Marion County

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

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Peter C. Lankelma, Sr. – page 183

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 language made his arrival something of more than importance in the colony, as interpreters were a scarce article, and the fact of his educational advantages were heralded throughout the entire colony. Upon his arrival, he being a well educated young man in the Dutch, French, German and English languages, he was engaged in teaching. This he followed for a number of years after which he embarked in the mercantile business. He followed 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. Bosquet, Mr. Lankelma acted as accountant for H. Rhynsburger in the egg and butter business, later he was engaged as accountant in the Peoples Savings Bank conducted by Herman Rietveld and remained 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 before. He left a family of thirteen children, one, Mrs. E. G. Wheeler, having died in 1921.

F. LeCocq – page 165

Born in Amsterdam, Holland, July 14, 1828, and received a liberal education in the schools of that renowned city. In 1847 he came to the United States with his parents and in company with the first emigrants, under the leadership of Rev. H. P. Scholte. The ship of the flotilla on which he sailed was the Pieter Floris. After an eventful trip they landed at Baltimore, Md., and came by canal boat to Keokuk, Iowa, from whence they traveled in wagons to their destination, 120 miles distance, to “Pella to be” or the famous “Strooi Stadt,” a cluster of straw thatched huts that made up the first settlement at Pella. May 22, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Van Gorkom, from which union six children were born. From 1856 until 1872 he was engaged in a successful general mercantile business in this city. In 1872 he moved to Orange City, Iowa, being among the early pioneers of that settlement, where he served four years as deputy county treasurer and four more years as county recorder. He also served several years as deacon of the First Reformed Church at Orange City. In 1883 he had the courage to pioneer it once more, this time in Douglas county, South Dakota, where he started a bank in company with his son. He served as elder in the First Reformed Church from its organization and was the efficient secretary until he died, May 26, 1907. His son, Frank, lives in Lynden, Washington, and his daughter, Cornelia, is a resident of this city.

F. LeCocq, Sr. – page 162

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1805. He came to America in 1847 and was one of the leaders of the organization of the Holland Colony. He was appointed as commander of the sail ship Pieter Floris by Rev. H. P. Scholte and was financial adviser and leader of the emigrants. He was born in the business world in his native country, but upon his arrival in this country started farming. He died in Pella in 1888 at the age of 83 years.

John Van Der Ley – page 173

Was a brother of Mrs. C. Rhynsburger. He volunteered for the defense of his country in the Civil war. Died in 1920.

Wm. Vander Linden – page 185

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 business 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 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 …..

Peter Lubberden – page 172

Born in Straw Town (Strooi Stadt), Lake Prairie township, October 19, 1847. When a young man he taught school, but at the age of 29 years he died.

Wm. Lubberden – page 184

Was born in Alsmeer, the Netherlands, October 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 anything that made for the well being and advancement 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.