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Burgraff/Kortlever/Stek/Bel

The Wills

John’s will, dated 6 October 1916, was very simple.1 He left $1 to each of his children: Peter Burgraff, William Burgraff, Maggie Den Adel, Elizabeth Dyksterhuis, John Burgraff, Jane Burgraff, Hugo Burgraff, Albert Burgraff, Arie Burgraff, Bastjaan Burgraff, Marion Burgraff, and Sadie Burgraff.

The rest of the estate went to Mary and clearly stipulated that she could do what she wanted with it. He also named her as executrix of his will. I did not search out the probate files to look for an appraisal of the estate.

Mary’s will is dated 13 March 1926 and has a little more detail and two very interesting tidbits.2

Peter and William (sons of John and Elizabeth) each received $500.
John Jr. Hugo and Albert each received $500,
“…for the reason that they have given more of their services than the other children in accumulating my estate.”
This would be payable after the sale of real estate, but before the division of proceeds.

Everything left would be divided equally between: John Burgraff, Hugo Burgraff, Albert Burgraff, Arie Burgraff, Bastjaan Burgraff, Marion Burgraff, Maggie Hoekstra, Elizabeth Dyksterhuis, Jane Nymeyer and Sadie Burgraff – to share and share alike. There is one exception made to the property.
“I hereby declare that the piano in the home is the property of my daughter, Sadie Burgraff, and the same shall not be included as a part of my estate.”

Mary requests the courts appoint her brother Hugo Kortlever as guardian of the minor children: Arie, Bastjaan, Marion, and Sadie.

Interesting tidbit 1: Hugo and Albert are nominated as the executors. John Jr. is not named. She also provides a separate sum of $200 each for their services.

Interesting tidbit 2: In the final paragraph of her will Mary states,
“It is my further desire that my son John Burgraff do not remain on said farm with the other children but that he secure another place to board and room, and not take part in working or leasing of said farm, and I authorize my executors to take such measures as may be necessary to carry out this provision of my will.”

It sounds like John was persona non-gratis at this time. Several phone calls later I was able to determine that Mary wanted the boys (Hugo and Albert) to be able to ask John to leave. John was not a farmer and contributed little to the working of the farm, although he lived there and apparently did not hesitate to partake in all the benefits. He did not work much outside the home, but he perceived himself to be the wheeler-dealer that his father was. Sadly, according to my sources, John lacked the temperament and talent for this. Mary made it clear that she was aware of the problem and would not saddle the other children with a sibling that wouldn’t pull his weight.

On the 1930 census Hugo age 28, is listed as the head of the family and at home are: Sadie age 17, Bert age 20, Marion age 19, and at the end of the list is John age 31.3 Apparently Hugo did not ask John to leave.

Mary’s probate would not be closed until 27 April 1936. The drop in farm prices and products beginning in 1926 and continuing through the Great Depression made it almost impossible to sell the property. Hugo eventually bought the shares of the farm from his siblings. The following items are of interest in the probate file:4

In 1929 William entered an agreement with his grandmother Maaike Flora Bel Kortlever. She provided him the cash he needed and he signed away his $500 that would be coming with sale of the land. Her son Hugo Kortlever acting as executor, claimed her share after her death in 1931.

In 1934 Bert sold his share of the farm to his sister Sadie.

John’s shares (according to the 31 Jan 1936 document) were sold under Sheriff’s sale to satisfy a judgment at some time prior to that date.


1. Whatcom, Washington, Record of Wills and Probate, Vol 8 of the Whatcom Probate Index: p. 79, Will of John Burgraff; File No. 4445.
2. Whatcom, Washington, Record of Wills and Probate, Record of Wills, Vol 8: p. 237, Will of Mary Burgraff; File No. 5979.
3. 1930 U.S. census, Whatcom County, Washington, population schedule, Ten Mile Township, enumeration district (ED) 53, p. 7A, dwelling 165, family 165, Hugo Burgraff; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7 Jul 2009); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T626, roll 2522.
4. Whatcom, Washington, Probate Files, 5979 – Mary Burgraff; Superior Court of the Sate of Washington, County of Whatcom, Bellingham, Washington.

Burgraff/Kortlever/Stek/Bel

Mary Kortlever Burgraff Dies

Mary stayed busy after John’s death raising her family. The boys were taking care of the farm and the three older girls were married and busy with their families. In August of 1921 Mary was appointed to the board of the drainage improvement district. Her son John Jr. had applied for the position, but he was not a land owner at the time which made him ineligible for the position. The judge appointed Mary.1 She remained on the board for several years.

Mary, like many of her family members, suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis, and her health was slowly declining in the mid-1920s as the disease ravaged her body. Mary died 16 April 1926.2

HOLD SERVICES FOR LATE MRS. MARY BURGRAFF
Funeral services were held on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Burgraff home and at 2:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church for the late Mrs. Mary Burgraff who passed away Friday.

Rev. P. Jonker and Rev G. DeMotts were in charge of the services.

Mary Kortlever was born October 17, 1874, in Holland, and died at the age of 51 years, 5 months and 29 days.

She is survived by eleven sons and daughters, Peter Burggraff, Mrs. Ed Hoekstra, Mrs. J. Dyksterhuis, Mrs. Ben Nymeyer, John, Albert, Hugo, Arie, Bert, Marion and Sadie Burgraff; her mother Mrs. Kortlever of Lynden. – Lynden Tribune 22 April 1926

[This should have been twelve children as William was alive and living in Minnesota.]
Mary is buried beside John in Monumenta Cemetery.


1. “Local News,” The Bellingham Herald, 16 Aug 1921, p. 5; digital images.
2. Whatcom County, Washington, death certificate no. 56 (1926), Mary Kortlever Burgraff; Washington State Vital Records, Olympia, Washington.
3. “Hold Services for Late Mrs. Mary Burgraff,” (Lynden) Lynden Tribune, 22 Apr 1926.

Burgraff/Kortlever/Stek/Bel

John Burgraff Dies

A large crowd of relatives and friends gathered on Monday at the home of Mr. & Mrs. John Burgraff to help Mr. Burgraff celebrate his 63rd birthday anniversary. A sumptuous birthday dinner was served in the early afternoon, and a good time enjoyed by the following; Mr. & Mrs. Hugo Kortlever, and sons Victor & Marshall, Mr. & Mrs. Ren Van Diest and son John, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Dyksterhuis and children John & Helen, Mr. & Mrs. John Kortlver and son John, Mr. & Mrs. John Enos, Mr. & Mrs. A. P. Burgraff of Lawrence, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Zweegman, Mr. Abe Noteboom and son Cornelius and Mr. Bastian De Hoog. In the evening more guests arrived to honor Mr. Burgraff’s birthday. The evening was spent very pleasantly in music and conversation and at a late hour refreshments were served. – The Lynden Tribune, Forest Grove Column 12 May 1921

Just 7 days later on 16 May 1921 John Burgraff died of a heart attack.1

WILL HOLD FUNERAL SERVICES FOR LATE JOHN BURGRAFF
Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 1:30 at Knapp’s Parlors for the late John Burgraff who died suddenly Saturday evening at his home at Ten Mile. The Rev. A.J. Brink and Rev W. O. Benadon will conduct the services.

Mr. Burgraff had been feeling well up to the time of retiring Saturday evening. He had entertained friends at his home was apparently in good health. He became seriously ill later in the evening, and passed away at 10:30.

Mr. Burgraff was 63 years old. He was born in Pella, Iowa. At the age of 35 he went to Minnesota where he was married to Miss Mary Kortlever, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kortlever of Lynden. Sixteen years ago he came to Lynden with his family.

Besides his widow, he is survived by 12 children. – The Lynden Tribune, Thursday, 19 May 1921.

John is buried in Monumenta Cemetery.


1. Whatcom County, Washington, death certificate no. 85 (14 May 1921), John Burgraff; Washington State Vital Records, Olympia, Washington.