Arthur Hilbrands and Myrtle Ester Hoel married on July 21, 1936 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Myrtle is Walt’s 1st cousin once removed.

Arthur is the son of William and Aletta Huisman Hilbrands. He was born on July 9, 1911 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Myrtle Ester Hoel is the daughter of Alvah and Adaline Maffett Hoel in Bloomfield, Michigan. (You can read about Myrtle’s brother Delbert here.)

Arthur and Myrtle were married by a Maynard Kenning and set up housekeeping in Missaukee County, Michigan. Arthur learned to be a stone mason from his father and had spent time in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He worked as a contractor in the building trades when the 1940 census was taken. Arthur and Myrtle live next door to Arthur’s parents and brother Ben.

We can see in this census record that Arthur’s parents were born in the Netherlands.

During World War II, Arthur served as an engineer in the Aleutian Campaign and received a Bronze Star. After the war, in 1946, Arthur and Myrtle and their children moved to Oregon.

By the time of the 1950 census, Arthur and Myrtle had 7 children. Arthur was working as a brick layer. He spent his career designing and building homes, schools, and churches in the United States and other countries.

Arthur and Myrtle had 11 children together. Myrtle died in July of 1987. Arthur died on April 17, 2001.

Digging Deeper

History buffs are aware of the Aleutian Campaign, but many others are not. In 1942 -1943, the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. Alaska was a US territory at the time. Troops were sent to defend the area and fought the Japanese as well as the dreadful weather conditions.

You can find out more about the Aleutian Campaign during World War II at the Library of Congress. The site has a number of personal accounts here.