Van Zyl, Roelof, 1858-1936

VANZYL, VANBOVEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/1/2011 at 08:28:16

Roelof Van Zyl was born June 22, 1858 at Pella, Ia. and died Oct. 10, 1936 at the McKenna hospital at Sioux Falls, D.D. at the age of 78 years, 3 months and 18 days. At the age of twelve years he with his parents in 1870 moved to Sioux county and settled on a farm two and one half miles south of Newkirk, later residing in Orange City and Sheldon. For the past sixteen months he has made his home with his youngest daughter Mary (Mrs. Conrad Muilenburg) at Sioux Falls.

In 1884, April 26 he was united in marriage to Miss Jo Anna Van Boven, who preceded him in death November 12, 1932. To this union seven children were born all of whom survive to mourn his departure: Rev. B. R. Van Zyl, Chicago, Ill.; James Van Zyl, Sanborn Ia.; Ralph Van Zyl, Alton, Ia.; Trina (Mrs. Henry Van Der Haar), Long Beach, California; Cornelia (Mrs. Henry De Haan), Orange City, Ia.; Mary (Mrs. Conrad Muilenburg), Sioux Falls, S. Dak. Also one brother Cornelius Van Zyl of Hospers, Ia. and one sister, Mrs. Chris Jacobs of Orange City, Ia. and 27 grand children.

Funeral services were held Tuesday Oct. 13 at 1:30 at the First Reformed church in Sheldon. Burial was at Newkirk.

Source: Sioux County Capital, October 15, 1936.

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Also from the same issue of the Capital:

THE DEATH OF VAN ZYL

The death of Roelof Van Zyl removes another pioneer who came to Sioux county a lad in his teens and even before he left home was always active in private and public and church affairs, and while still a single young man helped to organize the Newkirk church and later served it as Sunday school teacher and deacon and elder. He also served his township in several capacities and Sioux county as a member of the Board of Supervisors for nine years.

After leaving the farm in Floyd township on which his son Gus now resides, he lived at Orange City and later at Sheldon. After his wife died he gave up housekeeping and lived with his children. His was a great soul and like most great souls he had a varied and stormy career, but his honesty, integrity, sincerity and generosity were never questioned. Before his passing he might have paraphrased the great bard with something like this: "Soft you, a word or two before I go, and set down this: I've done the state and church some service and they know it. And when you shall these deeds relate, speak of me as I am, nothing extenuate nor set down in malice." May he rest in peace.

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R. VAN ZYL, A PIONEER OF COUNTY GONE
Former Supervisor Came in '71 at Age of 12

Roelof Van Zyl, prominent citizen and pioneer of Sioux county, died at the McKenna hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D. on Saturday, October 10, at the age of 78 years, 3 months and 18 days. For the past 16 months he had made his home with his youngest daughter, Mary, Mrs. Conrad Miulenburg, of Sioux Falls. Mr. Van Zyl had been in failing health for some time but death came after a severe illness of only two days.

A member of the board of supervisors for several terms from the Third district before the increase in automobiles became so great as to force the expenditures of huge sums for road improvement, Mr. Van Zyl was known for his conservative and economical views on handling the county business. Road improvement work at that time was largely confined to the activities of the township trustees, except in the matter of bridge work. Mr. Van Zyl was a member of the board when the first concrete archtype bridges and culverts were built in the county.

Born at Pella in the year 1858, he came to Sioux county with his parents when 12 years of age in the year 1871. The family settled on a farm two and one-half miles south of Newkirk and passed through the hardships of pioneer life and grasshopper scourges that created untold want and suffering among these early settlers. His son Guy now operates the farm across the road from the original homestead northeast of Alton.

Retiring from farm life the family moved to Orange City where they lived for some years, but of late years the family home was in Sheldon. Mrs. Van Zyl passed away on November 12, 1932, causing the first break in the happy family. As Miss Johanna Van Boven she was married to Mr. Van Zyl on April 26, 1884, and if she had lived a year and a half longer the couple could have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Seven children were born, all of whom survive their parents. They are as follows: The Rev. Bart Van Zyl, Chicago, Ill.; James, Sanborn, Ia.; Guy, Alton, Ia.; Ralph, Alton, Ia.; Trina (Mrs. Henry Vander Haar), Long Beach, Calif.; Cornelia (Mrs. Henry De Haan), Orange City, Ia.; Mary (Mrs. Conrad Muilenburg), Sioux Falls, S.D. He is also survived by one brother, Cornelius, of Hospers, Ia., and by one sister, Mrs. Chris. Jacobs, of Orange City, Ia. There are 27 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 13, at 1:30 P.M., at the First Reformed church at Sheldon. Burial was made at the Newkirk cemetery in the family lot. Always active in church work, he was a member of the consistory of the Newkirk church many years, and later of the First Reformed church at Orange City.

A direct-spoken, active and energetic man, Mr. Van Zyl followed his conscience in matters of county business as well as his own private affairs. Business reverses that affected the lives of so many in comparatively recent years failed to change the innate sweetness and charm of his disposition. An occasional visitor at Alton where his son Ralph is manager of the Farmers Mutual Co-op. Co., he was always a welcome and interesting caller here. If The Democrat remembers correctly, he was one of the founders of the local co-operative concern, was its president for many years, and never failed to maintain his interest in its success.

Widely known because of his close connection with county affairs and politics, Mr. Van Zyl's death brings real sorrow and regret to a vast number of friends, of which The Democrat was numbered during many years past.

Source: Alton Democrat, October 16, 1936.