Kolthof, William, 1829-1907

KOLTHOF, DEBRUIN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/28/2012 at 20:07:17

UNCLE BILLIE KOLTHOF DEAD

William Kolthof died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Brants in Sioux Center at eight o'clock Monday night. He had been in poor health for some time and for several days prior to his death had been in a comotose state. In March of last year he moved to Sioux Center. Prior to that time he was for fourteen years daily a familiar figure on the streets of Alton where he peddled oil. We present herewith a picture of him and his rig. [photograph shows Kolthof standing beside a horse and buggy]

Uncle Billy was born in 1829 of poor parents in the town of Tjummarum province of Friesland Holland. He was therefore seventy-eight years old. School advantages were slim in the days of Uncle Billy's youth and most of his learning was gathered at spare moments by himself. He had a quick wit and was always ready with a joke. When he got old enough to work he spent many days in the fields at fifteen cents a day and boarded at home. Then he got his board and five dollars a year for awhile. When twenty-four years old he was working on a farm for his keep and fifty dollars a year--which was considered good wages in Holland.

When King William the First of Holland died Uncle Billy--then a lad on the farm--rang the church bell in the hamlet for three hours every day for eight days. This was at a little cluster of farm dwellings called Ferdgum, county of Barradeel. They had no church but merely a tower and bell. Ferdgum was a cluster of houses like several claim shanties grouped on the Dakota plains. Religious services were held in the houses. Uncle Billy got a dollar and forty cents from the government for ringing the bell and thought himself well paid. In 1848 under William the Second Uncle Billy drew lots with the other youth of the land for military duty and it fell to his lot to serve. Before he entered the army however William the Second died and Uncle Billy entered the service under King William the Third--father of the present Queen Wilhelmina.

Uncle Billy was married early but lost his wife and in 1861 at Bolsward Friesland he was married to Mrs. Ynsche De Bruin a widow. They lived five years in Friesland and fourteen in the province of Groningen. Five children were born to them, all in Holland, and in 1881 the family came to America and settled at Alton. The children are Mrs. Reijer Brants of Sioux Center, Mrs. Henry De Gooyer of Pella, Mrs. John Ver Hoef of Boyden, Mrs. Harry Boatsma of Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. [yes, only four were listed]

Source: Alton Democrat, February 7, 1907.

The Dutch-language Sioux Center Nieuwsblad (Feb. 6) also has an obituary.