USA > Iowa > Marion County > Pella > Souvenir history of Pella, Iowa : contains a concise story of the founding and life of Pella, Iowa > Part 13
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137
ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND 1858-1876
Kaldenberg, Hendrikus Kaldenberg, Hendrikus Jan Kaldenberg, Gerrit Kaldenberg, Wilhelmina M.
Koch, de Hendrik
Labatt, Abraham Jacob
Rees, van Hendrik
Rees, van H. Mrs.
Rees, van Pieter
Rees, van Leendert
Rees, van Bastiaan
Rees, van Jan
Steenis, van Huibert
Steenis, van H. Mrs.
Steenis, van Willem
Steenis, van Kaatje
Steenis, van Pieternella
Tollenaar, Jan Tollenaar, Jan Mrs.
Tollenaar, Dirk
Tollenaar, Jannigje
Tollenaar, Hendrik
Tollenaar, Marinus
Zante, van Jacob
Zante, van J. Mrs.
Zante, van Dielis Zante, van Frederick
Zante, van Dirk
1866 Brugge, van Maarten Brugge, van M. Mrs.
Jong, de Pieter Jong, de P. Mrs. Jong, de Marinus Jong, de Egje Jong, de Pietertje Jong, de Gysbertje Jong, de Martinus Jong, de M. Mrs. Jong, de Pieter
Kaldenberg, Hendrik Kaldenberg, H. Mrs. Kaldenberg, Jan Kaldenberg, Matthijs
Kaldenberg, M. Mrs. Kaldenberg, Hendrik
Lukas, Pieter Lukas, P. Mrs.
Lukas, Jan
Lukas, Cornelia
Lukas, Aagje
Lukas, Hermanus
Lukas, Neeltje
Olivier, Pieter
Olivier, Johannes
Olivier, Matthijs
Olivier, Phlippus
Olivier, Anna M. C.
Olivier, Willem
Pelicaan, Bart
Ryswyk, van Dirk
Ryswyk, van D. Mrs.
Ryswyk, van Pieter
Ryswyk, van Dirk Jan
Zyl, van der Geike G.
Zyl, van der G. G. Mrs.
Zyl, van der Geike G.
Zyl, van der Minje
Zyl, van der Dientje
Zyl, van der Simon G.
Zyl, van der Boukje
Zyl, van der Jantje
1867 Blom, Hendrik Blom, Hendrik Mrs. Blom, Grietje Blom, Dirkje
Bie, de Willem Mrs.
Bie, de Gerrit
Bie, de Arnoldus Bie, de Huibert
Blommers, Jan
Boer, de Jan
Boef, de Hendrik Boef, de H. Mrs. Boef, de Nicholaas
138
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
Driesem, van Jan Driesem, van Jan Mrs.
Dykstra, Tiemen Dykstra, T. Mrs.
Dykstra, Johannes
Dykstra, Jan
Dykstra, Ible
Dykstra, Elizabeth
Dykstra, Jan Dirk
Elsloo, Foeke Elsloo, F. Mrs. Elsloo, Anne
Jansma, Jan Jansma, Jan Mrs.
Jong, de Albert J.
Jong, de Albert J. Mrs.
Jong, de Sprikje
Korteweg, Jaeob
Korteweg, Maria
Korteweg, Helena
Knook, Leendert Knook, Ldt. Mrs.
Kolk, van der Doeije Kolk, van der D. Mrs.
Maris, Cornelis
Mulder, J. J. Mulder, J. J. Mrs.
Muilenburg, Jan
Niemandsverdriet, Leendert Niemandsverdriet, L. Mrs.
Niemandsverdriet, Geertrui
Niemandsverdriet, Pieternella
Niemandsverdriet, Adriaantje
Niemandsverdriet, Paulus
Niewaal, van Teunis Niewaal, van T. Mrs. Niewaal, van Pietertje Niewaal, van Yzebrand T.
Niewaal, van Pieter Niewaal, van Maeheltje
Otte, Koop Otte, Koop Mrs. Otte, Berend
Smits, Bodes Smits, Bodes Mrs.
Sehalekamp, Dirk Sehalekamp, D. Mrs.
Valkenburg, J.
Varenkamp, Eduard C.
Verwers, Willem Az.
Verbeek, Ivo Mrs.
Verbeek, Magdalena
Verbeek, Teunis
Verbeek, Adriana
Verbeek, Johanna
Verbeek, Johannes
Berends, Lukas
Blom, Willempje
Ekeren, van Hendrik
Ekeren, van H. Mrs.
Ekeren, van Pieternella
Ekeren, van Maria
Engberts, A.
Hoed, den Gerrit
Hoed, den Jacob
Hoed, den Arie Jan
Hoed, den Gerrit Jr.
Hoed, den Bastiaan
Hoed, den Grietje
Hoogendoorn, Gerrit
Leest, van de Jacob Leest, van de J. Mrs. Leest, van de Gerber Leest, van der Eelke
Meppelink, Herman Meppelink, Jan
Nieuwpoort, van Frans Nieuwpoort, van F. Mrs.
139
ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND 1858-1876
Nieuwpoort, van Janna Nieuwpoort, van Rijkje Nieuwpoort, van Peter Nieuwpoort, van Jan Nieuwpoort, van Jenneke
Overbergen, Lambertus Overbergen, L. Mrs.
Overbergen, Mina
Overbergen, Jantje
Overbergen, Hendrika
Overbergen, Hendrik
Rempe, Jan Rempe, Jan Mrs.
Rempe, Geertje
Rempe, Jan Jr.
Rempe, Hendrik
Rempe, Elizabeth
Torn, van Aart Torn, van A. Mrs. Torn, van Adam
Vries, de Arie
Wesseling, Johannes
Wilt, van der Gerrit
Wilt, van der G. Mrs.
Wilt, van der Gerrit Jr. Wilt, van der Figie
Wilt, van der Gerrit G.
Wilt, van der Hendrik Wilt, van der Neeltje
Wilt, van der Sygie
Wilt, van der Cornelia
1869 Biesma, Beinardus Biesma, B. Mrs. Biesma, Hilke
Bootsma, Teunis Bootsma, T. Mrs. Bootsma, Jeltje Bootsma, Jetske
Bootsma, Jonke
Bootsma, Teunia Bootsma, Teunis
Bakker, Gerrit
BroĊsma, Jacob Brolsma, Gerrit Brolsma, Gosse
Bartlema, Cornelis Bartlema, Cs. Mrs.
Bartlema, Sjoerd Bartlema, Maria
Beek, van Willem
Beek, van Wm. Mrs.
Beek, van Hendrikus
Beek, van Dirkje
Hessing, Dirk Hessing, D. Mrs. Hessing, Pieter Hessing, Nelis
Hiemstra, Ulbe Hiemstra, U. Mrs.
Hiemstra, Sikke
Hiemstra, Abe
Hiemstra, Jan
Hiemstra, Maaike
Hellinga, Ane J.
Hellinga, A. J. Mrs. Hellinga, Ane J. Jr.
Hoogland, Bensing Hoogland, B. Mrs.
Kolk, van der Tjaling
Kolk, van der T. Mrs.
Kolk, van der Ettje
Kolk, van der Rinske
Lautenbach, R. Lautenbach, R. Mrs. Lautenbach, Lambertus Lautenbach, Dooitske Lautenbach, Catharina
Laverman, Klaas Laverman, K. Mrs. Laverman, Pietje Laverman, Dirkje Laverman, Dora
Meinardi, J.
Ploeg, van der Anne
140
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
Ploeg, van der Geertje Ploeg, van der Dirk
Popma, P. A. Popma, P. A. Mrs.
Popma, Albert
Popma, Frans
Popma, Leendert
Popma, Gerber
Popma, Catherina
Popma, Vrouwkje
Ryswyk, van Jan
Ploeg, van der Jetsje
Ploeg, van der Ruurd
Ploeg, van der Ipe
Ploeg, van der Levi
Ploeg, van der Geeltje
Ross, A. J. Ross, A. J. Mrs.
Ross, Johanna C.
Ross, Arndina
Ross, Ferolina E.
Ross, Hendrika
Ross, Jan Andries
Ross, Hendrikus J.
Rhynsburger, Johannes
Rhynsburger, J. Mrs.
Rhynsburger, Maria
Rhynsburger, Jan
Rhynsburger, Cornelis
Rhynsburger, Dirk
Rhynsburger, Adriana
Starkenburg, Sjoerd Starkenburg, S. Mrs. Starkenburg, Eelke
Veldhuizen, van Jacob Veldhuizen, van J. Mrs.
Veldhuizen, van Betje
Veldhuizen, van Hendrik Jan
Veldhuizen, van Hendrikus
Veldhuizen, van Jan
Voort, van der Willem Voort, van der Wm. Mrs. Voort, van der Hendrik Voort, van der Jannigje
Voort, van der Cornelia Voort, van der Jan
Vries, de Aukje Vries, de Hendrik Vries, de Vrouwkje
Veen, van der Cornelis
Veen, van der Cs. Mrs.
Willemstijn, Frans Willemstijn, F. Mrs.
Walraven, Jan
Walraven, Jan Mrs.
Walraven, Gerrit
Walraven, Cornelia Maria
Walraven, Neeltje
Zondervan, Pieter Zondervan, P. Mrs. Zondervan, Karel Zondervan, Karel Mrs.
1870 Braam, Johannes Braam, J. Mrs.
Bakker, Frans
Bootsma, Hille
Engel, Pieter
Koelman, Jan
Kock, de Jan
Koningsveld, van Jan
Koningsveld, van Jan. Mrs. Koningsveld, van Sietske
Koningsveld, van Trijntje
Koningsveld, van Willem Koningsveld, van Alida
Langewisch, Lodewijk G. Langewisch, L. G. Mrs.
Peursen, van Wouter Peursen, van W. Mrs. Peursen, van George Peursen, van Gerritje Peursen, van Mina
141
ARRIVALS FROM HOLLAND 1858-1876
Peursen, van Jacoba Peursen, van Wouter
Sille, Willem Sille, Wm. Mrs. Sille, Cornelia Sille, Maria
Stek, Adriaantje Stek, Jan Stek, Cornelia
Tukker, Jan Tukker, Jan Mrs. Tukker, Cornelis
Vaze, Marinus
Vos, Ferdinand
Vos, F. Mrs.
Vos, Baldewijn
Vos, B. Mrs.
Vos, Johannes
Vos, Jantje
Vos, Sygie
Goor, van der Antonie
Goor, van der Ant. Mrs.
Goor, van der Mina
Goor, van der Teunis
Hoed, den Arie
Hoed, den Arie Mrs.
Hoed, den Jacoba
Hoed, den Jacob
Haai, de Cornelis
Haai, de C. Mrs.
Haai, de Dirk
Wynia, Gerbrig
Haai, de Pieter
Haai, de Evert Johannes
Wynia, Hendrik
Haai, de Barbera
Haai, de Pietronella
Wynia, Betzje
Wynia, Teunis
Wynia, Foeke
Wynia, Jan Wynia, Klaas
Wynia, Jannigje
Wynia, Pier Wynia, Gerber Wynia, Boukje
Zeeuw, de Pleun Zeeuw, de P. Mrs. Zeeuw, de Jan Zeeuw, de Pleun Arie
Zeeuw, de Arie
1871 Dalen, van Frederick
Dalen, van F. Mrs.
Dalen, van Wessel
Dalen, van Jannigje
Dalen, van Antje
Dalen, van Sygie
Dalen, van Jaantje
Gorp, van Gerrit
Gorp, van G. Mrs.
Gorp, van Jacob
Gorp, van J. Mrs.
Gorp, van Matthijs
Gorp, van Frans
Gorp, van Maaike
Gorp, van Marinus
Gorp, van Antje
Vries, de Herman Vries, de Evert Vries, de Pieier
Walraven, Jan Walraven, Jan Jr.
Wynia, Ulbe Wynia, Ulbe Mrs.
Wynia, Jan
Wynia, Doris
Wynia, Jeltje
Wynia, Boukje Wynia, Aagje
Heiting, Marinus
Langedoen, Maria
Masch, Paul H. G. Masch, P. H. G. Mrs. Masch, Wesselbina Masch, Paul J. G.
142
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
Masch, Anna M. G.
Masch, Pierre J. J.
-
Vaze, Marinus Vaze, Marinus Mrs. Vaze, Jan Vaze, Johannes
1872 Bakker, T. T. Bakker, T. T. Mrs.
Scheffers, Marinus
Scheffers, M. Mrs.
Scheffers, Geertje
Scheffers, Dirkje
Scheffers, Jan
crime
C. Rhynsburger's Old Store
Biographies
J. H. WOLTERS
As has already appeared in this history, Mr. Wolters had the distinction of being the first mer- chant of Pella. Wolters & Smeenk had a small stock of merchandise in a log house that stood where the beautiful Van Zee home is located, just west of town on the Brand farm. Later they moved to the G. Thomassen corner, one block west of the Square, on Washington street. Here they con- ducted one of the leading stores for several years. We have been unable to secure any definite data as to Mr. Wolters' later activities.
J. H. WOLTERS
A. WIGNY
In K. Van Stigt's history of Pella, Mr. Wigny is mentioned as one of the leaders of the colonization movement. He was a member of the Executive Committee chosen by the colonists in Holland when the movement was yet in its formative stage. He was one of the two men who had charge of affairs on the ship, the Nagasaki. Mr. Wigny was a man of earnest religious convictions, a faithful mem- ber of the Reformed Church, and during the years of his residence in Pella he had the respect and confidence of the entire community. He was called to his reward the 22nd day of December, 1869.
A. WIGNY
G. P. H. ZAHN
All the older residents of Pella will remember Mr. Zahn as a quiet, unassuming man, yet possessed of a cultured mind and a high character. For many years he was a Notary and engaged in the insurance business. He had his office on the west side, on the north part of the lot now occupied by the Public Library. During the years he lived in Pella he made his home with the P. C. Lankelma family.
G. P. H. ZAHN
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144
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
REV. A. J. BETTEN
Long before the ships that brought our fathers to America had sailed from Holland, an organization had been formed of which Rev. H. P. Scholte was the President and Rev. A. J. Betten the Vice-president. Later he was one of the two men who had charge of the colonists affairs on board the good ship, "The Nagasaki." After their arrival here, in 1847, Mr. Betten bought the farm which is well known to the present generation as the John Boot home farm, located some miles northwest of Pella. In 1849 he removed to Pella and entered the mercantile business. While he did not follow his calling as a Minister during his life in Pella, to the extent of taking regular charge of one of the congregations, yet for many years he was one of the leaders in the religious life of the community, and before the regular demonina- tional congregations were established in Pella, he preached for the Hollanders for a long time. Some years after the planting of the colony in Sioux County, he removed there and made his home with his son, Antonie Betten, in Orange City, until the time of his death.
REV. A. J. BETTEN
A. G. VAN DER MEULEN
Was born in the Netherlands in 1821 and came to Pella in 1849. Here he engaged in the watch and clock business, starting one of the first stores in that line in Pella. This business was continued in later years by his sons and enlarged by the addi- tion of hardware and implements, until it was one of the most important retail establishments in Central Iowa. At one time the firm of Van der Meulen & Co., sold farm implements for a radius of fifty miles around Pella, even carrying their sales to within a few miles of Des Moines. The firm is still doing an extensive business under the same name, (Van der Meulen & Co.), in the same loca- tion where A. G. Van der Meulin Sr., started his watch and clock store in the early days. The present members of the firm are: J. H. De Vries, H. J. Boland, John F. Dykstra and H. P. Van der Meulen. The latter is a grandson of the original founder of the business.
A. G. VAN DER MEULEN
145
BIOGRAPHIES
DR. J. ROELOFSZ
The colonists of '47 were fortunate in the fact that from the beginning of their life in Pella, they had as their first and for a considerable time, their only physician, Dr. Roelofsz. While he had none of the modern appliances of the present time, it is a matter of common knowledge among the older residents that he was one of the ablest and most skillful doctors we ever had in this com- munity. As a diagnostician he had few, if any, superiors, and in several cases where he differed with other physicians, a post-mortem generally proved him to have been right. He lived to a ripe old age in this community and his death was felt as a personal loss to many who had learned his great worth as a friend and physician. His death occured April 28, 1888.
DR. J. ROELOFSZ
MR. F. W. WAECHTER
MRS. F. W. WAECHTER
F. W. WAECHTER was born in Germany, August 27, 1821. He emigrated to America in 1847, via New Orleans, and came to St. Louis. Here he worked at the Cabinet trade until 1852, when he removed to Pella. While living in St. Louis he was married to Miss Christiana Berghoever, of that city. The wedding occurring in July of the year 1850. In Pella he engaged in the making of furniture for a few years, but was so unfortunate as to lose building and entire stock by fire. He later owned and operated a saw mill for several years, and for six years was engaged with E. F. Grafe in running the Washington Flour Mill. In 1871 he engaged in the lumber business in which he continued until he retired on account of old age. The same business is still carried on by his son, A. Waechter, and his grandson, G. H. Waechter, under the firm name of Waechter Lumber Co. F. W. Waechter died November 22, 1880.
10
146
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
J. H. H. VAN SPANCKEREN
Was born in the Netherlands and came to Pella in the early days. He was prominently connected with the early business development of Pella, and for a number of years engaged in the merchant tailor business. He was a man of sterling charac- ter and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to the day of his death.
J. H. H. VAN SPANCKEREN
A. G. GESMAN
The subject of this sketch was born in Rotter- dam, Holland, September 8, 1810. When a young man he served in the Cavalry of Holland through the war with Belgium. He came to America with the first colonists in 1847, worked in St. Louis at his trade of carpenter and builder until the spring of '49, when he came to Pella. Here he was one of the leading contractors and builders for years, and built many of the older residence and business buildings of Pella. He was a member of the First Reformed Church, and during the early days an organization of men often met at his home for the discussion of religious subjects. The older resi- dents of Pella remember him as a man of genial and optimistic temper who never failed to have a pleasant word or jest with which to greet his many friends. He died in September, 1887.
A. G. GESMAN
JACOB GRANDIA
Was born in Schravendalen, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands, in 1826. At the youthful age of nineteen he emigrated to America in the spring of 1847 and was among the very first to arrive in this community. He was a lad with ambition and usefulness. He with Henry Hospers, assisted the surveyors in platting the town of Pella, the name of the town meaning "The Place of Refuge" had been decided on before they left Holland. He was united in marriage to Miss Marie Colyn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leendert Colyn. To this union were born six sons: Jellis, Anthonie, Leonard, John, Jacob and Abraham, and three girls, Marie. Trintje and Elizabeth. The above mentioned were intermarried into the families of Yongewaard, Van Zee, Brant, Van Zante, Adair, Liter and Nieuwendorp, respec- tively. Their descendants numbering something like one hundred and forty, who are now residing in Marion, Mahaska and Jasper counties, some which are resid- ing in Minnesota. Mr. Grandia died in June, 1868.
147
BIOGRAPHIES
N. J. GESMAN, SR.
Was born in Charlois, Holland, December 17, 1835. He came to this country with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Gesman, with the first colonists in 1847. The family remained in St. Louis until early in 1849, when they moved to Pella. At a very early age he joined his father in the carpen- ter shop and learned that trade. From his youth up he was a student and when his health unfitted him for the hard labor of carpenter work, he fitted himself by home study, for the profession of school teacher. He commenced teaching in 1861 and continued for four years. He taught the school near Amsterdam, later the Vos school near the Skunk river, and also in the Pella schools. In 1867 he became editor of the Pella Gazette and continued in this work for about one year. About this time he took up the study of law. At that time the family consisted of six members, and Mr. Gesman had to provide for the family while studying to qualify for the bar. It was no uncommon thing for him to work all day and then study until two A. M. In this way he succeeded to qualify for that profession in a little more than six months, and became a member of the law firm of Curtis & Ges- N. J. GESMAN. SR. man. Later, when Mr. Gesman removed from Pella, the firm was known as Gesman & Prouty. The junior member at that time being S. F. Prouty, now of Des Moines. Mr. Gesman was an earnest and devout Christian from his early youth, and the ministry would have been his choice if it had been possible for him to obtain the schooling neces- sary for this calling. After having practiced law for more than twenty years, his desire to devote the remainder of his life to religious work became so strong that he took an examination and was ordained as Minister in the Reformed Church. He then accepted a call from the Reformed Congregation in Leighton, for whom he had acted as supply for several years previous, and continued as the Pastor of that congregation until his death, which occurred November 3, 1894. Mr. Gesman was one of the organizers of the Second Reformed Congregation in Pella, and for many years served as Elder and also as Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was elected mayor of Pella in 1882, and served as City Attorney for a number of years. Few men of his generation did more for the moral development of the community. Many men and women still living, will testify to his unusual ability as teacher and expounder of God's word, during the many years that he taught a large adult class in the Sunday School of the Second Reformed Church.
REV. JACOB CORNELIUS
Born in Coshocton, Ohio, 1838, died in Galena, Kansas, August 1, 1897. His parents emigrated from the city of Amsterdam, Holland, settling in New York and were known as one of the Knickerbocker families in the early days. He became a minister in the Baptist church in 1862. He was an architect in his early life and considered very proficient in his profession. He enlisted in the Civil war and at the close received an honorable discharge, and from that time on, he became a pioneer minister. His work began in Indiana and followed up in Illinois, Iowa
148
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
and Kansas. Twenty-seven Baptist churches were erected and dedicated free of debt during his lifetime, the work of which was accomplished by his special ef- forts. He moved to Pella in 1892 in order that his children might profit by the advantages of Central University and particularly to receive a Christian college training.
DIRK STUBENRAUCH
DIRK STUBENRAUCH
Born in Kerk Driel, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands, February 21st, 1810. He was mar- ried to Miss Everdina Schotveld on or about 1839. To this union was horn one son, John H. Stuhen- rauch, on October 8th, 1842. He with his family arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, U. S. A., on De- cember 24th, 1846, and was living in Baltimore when the Dutch Colony arrived in this country in 1847. They moved to Albany, New York, and from there to Buffalo, New York. In 1849 he with his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and lived there during the great fire and cholera epidemic. On the 8th day of April, 1851, they moved to Pella, Iowa, and on June 28th, 1852, he became a natural- ized citizen. He was one of the men who aided greatly in building up the business and social part of Pella. For years he followed the tailoring busi- ness. His death occurred January 12th, 1892, aged 82 years.
HENRY VAN MAREN
Born in the Netherlands on May 15th, 1835. He came to America with his par- ents on the good ship Pieter Floris and settled in Marion county. His father en- gaged in the manufacture of brick, which was at that time made exclusively by hand, and Henry was engaged in this business and farming until twenty-three years of age, when he took up the trade of blacksmithing. After working at his trade for two years he engaged in business for himself. This venture was extraordinary at this particular time as he was without means, his capital being his trade, his good health his greatest asset. He worked his way up in this business and when he retired October 21st, 1918, he was considered one of the leading business men in farm machinery and vehicle business. He was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Dunninck in 1859. She was born in the Netherlands June 26th, 1859, and died June 26th, 1910. To this union were born three sons and three daughters. Arie and John are deceased, New- ton still lives in this city. The eldest daughter also passed away in early life and the two, Hen- rietta and Mary, remain at home and are making HENRY VAN MAREN his life comfortable in declining years.
149
BIOGRAPHIES
JAMES MUNTINGH
Born in the Netherlands on the fourteenth day of November, 1820, and was raised there. He was a man who had received ex- cellent educational advantages in his youth and when the first colony came to America in 1847, he came with them and contributed his full share toward the building up of the colony. He fol- lowed teaching for the first three years after which he engaged in the mercantile business, and at that time he was considered the most able business man in the colony and he was very successful. He al- ways manifested a great interest in the community and municipal affairs and was at one time town clerk and also served in the capacity of member of the town council and his services were valuable. In 1843 he was united in marriage to Miss Christine Anbert. She was born in Prussia. He was the first Superintendent of the Sunday School of the First Reformed Church and did excellent work. In later years he became affiliated with the Second Re- JAMES MUNTINGH formed Church of this city and was a member when he died.
FREDERICK C. MATHES
The Man Who Cut All the Stone for Central College
Was born in Capelle, Germany, in 1834, and came to Pella in 1854. The occasion of his coming to Pella was principally to cut the stone for "Central College," but Pella suited him so well that he established a stone-cutting shop and operated a rock saw for a number of years. During that time he cut much of the stone work that went into the buildings of Pella. He after- wards bought a farm north of Pella, where he died on July 28, 1895.
-
FREDERICK C. MATHES
150
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
ISAAC OVERKAMP
If there is one character in the history of the past generation that stands pre- eminent for great service and leadership in all that was best in the spiritual and educational life of the community, that pre-eminence justly belongs to Mr. Over- kamp. Equipped with exceptional educational ad- vantages and a high standard of Christian charac- ter, his influence for good cannot be measured in words. He was appointed as the first schoolmaster by the Rev. H. P. Scholte, with Henry Hospers as reserve teacher. Instruction was given in both the English and Dutch languages. Mr. Overkamp taught the pupils those principles of the Christian faith and character that made his own life a bea- con light for good in the community.
He was born in the Netherlands February 26, 1810. He received unusual educational advantages in his youth and chose the profession of teaching as his life work. From the beginning of the col- onizing movement in Holland he was one of the chosen and trusted leaders, and after coming to Pella in 1847, up to his retirement from active work because of advanced age, he filled many posi- ISAAC OVERKAMP tions of trust, both in civil and religious activities of the community. He held the position of city treasurer from the incorporation of Pella until his voluntary retirement, with the exception of two terms when he filled the position of mayor. He had charge of a parochial school opened in 1861, was elder of the First Reformed Church for many years, and was invaluable as a Bible teacher of the youth of the community. No man connected with the history of Pella is remembered with greater respect and if the title of "Grand old man of Pella" had ever been created, we know of no one more justly entitled to the honor.
H. VAN GORKOM
H. VAN GORKOM
We have been unable to obtain any data as to the time and place of Mr. Van Gorkom's birth, or the time of his death. He came here in the early days and filled an important place in the com- munity, as he was one of the first blacksmiths of Pella, in a time when this was one of the most im- portant industries. He continued in this work for a long period of time and had his shop and home on Franklin street, just west of the Jacob Plender home.
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