GEERDES, Jake 1858-1935

GEERDES, MEYER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/24/2016 at 21:44:45

Jake Geerdes Died Tuesday Morning

Jake Geerdes, one of the best known residents of this section, belonging to a pioneer family that is allied with a large number of others in this locality, died at 6:15 o'clock Tuesday morning, from a light stroke, following sickness arising from the complications of old age. He was born September 23, 1858, and died September 17, 1935, reaching the age of 76 years, 11 months and 24 days. In 1865 he came with his parents and four brothers from Stephenson county, Ill., to Iowa. The family settled on a farm four miles west of Wellsburg. Here he grew to manhood. On March 12th, 1880, he was united in marriage to Wiebena Meyer and they made their home on a farm 2 1/2 miles west and 1 mile south of Wellsburg. In 1892 they joined the church under the ministry of Rev. H. Bode, uncle of the present pastor. In 1909 they moved to Wellsburg to spend the evening of life.

Mr. Geerdes' death was not entirely unexpected, though he had been in a serious condition several times, within the past few months but had always rallied from each of his sinking spells.

Immediate relatives surviving are his widow, also two sons, Albert and George J., of near Wellsburg, and two daughters, Mrs. Trieno J. Riekena of near Wellsburg, and Mrs. Earl W. Neessen, of Tipton, besides three brothers, Heye of Wellsburg, John of near Wellsburg, and Henry of Steamboat Rock, and two sisters, Mrs. W. A. Meyer of Wellsburg, and Mrs. S. J. Snittjer of Des Moines. One brother, A. G. Geerdes, preceded him in death May 28, 1930.

The funeral services will be held on Friday of this week, at 1 o'clock at the home in Wellsburg, with later services at the Bode church west of town, of which church the deceased had been a member for many years.

The services will be in charge of the pastor of the church, Rev. H. C. Bode, assisted by Dr. John C. DeKorne, of the Second Christian Reformed church of Wellsburg.

The pall bearers will be grandsons of the departed.

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 18 September 1935, pg 1

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Jake Geerdes, 70 Year Resident Of Grundy Co., Dies

Came To Shiloh Twp. In 1865; Were Earliest Family In That Section To Remain Permanently

Jacob Geerdes, who for seventy years made his home in Shiloh township, died at Wellsburg early Tuesday morning. He had been in ailing health the past year. He was in bed but two weeks before his death. Hardening of the arteries was the cause. Had Mr. Geerdes lived until next Monday he would have been 77 years old.

Funeral services will be held at the home at one o'clock Friday afternoon and later at the Christian Reformed church west of Wellsburg. The local pastor, Rev. H. C. Bode, will officiate at the service. Burial will be in the family lot in the cemetery adjoining the church.

One of County's Pioneers
The death of Mr. Geerdes removes another of the early pioneers of Grundy county. He was born in Stephenson county, Ill., and at the age of seven his father and mother and brothers emigrated to Grundy county, Iowa. The nearest railway point at that time was Cedar Falls. The family came there by train and from there to their new home on the prairie of Shiloh township they came overland. Mr. Geerdes' father bought a 160-acre farm four miles west of Wellsburg the year that they came here and this farm is still in the Geerdes family; one of the sons, John, is residing there. The farm 70 years ago was bought for $6.25 an acre. Several fortunes have been made out of that original investment as the sons of this early pioneer all became thrifty and acquired considerable property of their own.

Mr. Geerdes was the second oldest of a family of five sons and two daughters. The oldest brother, Argen, died five years ago. Surviving are the wife, two sons and two daughters. The sons are George and Albert of Shiloh township. The daughters are Mrs. Treno Riekena from Shiloh township and Mrs. Earl Neessen from Tipton. The remaining brothers are Henry from Steamboat Rock, Heye and John from Wellsburg. The sisters are Mrs. W. A. Meyer, Wellsburg, and Mrs. S. J. Snittjer from Des Moines.

Mr. Geerdes lived on his Shiloh township farm until twenty-seven years ago when he moved to Wellsburg where he and his wife resided in comfortable retirement.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 19 September 1935, pg 1

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