F. E. Posthuma (1874-1943) Source: Wikipedia Commons

Folkert Evert Posthuma, born 20 May 1874, at Leeuwarden, a Dutch Mennonite, who studied agriculture at the National Agricultural College at Wageningen and the University of Halle, Germany, and then was engaged in agricultural and dairy indus­tries and director of the farmers' national co-opera­tive bank. In 1914 he was made Dutch minister of Agriculture and Trade and organized the distribu­tion of food in the Netherlands during World War I. By his executive ability he managed to keep the Dutch population adequately fed. He remained a state cabinet minister until 1918. During this period he lived at The Hague, and was a trustee of The Hague Mennonite congregation. During World War II Posthuma sympathized with the National-Socialist principles and co-operated with the Ger­man occupation authorities. Consequently he lost the sympathy of both the Mennonite brotherhood and the Dutch nation. On 3 June 1943 he was shot and killed by Dutch partisans.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 206. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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