Van Haveskerke, Andre Louis 1852-1931

VAN HAVESKERKE, SNYDER, BISOM

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/21/2012 at 12:53:34

Van Haveskerke, Local Musician, Instructor, Dies

Was Composer, Director, and Master of Seven Languages.

Had Early Course That Carried Him to Heights in Musical World – Came here in Nineties from Pella

A great musician is dead.

Professor A. Van Haveskerke well know to Newton residents as a teacher and musician died at the home of his adopted daughter, Mrs. Will Harrington, 714 South Third Ave East, sometimes Saturday evening being alone in his room at the time of his death.

A musician, teacher and composer, Mr. Van Haveskerke came to Newton in 1893 from Pella where he had gone to live from Columbus Junction, Ia. He taught music here until a few months ago when he went to Eldora to teach and compose, returning to Newton a week ago.

Born about three miles from New York City on Aug. 30, (Illegible) he was christened Andre Jacques (Illegible) Van Haveskerke the son of Heron Louis Van Haveskerke (illegible) de Zelande. His father a noted Belgian musician and his mother, a renowned opera singer, Andre Van Haveskerke was fated for a musical career. Soon after his birth he was taken to Europe by his parents.

His early life was filled with boarding schools and (illegible) in Europe, where he spent his years from four to 18 when he entered the French service in the France Prussian War. When the struggle came to an end he became involved with opposing faction and a price was set on his head along with other young men. To escape he joined the foreign legion, serving for six months. After from where he was permitted to escape to an American vessel for passage to the United States.

Returning to the country of his birth, he continued with his musical career, studying under noted teachers. He mastered music in Antwerp and Brussels, studying the violin under such instructors as Charles de Rertot and Peter Benoit in Antwerp. He also studied under Liest, the famous composer.

Such was his musical ability that at four years of age he began studying in the Antwerp Conservatory and at 11 years of age played the Chimes in the large cathedral there. His experiences range from conducting the German opera in New York City for two seasons and at intervals substituting for Thomas in directing the famous Thomas orchestra to teaching Latin and mathematics n the old Newton Normal College which used to be located in Newton.

Not only was he a famed musician who accompanied and was acquainted with such opera stars as Schuman Heiok and Mande Powell, but he could play practically every musical instrument as well as speak fluently in seven languages. He also was a composer of note.

He was married to Hattie Snyder on Oct. 24, 1884 at Columbus Junction. Two children were born, Bertha Adeline and Anna May, both of whom are deal. His wife preceded him in death on June 23, 1926.

Member of Band

During his life in Newton he not only taught music to the children of the city but he also was a member of the old Knights Templar band for some 10 or 12 years.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at the Morgan Funeral Home at 10:00 o’clock with Dr. J. Irvine walker in charge. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, 4 May 1931.

Transcriber note: The following from Newton Union Cemetery Records; VanHaveskerke Andre Louis “Prof. A” 78 Saturday, May 9, 1931 son of Baron Louis VanHaveskerke; born 8/30/1852 - alcoholic musical genius - adoption of Bisom girls