MEESTER, Thomas 1884-1950

MEESTER, PETERS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/9/2015 at 11:33:18

Thomas Meester Dies Thursday At Hospital

Was A Lifelong Resident Of Grundy County And One Of County's Most Successful Farmers

Thomas Meester, a lifetime resident of Grundy county and one of Grundy county's most successful farmers, died in the Allen Memorial hospital in Waterloo at 11:45 a.m. last Thursday, October 26.

Mr. Meester had enjoyed continuous good health until July 6th of this year, when he suffered a severe heart attack at his home in Wellsburg. After he was stricken he was taken to St. Francis hospital in Waterloo where he was a patient for five weeks. He regained his strength gradually in the hospital and after he returned home and it was hoped he would regain his former good health. After a few weeks at his home he suffered a relapse and was taken back to the hospital and this time to the Allen Memorial. He was 68 years, 5 months and 16 days old at the time of his death.

Born in Colfax Township
Thomas Meester was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meester, among the early residents of Grundy county. He was born on a farm in Colfax township May 10, 1884, and he grew up there and attended the local rural school and the Pleasant Valley Reformed church, of which his parents were regular attendants.

On March 11, 1907, Thomas Meester and Miss Anna Peters were married. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Daniel Schaefer. Following their marriage the couple began housekeeping on a farm in Pleasant Valley township where they resided until they decided to discontinue active farm work five years ago when they moved to a home which they purchased in Wellsburg.

Active in Church Work
Mr. Meester was an active member of the Pleasant Valley Reformed church for 30 years and was a regular attendant and a liberal financial supporter. He served as elder on the consistory for three years and for 25 years was treasurer of the cemetery association. He understood the business of farming thoroughly, was a hard worker and a good manager and acquired a substantial estate during his lifetime. He was trustworthy, a good neighbor and he was held in high regard by all who knew him.

Wife and 8 Children Survive
Mr. Meester is survived by his wife and eight children: Henry of Dike, Mrs. Etta Renken of Aplington, John of Holland, (Tena) Mrs. Sam Paterni of Eldora, (Anna) Mrs. Alle Murra of Holland, Herman, James and Johannes of Holland; 13 grandchildren; three brothers; Joe A. Meester of Grundy Center, John of Wellsburg, and Henry of Holland; and two sisters: Mrs. Joe J. Meester of Parkersburg and Mrs. Eilert Pruis of Holland, besides many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, three sisters, and a grandchild.

Divide Property Among Their Children
Last January Mr. and Mrs. Meester distributed a portion of their large property interests among their children.

One of the 160-acre farms in Pleasant Valley township owned by Thos. Meester was sold to Johannes and Mavis Meester, who will make the farm their home. The price paid for the farm was $200 an acre.

Mrs. Thomas Meester sold a 160-acre farm in Pleasant Valley to her son James and daughter-in-law, Anna Meester, for $200 an acre which will be the future home of this family.

Mrs. Thomas Meester sold another of her farms of 160 acres in Pleasant Valley township to her son Herman and daughter-in-law, Jeanette Meester, for $225 an acre, which will be the future home of the purchasers.

Very Large Attendance At Funeral Service
Funeral services for Mr. Meester were held at the home in Wellsburg at 12:30 Monday and later at the Pleasant Valley Reformed church two miles west of Fern. There was a very large attendance at the church service. The main auditorium of the church was reserved for relatives and all of the seats were filled. All seats it was possible to get in the basement of the church were occupied. Burial was in the cemetery adjoining the church. Rev. Paul Schmidt, resident pastor, assisted by Rev. Edward Jurgens of the Reformed church at Wellsburg conducted the service.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 2 November 1950, pg 1, 6