Pike Township Family Stories

PETRUS ALBERT POLMAN
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 251
By Jacque Hazen

         Petrus Albert Polman was born 30 March 1890 and died 6 January 1957, the son of Petrus Polman and Hendrika Ver Voorot Polman. He arrived in Nichols from Doesburg, Holland, in 1914. Rice’s Café was the first stop hemade when he arrived in Nichols; he talked with Mrs. Emma Rice, who spoke Dutch. He farmed in Nichols for 19 years, then moved to Lone Tree and farmed until his death.
         In 1923 he married Sophia Van Aken. She was born 24 April 1900 and died 19 May 1942. Sophia, her mother, Marie Wissink, and stepfather, John Jansen, arrived in the United States in 1911. Her family left Gaanderen, Holland, because of religious persecution. They spent eleven days on a ship and had their first taste of ice cream while on board. Sophia’s mother, Marie, married John Jansen in Holland after the death of Anthony Van Aken. Sophia attended Athens school here.
         Petrus Polman and Sophia Polman had ten children: Dorothea Polman Hazen; Donald Francis Polman, born 11 November 1926, died January 1927; Donald Theodore, born 15 September 1927, killed by accidental gunshot wound September 1941; Louise Polman Ulch; Albert “Abe” Polman; Leroy Polman; Darlene Polman Miller; Kathleen Polman Meeks; Robert Polman; and Shirley Polman Bohr. Sophia passed away when Shirley was almost two, so Dort helped raise the younger children.
         Petrus Polman received his U. S. citizenship papers in 1940.
         Al Hazen is now retired from Walnut Grove in West Liberty. He enjoys gardening, music, old tractors and cars and black powder guns. Dort works as bookkeeper for West Liberty Oil company. She enjoys crocheting, painting, music and bingo.
         Al and Dort Hazen have seven children: Thomas Joseph Hazen, Michael Wayne Hazen, Charles Albert Hazen, Dennis Lee Hazen, Renee Louise Hazen, Lori Marlene Hazen and Annette Dee Hazen.


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