Gleysteen, John, 1858-1917

GLEYSTEEN, KORTEWEG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/3/2011 at 19:33:43

[The obituary below was taken from the Alton Democrat as presented in the online Digital Archives of Sioux County. The image quality is poor, and some words or entire lines are illegible, as noted in brackets in the obit. Some names were confirmed in other family obituaries or from the transcriber's personal knowledge of names of Gleysteen's associates. The issue was indexed in the DASC as January 13, but the first page masthead is dated January 20. The Sioux County Obituary Index gives Gleysteen's life dates as 28 Dec. 1858-12 Jan. 1917.]

SUDDEN DEATH, JOHN GLEYSTEEN

John Gleysteen, pioneer and long one of the leading figures of Sioux county, died at his Alton home Friday evening about dusk while sitting peacefully in his chair. Death came without the slightest premonition to the rugged man and caused a shock to the entire community. For John Gleysteen was a notable figure anywhere. He had lived here since the pioneer days of his father's family and become a part of Sioux county, with friends everywhere. Tall, alert, courtly and manly, that probably describes this vigorous and kindly friend whose comings and goings we shall so many of us miss. Yet his taking away doubtless conformed to what might have been his own wishes if one ever could contemplate such an event. He never craved the noise of the crowd, although his genial nature shone even amid the noise and bustle of the noisy world. So we may drop a tear for a good man gone and yet try to think that he went as he would have liked. There is a creature of the woods which approaches as death did to John Gleysteen. It is rarely seen and its soft footfalls give no warning. Honestly was it said that in the midst of life we are yet in death. For few among us all had the promise of longer years than this rugged man. He was always active, had no business [illegible] and greatly enjoyed those little occupations which call for strength and ambition.

In the larger affairs of life Mr. Gleysteen was a wise counselor. He had been for many years [5 illegible lines] D. Gleysteen & Co., which bought and sold everything from a needle to a threshing rig.

John Gleysteen was born in Keokuk, Ia., 58 years ago December 28 last. On March 15, 1872 the family arrived in Alton and shortly thereafter the father, D.[Dirk] Gleysteen, the son John and John Meyer began business as D. Gleysteen & Co. Later he and Mr. Meyer were associated in business, but of late years Mr. Gleysteen had found plenty of occupation in looking after his farms and caring for his fine home in Alton. He owned a share in a cottage at Okoboji and always spent several weeks there during each summer, being an ardent fisherman. He was also a director in the Alton Savings Bank and a member of the Presbyterian church.

He was married 37 years ago the coming May 6 at Orange City to Miss Helena Korteweg and three children survived the union. They are Dr. D. J. Gleysteen of Alton, J. C. Gleysteen, an attorney of Cle Elum, Wash., and Miss Sya Helena Gleysteen at home. Mrs. Gleysteen has been in frail health for some time. The children were all present at the funeral. There were four brothers, Guy of Alton, Dr. D. V. Gleysteen, of Lamberton, Minn., Charles Gleysteen of Randolph, Neb., Wm. Gleysteen, of Pekin, China and four sisters, Mrs. John Meyer of Alton, Mrs. A. Skillman, of Los Angeles, Mrs. A. P. Zwemer of Grandview, Tenn., and Mrs. Chas. Bosworth, of Oklahoma City. The brothers were here for the funeral except William, who is in Pekin, Mrs. Meyer being the only sister present.

The funeral services at the Reformed church here on Tuesday afternoon were in charge of an old neighbor, Jacob Cambier and were attended by a large crowd. All of the stores closed from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Rev. Falconer[?] preached the sermon from John 17-24 and Rev. De Jong spoke briefly at the close of his old Holland friends. Pallbearers were M. D. Gibbs, Bert Scholten, Wm. Kooreman, Wm. Geurink, F. D.[?] Lohr of Orange City, and George Hoeven. Mrs. G. J. Slob, of Orange City, sang "Abide With Me and Face to Face" during the services. Interment was in Nassau cemetery.

[The obituary includes a photograph]