Marion County

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

S

Dr. Emmanuel H. Scarff – page 255

During twenty-four history-making years, Dr. Scarff’s life and work was vitally important in building Central College and in sustaining for it an unbroken record of activity during the testing years between 1854 and 1878. Dr. Scarff came to Pella to teach in the new school when its home was in rented rooms on Washington street, and when the great beams that were so recently burnt to ashes were still in the native forest trees growing along the Des Moines river. Dr. Scarff was the second President of Central College, holding that position from 1861 to 1871 when he resigned because of failing health, but remained with the school as teacher seven years longer. He received scant pay during those years, but his was a service of love and was paid in kind by all who knew him.

Johanna Scholte – page 190

Youngest daughter of Domine Scholte, was born in Utrecht, Holland, June 5, 1842. She celebrated her fifth birthday in New York City, when her father’s colony was on their way to Iowa. The family traveled from New York to Keokuk by rail, and thence to Pella by carriage. When the travelers finally drew up beside a little inn and two or three small shacks, Mrs. Scholte looked over the vast expanse of uninhabited prairie and exclaimed, “But where is Pella?”

The family lived in a little log cabin in the middle of the town square until the Scholte house could be built and made ready for habitation.

In the early days Pella offered practically no educational advantages so that Johanna’s education was picked up at home and in a small private school conducted by Miss Coleman.

In 1865 Johanna Scholte was married to John Nollen, who was then assisting Mr. Scholte in the bank and in the publication of the Pella Gazette. Their five children, Henry, John, Sara, Gerard, and Hanna still survive. Mrs. Nollen lived in Pella until the death of her husband, May, 1914, which occurred only a month after the celebration of their golden wedding. Since her husband’s death she has made her home in Des Moines. There are four grandchildren, Anna and Emelene, daughters of John, and Johanna and Cara, daughters of Gerard.

James B. Sexton – page 198

Was born in Virginia, August 3, 1838. When a boy he moved with his parents to Leesburg, Ohio, where he was raised until young manhood; he came to Iowa in the early 50’s and when the North called for men in the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. I, 6th Iowa Volunteers, from Burlington, Iowa, and served twenty-two months, when he was discharged on account of his health. In 1865 he came to Pella and became a member of the Burlington Manufacturing Company and acted as traveling salesman for the Company. While with this concern he invented a cultivator which met with ready sales. In 1876 the Pella Manufacturing Co. was organized and he became a member, traveling for this firm for a number of years. It was while he was connected with this Company that he perfected the Sexton Wagon Brake, one of the best brakes ever manufactured and is still being used on wagons. After the disposal of this plant in later years, Mr. Sexton accepted a position as traveling salesman for the Kelly, Moss & Co., wholesalers of heavy hardware, and held that position for twenty-six years. At one time he was alderman of the First Ward in this city for several years and was considered a progressive citizen. He died April 2, 1912. Three sons survive him, Walter, of this city; James O., dentist, of Washington, Iowa, and Elisha, of California. Four preceded him to the Great Beyond: Charles in 1907; F. M., in 1908; Mrs. Alice M. Hunt and Mrs. Mamie J. Baker, in 1909.

C. E. Snow – page 30

Who at one time was one of Pella’s leading business men, was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 31, 1828, and was raised in the mercantile business. In 1856 he emigrated to Keokuk, Iowa. During the building of the K. & D. M. V. R. R. he had charge of the west end of the road in putting the stations in good order, until the road reached Eddyville. There he engaged in the grain business and at one time was interested in four houses on the line of the road, but being unable to give them as much attention as was necessary, he concentrated all his interests at Pella in 1868, where he, in partnership with D. S. Huber, became known as one of the leading grain and warehouse concerns in central Iowa. He was twice married, first to Miss Sarah Norris, who died leaving one son, Frank A. His second marriage occurred in 1859 to Miss Sarah Matthews, a native of Ohio. By this union there were five children: Jennie, Carrie, Bessie, Eddie and Allie. During their long residence in Pella both Mr. Snow and his family took a leading part in the social and religious life of our city, and were highly esteemed and popular. In later life they resided in Des Moines.

B. H. Van Spanckeren, Jr. – page 194

Was born in Pella on the 2nd day of September, 1860, a son of B. H. and Dirkie (Ver Steeg) Van Spanckeren, both natives of Holland. His father owned the first bakery in Pella, which he conducted until about 1871, when he became the proprietor of one of Pella’s leading dry-goods stores until 1892, when the subject of our sketch became the sole owner and managed it so successfully that it was known as one of the leading mercantile establishments of the city until he sold it in 1908. From that date he devoted all his energies to the banking business. As cashier of the Citizens National Bank, he met with the same success that had marked his career as a merchant, and under his able management this institution was built up until it was one of the leading banking institutions of Marion county. Mr. Van Spanckeren always took great interest in the development of Pella, and being a man of unusual force of character and possessed of executive ability of a very high order, he was always in the forefront of those movements that made for the upbuilding of the community. He was a member of the Baptist Church and did much for the support of that institution. His death, which occurred on the 24th day of May, 1918, deprived Pella of one of her most able and progressive citizens.

B. H. Van Spanckeren, Sr. – page 156

For many years one of the leading merchants of Pella. Was born in Amsterdam, Holland, October 15, 1826, where he was raised and received his education. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the baker’s trade, at which he worked for five years. In 1846 he came to America, landing at Baltimore, where he remained one year, working at his trade. He emigrated to St. Louis, spent one year there working at his trade, and came to Pella in 1848. Here he conducted a bakery until 1873, when he opened a general merchandise store and continued in that business until he retired on account of advanced age, after which the store was in charge of B. H., Jr., for many years, and was known as one of the leading business concerns of Pella. He married Miss Dirkje Versteeg in 1851. She was born on the 8th of July, 1832. By this union there were four children: B. H., Carrie, Dora and John. Mr. Van Spanckeren died on the 18th day of December, 1914.

J. H. H. Van Spanckeren – page 146

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 character and enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens to the day of his death.

Dirk Ver Steeg – page 194

Born in the Netherlands November 17, 1839. He came to America among the early settlers with his parents and located in Pella. During the Civil war he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he remained for a time, afterwards returning to Pella, where he made his home up to the time of his death, May 12, 1919. He was united in marriage to Miss Martha Henckler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Henckler, in 1864. Mr. Ver Steeg was a consistent member of the Second Reformed church and followed the monument business in the later part of his life. Mrs. Ver Steeg is living at the old homestead in this city and enjoys very good health.

A. Van Stigt – page 152

There are individuals in every community who, though modest and unassuming, are possessed of such pronounced ability and excellence of character that they command the universal respect and love of all their fellow citizens. The good that such individuals do and the influence they exert extends far beyond the limits of the community in which they live, and continue to affect the lives and characters of others long after they are gone. Of this class our esteemed townsman, Mr. A. Van Stigt, is a shining example. He was born in Westmaas, South Holland, August 6, 1832, where he passed his youth and received his education. In 1847, when not quite fifteen years old, he came to America with his parents. They arrived in Pella in the spring of 1848 and engaged in shoemaking. From 1855 to 1865 Mr. Van Stigt was in business for himself, after which he formed a partnership with his brother, K. Van Stigt, which continued up to 1880, when his brother retired and Mr. A. conducted it until he retired from active life on account of advanced age. He married Miss Teentje Den Hartog on the 18th of April, 1855. She was a native of the same province as her husband and was born on the 19th of October, 1836. They had no children of their own, but adopted a child, Sygie Vander Wilt, who lived with them until her marriage. So high was the esteem in which Mr. Van Stigt was held by the entire community, that had he not rather sought retirement than public recognition, he would have been called upon to fill public office the greater part of his adult years. He was a member of the school board and held the office of township trustee for a number of years. As an elder of the First Reformed Church and an untiring and devoted worker in every department of church life, he was one of the leaders to whom large credit is due for the great development and present strength of that congregation.

In 1848 Mr. Van Stigt and Kuindert Van Klootwyk organized the first Sunday School in Pella. This was the seed from which, in later years, grew the present First Reformed Church Sunday School, the largest in Marion county, if not in the state. From the beginning in 1848, up the present time, Mr. Van Stigt has an unbroken record as a successful teacher in the same Sunday School, and at the age of ninety he still conducts a large adult class of women. He has the proud record of never having missed attendance except in case of severe sickness.

K. Van Stigt – page 151

One of “Old Guard” who took a leading part in the educational and religious life of the community. Was born on the 8th of August, 1837, in Westmaas, South Holland, and lived there until ten years of age, attending school some five years. In 1847 he came to America with his parents in the first Holland colony. They resided in St. Louis nine months and then came to Pella. His father started a shoe shop and Kommer attended school here. At the age of twelve he commenced to learn the shoemaker’s trade and worked at it ten years and then entered into partnership with his father. They dealt in boots and shoes, leather, findings, etc. This partnership lasted until January, 1865, when his father was called to his final rest, and Kommer conducted the business in his own name until June of the same year. His brother, A. Van Stigt, then purchased an interest. On the 1st of February, 1878, Kommer opened a boot and shoe store and in October, 1880, he retired from the partnership with his brother, and gave his entire attention to his own store. He married Miss Johanna de Zeeuw, a native of Holland, born on the 19th of May, 1837. Their marriage occurred on the 23d of September, 1859. By this union there were five children: Cornelius, Anna, Jane, Christena and Sarah. Lost two. They were members of the First Reformed Church, in which Mr. Van Stigt long held the office of deacon and superintendent of the Sunday School, and up to the day of his death took a leading part in all the activities of the church. He held the office of alderman of the third ward for a number of years. As the author of a history of Pella and vicinity, published in the Holland language, in 1897, Mr. Van Stigt performed invaluable service to the community. This is the only complete history of the colonization movement and the early life and development of the Holland colony.

I. J. Stoddard, D. D. – page 72

From The Pella Booster, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 1916.

Death of I. J. Stoddard, D. D.
Former Citizen Passes Away at Home of Daughter at Plainfield, N. J.

Rev. Coulston of this city received word Tuesday morning that I. J. Stoddard, D. D., had passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bertha Whitney, at Plainfield, N. J., that morning at the ripe old age of 96 years. The news of this grand old man’s death will be received with much regret by many of our citizens, as he played a prominent part in the life of Central College during its existence.

The deceased and his helpmate, who preceded him to the great beyond, had spent a number of years as missionaries in Indiana, and after years of labor returned to America and settled in Pella.

Their lives in this community were spent in the upbuilding of Central University and the community. It has only been a few years since they left for the East, where they lived with their children.

The body will be sent to this city for burial. The funeral services will be conducted from the Baptist church. The announcements of dates will be made later as well as a biography of his life.

Mrs. I. J. Stoddard.

Who taught in Central when it was a real sacrifice. She was one of those who sustained Central in its darkest hours and helped to grow and prosper in its infancy.

Dr. I. J. Stoddard – page 177

Few if any events in the history of Pella had a greater or more beneficent effect on the spiritual and intellectual development of the community than the coming of this cultured and devoted servant of God. Inspired by the highest ideal of Christian service, possessed of great natural ability and a thorough education, he was eminently fitted to lead a pioneer people in everything that made for a high standard of Christian citizenship.

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 reward. 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 college 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 ordained 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 appointment 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 commend 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 Knoxville, 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 in 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 returned 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 disappointed, 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 ability. The ground on which Memorial Hall stands was one of their gifts to Central.

G. A. Stout, The Publisher – page 200

Mr. Stout is not a native son, but since coming to Pella he has been so closely identified with every important movement and project that had to do with the modernizing and upbuilding of the city that the community has adopted George into full and complete membership in the family circle.

Real, one hundred per cent boosters are born, not made; and we do not hesitate to place G. A. at the head of the list of those who for thirty years have boosted, worked and sacrificed in order to make Pella what she is today – a clean, beautiful, modern city of homes, where each succeeding year the citizens take an increasing pride in making their town a desirable place to live.

Mr. Stout started in the newspaper business in 1892, when he commenced to published the Advertiser. He sold this publication in 1893, to A. P. Heald, who conducted the paper for two years. In 1904 G. A. engaged in the job printing business, and in the same year purchased the Weekblad and the Pella Blade, consolidating the latter with the Chronicle, which he had launched at about the same time. In 1905 he sold the Chronicle to Rev. R. R. Sadler. In the winter of 1907 he started the Booster Press and has steadily built up this paper until it has the largest circulation of any in Marion county. During the years of his residence here he has been the direct cause of initiating some of the most important improvements made in the city. He inaugurated the campaign for replacing the old board walks with modern and permanent cement walks. There was considerable opposition at first, but no one will now question that G. A. had the right idea.

He carried on an extensive propaganda in favor of paving, municipal water and light, and was one of the leaders in the work of securing the location here of the canning factory. In fact there has been no proposition for the betterment of the community that he has not enthusiastically supported.

He not only conceived the project of publishing this book, but he was probably the only citizen in Pella possessed of the courage and initiative to finance a proposition that required a considerable outlay of capital and involved an immense amount of labor. In this he was not actuated by a desire for financial gain, but rather to show his appreciation of the many years of residence here, during which he has come to look upon Pella as his permanent home, and her citizens as his personal friends.

While the brief time which it was possible to give to the work of compiling the history did not permit of any attempt at literary excellence, yet we feel that when it is in the hands of those who love Pella and take a pride in her worthy past, the judgment will be that this is the crowing work of all the many things that Editor Stout has accomplished for her. THE HISTORIAN.

Rev. John Stuart, M. A., B. D., M. D., Ph. D. LL. D. – page 71

Was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch parents. He received his preparatory training from Toronto University, in the Collegiate Institute, Guelph, Ontario, and in the Woodstock College, Ontario. He entered Toronto University as an honor man in Greek and Latin and was graduated as prize man in Hebrew, Chaldee and Syrian. He then took the theological course in the Toronto Baptist College, receiving the B. D. degree therefrom. This was followed by the Ph. D. course. In 1889 Dr. Stuart came to Pella to take the pastorate of the Baptist Church and a chair in the college. In 1890 he was made acting president. In June, 1891, when the board met, he was elected president of “Old Central.” For five years he pushed the work of the college steadily. The student body became the largest in its history, the old college building was repaired, Cotton Hall enlarged and the foundation of the Y. M. C. A. building was built, and then on account of overwork he was compelled to resign his position as president and later removed to Monon, Ind., where he, with his splendid wife, Mary Howell Stuart, are living today in comfort and pleasure.

Dirk Stubenrauch – page 148

Born in Kerk Driel, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands, February 21st, 1810. He was married to Miss Everdina Schotveld on or about 1839. To this union was born one son, John H. Stubenrauch, on October 8th, 1842. He with his family arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, U. S. A., on December 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 naturalized 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 business. His death occurred January 12th, 1892, aged 82 years.

J. H. Stubenrauch – page 193

Was born in the Netherlands, October 8, 1842. Came to America with his parents in 1846, and to Pella in 1851. Few men have been more prominently and usefully connected with the development and upbuilding of Pella, and it is the hope of their many friends that he and his estimable wife will be spared for many years.

Albertus Synhorst – page 193

The honor of being the first child born in the colony belongs to the subject of this sketch. Albertus, or as he was better known in later life, Bart Synhorst, the son of Jan Synhorst, was born on the 26th day of August, 1847. The place of his birth was the farm one mile west of Pella, known as the Reinier Dieleman farm. We have been unable to obtain the data of his life, but hundreds of the present residents of Pella and vicinity will best recall him as the efficient Marshal of the city, in which capacity he served for a long time. Later he removed to Sioux County, where he became a prosperous farmer. He died in Sioux County, but we have not been able to get the date when his death occurred.