(from “Early Settlements of
King Township, Ontario”, by Elizabeth McClure Gillham. Published by the author, 1975).
Pgs. 160-170
A group of eighteen Hollanders with their families came to the (Holland) Marsh in the autumn of 1934 to become the first year-round settlers in the area. Their little settlement in King Township was named Ansnorveld, and comprised a row of small houses. John Snor, representative of the Netherlands Immigration Foundation, was instrumental in arranging for the settlement and naming it. “Ann” was the Christian name of Mrs. Snor, so with the two names plus “veld” (field), the interesting name was derived. Among some of the first settlers were Jan Rupke, Abraham Havinga, Albert Biemold, M. Van Dyken, H. Prins, E. de Jong, John Van Dyke, Geo. Brouwer, L. Boonstra, Wm. Valenteyn, H. Neinhuis (storekeeper), J. Vandergoot, K. Miedema, S. Winter, and T. H. Ooosterhuis.
At first it was hard going. Winter was early and very severe, and the little settlement was frequently isolated. Wood was the only fuel, and it was green and wet. The pioneers recall sitting up all night to keep the fire stoked, and shovelling their way through the deep snow to reach the nearest village, Bradford, for supplies. Bonds of friendship were established that winter; and during the following years, when the number of settlers increased rapidly, those friendships created a loyalty and friendly understanding which laid the foundation on which the marsh settlement developed. Among those who followed the first Dutch Canadians to the Marsh were representatives of practically every country in Europe. The outbreak of World War II found representatives from all countries at war in Europe, living in peace side by side on the Holland Marsh.