MEESTER, Jacob 1846-1925

MEESTER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/21/2015 at 20:31:08

Death Ends Long Career of Two Grundy Pioneers

Fred Everts And Jacob Meester Died At Their Homes Last Week

Lived Here Over 50 Years

Both Men Successful Farmers and Big Land Owners in County

Death removed two of north Grundy's most active pioneers during the past week. Fred Everts passed away at his home in Parkersburg on the night of June 24th, and Jacob Meester went to his final reward from his old home in Pleasant Valley township last Saturday. Both men came to the county as poor boys over fifty years ago. With hard work, thrift and good management they acquired large possessions of the county's real estate. They ranked near the top of the last of successful pioneer farmers of Grundy county. Both men were at the head of large families and for years they were leaders in their community. The men were brothers-in-law and resided in the same neighborhood in Pleasant Valley township during all of their active life in this county.

Jacob Meester

Jacob Meester was born in East Friesland, Germany and he was 78 years and 7 months old at the time of his death. He came to this county in the year 1861 and for the first five years he resided near Freeport, Ill. In 1869 he came to Grundy county and engaged in the farming business. He came here without any substantial means, but within a short time he acquired a piece of land in Pleasant Valley township where he resided continually until he moved to Parkersburg thirteen years ago. He gradually acquired additional land and became one of the most extensive land owners in Grundy county.

Mr. Meester became afflicted with a cancer about three years ago. He received relief from this trouble from time to time, only to have it return in aggravated form. He had but recently returned from such treatment at a hospital in Missouri and was at his farm home at the time of his death.

Funeral services conducted by Rev. Beldt, of Parkersburg, and Rev. J. E. Drake were held Tuesday afternoon at Parkersburg and they were very largely attended. The remains were laid in the family vault in the Siemsen church cemetery.

Mr. Meester was the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom with the aged mother survive him. The children all reside in this locality. They are Joe J., Hillerd, Mrs. Jacob Bergman, Mrs. Joe A. Meester, Will, Mrs. John Oelman, John, Dan, Nettie, Harm and Andrew. All of the children are married except the last three, who are residing on the home farm. Of the six brothers of Mr. Meester, but one, Daniel Meester, of Pleasant Valley township survives.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 2 July 1925, pg 1