DeBoer, Tjeerd 1865-1946 & Froukje Vander Weg Family

DEBOER, VANDERWEG, BROUWER, VANLOON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/11/2021 at 05:25:29

De Boer, Tjeed 1865-1946 and Froukje Vander Weg Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 pages 282 and 283 and was submitted to the book by Alice (De Boer) Mieras. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were added at the end by Wilma J. Vande Berg, both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

Tjeerd and Froukje (Vander Weg) De Boer were born and spent their growing up years in Friesland, Holland. After their marriage and spending six years farming in Holland, they immigrated to America in 1892. They came to Ellis Island, New York, and were met by Mrs. De Boer’s sister and family who found work for Mr. De Boer in a factory in Patterson, New Jersey. Before they were unpacked two small children died of measles they had contracted on the ship. Because they were quarantined and could not speak the language they were not allowed to go along to bury the babies. After the hardship of losing still another child they decided to move to Sioux County, Iowa where Mrs. De Boer had more relatives.

They were the parents of the following surviving children; Henry De Boer born September 14, 1887 and died August 11, 1960; John De Boer born November 13, 1889 and died May 4, 1948; Roy De Boer born December 6, 1896 and died February 16, 1984; George De Boer born August 12, 1899 and died January 1, 1979; Margaret De Boer (Mrs. Bertels) born August 5, 1900 and died April 22, 1989; and Alice De Boer (Mrs. Mieras) born July 1903.

Following is a poem written by Mrs. Tunis Den Herder for their 50th wedding anniversary celebration on February 4, 1936 at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center which tells much of the family history.

De Boer Family History Since February 4, 1886

Today marks half a century
Since our friends DeBoer’s were wed
In a Frieslan village called St. Ann
The Marriage vows were said.

Her maiden name was Vander Weg
And he was Tjeerd De Boer
Their life before them held a charm
Of this they felt quite sure.

Events of half a century
(with varied scenes) afforded
A wealth of family history
Which we have here recorded.

A daughter in the first short year.
When only two months old
(A little life to them so dear)
Was taken to His fold.

Six years they farmed in Holland
When they agreed to move,
Hoping that life in a fair new land
A blessing to them might prove.

There were now four small children
Two daughters and two sons,
When they set sail for their new home
To join the favored ones.

A dread disease attacked them
Soon after they arrived
It claimed as victims the two little girls
While Henry and John survived.

Sorrowful and sore bereaved,
They a year in New Jersey did tarry.
Again a new born son was laid
In Ridgewood Cemetery.

Advised to come to Iowa
By those to them related,
They came in 1893 —
As farmers they were rated.

Soon a place six miles from town,
They settled down to farming.
When lo! In the summer of ‘95
Came a cyclone most alarming.

Their lives were spared as the storm held sway
Though broken limbs were sustained,
And all their belongings swept away,
God’s way with them — unexplained.

Then once again a little girl
Must in God’s way be spared,
Five times their needs must sacrifice
The lives for which they cared.

Now since that time they’ve been blessed
Two sons — two daughters fine.
They’re Roy and George and Margaret,
And Alice last in line.

The sons of this fine family
Follow he father’s vocation,
Whether on larger or smaller farm,
You’ll find them in location.

Margaret tried the farm a while
When first to Bartels married,
But now they keep a store in Steen,
With stock quite large and varied

Alice married Standard Oil —
I beg your pardon — Mieras,
She makes her home in Struble now
Which really is quite near us.

Score 15 to 9 in grandchildren
No wonder the fair sex wins,
With all except Roy to favor them
And Henry supplying twins.

Through all the cares and trials which
By Providence were sent,
This couple felt that God was near
And in faith forward went.

Sioux Center has always been their home town,
Except for a year or so,
Which they by Doctor’s orders spent
In Denver, Colorado.

In church life, dear old First Reformed
Has always been their home.
Efficient, faithful members they
With no desire to roam.

Mr. DeBoer has long been known
As a worker in the church
40 years service in Sunday School
The best for the youth to search.

In the Consistory too for 30 years
With no thought of men’s applause,
Giving freely of time and of labor,
To promote the Master’s cause.

We his friends have learned to love him
And his precious wife so true,
Their jovial friendship, humor keen,
Has often helped us too.

O blessed be this couple dear,
To whom we owe so much
For spiritual help which we have gained
Through simple, friendly touch.

Dear Lord, that to each one of us,
Such courage Thou may’st send.
And may their faith and trust in Thee
Stay with them to the end.
— Contributed

Mrs.De Boer passed away at her home at the age of 78 years in 1943. After this Mr. De Boer lived with his daughter and family, Alice and John Mieras for two and a half years and passed away on July 24, 1946. Daughter Alice is the only family member surviving (in 1991) and lives in Sioux Center.

by Alice (De Boer) Mieras

RESEARCH NOTES – Added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

CEMETERY INDEX lists
Tjeerd De Boer born 31 Jul 1865 died 24 Jul 1946 buried in Memory Gardens Sioux Center IA.
Florence De Boer born 7 May 1866 died 18 Dec 1943 buried in Memory Gardens Sioux Center IA.

Netherlands records found on www.wiewaswie.nl

BIRTH RECORD of Tjeerd de Boer born 31 July 1865 to Hendrik de Boer and Grietje Brouwer at Het Bildt Friesland Netherlands

BIRTH RECORD of Froukje van der Weg born 7 May 1866 at Het Bildt Friesland to Jan van der Weg and Oetske Glastra van Loon

MARRIAGE RECORD of Tjeerd De Boer born at Vrouwenparochie, Friesland age 20 married Froukje van der Weg born at St. Annaparochie, Friesland age 19 years, on 4 Feb 1886 at Het Bildt, Friesland. His parents were Hendrik De Boer and Grietje Brouwer and Her parents were Jan van der Weg and Oetske Glastra van Loon.

OBITUARY of Tjeerd De Boer 1865-1946
Sioux Center News of Aug 1, 1946 page one
Tjeerd De Boer Died Wednesday – Mr. Tjeerd De Boer was born on July 31, 1865 in Friesland Holland. After some years he and his wife and four children came to America and shortly after arriving they lost two children because of a disease contracted on the boat. They were buried in New Jersey. Soon they moved to the middle west and settled on a farm west of Sioux Center where a cyclone took all their possessions. An infant son died soon after.
He passed away early Wed. evening. July 24,after an illness of six months. He made his home with his children Mr. and Mrs. John Mieras. Mr. De Boer was 80 years, 11 months and 24 days.
He leaves to mourn his passing, Henry of Sioux Center, John of Remsen, Roy of Le Mars, George of Sioux Center, Margaret (Mrs. Bert Bartels) of Sioux Center, Alice (Mrs. John Mieras) of Sioux Center; also 26 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife on Dec 18, 1943 and five children, one died in Holland.
Mr. De Boer was active in church life, being in the consistory for 50 years. Supt. of Sunday school and taught Sunday school for 50 years.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 27 in the home of John Mieras at 12:30 and at the Frist Reformed Church at 1:00 with Rev. L. A. Brunsting officiating. Interment was made in the local cemetery.

OBITUARY of Florence Mrs. T. De Boer 1866-1943
Florence De Boer
May 7, 1866 ----Dec. 18, 1943
Mrs. T. De Boer Dies Suddenly
Mrs. T. De Boer passed away very suddenly at her home at ten o’clock Saturday forenoon, Dec. 18, 1943, at the age of 77 years. Although she had been ailing with heart trouble and complications for the past two years, death came unexpectedly Saturday. She had taken some breakfast in the morning and when Mr. De Boer entered her bedroom only a short time later he found that she had already passed on.
Mrs. De Boer, born Florence Vander Weg was born in the Netherlands and was a member of a family of 11 children of which she and one brother were the only survivors. She was born on May 7, 1868 (1866) and on Feb. 4, 1885 she was united in marriage to Mr. T. De Boer who now survives her with the six children: Henry, John of Sanborn, Roy, George, Maggie (Mrs. Bert Bartels) and Alice (Mrs. John Mieras). Also 28 grandchildren and six great grandchildren and her one brother, George Vander Weg of Denver, who was unable to come for the funeral services as both he and his wife were ill with the flu.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the home and 1:30 at the First Reformed Church with Rev. L.A. Brunsting officiating. Burial was made at the local cemetery and acting as pallbearers were six grandsons. James and Everett De Boer, Herman De Vries, Anthony VerHoeven, Gerald and Theran De Boer.
On Feb. 4, 1943 Mr. and Mrs. De Boer celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They have lived in this community for the past 50 years.
Source: Sioux Center News of Dec 23, 1943

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