TePaske, Anthony, 1868-1946

TEPASKE, DYKSTRA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/17/2011 at 21:45:18

ANTHONY TE PASKE DIES AT 77 YEARS

Anthony Te Paske died at his home here early Monday morning [Feb. 11] from a stroke suffered two weeks ago. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, at 1 p.m. at the home and at 1:30 p.m. at the First Reformed Church; burial was in the local cemetery.

Mr. Te Paske was 77 years of age last October. He took an active part in his law practice until about 1 year ago when he retired to spend more time in the horticulture work he had adopted as a hobby many years ago.

Mr. Te Paske was born in a log cabin on a farm in southern Minnesota on October 15, 1868. He came to Sioux County with his parents in 1874, only a few years after the first pioneers opened up these prairies.

He graduated from Grinnell college and Harvard University law school. After teaching for four years in the Northwestern Classical Academy he came to Sioux Center and opened a law office in 1897. During the 48 years since then Mr. Te Paske has taken an active part in community and political affairs, serving 35 years in elective offices. He served as mayor of Sioux Center for 16 years, as county attorney for 12 years, and was serving his third term as state representative at the time of his death.

Mr. Te Paske developed a large and successful law practice, served for 35 years as vice-president of the First National Bank of Sioux Center, and became a substantial land owner. A hard working thrifty man he found time to serve on boards of charitable institutions, a college, to promote community improvement projects, and to take several trips to Europe with his family.

In 1903 he married Agnes Dykstra, a school teacher, now a member of the Iowa bar. Besides his wife he is survived by three children, Mrs. Ralph Broad of Quincy, Mich.; Maurice and Adelphos, both of Sioux Center, and four grandchildren.

Honorary pall bearers included P. B. Mouw, F. C. Aue, H. K. Eggink, H. J. Schalekamp, George DeRuyter, John Boeyink. Active pall bearers were Gerrit E. DenHerder, Harold Shoemaker, Hon. M. D. Van Osterhout, P. J. Haverhals, John Van Gorkum, Rev. Jacob Heemstra. Mrs. H. Moret and Sade Vander Stoep were in charge of the flowers.

Speaker Harold Felton of the state house of representatives appointed eight representatives to attend the funeral: A. H. Avery, Spencer; B. L. Datisman, Inwood; Clint L. Fletcher, Ocheyedan; Oscar Peterson, Alta; Robert Carlson, Sioux City; Warren E. Simonson, Quimby; Charles S. Van Eaton, Sioux City; and Harry E. Watson, Sanborn.

Source: Sioux Center News, Feb. 14, 1946.
The obituary includes a photograph.

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A shorter obituary, also with a photograph, appeared in the Sioux County Capital, Feb. 14, 1946:

HON. ANTHONY TE PASKE DIES AT SIOUX CENTER

Death came early Monday morning to the Hon. Anthony Te Paske, 77, one of Sioux County's most prominent citizens. He had suffered a stroke two weeks ago. Funeral services were held at the home and in the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center Wednesday afternoon. In charge of the services were Rev. B. D. Dykstra, Rev. R. Meengs, and Rev. O. Breen. Burial was at Sioux Center.

Mr. Te Paske, who was State Representative at the time of his death, was a pioneer of this county. He was born in a log cabin in Minnesota, but came here in 1874. He was graduated from Grinnell College and Harvard University. He taught English and Greek for four years, and always held his interest in the better and worthwhile things of life.

An attorney since 1897, he served Sioux Center as mayor for 16 years, and he was county attorney for 12 years. He was a leading figure in State Republican circles. He also was Vice-president of the First National Bank at Sioux Center for 35 years, and served as chairman of the Board of Directors. He travelled abroad with his family in 1910 and 1936. He served in the 44th, 50th, 50th extra, and 51st general assemblies.

In 1903 he married Agnes Dykstra, a school teacher and a member of the Iowa bar. Besides his wife, he is survived by his sons, Maurice and Adelphos of Sioux Center, and a daughter, Mrs. Ralph Broad of Quincy, Michigan.

[Repeats the list of official representatives at the funeral.]

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An obituary in the Alton Democrat, Feb. 14, 1946, adds the following information:

Adelphos was recently appointed to a diplomatic post in Germany after his release from the U.S. Army, in which he rose from private to the rank of captain during his long service in the South Pacific.

Maurice has recently taken over his father's extensive law practice and land interests.

Agnes Te Paske is characterized at the time of their wedding as a "brilliant young school teacher."

In 1936 they took their two sons on a European tour after attending the International Sunday School convention in Oslo, Norway.

Mr. Te Paske, with his good wife, originated the adult citizenship school for the instruction of foreigners in the principles of American government and for some years he and Mrs. Te Paske taught these citizenship classes in their own home. Always interested in youth, he was a leader of young people in church and community affairs. Widely read, he was an impressive public speaker. Republican in politics, he was conservative but not narrow in his views, an internationalist in policy. In his law practice and extensive business responsibilities his reputation was that of unvarying integrity and fair dealing.

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An article in the Alton Democrat, June 27, 1903, about his upcoming wedding gives additional biographical information.

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An article in the Alton Democrat (Feb. 21, 1946) about a possible successor in the legislature calls Te Paske "Sioux Center sage and philosopher."

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From the Sioux County Capital, Feb. 21, 1946 (and other newspapers):

CARD OF THANKS

Anthony Te Paske -- husband, father, grandfather -- liked to use a favorite verse to express his appreciation of friends. May we quote it now to convey our gratitude for all that was spoken, all that was written, all that was given, and all that was done to honor him and to console us.

"But far between and though few they be,
Are good grand souls in this world of shame.
And the love and the lilies they send to me
Are more than fortune and more than fame.
And when I remember these royal men
I rise renewed in my sense and my soul
And I take up the trials of life again
And again press on to a golden goal."

Agnes Te Paske
Amy Te Paske Broad
Ralph Broad
Philip Anthony Broad age 7
Maurice Anthony Te Paske
Vera Kreykes Te Paske
Maureen Agnes age 4
Derrick Anthony five months
Adelphos Herman Te Paske
Yette Ramaker Te Paske
Baby Juliana born Feb. 10