linda and Harry Koolen family. Back: Peter, Jeremy and Adrian Koolen. Front: Linda and Harry Koolen. Courtesy L Koolen.

Harry and Linda raised three sons, Peter Martin, Jeremy Gerald and William Adrian. All attended St. John Fisher Elementary School and North Lambton Secondary School in Forest. Peter graduated from the University of Windsor and married Gillian McCormick and lives in La Salle (Windsor area). They have a daughter. Jeremy graduated from Fanshawe College and Adrian graduated from Lambton College.

Of interest, the Koolen home on Quaker Rd. belonged to the Sitter family. In 1904, Nicholas Sitter “erected a fine dwelling house and barn, just south of the homestead” (Commemorative Biographical Record of Lambton, 1906, p. 524). Linda’s aunt by marriage, Magdalene (Sitter) Edwards, lived in the house with her parents, Emanuel and Beatrice (McAdam) Sitter, and her grandparents, George and Caroline Sitter.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Koolen Family

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