Dirk was a soldier in the Netherlands who married Dieuwke (possibly already pregnant - "Met legitimatie van een kind") and had five children there. Sometime after Aug 1897, the family moved from St. Jacobiparochie to St. Annaparochie.

His brother Jans Alles (John) was the first Kaper to emigrate to Michigan, where he settled south of Zeeland in 1896. There are various stories explaining why Dirk and Dieuwke left the Netherlands. In one possible scenario, Dirk was forced to leave because of involvement in witchcraft. In another scenario, Dirk reportedly tried to hang himself in their corn crib; his son Albert found him there and ran to Dieuwke, who cut him down. They then left the country out of shame.

Dirk crossed the ocean alone in 1899 or 1902 to work for Jans Alles and raise enough money to bring his family over. In 1903 Dieuwke came to America with mother Hendrikje, brother-in-law John Smit (married to Jessie), and the five children. In the U.S. the family moved often, about once a year, to places like Rochester, NY; Hamilton, MI; Holland, MI, on 13th Street and 26th Street; North Blendon, MI; and Beaverdam, MI. Primarily he did share farming of celery and onions with close friend John Smit. Dieuwke was known as a quiet person, heavy and well-liked for her kindness. She died of a heart attack.

After their wives died, Dirk and John Smit lived together on a farm in Hamilton, MI, where they were rather unkind to their sons, taking the money they worked for. Dirk was a searching person and not very likeable, with a quick temper and rough language, but always interesting to those around him. Dirk later married Dena Ross, whom he left three years later after she stole all his money from their home in Constantine, MI. He hitchhiked back to Hamilton, and died there within a year.

Dieuwke is bured in Pilgrim Home Cemetery (PH1 KO 35 21), and so is Dirk (PH1 KO 35 24).