VanDeest, J.H. 1862-1929

VANDEEST, JUFFER, MULDER

Posted By: Janet Bosler - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2013 at 17:55:09

Sioux Center News July 31, 1941 (Jubilee Edition)

J.H. Van Deest came to America from Gronigen, Netherlands in 1883 at the age of 21 years, leaving his parents, sister and half brother in Holland. He arrived at LeMars and stayed with the Van Zee family, around Orange City for several years. He was a carpenter by trade and built many of the older homes, churches, schools and barns of this community; supervising over the building of the local public grade school building and First Reformed Church, and building the parsonage of the church. He was married to Jane Juffer in 1893 and to this union two children were born, Ray Van Deest and Maggie (Mrs. Ernest Mulder). He served the town as councilman, continuously from 1901 to 1916. He then served as Mayor for four years. In 1924, he was again elected Mayor, and continued as such until his death July 2nd, 1929. There are six grandchildren.