VanDeWaa, Hendrik Jan 1840-1928 & Aaltje Vande Steeg Family

VANDEWAA, VANDERWAA, VANDESTEEG, KAMPHUIS, VANDEHOEF

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg (email)
Date: 5/12/2022 at 10:44:45

VanDeWaa, Hendrik Jan 1840 – 1928 and Aaltje Vande Steeg Family

The information for this BIOS of Hendrik Jan Van de Waa and family was taken from several sources that are referenced throughout this narrative. He was truly an early pioneer settler, first in the Pella Iowa area and then in the Orange City colony. See the obituary at the end of this BIOS that has a biography within the obituary. Much has been written about Vande Waa which has been summarized in this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Iowa Genealogical Society.

Note: The spelling of the names were listed as they were in the referenced sources, such as Van de Waa, Van der Waa, Vande Waa, Vander Waa. The meaning of the surname is obscure, the prefix used as ‘van de’ means from the.

Birth record www.wiewaswie.nl - Hendrik Jan van de Waa was born 25 Jun 1840 at Hattem, Gelderland Netherlands to Gerrit Jan Van de Waa age 38 a bread baker and Jantje Kamphuis age 33.

In the book ‘Souvenir History of Pella Iowa’ it was noted that Jan (Gerrit Jan) Van de Waa, Mrs. Jan Van de Waa, and Hendrik J. Van de Waa are in a list of Hollanders who came to America in 1846-1847 and joined the Pella Colony in early days.

From Netherlands records on www.wiewaswie.nl and from a family report on Ancestry.com (by others) The parents of Hendrik Jan Van de Waa were Gerrit Jan Van de Waa born 11 Mar 1802 Hattem, Gelderland, Netherlands and died 1854 Pella, Iowa. Gerrit’s wife was Jantje Goossens Kamphuis born 9 Jan 1806 Harkstede, Groningen, Netherlands and died 7 Jun 1873 at Pella, Iowa.

Children born to Gerrit Jan and Jantje were: Jan van de Waa born 4 Mar 1839 at Hattem and died 21 Apr 1839; Hendrick Jan van de Waa born 25 June 1840 Hattem; Hendrikjen Van de Waa born 14 Feb 1843 Hattem died 17 Feb 1843 Hattem.

Hendrik ‘Henry’ Jan van der Waa was born 25 Jun 1840 at Hattem, Gelderland, Netherlands and died 16 Jan 1928 at Orange City Iowa, Hendrik’s wife was Aaltje Van der Steeg born 30 May 1848 at Ede, Gelderland, Netherlands and died 1932 Orange City IA. They were married at Pella Iowa on February 27, 1867. Aaltje’s birth record has her birth as 20 May 1848 at Ede Gelderland Netherlands and her parents were - Gerrit van de Steeg, a gardener 18, and Jacobie van de Hoef.

From the book ‘The Story of Sioux County ‘ by Charles Dyke there is a several page article pages 8-10 entitled:

Hendrik Jan Van Der Waa. In the middle of the sixties of the past century, a young soldier by the name of Hendrik Jan Van Der Waa came home to Pella, Iowa, from the Civil War and, after visiting a while with relatives and friends, he rented a farm. As farming does not go well without a housekeeper, the young man looked around for a suitable mate, and finally decided to ask Miss Ellen, oldest daughter and child of Gerrit Van De Steeg, and sister of John Van De Steeg, pioneer merchant of Orange city. The offer of hand and heart for weal or woe was accepted, and after the usual festivities, the young couple moved to the rented farm. The rent was on a share basis of one-third of the crop. After farming for two years, the young couple concluded that at the rate they were going, they would never become owners of a farm home. As the urge of that time was in accord with Horace Greeley’s advice: ‘Go west, young man, and grow up with the country,’ they decided to sell out and take a homestead in northwestern Iowa. After the plan was made to move west, Mr. Van der Waa began to correspond with real estate men of Storm lake and Cherokee, and with the United States land office at Sioux City, The real estate men wrote that there was still considerable land subject to homestead entry in their vicinity and the land office stated that there were large bodies of land suitable to form a colony in O’Brien, Sioux and Lyon counties. As Van Der Waa had the forming of a colony in mind for himself and friends, these reports looked good to him, and the date of his farm sale was set. As he needed sale bills, he wended his way to the office of Henry Hospers, then the publisher of Pella’s Weekblad. Mr. Hospers was a shrewd and enterprising man with a vision. He began a conversation with Van Der Waa, who told him of his plans. Mr. Hospers became very much interested and told his visitor that he would be glad to assist him all he could, and that he would also correspond with the different land agencies and with the United States Land office in Sioux City. This offer and suggestion of Mr. Hospers looked good to Van Der Waa, and they agreed to work together.

Mr. Hospers was a man of considerable education and experience. (this paragraph goes on to describe the response they got back from the land offices, and a meeting was set up in Mr. Hospers office which was overflowing with people ready to get free land for their families) Mr. Hospers was chosen chairman and every detail was gone over.

The committee chosen was Hendrik Jan Van Der Waa, Jelle Pelmulder, Huibert Muilenburg and Sjoerd Aukes Sipma. The first two we have already introduced Huibert Muilenburg was also a farmer and much interested in church work and in vocal and instrumental music. He was the owner of a melodian, which in those days indicated distinction. Sjoerd Aukes Sipma was of a genteel Friesian family who had emigrated to America in the days of the canal boats, about which he told us a very interesting story. He was likewise a farmer. A subscription list was passed around to defray the expenses for the trip and more than enough was subscribed, so that there was a nice balance in the treasury for the future needs of the organization. Van Der Waa offered this team and wagon without charge. The four men chosen, at once went to work to get ready for the trip. The wagon was transformed into a prairie schooner, which meant that bows were fastened to the sides of the box, over which a canvas was stretched.

As Van Der Waa had been in the United States Army, he understood provisioning and a mess chest was secured and stocked and a tent purchased. The morning before starting, Van Der Waa traded his team of hoses for a team of young mules, as he thought that mules would stand the hardships of the trip better than horses. The mules had never had a harness on and kicked it off several times as soon as it was put on. But finally it was on and the expedition left, people watching, expecting the outfit to be wrecked, as they left in a regular runaway. But Van Der Waa kept the unruly mules in the road and finally they became tired and quieted down. After that they became gentle as any other team of mules. From the time they left until they returned, the harness was never taken off the animals, as all feared another wild harnessing scene.

Land Seekers Go Forth - read pages 11-34 which relates many of the stories and experiences of the group in establishing the beginnings of the Colony at Orange City. Page 17, As the first wagon jogged slowly on, and like Moses of old viewing the promised land from the heights of Pisgah, they gazed and gazed and said nothing, for they were under a spell of strange emotions the one of them broke this spell by reverently intoning the paraphrased lines of the old hymn: “It is the promised land, Fresh from the Maker’s hand; It is indeed an earthy paradise.” And the others responded with “Amen! Amen! Amen!” and gazed and gazed. And indeed it was the promised land, for it was promised to them by Uncle Sam, for whom Van Der Waa had fought in the Civil War. When they reached Sioux County Van Der Waa jumped off the wagon so that he would be the first Hollander from Pella to set foot on Sioux County Soil, and threw his hat in the air, and Vander Meer and Van Den Bos followed his example.

It would do the reader well to read the entire book ‘The Story of Sioux County’ by Charles Dyke in 1942. It includes many events in the pioneer life in which Hendrik Van de Waa was involved including the Calliope Raid where the settlers stole the county records and safe destined for the new home and court house in Orange City. It gives a very humanistic picture of early life in Sioux County Iowa along with facts of the time.

The Children of Hendrik Van De Waa and Aaltje ‘Ellen’ Van de Steeg

1. JENNIE ‘JANE’ VANDE WAA born 26 Jan 1868 Pella IA died 11 Apr 1958 Oklahoma City Oklahoma husband: Benjamin Docter 1864-1946 See their obits at iagenweb.org/boards/sioux/obituaries/index Children: Alice Mrs. Richard Krueger; Hattie Mrs. Oswald Jones; Gertie Mrs. George Thomasen and Arthur Vande Waa.

2. JACOBA VAN DE WAA born 18 Oct 1870 Orange City, Iowa died 9 Feb 1961 Sioux County IA husband: Lammert Van Olst born 2 Feb 1864 Oldebroek Gelderland Netherlands died 1904 or after ? enroute to Volga, SD. She later married Cocia Versteeg. Children: Winnie Van Olst Levering 1891-1980; Aaljte ‘Alice’ Cornelia Van Olst Krazen1894-1933; Egbert Hendrik Van Olst 1896-1986; Henrietta Van Olst Graber 1898- 1993; Henry John Van Olst 1900-1988; Mildred Viola Van Olst Hains 1902-1991; and Myrtle Viola Van Olst Willsie abt 1904-1999.

3. CORNELIA JOHANNA ‘KATE’ VANDE WAA born 6 Nov1872 died 15 Jun 1957 Holland, Ottawa MI. Husband: Rev. Johannes ‘John’ Engelsman 1864-1938 Children – John Cornelius Engelsman 1910-1994; Arthur A. Engelsman 1913-1970; and Alice H. Engelsman (Mrs. Russell Redeker)1914-1980

4. GERRITJE ‘GERTRUDE’ VANDE WAA born Sep 1877 Orange City IA died 25 Apr 1961 Orange City, Iowa Husband: George Henry Haverkamp 1884-1959 Children – George E. Haverkamp, Robert Z. Haverkamp and Clifford Haverkamp.

5. GERRIT JOHN VANDE WAA born 13, Oct 1879 Sioux County IA died 1954 Sioux County IA. Wife #1 Johanna ‘Josie’ Houwers 1884 – 1914 Wife #2: Jentena Raman 1899-1990 Children – Henry John Vande Waa 1904-1943; Gerrit John Vande Waa jr. 1909-1987; Kathryn Vande Waa 1913-1937; Son of Wife #2 : Dr. Alfred J. Vande Waa 1921-2002

6. HENRIETTE VANDE WAA born 18 Aug 1882 Orange City IA died 1 Apr 1976 Sioux City Iowa Husband: Guy VandenBurg 1880-1962. They had no children.

7. HENRY JOHN Dr. VANDE WAA born 6 Nov 1885 Orange City IA died 22 Jan 1949 St. Joseph MO, buried Orange City Iowa Wife: Cornelia Marjory ‘Kitty’ Klein 1888-1970 Children – Ruth Henrietta Vande Waa 1915-2012; Dr. Carl Dean Vander Waa 1918-2008.

8. BENJAMIN HARRISON VANDE WAA born 27 Sep 1891 Orange City IA died 4 Jun 1958 Orange City IA Wife: Jenneken ‘Jennie’ Sterrenberg 1894-1958 Child – Maxine Mrs. Robert Freriks

OBITUARY OF HENRY J. VANDE WAA
http://iagenweb.org/boards/sioux/obituaries/index This obit account was translated submitted to the Sioux County web page by Janie Smith.
1928 De Volksvriend, Jan 19, 1928, p. 7, col 1: Mr. H. J. van de Waa, whose decline we have reported on occasionally, died Monday night at the age of 87 years and 6 months. Mr. Van de Waa was born at Hattem, Gelderland, Netherlands, on June 25, 1840. As a child of 6 years he immigrated to America with his parents. They settled themselves the first year at St. Louis and then moved from there to Pella, Iowa. In 1854 his father died and three years later his mother also died. At 22 years of age, he took part in the Civil War serving on the Union side in Company G, 33rd Regiment, and after 3 years of service returned home. On Feb 27th, 1867 he was married at Pella by Rev. E. Winter to Miss Aaltje Van de Steeg and the couple was blessed with nine children, whereupon, a daughter died at a very young age. The children along with the mother who survive him and who lovingly cared for him are: Mrs. B. Dokter, Orange City; Mrs. Gt. Versteeg, Pella; Mrs. Jno. Engelsman, Randolph, Wis; Mrs. Geo. Haverkamp, Gt. Van de Waa, Dr H. J. Van de Waa, Benjamin H. Van de Waa, Orange City; and Mrs. Guy van der Burg of Sioux City. In 1869, Mr. Van de Waa was part of the committee that traveled to Sioux County. This trip was made three times with a pair of mules during this year, and as a result of these efforts, the Holland colony was established. In 1870 Mr. and Mrs. v.d. Waa settled on a homestead just north of Orange City. In 1903, the family moved to the city to a home where their oldest son now lives. In 1920 the couple moved to a new home where they currently reside. The deceased served faithfully for many years as deacon at the First Reformed Church and also for a number of years as Sunday school teacher. So long as he was able, he attended church services every Sunday. The last months of his life he was not able to go to God's House, but served the Lord in silence at his home. He is now redeemed and rejoices with others before the Throne of God. The deceased leaves a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as a sister, Mrs. T. H. Muilenburg of here. The funeral is at 1 pm at the house and at 1:30 at the First Reformed church led by Rev. H. Colenbrander. Rev and Mrs. J. Engelsman of Randolph, Wis, Mr and Mrs. C. Versteeg of Pella, and Mr and Mrs. Guy van den Burg of Sioux City came here to attend the funeral of their father. [Translated by J. Smith.] His parents were Gerrit Jan Van de Waa and Jannetje Kamphuis.
Another obituary from the Friday, January 20, 1928 Alton Democrat:
H. J. Vande Waa, Civil War veteran and one of the oldest pioneers of this section, passed away at his home Monday night at 12 o'clock, at the age of 87 and a half years. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at ten o'clock at the home and at 1:30 in the First Ref. church , Rev. H. Colenbranrder officiating. Mr. Vande Waa was born at Hattem, Gelderland, the Netherlands, in the year 1840 and came with his parents to the United States in his boyhood. While at Pella he enlisted in Co. G., 33rd Iowa regiment, serving three years during the Civil War. On Feb. 27th, 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Aaltje Vande Steeg. Their children are Mrs. B. Dokter, Orange City, Mrs. Gt. Versteeg, Pella; Mrs. Jno. Engelsman, Randolph, Wis.; Mrs. Geo. Haverkamp, Gt. Vande Waa, Dr. H. J. Vande Waa, Benjamin H. Wande Waa, all of Orange City and Mrs. Guy Vander Burg, Sioux City; who, with his widow, survive the venerable veteran. Mr. and Mrs. Vande Waa homesteaded north of Orange City in the year 1870, among the earliest residents of the county, having traveled from Pella in the covered wagon caravan which reached Orange City that year.

OBITUARY of AALTJE ‘ELLEN’ MRS. HENRY J. VANDE WAA
Alton Democrat of August 26, 1932 Pioneer of the county is Summoned Mrs. Vande Waa One of Earliest Settlers Mrs. Henry J. Vande Waa Sr. died at her home in Orange City on August 23, at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 3 days. She was born in Ede, Holland, in 1848, and came to the United States with her parents when but six years of age, location at Pella, in that city she married on February 27, 1867, to Henry J. Vande Waa and in 1869 accompanied her husband to Sioux County where they established their home on the boundless prairie. She was a member of the G. Vande Steeg family, whose members were so prominently identified throughout the pioneer days of the county in up building of the community, and is survived by only on sister, Mrs. M. E. Lewis, now of Spokane Washington. Mr. Vande Waa passed on four years ago. They are survived by eight children, as follows: Mrs. B. Mouw of Orange city: Mrs. G. B. VerSteeg of Waukegan IL; Mrs. John Engelsman of Holland MI; Mrs. George Haverkamp, Gerrit Vande Waa, Dr. Henry J. Vande Waa, all of Orange City; Mrs. Guy Vanden Burg of Sioux City; Benjamin Vande Waa of Orange City; and also by 23 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. The five brothers and sisters who preceded Mrs. Vande Waa in death were John Vande Steeg a pioneer Orange City merchant; G. L. Vande Steeg also known throughout the county; Gerrit Vande Steeg; Mrs. F. Slobe and Mrs. G. Beyer. Mrs. Vande Waa was a devoted member of her church, the First Ref and the funeral services will be held there this Friday afternoon at two o’clock, with the pastor , Rev. H. Colenbrander, conducting them. Not only noted as one of the very earliest settlers of the county, coming in the vanguard of the thousands who followed later, Mrs. Vande Waa was noted for her devotion to family and friends, her passing leaving a void in the family and community circle that can never be filled.

The Book ‘Story of Sioux County’ has a picture of the Hendrik Van De Waa family on page XV

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