USA > Iowa > Marion County > Pella > Souvenir history of Pella, Iowa : contains a concise story of the founding and life of Pella, Iowa > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
He was born in Eden, Erie county, N. Y., in 1820, being one of a family of nine children. His father and mother were reared in Vermont, and moved to New York, four hundred miles away, traveling on horseback, and settled near the city of Buffalo in 1819. They were Baptists and their children were well grounded in that faith. Ira Childs Stoddard, the father, was a minister of the gospel, and preached for fifty-seven years, being eighty-four when he preached his last sermon. He lived two years after that time, then passed away to his re- ward. The mother, Charlotte Joy Stoddard, lived to be ninety-one years old, and died in 1886.
Dr. Stoddard lived on a farm until he was about nineteen, attending the country school in the neighborhood with his brothers and sisters. Young Ira Joy was sent from home at nineteen to fit for college, and went through his col- lege course at Colgate University, Hamilton, N. Y., graduating in 1845. In 1847 he was graduated at the Theological Seminary of the same college, and was or- dained a minister of the gospel in September of that year. In the same year, after marrying Drusilla Allen, he sailed from Boston for Calcutta, under the ap- pointment of the Baptist Missionary Union.
Ten years Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard held to their work, teaching and preaching, caring for the sick and needy among their charges, both spiritually and morally. The deadly climate told on them, and they were obliged to return to America. Upon their return to New York physicians advised them to go to Iowa. It is questionable if Central College would have lived if Dr. and Mrs. Stoddard had not been providentially guided to cast their lot in Pella just at the time when our college needed strong, self-sacrificing friends. The climate of Iowa soon restored them to health, and Dr. Stoddard commenced to drive over the prairies in his light buggy, to sow the seeds of missionary interest.
In 1861 he attempted to serve his country in the field by enlisting at Knox- ville, Iowa, but was rejected by the surgeon's examination. Failing in this, he next took up the work of helping to clear up the college indebtedness. This was accomplished by 1865. The campus was fenced, walks were laid out, and trees were planted. It was then felt that the school was on the high road to prosperity. Dr. and Mrs. Stoddard, feeling that the college was now well on its feet, and their own health in a measure regained, once more turned their faces to the rising sun, and left in 1886 for India. The grief felt in the community was great. After years of arduous and fruitful work in parts of India where no missionaries had ever penetrated before, they were again driven from their post by the dreaded fever, which almost completed the work it had begun years before. Having re- turned to Iowa, they again regained their health, and so wedded were they to their mission in the foreign field that in 1881 they tried once more, and for the last time, to return to India. Coming as far as New York the examining board decided that their strength would not hold out for another term. Bitterly disap- pointed, they were obliged to turn back. From that time, until God called them to their reward, they lived here, a blessing to the community and a tower of strength to Central College, for which they not only worked and sacrificed, but to the support of which they contributed to the full extent of their financial abil- ity. The ground on which Memorial Hall stands was one of their gifts to Central.
12
178
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
B. T. Keables
Few if any citizens of a past generation were held in higher esteem than the late Dr. B. F. Keables. Coming here in 1852, when Pella was a small, struggling, frontier village, he identified himself with every phase of progress and develop- ment and contributed notably to the upbuilding of all that was best in the life of the community.
From the first he was a true and valuable friend of Central University and belonged to that small coterie of faithful men and women who, in the weak and struggling days of that institution, literally saved it from extinction,
He was born in Genesee county, New York, November 30, 1828, of Michael Keables and Nancy Bromley Keables. Following the completion of his school education in Michigan, where he had been raised and taught one term of school. Dr. Keables went on foot to Oswego, Ill., where he had been tendered the position of teacher in the schools. Upon his arrival the directors concluded he was too young to take charge of so many large and unruly young men, and he was obliged to work at the carpenter trade during the summer. Later, when many teachers had failed with the school, the directors again sought him to take charge of it. which he did, with entire success. Concluding to embrace the profession of
179
BIOGRAPHIES
medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Willis Danforth, where he remained for some time. In 1850 he entered the Medical Department of the State University of Iowa, which had been located at Keokuk, and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1852, and at once started on foot for Pella, with $35.00 in his pocket, a loan from his father, which was the only assistance he received after leaving home. His shingle was swung in the breezes of Pella for two months before his professional services were called for, and the first fee was fifty cents.
In 1853, as president of the school board, he was largely instrumental in securing a favorable vote for a tax to build a schoolhouse, which was one of the first brick schoolhouses erected in that part of the state. February 24, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah J., eldest daughter of Rev. H. P. Scholte, founder of the colony of Hollanders at Pella. At the breaking out of the civil war he ten- dered his services to Governor Kirkwood and was commissioned surgeon of the Third Iowa Infantry. The day following his arrival at Corinth, the regimental surgeon was sent home sick. This left Dr. Keables in sole charge, a trying posi- tion considering that he was an entire stranger to the rules and regulations of the . army. In the terrible engagement at Hatchie Dr. Keables played a conspicuous and daring part. A few days after the battle the colonel of the regiment handed the doctor a letter, which was intended for Governor Kirkwood, and signed by the three principal officers in command. It read:
"Governor: Please promote Dr. Keables at once. He has earned it well."
The commission came by return mail, and in remembrance of the affair at the battle of Hatchie, Adjutant General Baker wrote across the discharge papers of the doctor, in his peculiar style, "A brave man."
Dr. Keables was a representative in the Thirteenth General Assembly, and was a member of the extra session which adopted the 1870 code. He was re- elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1872, but in 1882, when again a candidate, he was defeated, as were many republicans, because of the prohibition plank in the platform. He was a member of the pension examining board under President Harrison, after which time he retired from active practice.
The doctor was a member of the Army of the Tennessee and the Grand Army of the Republic. In February, 1900, he was appointed by President Mckinley to be postmaster at Pella. His death occurred on the 8th day of May, 1911.
A. C. KUYPER
Was born in Pella August 25, 1867, and received a public school education. In 1892 he entered the general merchandise business with his father, un- der the firm name of Kuyper & Son, and continued the business until 1912.
Was elected to the office of City Clerk of Pella in 1900, and served in that capacity continuously ever. since. In 1912, when the work of Municipal Water and Light Departments was added to the office, it was required that he devote all his time to this work. For a number of years he has made a thorough study of the laws relating to Municipal governments, especially to those laws relating to the procedure required in street improvements and in the issuing and selling of city bonds. Mr. Kuy- per is an active member and official of the Baptist Church of Pella, and in all matters that pertain to the advancement of the community, is always ready to put his shoulder to the wheel.
A. C. KUYPER
180
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
PETER G. GAASS
Was born in Zwolle, Netherlands, in 1850. In 1860, when a boy of ten years, he came to America with his parents and settled in Pella. In 1869, when a young man of nineteen years, he decided that the mer- cantile business should be his future vocation. In 1876 he went to Keokuk, where he took charge of the business of Wm. Blom. He remained with Mr. Blom until 1880, when he was offered a position as traveling salesman for the wholesale house of Kellogg Berge & Co. He remained with this firm until 1893, when he returned to Pella and formed a partnership with A. M. Vander Linden in the re- tail shoe business. Seven years later he retired from active business. During his residence in Pella, he has been honored to the positions of alder- man and a member of the board of education. In 1883 he was elected chancellor of Central Univer- sity and has served in the capacity of a member of the general board of that institution ever since and still holds the position. He is a member of the Second Reformed Church and enjoys the honor of being one of the elders of that Christian insti- tution.
PETER G. GAASS
CORNELIUS BONGERS
Was born in the Netherlands March 29, 1843. Came to America in 1848 and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he lived until 1864, when he came to Pella to cast his lot with his countrymen. Upon his arrival here he was employed as a clerk for Mrs. Carson for a few months, after which he associated himself with a Mr. Wilsey in the drug business at Monroe, Iowa. After a time he returned to Pella, where he associated himself with Major Post in the hotel business in the hostelry known as the American House. In 1872 he purchased the inter- est of his partner in the business and took the en- tire responsibility. His hostelry was known from one end of the state to the other for its hospitality and service. On May 5, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Angie Mortimore of Monroe, Iowa, and to them were born five sons, three of which are living: Fred M., now residing in Los Angeles, Cal .; Bernard N. and J. Guy, residing with their mother in Des Moines.
CORNELIUS BONGERS
181
BIOGRAPHIES
S. VAN DER ZYL
Was born in the Netherlands August 24, 1851, and came to this country with his parents in 1866. He may be said to have been literally raised in the buteher business. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Lena Homer who was born in Ohio. In the early lives of Mr. Van der Zyl and his brother, G. G. Van der Zyl, they took over the butcher business of their father and from time to time added the grain and livestock business. They erected a fine elevator just a short time before their death which remains standing today and the sons of S. Van der Zyl, Paul and Simon, conducted the business until 1921 when they disposed of it to the Farmers' Co- operative Society. G. G. Van der Zyl, the senior member of the firm of Van der Zyl Bros., was born in the Netherlands April 10, 1843. When he came to this country he was raised a farmer until he engaged in the above mentioned business. Both men enjoyed every confidence of the community and S. Van der Zyl was at one time Mayor of the eity and held the office of councilman for two or three terms. He was also School treasurer for many years and kept his trusts with the people in- S. VAN DER ZYL violate.
R. R. BEARD
Was born in Detroit, Michigan, October 4, 1846. He came to Pella as a young man in 1870, and from the beginning became prominently identified with every movement having for its purpose the betterment of the community. He was a director and later the president of the Pella National Bank, and his conservative attitude and judgment in financial affairs had much to do with maintaining the reputation of that institution as one of the safest banks in Iowa.
Mr. Beard took a deep interest in educational matters and was a firm and valued friend of Cen- tral University, and for years filled the important posiiton of Chairman of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Trustees.
But Mr. Beard will be best remembered for his zeal in religious work. By precept and example he lived the life of a true christian, and a day seldom passed that he did not speak with someone in regard to his religious obligations and duties. He was a gifted and eloquent speaker, a thorough Bible student, and took an active part in the re- ligious work of the community. His death oe- eurred at the Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines, October 31, 1920.
R. R. BEARD
182
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
H. RHYNSBURGER
Was born in the Netherlands and came to America with his parents in 1855. They landed at New Orleans and from there came to Keokuk, Iowa, on a boat that was at that time running between New Orleans and Keokuk on the Mississippi river. From Keokuk they came to Pella in a wagon drawn by horses. The family con- sisted of D. Rhynsburger and wife, five sons and two sisters. The father having followed the butcher business in their native country, he naturally followed that profession in America until the Civil war broke out, then under the call of President Lincoln, he, with his son, Marinus, joined the 15th Iowa Regi- ment, Co. A, and a short time another son, A. J. Rhynsburger, joined the 33d Iowa Volun- teers in Co. G. All came back home, but the father was wounded in the head at the battle of Shiloh and later was wounded for the second time. He died on December 20, 1900. H. Rhynsburger started in the butter and egg business in 1872 in company with R. P. Brown. A few years later Brown sold his interests to B. S. Schermerhorn and Elko Van Houten and Mr. Rhynsburger. Later J. J. Bousquet pur- H. RHYNSBURGER chased the Van Houten interest, then the firm name became Schermerhorn, Bousquet & Rhynsburger. Shortly after this the firm purchased the egg business of H. A. Noble, of Des Moines, Pella being then the parent home of the various branches located at Knoxville and Grinnell. Later this firm dissolved partnership by mutual consent, Mr. Schermerhorn taking over the Des Moines plant, Bousquet & Rhynsburger taking the Pella plant. The next change was made when J. J. Bousquet retained the Pella creamery, the egg and butter business being taken over by the Pella Produce Co., Inc. This company sold to H. Rhynsburger who con- ducted the produce business and conducted it until 1915 when he sold to the present owners, the Pella Produce Co. Mr. Rhynsburger, from 1872 until 1915, was continually in the produce business, a matter of forty-three years. In 1914 he organized the Iowa Butter, Egg and Poultry Association of Iowa, with thirty- six members and was made president of the organization and held that responsi- ble position for nineteen years. The association has grown from thirty-six mem- bers to an organization of over four hundred. He was recognized as authority by all the leading trades papers and members of that body. In 1915, when he sold out, he connected himself with one of the largest commission houses in New York and became the representative in the west. The W. W. Elzea firm is known throughout all the west as well as eastern states. He travels for this firm through- out Iowa, part of Missouri and the state of Tennessee. His two sons, Harvey and Dick, are both in the produce business, the latter in Sully, and are both doing a big business. Mr. Rhynsburger has been elected as councilman of Pella a number of times and has helped to make Pella what it is today.
183
BIOGRAPHIES
PETER C. LANKELMA, SR.
Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 5, 1832. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Barnaveldt, of Gouda, Netherlands. In 1856, accompanied by his young bride he emigrated to America to make his future home with his countrymen. The fact that he was able to speak the English lan- guage made his arrival something of more than importance in the colony, as interpreters were a scarce article, and the fact of his educational ad- vantages were heralded throughout the entire col- ony. Upon his arrival, he being a well educated young man in the Dutch, French, German and Eng- lish languages, he was engaged in teaching. This he followed for a number of years after which he embarked in the mercantile business. He fol- lowed the mercantile life for a number of years after which he became employed as salesman in the hardware store of H. F. Bosquet for a number of years. When this business was closed by Mr. Bousquet, Mr. Lankelma acted as accountant for H. Rhynsburger in the egg and butter business, later he was engaged as accountant in the People's Sav- PETER C. LANKELMA, SR. ings Bank conducted by Herman Rietveld and re- mained with that institution to within a short time of its failure. His life was one of pleasure and comfort, having retired several years before his death, which occurred on July 18, 1916, his loving wife having preceded him several years be- fore. He left a family of thirteen children, one, Mrs. E. G. Wheeler, having died in 1921.
PETER KRUIDENIER
Came to America with his parents in 1856. He engaged in the carpenter business until 1870, when he engaged in the furniture business, which busi- ness he followed until 1900, when he retired from active work. He played a prominent part in the business building of Pella during his life and is today enjoying the fruits of his labors. Out of four daughters, Mrs. A. C. Kuyper is the only child living.
PETER KRUIDENIER
184
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
WM. LUBBERDEN
WM. LUBBERDEN
Was born in Alsmeer, the Netherlands, Octo- ber 7, 1838. He came to America in 1847, arriving at Pella before the building of "Strooistad" (Straw Town).
He was united in marriage to Jane Stomphorst in the spring of 1867 and settled on a farm three miles southeast of town. Of this union six children were born. The wife and mother died in 1896. Mr. Lubberden remained on the farm until 1907. Since that time he made his home with his children in Pella, until the time of his death which occurred the 6th day of July, 1922. He was a man of strong Christian character, modest and unassuming in his ways, yet always ready to do his part in any- thing that made for the well being and advance- ment of the community. During his long life here he enjoyed the respect and confidence of all who knew him and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends.
JOHN DYKSTRA
Born in Nylander, Province of Friesland, Netherlands, November 13, 1845, and was raised there until he reached manhood when he came to America with his parents in 1867 and located in Jasper county. In the spring of 1874 he came to Pella and engaged in business with Van Spanckeren & Stubenrauch, in the general merchandising busi- ness. This partnership continued until August, 1897, when he started in business for himself. He had a limited amount of capital, but gradually worked himself up to where he was considered the leading merchant of his time. In the spring of 1878 he was united in marriage to Miss J. Terpstra. She was a native of New York and born December 8, 1853. During his lifetime in the community he was considered one of the progressive citizens of the community and assisted greatly in the building up of the city which he lived to enjoy until 1921.
JOHN DYKSTRA
185
BIOGRAPHIES
WM. VANDER LINDEN
Born in Scravendaal, Netherlands, June 14, 1843. In 1847 he came with his parents with the Holland Colony when a boy of four years of age. On June 9, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Jenneka Kolenbrander. They spent their early life on a farm near Amsterdam, south of this city. In 1877 he moved his family to Pella and engaged in busi- ness and was very successful in his new calling. He was Secretary of the Board of Education for a number of years and was, for several years a silent partner of F. W. Brinkhoff in the drug business. In 1886 the firm dissolved partnership and he started in the book and stationery business which he conducted until in later years he engaged in the banking business, being one of the promoters of the Security Bank of this city, of which he was made President, which position he held at the time of his death, on November 11, 1903. He had been associated with the Second Reformed Church of this city from the time of its organization and during his membership served in the capacity of deacon and elder. He was the father of six sons WM. VANDER LINDEN and three daughters, three of the sons having died in early infancy; three, John, of Des Moines; Marinus, of Pella, and Herman, of Leighton, survive him; also three daughters, Miss Lizzie, Mrs. Jennie Schaalekamp, of Sioux Center, Iowa, and Mrs. Minnie. of
FREDERICK WILLIAM BRINKHOFF
Was born in Germany and when a boy of seventeen years he came to America, which country he adopted as his future home. He located in Pella the night before Abraham Lincoln was first elected as President of the United States. Upon his arrival in this city he accepted a position with Esquire Graefe, who was at that time engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. He worked for Mr. Graefe for several years, which business he virtually conducted alone. After the war he started in the mercantile business with H. F. Bosquet. It was some years after that he formed a partnership with W. D. Forsyth in the drug business, later purchasing the interest of Mr. Forsyth, taking over the entire business which he conducted until 1897 when he sold the business to Allen & Stubenrauch, retiring at this time. He with his family left the same year for England where he represented several American manufac- turers in that country, and was very successful. In 1912 he turned the business over to his son-in- law, Wm. Sellers, who with his wife, Sarah Brink- hoff Sellers, are still in the business in that coun- FREDERICK WILLIAM BRINKHOFF try. During his life in Pella he showed his great progressive spirit in the community movements and was the father of the plant- ing of the present trees that we are enjoying. He erected two very fine busi-
186
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
ness blocks in the city during his life and two other business buildings on South Main street. These structures remain as monuments to his most unselfish life. He was elected to the position of alderman of the city and held the office of member of the Board of Education for many years. Those who knew him best and had business dealings with him are better for his having lived. Even after he had moved from this place he showed his loyalty to the city and the people by advocating the first paving that was laid here. Such men as these have a place in the hearts of those who knew them which only the hand of death will ever remove. He was called to his reward at his home in Chicago, Ill., on Tuesday, July 9, 1919. His remains rest in peace in Oakwood cemetery in this city.
H. M. VAN VLIET
Was born in the Netherlands on the 16th day of September, 1840, and came to the United States with his parents in 1847. They lived in St. Louis one year and came to Pella in 1848. He married Miss W. Van Vark in 1862. She was born in the Netherlands. Their family consisted of five chil- dren : Henry, Mattie M., Willie, Joseph and Minnie.
H. M. VAN VLIET
T. A. TYSSELING
TEUNIS ALBERT TYSSELING
Born in Ede, Province of Gelderland, in the Netherlands, Novmeber 30, 1845; he came to Pella with his parents April 7, 1861. In 1868 he started farming three and a half miles east of Pella, where he lived until the year 1901. Was married to Miss Egje De Jong, daughter of Peter De Jong, April 7, 1868. There are four children living: Mrs. Brandt Ver Meer, Mrs. Stephen S. De Cook, Peter and Herman Tysseling. Four children died. Since 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Tysseling have made their home in Pella. He is a prominent member of the First Reformed Church. Mr. Tysseling has three brothers living: Teunis of Knoxville, Iowa; William of Elkton, Minn., and Arie, living in Pella, and one sister, Mrs. Aart van der Waal, living in Erskine, Minn.
187
BIOGRAPHIES
CYRENUS COLE
Was born on a farm near Pella in 1863, and was educated in the public schools of Pella and in Central University, now Central College, at Pella. From 1887 to 1898 he was connected with the Des Moines Register as reporter, city editor and associate editor. From 1898 to 1921 he was con- nccted with the Cedar Rapids Republican and the Evening Times as owner and editor. He was elected to congress on July 19, 1921, in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of the Hon. James W. Good. 2
As a journalist of many years' experience he is intimately acquainted with the history and devel- opment of his native state, and not the least im- portant of his activities has been the writing of "A History of the People of Iowa," an unusually complete and intimate story of the building up of the Hawkeye state, and a number of sketches, all more or less historical, and of decided merit and literary charm.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.