Marion County

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

V

A. H. Viersen – page 151

Was born in the Netherlands March 26, 1831, and lived there until 1847, when he came to America with his parents, and settled on a farm near Pella, the Viersen family being among the original colonists. He had a mercantile experience of twenty years. In 1858 he was elected city treasurer at the time that Isaac Overkamp was mayor. From 1861 until 1862 he was county treasurer and recorder. He also held the offices of city clerk, township clerk and was a member of the city council. In 1872 he was appointed as postmaster, a position which he held until a democratic administration was elected in the eighties. Mr. Viersen was a prominent and faithful member of the First Baptist congregation, a warm friend of Central College, and he took a deep interest in the religious and educational life of the community. The writer remembers few if any former citizens of Pella who were so universally loved and respected as was Mr. Viersen during his long and useful life. If it can be said of any man that he never had an enemy, this could be said of Mr. Viersen. In 1857 he was married to Miss Henrietta F. Roelofsz, daughter of Dr. Roelofsz. Their family consisted of twelve children: Joost, Lillie, Mary, Auke, Henrietta, Lulu, Lydia, Josie, Benjamin, Ype, Andrew and Birdie.

Oebele Heerkes Viersen – page 164

Born in the city of Driesum, Province of Friesland, Kingdom of the Netherlands, June 10, 1835. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1847 and landed in Pella on or about August 25, 1847. He has lived on the old homestead about a mile and a half northwest of this city, known as the Hy. Viersen farm all of his life, seventy-five years, being twelve years of age upon his arrival here. He with his brother, S. H. Viersen, were engaged in the mercantile business for about three years. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma F. Renaud. To this union four children were born: Harry, Lottie, Mary and Freddie, the two latter having passed to the Great Beyond in their early life, when a very dark cloud covered the home with sorrow. On Saturday evening, April 13, 1907, the wife and mother was called to her reward by the Lord Jesus whom she lived in spirit and in truth, but truly their loss was her gain, for of a truth of her it could be said, “Asleep in Jesus, Oh, How Sweet,” from which none shall ever awake to weep. And now at this, his great old age, he enjoys life and good health at the hearthside of son, Harry, and his esteemed wife, Dora Lautenbach Viersen, on the old homestead and who are doing all they can to make the evening shades of his life journey bright and pleasant. He enjoys every moment of his life as the days go by.

Miss Sebrietje H. Viersen – page 166

Was born in the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the city of Driesum, Province of Friesland, January 8, 1830. She emigrated from her native country with her parents in 1847, when she was seventeen years of age. The family located in Pella and she grew up in this community. From her childhood she showed an unusual disposition toward thrift and as the years passed she gradually accumulated desirable property in the city. In 1905 or 1906 she decided to modernize her business property and erected three nice business blocks. Later, she felt that she would like to leave something for posterity and she visited Andrew Carnegie and between them Pella now enjoys a beautiful library building which is filled with the most desirable literature. Little did she know how well she had builded her monument in the community in which she lived and loved. She died August 25, 1910.

H. M. Van Vliet – page 186

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 children: Henry, Mattie M., Willie, Joseph and Minnie.