Gleysteen, Guy, 1862-1933

GLEYSTEEN, VANBOVEN, EKELMAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/30/2011 at 07:33:09

Guy Gleysteen Son of Pioneer Sioux Co. Family

Guy Gleysteen, for long an Alton resident and pioneer of this community, passed on Saturday afternoon at the home of his sister, Mrs. John Meyer, where he and Mrs. Gleysteen were spending the holiday season. Although not in good health for some years, Mr. Gleysteen was seriously ill for only a week before his passing, which was caused by a heart difficulty with complications.

Gysbertus Gleysteen was born at Pella, Iowa, on the 15th of November, 1862. He was the second son and the fifth child of Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Gleysteen, who came as pioneers into Northwestern Iowa when this colony was founded. For a few years he lived on the farm and then came with his parents to Alton, or as it was then called, East Orange. He attended the village school in winter, but at a very early age he entered his father's business as a helper in the lumber yard and grain business. In this line of business he was engaged virtually all his life.

As a boy he was fond of music and was one of the first leaders of the North Star band, an organization of young farm boys. From the beginning and for many years thereafter he was a member of the Alton band and for a long time was its leader. In 1883 he was married to Clara Van Boven. From this union no children were born, but some years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gleysteen adopted a boy and girl, who are now grown up and have families of their own. Both the son, Arthur, and the daughter, Mrs. Wm. Ekelman, live at Yakima, Washington. After severing his connection with the Farmers Co-Operative company here Mr. Gleysteen and his wife went to Washington, where they lived for several years. They returned to Iowa in 1930 and since that time have lived at Sheldon.

Mr. Gleysteen was a faithful and ardent member of the Masonic lodge and held many offices in that order. His life span stretched from the earliest pioneer days to the present. In all the wonderful changes wrought in this country during that time he not only took great pride, but he was a large factor in helping to shape them, while his kindly interest and Christian example exerted a helpful influence on many lives.

He is survived by Mrs. Gleysteen; their two children; by three brothers, Dr. D. V. Gleysteen, Lamberton, Minnesota; Charles Gleysteen, Rosalie, Neb.; Rev. Wm. Gleysteen, Peiping, China; and by three sisters, Mrs. Jno. Meyer of Alton, Mrs. C. G. Zwemer, Cairo, Egypt, Mrs. Chas. Bosworth, Oklahoma City, Okla.

He was a member of the Presbyterian church from its organization and was elected elder April 8, 1917, continuing in that office until he moved to Washington, where he united with the Christian church.

Funeral services on Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian church were in charge of the pastor, Rev. R. L. Jones, assisted by Rev. J. A. Vis of Sheldon and Rev. Bert Van Zyl of Holland, Neb. Interment took place in Nassau Township cemetery.

Dr. and Mrs. D. V. Gleysteen of Lamberton, Minn., were among the many friends and relatives here for the services. Among others were Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Gleysteen of Sioux City; R. Van Zyl, Mr. and Mrs. James Van Zyl, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Van Rooyen, and Rev. Vis, of Sheldon; Rev. Bert Van Zyl and Mr. De Boer of Holland, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry De Haan, Mr. and Mrs. Van Oosterhout, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gebink, Mr. and Mrs. Hospers, and numbers of others from Orange City.

Pallbearers were Messrs. E. J. Kooreman, Will Kooreman, C. B. Hoeven, H. W. Klein, M. D. Gibbs, S. A. Lincoln. A quartet of ladies, Mrs. Richard Cambier, Mrs. C. B. Hoeven, Mrs. A. M. Sones, Miss Evelyn Smit, and Mrs. Jeannette Teeslink, organist, contributed music. Cars were furnished by S. A. Lincoln, Dr. D. J. Gleysteen, B. G. Hoxmeier, Mrs. S. R. Sipma, J. C. Henrich and C. J. De Munck.

Source: Alton Democrat, January 13, 1993.

* * * * * * * * * *

A news article in the Alton Democrat, September 16, 1905, gives a little prior biographical information: Mr. and Mrs. Guy Gleysteen are moving away from town. "Mr. Gleysteen has bought of S. S. Vought & Company a splendid business enterprise at Livermore, Iowa and will handle lumber and coal and grain and livestock.... Guy Gleysteen has been a fixture of the Slagle lumber and grain and coal company so long that he knows the business from start to finish."

Numerous other news notes in the Alton Democrat, 1885-1920s, document his many other business interests in Alton and elsewhere.