Ernest Miedema

Ernest Miedema, born in the Netherlands in 1886, was the son of Johannes and Marijke (Scheltema) Miedema. He came to the United States at the age of 2½ with his parents, who settled near Orange City, Iowa. Here he grew to manhood.

On September 24, 1906, he married Allie Van De Berg of Orange City, the daughter of Dries Van De Berg and Tryantje (Bruinea) Van De Berg. Ernest and his bride lived in a small house on a farm located seven miles east of Ypsilanti, in Meadow Lake Township. The house was not finished when Ernest arrived and he was hard put to plaster the walls before his bride arrived from Iowa.

Life was not easy for the newly-weds, but many people of Holland descent settled in the area and life was liveable. In 1908, the North Marion Reformed Church was organized and built, on which Ernest worked with his friends.

Eleven children were born to Ernest and Allie Miedema:

  1. Joe (married to Agnes DeVries);

  2. Andrew (married to Ruth Rohrbeck);

  3. Marie (Mrs. Aaron Boom);

  4. Harold (married to Hazel Schultz);

  5. Tracy (Mrs. Steve DeVries);

  6. Harry (married to Margaret Elliott);

  7. Bereba (Mrs. Harry Van Enk);

  8. Evelyn (Mrs. John Siderius);

  9. John (married to Lorraine Sortland);

  10. Mildred (Mrs. Olaf Hanson).

Mrs. Miedema passed away in 1954. Ernest lives at Sheyenne Manor.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 158