De Ruyter, Jacobus 1865-1941 & Aaltje Kloek Family

DERUYTER, DERUIJTER, BOOT, BOOTE, KLOEK, ZOMER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/14/2021 at 05:34:26

De Ruyter, Jacobus 1865-1941 and Aaltje ‘Alida’ Kloek Family

This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 pages 294 and 295, and was submitted to the book by Shirley De Ruyter. 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.

Following two years of failing health, Jacobus De Ruyter, a pioneer hardware dealer of Sioux Center, IA passed away on October 24, 1941.

His birthplace, however, was near the town of Terneuzon, in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands where he was born to Martin and Marina (Boote) De Ruyter on September 10, 1865. At the age of four, his mother died and his sister, Lena, took him into their home. Five years later his father remarried and he again went to live with him.

On April 14, 1881, at the age of 15, he left Amsterdam by boarding a remodeled freighter steamer named “The Castor” for the United States, arriving late in the evening of May 2. After having been anchored in Long Island Sound during that night, they disembarked the following morning at Old Castle Garden which was the processing station for immigrants to the U.S. It was a converted amusement park located on the tip of Manhattan Island, NY.

Taking train transportation, the family (Jacob’s father, stepmother and himself) arrived in Cedar Grove, WI where his Uncle Van Es met them. They settled in Oostburg, WI. In 1887 he went to Sheboygan, WI where he was employed in a chair factory. However, in 1889 an unmarried uncle, Leen Boot and he, decided to move further west, arriving at Sheldon, IA on May 30, 1889.

In 1891, he and A. (Bert) Van Kerkhoff started the Van Kerkhoff and De Ruyter Hardware Company. (See business history) Jake was known for his honesty, integrity and tireless ambition which certainly helped to lay the foundation for a business. The business celebrated its fiftieth anniversary the summer that he died.

His interests and activities extended beyond the hardware store for he was active in his church, served as treasurer of the school board for forty-two years, served on the Town Council for forty years, was a director of The First National Bank and was a member of the Library Board.

His marriage to Aaltje (Alida) Kloek, born to Gerrit and Aaltje (Somer) Kloek on October 30, 1871 in Kampen, The Netherlands, took place on September 27, 1893. Aaltje came to the U.S. when she was only sixteen accompanied by her sister, Grace. Her own mother was well-educated and enjoyed playing the family’s pipe organ in their home. Aaltje’s song about “Mother Baking Cookies” is still remembered by her remaining children and grandchildren. She was an aggressive and hard working woman, especially so since she and Jacob had seven children: LeVinus, George, Mae (Mrs. R.P. Balkema), Alice, James, Arthur and Martina (Mrs. Lyle Gilbert). Two children and Mrs. De Ruyter preceded him in death, Levinus at the age of 20, Arthur at the age of 13 and Mrs. De Ruyter at the age of 50. Two grandchildren, Dorothy Ellen Balkema and Artie Jim De Ruyter also preceded him in death.

Jacob was a keen student of history and international affairs, a lover of nature and a friend to all. Those who knew him were inspired by his gentle christian character, his steadfast faith and his deep wisdom and understanding. The following verse was found written in his Bible:

The important part of every person’s life is that which nobody else knows anything about ---

The musing of the mind,

The feelings of the heart

The aspirations of the soul —

These are what make or mar us”.

Jacob was considered a quiet, unaffected man whose strength of character was derived from his integrity and his good common-sense. His careful judgement was a strong and good influence on the town, school, church and many individuals. He was recognized as an outstanding citizen. He was truly a pioneer.

Submitted to the book by Shirley J. De Ruyter

RESEARCH NOTES : added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
Netherlands vital records found on www.wiewaswie.nl

BIRTH record of Jacobus de Ruijter to Levinus de Ruijter and Marina Boot, he was born 10 Sep 1865 at Terneuzen, Zeeland, Netherlands.

BIRTH record for Aaltje Kloek born at Kampen Overijssel Netherlands to Gerrit Kloek a sheep herder age 48 and Aaltje Zomer, born on 30 Oct 1871 Kampen Zwolle, Overijssel.

OBITUARY of Jacob De Ruyter 1865-1941
Sioux Center News October 30, 1941
Jacob De Ruyter, Pioneer Hardware Dealer, Passed Away
Jacob De Ruyter, pioneer hardware dealer of Sioux Center, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Fri., Oct. 24. Mr. De Ruyter had been in frail health the last two years. When the weather was mild he usually walked downtown for his mail and to visit with his friends. He was downtown for the last time Wednesday. He became ill Thursday and was taken to the Hull hospital where he passed away.
Those relatives who came from out of town for the funeral of Mr. Jake De Ruyter on Monday were: Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Gilbert and family of Clinton, la.; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Balkema and family of Sioux City; George Martin De Ruyter of Ames; Martin De Ruyter of Cedar Grove, Wise.; Mrs. Te Lindert and daughter Bertha, and son , all of Cedar Grave, Wisc.; Mr. and Mrs. Jake Scholten and family of Doon; Mr. and Mrs. George Scholten and family of Doon; Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Kloek of Sioux Falls; Mr. and Mrs, George Gremellus, and Mrs. T. Huson, all of Sioux Falls, and Mrs. Royce Weatherly of Doon. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Scholten of Pierre, South Dakota came on Sunday. Several old business associates from out of town came to attend the funeral on Monday
OBITUARY OF MR. J. DE RUYTER
Mr. Jacob De Ruyter was born near the town of Ternuiien, in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands, Sept- 10, 1865. At the age of sixteen, he came to America, settling in Oostburg, Wis. Six years later, in 1887, penniless and with his earthly possessions in a bundle under his arm, he came to Iowa and settled in Sioux Center. He started the De Ruyter Hardware Co. in 1891 and by his honesty, integrity and tireless ambition laid the foundation for a business which celebrated it 15th (45?) anniversary this past summer.
In 1893 he married Aaltje Kloek and to this happy union seven children were born, LeVinus, George, Mae (Mrs. R.P. Balkema, Sioux City), Alice, James, Arthur and Martina (Mrs. Lyle Gilbert of Clinton Ia. Two children and Mrs. De Rueyter preceded him in death. LeVinus at the ae of 20, Arthur at the age of 13, and Mrs. De Rutyer at the age of 50. Two grandchildren Dorothy Ellen Balkema and Artie Jim De Ruyter preceded him to the Heavenly land.
After two years of failing health, Mr. De Ruyter passed on to his Heavenly home at 12:30 A.M. Friday, Oct 24. Surviving him are two sons, three daughters and eleven grandchildren. Mr. De Ruyter endeared himself to the community by his faithfulness to his church and worthy community interests. He served on the Town Council forty years and on the school Board as its treasurer for forty two years. He was a director of the First National Bank and a member of the Public Library board. He was a keen student of history and International affairs, a lover of nature and a friend to all. Those who knew him were inspired by his gentle Christian character, his steadfast faith and his deep wisdom and understanding.
Funeral services were held Monday. October 27, at 1:00 p.m. from the house and at 1:30 p.m. from the Central Reformed Church. The Rev. Mr. R. Meengs officiated. Bearers were G. Klein, I. Hoeven, J. De Groot, H. J. Schalekamp, N. B. Mouw. and A. Vander Stoep. Burial was in the Sioux j Center cemetery.

OBITUARY of Aaljte Mrs. Jacob De Ruyter 1871-1922
Sioux Center Nieuwsblad September 27 , 1922
(Translated from Dutch in the newspaper)
Thursday morning died after a long illness , with dropsy . Mrs. De Ruyter born Aaltje Kloek was born in the Netherlands and the reached the age of 50 years 11 months. She leaves her husband and five children. George , Mae Alice , James and Martina . Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Ruyter 29 years ago were married. The funeral has taken place Friday at half past two at home and later to two hours from the second Reformed Church. Mrs. De Ruyter was widely respected and was a faithful worker in church. We express our sympathy with the sorrowing family
(Listed in the Sioux County Index as Aaltje Kloek born 1871 died 1922 buried in Memory Gardens Sioux Center, IA. She was the daughter of Gerrit Kloek and Aaltje Zomer, her husband was Jacob DeRuyter 1865-1941)

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