Kooi, Peter, 1892-1914

KOOI

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/25/2010 at 20:21:26

DROWNED IN THE ROCK
Peter Kooi and Cornelius Canegieter Lose Lives Sunday

Peter Kooi and Cornelius Canegieter, two well known young men of Garfield township, were drowned Sunday evening [July 12] while bathing in the Rock river.

A group of happy young people had gathered at the home of Mr. Canegieter's sister, Mrs. Mike Harsmen, to spend the day, which was brought to a very sad ending by the drowning of these two young men. With three companions they decided to go swimming in the Rock in the evening. Mr. Canegieter was a good swimmer, but after being in the water a short time was seized with cramps and was carried down stream into deep water. His nearest companion was Hiram Wood and he made a heroic attempt to save him and came near losing his own life in the attempt.

While they were trying to save Mr. Canegieter no attention had been paid to Peter Kooi who could not swim and had been left standing on the bank. Suddenly his companions were horrified to discover that he was also drowning and he was so far away at that time that they were powerless to render assistance. In the excitement he had evidently jumped off from the bank into nearly fifteen feet of water.

Hundreds of friends soon gathered at the place of drowning and worked faithfully all night and until nine o'clock Monday morning before both bodies were recovered. Tollef Torkelson, Henry Miller and Robert Hales were the divers who were finally successful in bringing them to the surface. The body of Peter Kooi was first recovered and then Robert Hales went down to the bottom in 18 feet of water and brought up the body of Cornelius Canegieter.

Cornelius Canegieter was about 26 years of age and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Canegieter. He had been managing the farm for his father who has not been in good health for several years. His death is indeed a sad blow to the parents, brothers and sisters, as none of the younger children are old enough to take their brother's place on the farm. Peter Kooi was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Kooi, residing just west of Lebanon. He was 22 years of age and was a bright, active young man. For several years he had been his father's right-hand man in the management of the big Kooi farm. Thus has two young men in the prime of life been taken away when everything looked bright and rosy before them. The sympathy of everyone goes out to the bereaved families.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from the Christian Reformed church at Lebanon, and was in charge of Rev. Bouma, the pastor of the church, and Rev. Hollebeek of Ireton. There was a large attendance at the funeral.

Source: Hawarden Independent, July 16, 1914.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, July 17, 1914:

Peter Kooi is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kooi who reside at Lebanon. He has spent all his life in that vicinity. He was twenty-one years, eleven months and six days old. Besides his parents he leaves four sisters and five brothers.

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From the Sioux Center Nieuwsblad, July 22, 1914:

PETER KOOI geboren op de Howe farm 22 Aug. 1892; verdronken Zondag den 12n Juli in de Rock river bij de Pete Hall farm. Vader, moeder, vier zusters, en vijf broeders achterlatende, de zijn noodlottig einde betreuren.

PETER KOOI born on the Howe farm 22 Aug. 1892; drowned Sunday July 12 in the Rock River at the Pete Hall farm. Father, mother, four sisters, and five brothers are left to regret his fatal end.