VanderStoep, Andrew and Alyda Wesselink

VANDERSTOEP, HARBERS, WESSELINK

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 1/30/2016 at 19:42:41

VanderStoep, Andrew and Alyda Wesselink

Andries ‘Andrew’ Vander Stoep and his wife Johanna Harbers the parents of Andrew Vander Stoep, came from Holland in 1856 to a farm in Marion County, Iowa, near Pella, Iowa. It was on this farm that Andrew was born on June 29, 1867. In the spring of 1871 his parents moved to a farm on and half miles west of the Orange City depot which I the old Vander Stoep homestead. Andrew lived there until December 1890 when he moved to Sioux Center.

In 1892 Andres married Alyda Wesselink. He was born March 4, 1869 to Dirk Wesselink and Johanna Lubbers. Alyda Wesselink’s father was one of the pioneers along with a Mr. Kluevers who lost his life crossing the Rock River as they were searching for better wood in 1875. Their wagon pulled by oxen, threw them into the river and both men drowned. Alyda’s mother later married Harm Wissink and the two families needed two houses moved together to supply enough room for the large family.

After moving to Sioux Center Andrew Vander Stoep formed a partnership with his brother in law, John Ellerbroek. Their line of merchandise was boots, shoes, toys, jewelry, sewing machines, and organs. They occupied the store which is at the location of the former Sam’s Variety. The Vander Stoep-Ellerbroek partnership was dissolved in 1897.

In 1899 Andrew began work for the Joe Hyink Company, which later became N. Balkema Store. When the firm became known as the N. Balkema Co, Andrew became a partner and was connected with the firm until December, 1938, when he sold his interest to N. Balkema. Since the time until his death he lived in his beautiful home in Sioux Center with his daughter, Sadie. His wife, Alyda, died January 1838 and Andrew died July 26, 1950.

Andrew Vander Stoep had served his community long and faithfully. He had been council member for a number of years, assessor for six years, and mayor for four years. He was and elder and deacon in Central Reformed church and taught Sunday School for 35 years.

The Vander Stoeps were the parents of five sons and four daughters and in the July 27, 1950 issue of the Sioux Center News which carried the obituary of Andrew Vander Stoep, his children were listed as follows; D. H. Vander Stoep of Lynden WA; Johanna Mrs. Elmer Olson of Sioux City; James Vander Stoep of Evansville Indiana; Sadie Vander Stoep; Lillian Mrs. John Miller of Wichita, KS; Claude Vander Stoep of Sioux Center; Dr. Harry Vander Stoep of LeMars; and Mary Mrs. William Kooi of Pittman New Jersey. One son, Harbers Vander Stoep died in 1935.

This is the article on Andrew’s family that was in the Sioux Center Cenennial book of 1991. The article was authored by Wilma J. Vande Berg There was also a picture of Andrew that accompanied the story.