Heemstra, Tjeerd 1824-1901

HEEMSTRA, HOEKSTRA

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2013 at 12:56:44

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF T. HEEMSTRA

Mr. Tjeerd Heemstra was born November 8, 1824 at Marrum, Friesland, Netherlands; he died at Orange City, Iowa April 13, 1901.

On March 19, 1846, he was joined in marriage to Syke Hoekstra; the following year the couple emigrated to America, six week being consumed in making the sea voyage. They took up their abode in Michigan, being numbered among the pioneers of the Dutch settlement at Holland, Mich. Here they lived for twenty-three years, struggling under many difficulties to get a start. Convinced that the further West offered larger opportunities, Mr. Heenstra [*Heemstra] decided to take his large family of nine children there, selecting northwestern Iowa as the most favorable spot.

He joined himself to the movement just then proceeding from Pella, Iowa, to found a colony in Sioux County, arriving here in the early spring of 1870, and being among the very first to erect his homestead shanty on these bleak but promising prairies in the immediate vicinity of what later became Orange City.

Mr. Heemstra was a hard worker and a painstaking, successful farmer. He also held various positions of responsibility in the church as well as in township and county government, being a member of the first Board of Supervisors in this county. Though destitute of all schooling by force of circumstances, he had educated himself considerably above the average of those pioneer days. His counsel was therefore frequently sought by his fellow pioneers and his judgment respected by all. At the time of his death, after having lived in or near Orange City for thirty-one years, his wife and seven children survived him.

TOWN AND COUNTY.
Mrs. T. [*Tjeerd] Heemstra died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. Lubbers [*Mrs. Roelof Lubbers, nee Jantje/Jane Heemstra], on Saturday morning at the age of 78. She was born in Friesland, was married in 1846, and came to America one year later settling at Holland, Mich., afterwards living at Friesland. In 1870 they came to Sioux county, thus becoming among the earliest of the pioneers to settle here. In 1892 the Heemstra moved into Orange City from the farm. In 1901 Mr. Heemstra died and for five years past Mrs. Heemstra has been afflicted with paralysis so that death came as a relief.

Seven children survive; Mrs. R. Lubbers, John Heemstra of Boyden, Mrs. M. Verburg of Chester, la., Mrs. H. Spinden of Sioux Center, A. Heemstra on the old homestead, Mrs. Jerry Wassenaar of Moosechaw, Canada, and Rev. J. F. Heemstra of Sioux City. There are 41 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The funeral took place yesterday at 1:30 from the Reformed church, Rev. E. W. Stapelkamp officiating.

Sioux County Herald, Wednesday, January 06, 1904 Orange City, Iowa.