The Klaassen Families -- In 1888 three brothers, Andrew Freerk and Harm, all married and with families, made the decision to leave Illinois and come to Lyon County to live. The three men came here first and purchased farms. While they were away from home, Freerk's wife became seriously ill a shortly after he returned to Illinois she died. Freerk and seven children continued with their plans to move in spite this tragic loss. The three families came as one large group. They had one passenger train car to themselves, enough cars to haul their stock and equipment, and were, as one them said, "very well organized." Each of the adults had specific responsibility on the trip. One of the mothers was responsible for all the sandwiches and other food that had be prepared for lunches along the way. The other mother helped with the general supervision of the children. One the men kept the fire going in the stove with whatever wood and coal he could pick up along the tracks when the train stopped. The stock had to be looked after and cared for. This meant letting them out for water and perhaps a little grazing when the train made a long stop.

When they got to George, it was shortly after the railroad had been built through the town. The depot was only a box car, and there was one other building (probably Wolfe’s General Store). To get to the farms they had purchased east of the Little Rock River, they had to ford the river. There were no roads or bridges.

Harm and Andrew spelled their last name Klaassen, while Fred (Freerk) spelled his Klaahsen.

Harm Klaassen -- was married to Hauke Hickman in 1877 in Illinois. They farmed there until 1888 when they moved to George with his two brothers and their families. Here he lived on the farm about three miles east of George where John Schneiderman lives now. Later on he moved to the place four miles east and a half mile north where Jack Kruger now lives. Children in the family were Etta (Mrs. Juren Harberts); Carrie (Mrs. George Abels); Harm (married Reka Abels); Klaas (married Amelia Van Houen); Andrew (married Anna Hassebroek); Tena (Mrs. John Abels); Hattie (Mrs. Wes Hassebroek); John (married Edith Klaassen); Fred (married twice, Amy Boom and Lillian Allerd); Richard (married Lydia De Laughter); and Anna (Mrs. Fred Abels).

Four generation picture, left to right, Mrs. Harm Klaassen, Sr., Mrs. Henry Willemssen and son Arnold, and Mrs. J. D. Harberts.