Marion County

Souvenir History of Pella, Iowa [1847-1922]
Pella: Booster Press, [1922]

B

H. H. Barker – page 175

One of the pioneer settlers of Marion county came to Pella in 1865, and conducted a dental office here until 1881. For a period of sixteen years he was a well-known and popular citizen of our city, and took a deep interest in the education and business development of the town. When he retired from practice and moved to another locality, his departure was regretted by a host of friends who had learned to value him as a friend and fellow citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Barker are now residents of Harvey, Iowa.

Mrs. Eva C. Baron – page 172

(Eva C. Hospers) was born in Hoog Blokland, the Netherlands, and came to America and settled on the farm with her parents in 1849. She was married to Dr. H. S. Baron in 1879. She lost her husband the 20th day of September, 1914, his death occurring at the home on East Second street in Pella. Mrs. Baron continues to make her home in Pella among the many friends who know and esteem her for her kind and Christian character.

R. R. Beard – page 181

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 Central University, and for years filled the important position 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 religious work of the community. His death occurred at the Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines, October 31, 1920.

Rev. A. J. Betten – page 144

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 denominational 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.

Gysbert Beyer – page 175

Was born in Veenendaal, Holland, July 8, 1823. He came to Pella, Iowa, with the immigration in 1847 and remained for one year. He then returned to St. Louis, Mo., and was engaged in business for five years. He then returned to Pella and bought a farm and was engaged in that occupation the remainder of his life. On March 28, 1855, he was married to Roelfina Dounbos, who was born in Delfzyl, Holland, May 30, 1839, and came to Pella with her parents in 1847. He started the first country Sunday school, which later developed into the Bethel Church, and later when removed to Lynnville Township, Jasper County, he and his wife became charter members of the Bethany Reformed Church, he being elected as Senior Elder of the Consistory. Both were active in Christian work and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community.

Mr. Beyer died July 27, 1912. Mrs. Beyer died March 17, 1918. Six children survived this, viz.: Rev. Evert G., John, Henry and Simon Beyer, and Mrs. Hubert Versteegh and Mrs. Arie Elscott.

Nick Boland – page 193

Son of Gerrit Boland, was born in Pella, August 5, 1867. He was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Schakel in 1893. To this union were born two sons, Gerrit Edward and John Edward, the former having died at the age of three years and six months, the latter now living with his mother in this city. Mr. Boland had engaged in farming until 1906 when he moved to this city to engage in the auctioneering and real estate business which he followed until the time of his death which occurred November 8, 1921, aged 55 years.

Cornelius Bongers – page 180

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 interest of his partner in the business and took the entire 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.

Huibrecht de Booy – page 155

Born in Noordeloos, in the Netherlands, January 22, 1825. He came to America with his parents, three brothers and two sisters on the sail boat “Catharina Jackson,” one of the four boats carrying the Scholte colonists to their new home and country. On the 25th of August he was united in marriage to Miss Anna van der Linden. To this union were born ten children, five of whom are living. Early in the ‘50’s he formed a partnership with Pieter Barendrecht, opening a general store on the corner now occupied by the Garden City Feeder works. A few years later Mr. de Booy built the brick store room on West Washington street, later purchasing the brick room adjoining his building, which was owned by Mr. van Asch and in which what is now “Central College” had its beginning. Mr. de Booy was a member of the First Reformed church of this city from its founding, holding the office of deacon for many years, also the office of Secretary of the Consistory. He served several terms at different periods as a member of the city council and throughout his entire life was a public spirited and active man and citizen. Less than one month before he reached his eighty-seventh milestone he was called to his reward. The end came on the 26th of December, 1911 – quietly and peacefully as his life had been, dying in the home where he and his faithful wife had raised their family – the home around which clings many sacred memories for the remaining children. Mrs. de Booy passed to the Great Beyond in 1922.

Banner G. Bowen – page 154

Dealer in general merchandise. Mr. Bowen was one of Pella’s leading merchants. He was born near Dayton, Ohio, on the 31st day of January, 1832. His youth was divided between attending school and assisting in the management of the farm. He followed farming until twenty-two years of age and then emigrated to Iowa and stopped for a short time at Oskaloosa, and thence to Pella. After working for a short time at the carpenter trade he entered the mercantile business. For some time he was a member of the leading firm of Munting & Bowen, also of Bowen & Aikens, and for several years conducted a store under the name of Banner G. Bowen. He was elected to represent his district in the state legislature in 1868, and was a diligent and faithful representative. He was a member of the Baptist Church and one of its most active workers and a liberal contributor. The older citizens of Pella remember him as a worthy and public-spirited citizen who enjoyed the full confidence of the community. He married Miss Alice J. Lindsey in 1857. She was born in Pennsylvania. At the time this was written (1881) they had four children: Arazella I., Inez Josephine, John B. and Alice Pearl. Lost Five.

Frederick William Brinkhoff – page 185

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 business. 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 manufacturers 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 Brinkhoff Sellers, are still in the business in that country. During his life in Pella he showed his great progressive spirit in the community movements and was the father of the planting of the present trees that we are enjoying. He erected two very fine business 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 dealers 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.

B. Ten Broek – page 156

Cooper. Was born on the 18th of January, 1830, in the city of Wageningen, Gelderland. He was raised in that province until fourteen years of age, and received a common school education, and at nine years of age commenced to learn the cooper trade with his father. In the fall of 1846 he crossed the ocean with his father and brothers. They landed at New Orleans and came up the river to St. Louis, where they settled. His father died the same year and the boys went to work at their trades. Our subject worked here some eight years and then came to Pella. In 1854 he opened a shop. Himself and son made 8,500 barrels for B. S. Schermerhorn & Co., in 1880, besides doing considerable repair work. He married Gertrude Van Os on the 9th of October, 1854. She was a native of Gelderland and was born on the 27th of January, 1828. There were four children, Henry, Annie, Aart and Elisabeth.

Barney Buerkens – page 197

Wagon manufacturer, was born on the 24th day of July, 1842, in the Netherlands, and lived there until the age of twelve. In 1854 he came to America with his parents, and settled on a farm near Burlington, Iowa. Here he lived for five years, when he commenced to learn the wagon-making trade, with Jedia Bennett, of Burlington. In the spring of 1865 he came to Pella and opened a shop, and soon afterward took in Abraham Wisse, as a partner. He was one of the organizers of the Pella Manufacturing Co., and took eighty-five shares of the stock. In August, 1880, he traded his stock for a farm of 120 acres in Mahaska county. The same year he started a wagon shop on East First street, which he run successfully until 1902 or 1903, when he purchased the plant of the Pella Manufacturing Co., which was then in the hands of a receiver. He was at the head of this factory until his death, which occurred March 7, 1922. The factory is still running under the name of the Buerkens Manufacturing Company, with Mr. Buerkens’ son-in-law, Art Ver Steeg, as manager.

Mrs. Mary Butts – page 23

Mrs. Mary Butts, wife of Mark Butts and daughter of Levi and Caroline Nossaman, was born February 13, 1843, and came to Lake Prairie township with her parents when three months old. Born near Fairfield, Iowa. Died in Pella, aged sixty-eight years and four months.