Willem Jacobus Claasen, b2c6d4e2f2g9

Willie came with his Parents at age 4 years old from Frankfort to Cyrus in the Standerton district. He farmed with Brown Swiss Cattle, Merino Sheep,and cultivated land to grow mealies, sorghum, sunflower,teft, green peas and potatoes.

Adjacent to the farmstead built circa 1880 by Abraham Boshoff, was an apple orchard with a variety of cultivars used for fresh consumption at the table, for Chutneys and dried fruit delicacies containing gelatin and sugar additives.

Alongside a stonewall fence Prickly pears grew in abundance. Enough for all and sundry.

The farmstead was renovated in 1956,when a new kitchen, a scullary, a bathroom , a water closet and a living room was added.

A few years later the farm got electricy. Willie entered a contract with Escom.

After he retired from farming he stayed at Badplaas, enjoying bowls and doing woodwork.

When their health became an issue Willie an Laura moved to a Retirement Village in Vereeniging.