Klein, Gerrit 1872-1944 Family

KLEIN, WUBBELS, SCHUPPERT, UITDEBULTEN, OOLMAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/26/2021 at 04:20:03

Klein, Gerrit abt 1872 - 1944 Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 page 398. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg, both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

When one looks at pictures of early Sioux Center, the name G. Klein is prominently displayed above a store on the East side of Main Street. Thus, it is appropriate that Gerrit Klein family history is included in this new book.

Born in the Netherlands, nine year old Gerrit was wearing wooden shoes when he, his widowed mother Hendrikje, brothers Albert and Ben and sister Aaltje (later Mrs. Lou Van’t Hof) landed in New York City in 1881. They settled in Pella; Iowa, later moved to Newkirk, Iowa.

Since Gerrit needed to support himself at a young age, he walked from Newkirk to Hull during the week and worked for a druggist. Later he was employed at John Schoep’s general store in Sioux Center. In approximately 1900 he opened his own general store and operated it for 34 years. A thoughtful and generous man, Gerrit often gave new immigrants from Holland groceries for at least a year, on credit, until they could establish themselves. His volunteer activities were church related. Gerrit was a deacon and later an elder for many years at Central Reformed Church. He taught Sunday School and was a church treasurer for several years.

In 1895 Gerrit married Nellie Wubbles. Three daughters were born to them: Harriet, Christine (Cress) and Nell. Nellie died in 1900. In 1905 Gerrit married Alyda (Dillie) Oolman from Orange City, Iowa. Alice was born to this union (Dillie died in 1908, and Gerrit was left to raise his four little girls alone.) Harriet Klein became a nurse; later Director of Nursing at Memorial Hospital/Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute in New York City. Cress, who married Bill deBruyn, was the first librarian in Sioux Center as well as an elementary school teacher. She also helped her husband manage Cooperative Funeral Homes in Sioux Center and Pella. Nell Klein taught English in the Sioux City School System, Alice was a music teacher and taught in two communities in Iowa. She married Dr. Phil Scott, and lived in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

A granddaughter, Rosemary de Bruyn (Mrs. Bob Taylor), and two sons, John and Jeff Taylor of Ames, Iowa, are the only living members of Gerrit Klein’s family.

by Rosemary Taylor

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

1900 CENSUS of West Branch, Sioux County IA, lists Garrit Klein, age 27, born Jul 1872 Holland, living in West Branch, Sioux County IA. He immigrated 1882, and was a widower at the time, a salesman of groceries. He had three daughters Harriette 4, Cressie 2, Nellis 2 months and a housekeeper Carrie Schut age 24.

Netherlands birth record lists Gerrit Klein born to Willem Klein a farmer age 40 and Hendrikje uit de Bulten age 27, Gerrit was born 31 Jul 1872 Doornspijk, Gelderland Netherlands.

In a family report on ancestry.com (by others) Gerrit Klein was born 31 Jul 1872 Oldebroek, Gelderland Netherlands and died 20 Jul 1944 Spirit Lake IA. His parents were Willem Klein 1831-1878 and Hendrikje uit de Bulten 1846 – His wife was Nelle Wubbels 1872-1900. Only two children listed in this report were Nelle Klein 1900-1946 and Alice J. Klein Scott 1906-1988.

Nellie Wubbels Klein was born 21 Dec 1872/1874 Baldwin Wisconsin, married to Gerrit Klein 30 Apr 1895 at Sioux Center IA. and died 16 Apr 1900 Sioux Center IA.

Find a Grave lists Nellie Klein born 21 Dec 1872 born Baldwin Wisconain and died 16 Apr 1900 Sioux Center IA. She was the daughter of Christiaan Wubbels born 27 Apr 1840 Winterswijk Gelderland Netherlands and died 31 Jan 1926 at Baldwin Wisconsin. He married Hendrika ‘Hattie’ Schuppert 1849-1922 on 27 Nov 1871 Holland Sheboygan County WI.

OBITUARY of Gerrit Klein 1871-1944
Source: Sioux Center News (6-22-1944)
Born: July 31, 1871
Died: June 21, 1944
LAST RITES FOR PIONEER MERCHANT, FRIDAY
Mr. Gerrit Klein, one of Sioux Center’s pioneer merchants, died on Wednesday morning, June 21, at the Spirit Lake Hospital following a lingering illness at the age of 72.
Mr. Klein, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willem Klein, was born on July 31, 1871 in the Netherlands. He came to America with his grandmother, his mother, sister, and two brothers. They moved to Sioux County.
He operated a grocery and dry goods store in Sioux Center for 35 years selling out about a year ago to his partner, Jerry Hasselo.
Mr. Klein leaves to mourn four daughters: Harriet, Pert Chester, New York; Cristie (Mrs. W. De Bruyn), of Waterloo, Iowa; Nellie, Sioux City, Iowa; and Mrs. Phil Scott, Spirit Lake, Iowa; also a granddaughter, Rosemary de Bruyn, Waterloo, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Lou Van’t Hul, Orange City, Iowa and a brother, Mr. Albert Klein, Sheldon.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 23, 1944, at 3:oo P.M. from the home and at 3:30 P.M. from the Central Reformed Church. The Reverend Mr. R. Meenga will officiate. Pallbearers will George De Ruyter, A. Vander Stoep, Ray Van Deest, Jerry Hasselo, John Kroon and Neal Mouw. Burial will be in the Sioux Center Cemetery.
Find A Grave states: He was first married to Nellie (Wubbels) Klein. She passed away in 1900 after giving birth to a child after which blood poisoning set in. He then married Alida (Oolman) Klein and she passed away in 1908.

Gathered from a report on Gerrit's sister Aaltje Klien Vant Hul, Gerrit mother Hendrikje Uit de Bulten died 1926 at Newkirk IA

OBITUARY of Nellie Wubbels Mrs. Gerrit Klien 1873-1900
From the Alton Democrat of April 21, 1900
Sioux Center News
Mrs. G. Klein of this city died Monday morning at five o'clock. A week ago last Monday Mrs. Klein gave birth to a child after which blood poisoning set in. The deceased leaved behind a husband and three children, the children all being to young to know their bereavement. The interment took place Wednesday afternoon, Rev. De Pree and Rev. Heemstra officiating.
(According to info found various ways it was determined that this was Mrs. Gerrit Klein born Nellie Wubbels 1873 in Waupun Wisconsin, married 30 Apr 1895 at Sioux Center to Gerrit Klein born 1872 Holland, her parents were Chris. Wubbels and Hendrikje Schupper and his were Willem Klein and Hendrikje Gilden Bulten. Three children born to them were Hendrikje(Harriet) 14 Mar 1896, Christina born 1898, and Millie born 9 Apr 1900. Later in 1905 Gerrit married Dillie Oolman.)

OBITUARY of Dillie Oolman Mrs. Gerrit Klein 1870-1908
Alton Democrat of April 18, 1908
Mrs. Gerrit Klein died at Sioux Center Sunday at Three o'clock. She was a daughter of Jacob Oolman of Orange City and was married about three years ago. She leaves a baby one year old to her husband's care. He also has three children aged from eight to fourteen by a former wife.
Another article in same issue:
Many of her friends went to Sioux Center Wednesday afternoon to attend the funeral of Mrs. Gerit Klein, formerly Miss Dillie Oolman of this city.
(From the Cemetery index Dillie Klein born 30 Oct 1870 died 12 Apr 1908 buried Sioux Center, husband Gerrit Klein born 31 Jul 1872 died 21 Jun 1944 Sioux Center. Combined children include Harriet 1896, Christine 1898, Nellie 1900, Alice 1906 and William 1909. Gerrit had one other wife Nellie Wubbles 1871-1900, and possibly a third wife.

Pictured – Two Pioneer Sioux Center businessmen, taken about 1930: L-R Jacob de Ruyter – De Ruyter Hardware and Gerrit Klein - Klein’s store (grocery and general merchandise) Gerrit Klein’s store where Bosch’s clothing in 1991)

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