DeJong, John J.

DEJONG, TOMNISNA, FLEMING, GEURTS, KRUSEMANN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 12:48:29

DeJong, John J.

Notwithstanding the fact that the kingdom of Holland is one of the smallest countries of the world, it has sent a large number of settlers to the United States during the years that have elapsed since independence was secured by the brave colonists. The people of that country were not slow to appreciate the great advantages offered in a free country where "liberty" was the shibboleth, and they were to be found aboard nearly every sailing vessel that "snailed" its way across the great Atlantic during the first century of our republic, and even for many decades prior thereto. Being quick to recognize the possibilities that opened out in splendid perspective before all emigrants who should settle early in this country, they established themselves in various sections of the Union, and, being thrifty, willing to work and strictly honest in all life's relations, they have prospered and proven to be among our best emigrant citizens.

Among the worthy Hollander families, members of which have shown themselves to possess the characteristics enumerated above, is the DeJong family, a creditable representative of which is John J. DeJong, farmer of Lynn Grove Township, Jasper County. He was born in Mahaska County, Iowa, July 27, 1876, the son of Floris D. and Anna Maria (Tomnisna) DeJong, both natives of Holland. John and Dena (Fleming) Tomnisna, the maternal grandparents, were also natives of Holland, and there grew up and were married, emigrating to America in 1846, and, with fourteen other families, located at Pella, Iowa, that vicinity then being wild and unsettled. The grandfather started in as a merchant and made a success, buying such things as the colony needed and selling to them for a reasonable profit. He also bought their products when they had time to get their farms producing, buying up their hogs, butchering the same, and marketing them at Keokuk. Later he started a mill here and ran that for many years. He made a success of whatever he turned his attention to, being a businessman of large capacity and keen foresight. He became well and widely known in this part of Iowa and figured prominently in the development of the same in the pioneer period, always assisting in any way possible in furthering the interests of the community. He was finally killed in a runaway accident in the timber and died at Pella.

The paternal grandparents of the subject, Aderin and Mary DeJong, were also born and reared in Holland, from which country they emigrated to the United States about a half century ago, settled in Mahaska County, Iowa, among the pioneers and there established a good home in which they spent the rest of their lives.

Floris D. DeJong and wife, parents of the immediate subject of this sketch, grew up in Holland and emigrated to our shores when single, and they located in Mahaska County, Iowa, where they were married, soon afterward taking up farming for a livelihood, buying eighty acres in that County. This they sold in 1886 and moved to Jasper County, buying an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Elk Creek Township, which they improved and placed under modern cultivation, prospering from year to year and here they spent the rest of their lives, becoming very comfortably fixed and were highly respected by all who knew them. They began life with nothing, and by close application, careful detail as to small things and honest dealings, they accumulated a competency. They were quiet, unobtrusive people and worthy members of the Dutch Reformed Church at Sully, this Township. They reared a large family in comfort and respectability and gave them educational advantages. There were fourteen in all, of whom John J., of this review, was the fourth in order of birth; they are all living at this writing, as is also the mother, the father having passed away on December 2, 1907.

John J. DeJong grew to maturity on the home farm and there assisted with the general duties incident to such a life. He attended the public schools. He was eight years of age when he began working in his father's fields and, having thus been trained to agricultural pursuits, he has followed the same all his mature life and has met with well-merited success. In 1896 he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Lynn Grove Township. In 1907 he purchased forty acres more and he still owns this choice farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has placed many valuable improvements from year to year. He has a good home and convenient surroundings. In connection with general farming, he has long been a dealer in live stock and a breeder of Poland-China hogs and graded cattle.

Politically, Mr. DeJong is a Democrat, but is in no sense a politician. On January 23, 1896, Mr. DeJong was united in marriage with Lizzie Krusemann, who was born in Holland, the daughter of Everaad and Johanna (Geurts) Krusemann, who were born, reared and married in Holland, and they immigrated to the United States when their daughter, Lizzie, wife of Mr. DeJong, was seven years of age. They settled in Iowa and here she grew to womanhood and was educated. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeJong, named as follows: Floris, Everaad, Maria and Johanna. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, Page 1273.