History & Heritage
Travel back to people, places and events of the past through photo galleries, oral histories in English and Walloon, and key milestones in the history of the Belgian Settlements. Check back often for new postings. View Belgian Settlement History
Oral History
The Great Fire of 1871
Enjoy more videos at BHC’s YouTube Channel.
Historic Photo Collection
Threshing
Arthur and Bill Pierre bundling wheat, Brussels
Threshing Lincoln area
Threshing at Joe Lampereur farm, Namur
Threshing at Stangel farm Lincoln area 1912
Threshing at Jule Fameree farm, Red River, 1944
Martin Heyrman threshing, Eaton
Threshing crew at Euren, Lincoln Township, circa 1900
Threshing Luxemburg area 1915
Chaudoir Threshing Crew Namur 1946
Our Stories
Nestor & Jenny (Descamp) Lempereur
Nestor & Eugenie (Descamps) Lempereur
Nestor and Eugenie “Jenny” Lempereur immigrated from Belgium as children. They married in 1877 and lived in Namur. Photos in this gallery are courtesy of Joyce (Allard) Lampereur, Carol (Balza) Price, Mike Lampereur, Sandy (Lampereur) Orsted and FamilySearch.org.
Nestor Lempereur (1853-1933)
Nestor was born June 9, 1853 in Thorembais-les-Beguines, Belgium. He was just three years old when he immigrated to the US in 1856 with his parents Jean Joseph and Saraphine Josephe (Delligne) Lempereur, his grandmother and six siblings. They settled in Union Township (Namur) on what is now Ledge Road.
Eugenie “Jenny” Descamps Lempereur (1858-1918)
Eugenie, known also as Jenny, was born January 20, 1858 in Novilles sur Mehaigne, Belgium. Her family immigrated to the US in 1873 and also settled in Union. In Jenny’s obituary, her family noted that she “enjoyed an enviable reputation for industry and thrift among her friends and neighbors and she was a worthy assistant to her husband.”
Lempereur Homestead circa 1900
Nestor and Jenny built a brick home on land originally settled by his parents. Together they raised 10 children here, and the home, farm and surrounding land would serve family members of several generations.
Charles “Charlie” and Mary (Jauquet) Lampereur
Charles, known also as Charlie (1877-1940,) and Mary (1874-1966) married in 1904. As the oldest son, Charlie would eventually take over the farm from Nestor. Charlie and Mary raised eight children at the Lempereur homestead: Hubert, Josephine Mathy, Joseph, George, Laura Phillips, Mina Rass, Florence Alsteen and Clara Drzewiecki. In this generation, “Lempereur” mostly changed to “Lampereur”.
Extended Family
The Lempereur family eventually added on to the house to accommodate multiple generations. These are the children of Charles and Mary – all were born and lived in the home during Nestor’s lifetime and all but one during Jenny’s lifetime. Standing from left: George, Josie, Joe, Laura, Hubert. Seated from left: Florence, Clara, Charles, Mary, Mina.
Jule and Flora (Baudhuin) Lampereur
Jule (1878-1956) and Flora (1883-1944) were married in 1903 and farmed in the Town of Union. They had five children: Henry, Mary Vandenhouten, Albert, Lucy Paque and Margaret Draize.
Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Lampereur) and Daniel Daul
Wilhelmina, known as Minnie (1880-1959), and Daniel (1875-1951) were married in 1906 and lived in Luxemburg. They had three children: Henry, Rose Conrad and Dolores Krouth.
Joseph “J.J.” and Eva (Kleges) Lempereur
JJ (1855-1928) and Eva (1866-1970) were married in 1908 and lived in Anitgo where JJ operated a clothing store. They had one son, Glenn.
Frank and Josephine (Dart) L’ Empereur
Frank (1887-1931) and Josephine (1887-1957) were married in 1910. They lived in Green Bay and had one son, Merville. Frank worked for Cities Oil Products company and was tragically killed while driving an oil truck.
Octavia (Lampereur) and John Kuster
Eugene (1890-1970) and Lucy (1895-1965) were married in 1917 and lived in Forestville and Algoma. They had three children: Norbert, Norma Soquet and Florence Worachek.
Eugene “Jim” and Lucy (Baudhuin) Lampereur
Eugene (1890-1970) and Lucy (1895-1965) were married in 1917 and lived in Forestville and Algoma. They had three children: Norbert, Norma Soquet and Florence Worachek.
Edward and Clara (Macaux) Lampereur
Edward (1892-1949) and Clara (1895-1995) were married in 1915 and lived in Namur. They had four children: Clifford, Eugene, Jule and Blanche Guillette.
George and Clara (Lampereur) Balza
Clara (1895-1961) and George (1891) were married in 1915 and lived in Gardner Township. They had three children: Elmer, Ira and Hazel VanLannen.
Paul and Esther (Lampereur) Maccaux
Paul (1892-1975) and Esther (1897-1970) were married in 1918 and lived in Nasewaupee Township before moving to Shawano county. They had one son, Glen.
Nestor and sister Mary Catherine Delfosse
Nestor and Mary Catherine were the eighth and nineth of 12 children born to Jean Joseph and Saraphine (Dellingne) Lempereur. They were three and one at the time they came to America. Mary Catherine married August Delfosse in 1871 and had 13 children.
Nestor Lempereur
Nestor in 1923 at age 70
Jenny Lempereur
Jenny in 1917 at age 59
Final Resting Place
Nestor and Jenny are buried at St. Mary of the Snows Cemetery on Pit Road in Namur. At the time of Nestor’s death in 1933, he was survived by 23 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. His obituary notes that he was “devoted to his family”.
Can You Help Us?
Still Unidentified
Do you recognize these gentlemen?
If so, let us know. We know that the fifth person is Frank Gilson (1880? - 1938) Contributed by Yvonne (Gilson) Stukenberg
Unidentified children
Do you recognize these adorable children? Contributed by: Ron De Lain
Unidentified Portrait
Do you know any of the people in this lovely portrait? We have no information. Contributed by Ron De Lain
Unidentified Wedding Party
Can you identify the people in this wedding party. All we know is the sponsors are Mallien girls. Contributed by Mary Ann Englebert