USA > Iowa > Marion County > Pella > Souvenir history of Pella, Iowa : contains a concise story of the founding and life of Pella, Iowa > Part 19
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Hartog, den Hyme
Wynia, Ulbe
Iperen, van I.
Zante, van D. Hz.
Jong, de P. Kz.
Zeeuw, de G.
Jongewaard, Cornelis
Jong, de O.
Klein, Johannes
Lakeman, Cornelis Logterman, J.
Lenderink, A.
Meer, van der J.
Meer, van der Ldt.
Meer, van der Dirk
Marele, van Arie
Meide, van der Arie
Muilenburg, Jacob
Notenboom, Arie
Nieuwendorp, Christian
Pelmulder, Jelle
Pas, Huibert
Ploeg, van der Ipe
Pool, S.
Pelt, van der Dirk
Pelt, Van Leendert
Rooijen, van Wouter
Raad, de Arie
Ruisch, de D.
Rysdam, W.
Rysdam, G.
Brouwer, Tjeerd
Schippers, A.
Beukelman, Mrs.
Steeg, van der Gerrit
Boersma, L.
Talsma, Ryn.
Berge, van den Ads.
Versteeg, Arie
Fennema, J.
Wyk, van Johannes
Gorter, J.
Windhorst, J.
Horsen, van Pieter
Wieringa, K.
Heemstra, T.
Zyl, van der Bart
Jansma, Ane
Zalm, van der Win.
We would like to devote more space to the history of the wonderful growth. development and prosperity, that, after the first hard years, has distinguished the Holland colony in Sioux county; but this would make a history by itself. The same energy, thrift and ability that has made the Pella colony one of the richest and most prosperous communities in America, has also marked the history of our people in the northwest. The small group of some sixty-four families that left here in 1870 has grown into one of the largest, or rather the largest colony of people of Holland antecedents, west of Michigan.
It occupies a large part of Sioux and several adjoining counties. For a number of years Sioux county has led in the average price of lowa farm lands. The bare, windswept prairies that our Pella pioneers found in Sioux county a little more than fifty years ago, are now covered with up-to-date, growing towns and cities, and prosperous farm homes, and there are a number of settlements in Minnesota and the Dakotas that have sprung from the colony in Sioux county. Here we have a wonderful demonstration of how a small movement may continue to grow and expand until its effect and influence extends far beyond that con-
Luymes, H. J.
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DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
templated by those who inaugurated the original project. We are confident that Rev. H. P. Scholte, although he was a man of keen brain and large vision, never thought or dreamed that the small acorn of colonization which he planted seventy- five years ago would continue to grow and expand into a mighty oak, that casts its munificent shadow far beyond the borders of our state.
FOREST FIRES
The late summer of 1871 was unusually dry and there were many destructive forest fires in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The result was a great loss of property and severe suffering on the part of thousands who were left homeless and lost all their worldly possessions. In a way that has long been recognized as characteristic of generous America, steps were immediately taken in all parts of the country to raise money, food and other necessities to relieve the people in the stricken districts. We are proud to chronicle the fact that Pella was neither the last nor the least in her response.
It is fitting that the story of the generosity of our citizens be told by others rather than by the writer. We therefore give an article found in the Pella's Week- blad of October 28, 1871.
"The following article appeared recently in the Des Moines Register :
"GENEROUS PELLA .- A few days ago we mentioned the generous gift from the city of Pella to the fire victims of Chicago. Now we learn from the local paper of that place that the citizens have raised the large sum of $1,362.00 for the fire-stricken districts of Michigan. From all available information it appears that Pella has given considerable more per capita than any other city in the state of Iowa. All honor is due to her generous citizens. Now it seems that the Week- blad has not told the full story; from later information we learn that instead of eight hundred dollars for Chicago, the amount raised for that city was approxi- mately fifteen hundred, and for Michigan the amount will reach not less than twenty-five hundred."
In this connection the writer takes great pride in recalling that Pella was given credit by the papers of Des Moines for having actually given more to the sufferers in the Johnstown flood than any city in the state, irrespective of popula- tion; and when the news came that San Francisco had been almost totally de- stroyed by an earthquake, again the generous hearts of our people responded, and we raised more than three times the amount given by any other city of equal population.
This is perhaps an opportune time and place to speak of a characteristic peculiarity of our citizens, and especially of those of Holland blood, that is often misunderstood and not infrequently leads to a misconception of their true char- acter. Because they are not as ready to part with their money for every trifling show or so-called entertainment that offers, and prefer to save their money for more sensible and useful purposes, superficial observers often use the expression of tightwads. Yet it is due to this trait in the character of our people that Pella has more beautiful homes, less cases of bankruptcy, and greater per capita wealth than most cities of much larger population. And what is more important, it is just because our people as a class refuse to spend their money for every frivolous purpose that they always have the means to respond when others need help.
220
SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
The old DeHaan home located just south of the College. It is one of the oldest homes in Pella and is in good preservation. It was erected by Jacob DeHaan, Sr.
The A. H. Viersen home on north Main Street. One of the oldest homes in the city. It is still standing and is occupied by Miss Lily Viersen.
221
DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
The old Scholte home on the north side of the square a few years after it had been finished. At that time it was considered a palace.
The four grandchildren of Reverend Scholtc. Taken in 1907. Left to right: Miss Bess Scholte Gaass, Miss May Keables Smith, Miss Sarah Nollen and Mrs. Marie Bousquet-Wills.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
CITY CALLERY.
WATCHESCLOCKS & JEWELRY
H. P. Vandermeulen's Jewelry Store, the first one in Pella. The Vandermeul- en hardware store now occupies the ground it stood on.
Showing a portion of Central Park when it was populated with big cotton- wood trees.
1
.
PBRUINEKOOL
BLACKSMITH WAGON & PAINT SHOP
The old Bruinekool blacksmith shop on the west side of the square. A fine brick now occupies its place.
DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
223
NEW
NEW STORE.
A fine business house in the '60's. It stood on the east side of the square where the Right Price store now stands.
Central Park looking south showing the clearing of the old trees and getting the place in readiness for a new era.
224
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
ONE OF THE EARLY BANDS
J. B. Sexton, Tuba; Orange Post, Baritone; G. A. Vandermeulen, Tenor; Jno. D. Gaass, Alto; Charles Neiwerf, Alto; Jno. Russell, Alto; Thes. Cox, Alto; Vandermeulen, Alto; , Snap Drummer; -, Bass Drummer.
225
DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN 1872
Measured by some standards a quarter of a century is a long period of time, but in the building of a civilized community in a virgin country, where farms and homes had literally to be hewn from the forests, twenty-five years is but a very brief span. And yet, be it said to the glory of our pioneers, that although they planted their colony in a strange land, 120 miles from the nearest railroad, and although they were strangers to the customs and even to the language of the new country, yet such was their determination, industry and thrift, that in the brief space of time between 1847 and 1872, they had developed a settlement here that would compare favorably with many that were much older in Iowa.
We believe the facts justify us in stating that in every department of com- inunity life, Pella was the peer of any similar settlement in the Mississippi Valley. This was not only true in regard to commerce and in the industries, but it was even more marked in the departments of religion and education. What is true today was true then: that few if any towns of equal population were so well equipped with churches and schools.
We would not be doing justice to our forefathers if we failed in this history, to emphasize at every opportunity, that the men and women who planted this colony, were of exceptional type and peculiarly fitted by character and ability, to lay a broad and enduring foundation for the future development of a cultured and Christian community.
If there is one fact established by a study of the early history of Pella, it is that we have a just cause to remember the sturdy men and women of that time with pride and gratitude. Occasionally we observe an attitude, on the part of the more frivolous of the present generation, indicating that they consider our fathers and grandfathers to have been crude nad uncultured, and fitted only for the rough life of the frontier. Nothing is farther from the truth; and if this book will do no more than to dispell this inexcusable ignorance, and to record for all time to come, the fact that the most advanced and prosperous citizens of present day Pella, have no greater cause for proper pride, than is to be found in the character and worth of those who laid the foundation on which later generations are building.
Not only is there just cause for pride in the history of the men and times of which we write, but there is a direct and unescapable challenge to this and future generations . to perpetuate the virtues and to emulate the sturdy qualities that more than any material prosperity is the brightest star in Pella's crown.
Much has been said and written of the manifest Providence that marks the history of the discovery, colonization and development of this great country. And we believe that in no other community is the guiding hand of God more clearly visible than in the events that led up to the planting of a colony here under the inspired leadership of the Rev. Henry P. Scholte and the other Godly men who shared the leadership with him.
On the 27th day of July, 1872, a meeting of the citizens was held for the pur- pose of arranging for the proper observance and celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the planting of the colony. A general committee was appointed consisting of the following men: Isaac Overkamp, Sr. Jan F. LeCocq Koenraad van Zee Ads. Van Stigt Dirk Synhorst Hendrik Kars
Phillippus J. Koelman
August Wigny
Pierre H. Bousquet
Antonie J. Betten, Sr.
Brouwer 't Lam
Wiggert Rietveld
Jan Akkerman
Jacob van de Roovaart
Levi Beintema
Auke H. Viersen
Ads. Veenman Stfanus van Zee
Jan Hospers
Gerrit H. Overkamp
Jacobus Muntingh
Ernest F. Grafc 15
Pieter O. Viersen
Jacobus Verhey
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
This committee held a meeting on the 8th of August and elected Isaac Over- kamp as president and J. Hospers as secretary. By motion it was decided to hold the celebration on the 28th day of August, commencing at 9:00 A. M., and that the day would be inaugurated by holding a religious service in the new church. Isaac Overkamp, Jacob van de Roovaart and August Wigny were appointed as the committee to arrange the program for this meeting. The committee to arrange for the celebration proper was composed of: P. H. Bousquet, H. P. Scholte, Jr., E. F. Grafe, J. Muntingh and A. Van Stigt.
At a meeting held August 15th, the following men were chosen to act as ofli- cers of the day :
P. H. Bousquet, president
J. F. Le Cocq, Sr.
J. Roziersz
D. van der Wilt
K. van Zee
J. Roelofsz
E. F. Grafe
J. A. Toom
Cs. Welle
F. 't Lam
P. J. Koelman
The heavy rainfall of the evening of August 27th and also during the day of the 28th threatened to spoil the celebration; but notwithstanding this unfavorable condition, when the time arrived for the opening services, a vast throng filled the large audience room of the new First Reformed Church, and after an earnest prayer had been offered by Rev. H. G. Klyn, the audience listened to eloquent addresses by Rev. A. J. Betten, Rev. W. van der Klei, Rev. E. Winter and Rev. K. Weyland. Between the speaking there was congregational singing, in which the vast audience expressed their gratitude to the God of their fathers, who had so signally blessed them in the land of their adoption.
After the services the people were invited to the old church building, one block west, on the corner later occupied by the William Langerak residence. Here four large tables fairly groaned under their load of good things to eat and drink. After doing full justice to this part of the day's proceedings, the partici- pants repaired to the Scholte grove, where the old settlers had charge of a pro- gram fitting to the occasion. Here they were entertained with music and listened to a number of short but eloquent speeches. Major H. Post, son of Rey. Mozes Post, was one of the speakers who addressed the audience in the Holland language. Although he was a native American, he had attended school under James Mun- tingh, and to the end of his life he took great pride in his complete mastery of the Dutch language.
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN 1897
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the first three days of September, 1897, the city of Pella celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its settlement by the Hol- landers. Former residents of the city came from all parts of the state and some from St. Louis, Chicago, and even New York. Henry Hospers, founder of the Holland colony in Sioux county, Iowa, and a former mayor of Pella, came down from Orange City with about three hundred others on a single excursion train. Many came by wagon, one hundred and fifty conveyances, all loaded to their full capacity, coming from Mahaska county. By 9 o'clock Wednesday morning it was estimated that two thousand wagons and carriages had been driven into the city.
Wednesday's feature was a grand procession, which formed at the east square and paraded through the principal streets led by Henry' Cox's band of forty-four
227
DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
pieces. Following the band came seventy girls in their "teens," each dressed in white, with red and blue sashes, and carrying a red, white and blue umbrella. Next came the first settlers, who were young men and boys when the first colonists arrived in 1847. Two of the floats in the procession are thus described by the Knoxville Express:
"On the first were four young ladies, the Misses Marie Bousquet, Sara Nollen, Bessie Scholte and May Keables, grandchildren of Rev. H. P. Scholte, founder of Pella. They were dressed in picturesque Dutch costumes, the helmets of solid gold, covered with lace caps-that is as near as ordinary English can come in describing this headgear. Their faces were pictures framed in gold and lace. The rest of the costumes also were Dutch-girdles, skirts, shoes and sturdy stock- ings. They represented a Dutch tea party, the tea served in dainty Delft ware, brought from Holland fifty years ago.
"On the second float were the Misses Agnes Bousquet, Julia Bousquet, Annie Wormhoudt, Alice de Pree, Helen Brinkhoff, Bessie van der Linden and Artie van der Linden. They were dressed in costumes very similar to the ones in the first float, except that their head plates were of silver, the silver covered with lace. They represented, in a sense, the industrial women of Holland. They had the old-fashioned spinning wheels and other contrivances of the past. Some of them knitted-but none were idle, for idleness is a vice among them. These two floats were greatly admired and attracted any amount of attention."
One unusual feature of the celebration was that no Dutch flags were dis- played. On St. Patrick's day the green flag of Erin is always very much in evi- dence in the cities of the United States, but the committee on decorations decided to put out no flags except the Stars and Stripes of the American Republic. Indi- viduals were left to exercise their own judgment in the matter of decoration, but the flag of Holland was conspicuous by its absence. This attitude of the residents was partially explained by Rev. J. Ossewarde on Thursday in his address on The Duty of the Young Toward Americanization. Said he, in referring to the founders of the colony:
"They came not for wealth, which they might in later years enjoy in the parent country. They came rather seeking a home of refuge, where civil and religious liberty, denied them in the Netherlands, might be enjoyed, and where those noble principles and virtues, dear to them as life, might be established, and expanded and developed. And when they came here they came to become Americans. In choosing this country as their home and the home of their pos- terity, they chose also the American institutions. The moment their feet pressed the American soil they became American citizens."
Another parade was given on Thursday, preceding the speech making, and at 3 o'clock P. M. on Friday, the semi-centennial gave way to the reunion of the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, in which Marion county was well represented.
The officers in charge of the celebration were: C. Rhynsburger, president; J. H. Stubenrauch, secretary; G. Van Vliet, treasurer; P. H. Bousquet, marshal of the day; D. S. Huber and P. H. Bousquet, committee on invitations.
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Of the Settlement of Pella, Iowa
1847
SEPTEMBER 1ST AND 2ND) And
1897
REUNION SEVENTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY September 1st, 2nd and 3rd PLACE OF MEETING GARDEN SQUARE
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
9:30 A. M .- Parade from East Market to Garden Square.
Rev. J. Manni Prayer.
Vocal Music.
Address (English)
Gov. F. M. Drake The Immigration as a Factor in the Development of Iowa.
Historian (Dutch) Mr. P. H. Bousquet Vocal Music.
Address (Dutch) Mr. A. Van Stigt The Journey from the Netherlands to Iowa in 1847.
Band.
AFTERNOON
2:00 P. M .- Vocal Music.
Hon. C. H. Robinson Address (English) Early Dutch Settlers of New York. Mr. K. Van Stigt
Address (Dutch) . Temporary Abode at St. Louis and Exploring Committee.
Mr. Cyrenus Cole Address (English) Influence of the Dutch in the West.
Address (Dutch Mr. H. Kuyper Rev. H. P. Scholte and other members of the executive committee as leaders. Band.
EVENING
7:30 to 8:30 P. M .- Concert by Captain Cox's C., R. I. & P. Band.
8:30 to 10:00-Old Soldiers' Campfire, 17th Iowa Regiment. Captain J. A. Spielman Address.
Short addresses by comrades.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
9:00 A. M .- Band and Vocal Music.
Rev. C. H. Westfall Prayer.
Address (English)
Address (Dutch)
Mr. J. C. Broeksmit Influence of the Dutch in the World. Hon. Henry Hospers Relation Between Pella and Orange City.
Vocal Music.
Address (English) Prof. John S. Nollen
Rise and Progress of Our Educational Facilities.
Band. Parade.
Band.
Vocal Music.
Address (Dutch)
Address (Dutch)
M. F. LeCocq Our Dakota Colonies. Mr. P. J. Koelman De Strooijen Stad.
Early Reminiscenses-Various Speakers. Mayor G. Van Vliet Address. Welcome to the Old Soldiers. General D. B. Hillis 5:00-Dress Parade.
Reply.
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DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
EVENING
7:30-Concert by the Orange City Band. Corporal W. H. Doan Lecture.
Prison Life in Andersonville.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD Soldiers' Day
9:00 A. M .- Business Meeting 17th Iowa in City Hall.
AFTERNOON
1:30-Concert by Captain Cox's C., R. I. & P. Band.
Major Kinderdine Farewell Address ..
An Old Residenter. One of the First Trains on the K. D., Also the Old Depot
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
A Part of the Parade of One of the Semi-centennial Events in 1907
and
Next Day After the Fiftieth Anniversary
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DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1870-1922
OLD CORNER STONE RAISED
"The old corner stone of the Second Reformed Church was found last Tuesday morning, April 21, 1908, and the box was removed in the presence of a number of citizens and members of the church.
"The box contained a copy of the Christian Intelligencer of October 1, 1863, a copy of the Bible of 1862, a copy of the constitution of the Reformed Church of America, minutes of the June session of Synod of 1863 and a historical sketch of the organization of the church. The documents were almost destroyed by water, the stone having been laid so low that water had seeped in and rusted away one side of the tin box. A number who witnessed the laying of the corner stone were disappointed at not finding the relics in better condition."
PELLA BECOMES A MODERN CITY
While Pella had not been behind other towns of her class in commercial development and the building of modern homes, up to the year 1909 there had been little done in the way of up-to-date public improvements. The light plant was old and inadequate; the water supply was only fit for street sprinkling; there was neither sewer nor paving.
This was not due to neglect or lack of enterprise on the part of the officials so much as it was to the conservative policy of the citizens. An attempt to vote bonds for a municipal water and light system had been defeated. In the spring of 1909 an administration was elected consisting of new men in practically every department. The tide had turned and the progressives were in the saddle. A short time after the new officers took charge, an election to issue bonds in the amount of $60,000.00 for water and $30,000.00 for light was held. The result was that the proposition carried by about 80 per cent in favor of the bond issue. Resolutions of necessity for a complete sewer system were also passed. Later the same administration passed the preliminary resolutions for paving the prin- cipal streets; junketing committees were sent to various parts of the country to investigate the different kinds of paving, etc.
As soon as the necessary legal steps could be taken and the contracts let, the work of constructing the water and light system was commenced and pushed to rapid completion. The result was that by 1910 Pella had one of the most modern water, light and sewer systems of any system in the state. We are glad to be able to say that all the dire prophesies of bankruptcy and disaster, made by the op- ponents of progress, have failed to materialize. The statement which follows, showing the present status of the municipally owned public utilities of Pella, com- pletely vindicates the judgment of our citizens in the action taken by them in the year 1909.
The administration, who had charge of city affairs at the time that this im- portant work of putting Pella on a modern basis took place, was composed of the following men :
Mayor, N. J. Gesman; Treasurer, Wm. Kruger; Assessor, John Bloem; Clerk, A. C. Kuyper. Aldermen at Large, A. N. Kuyper, A. W. De Bruin; First Ward, A. Waechter; second, Jacob Plender; Third, E. J. Faassen; Fourth, L. P. Grundman.
Before the work was completed and accepted by the city, there were some changes in the Council.
On the 17th day of May, 1910, L. P. Grundman removed from the Fourth Ward, and K. van Dusseldorp was elected to fill his unexpired term as alderman for that ward.
On December 10th, 1910, L. P. Grundman was elected Alderman at Large, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Alderman A. N. Kuyper.
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SOUVENIR HISTORY OF PELLA, IOWA
From the Pella Booster, June 26, 1909:
PELLA A PROGRESSIVE CITY-$90,000 BOND ISSUE CARRIED The Boosters of Pella Have Spoken and We Will Drop Into the Ranks of Progress and Prosperity
Pella has once more shown that her citizens are progressive and want to be in the line of progress with her sister cities. For some weeks past our citizens have been busily engaged in the controversy of public improvements and as to whether it would be proper for the people to own their own electric light and water works plant. Discussion waxed warm on all sides and the arguments be- came somewhat heated on several occasions, and some really believed that it would be a detriment for the city to own its electric light plant, and the matter was threshed out from every standpoint possible. On last Monday evening, City Solicitor B. F. Swisher of Waterloo was invited to come to our city and address the people on the question of municipal ownership of these public utilities. Mr. Swisher addressed fully five hundred people on this question, showing them in plain terms that they should own their lighting plant and all other public utilities. The progressives of the town were at the head of the movement of the city owning and building their plants and made a gallant fight for the propositions. There were a few fighting these measures simply because they did not want to have Pella up to the times with her necessary public improvements, while others were sincere in their belief that it was a wrong move for the city to control these mat- ters, and of course the "mossbacks" helped them in this belief. It was rather doubtful as to whether the questions could be carried as it unfortunately took a two-thirds majority to carry, but the business men were almost a unit on the ques- tions and pulled their coats and made the fight of their life for the advancement of Pella and its best interests, and when the votes were counted it was found that they had made a winning fight by a good safe majority. When the vote was counted out on Tuesday evening it was found that the progressives had carried both propositions by a big majority. The vote was 728 for the propositions and 263 against, making a victory for water of a majority of 80 over two-thirds, and for light 70 over two-thirds. This makes a large majority to overcome especially when there are some that are fighting it for all it is worth.
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