De Vries, Gerben, 1847-1935

DEVRIES, BRUINSMA

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg (email)
Date: 6/27/2014 at 15:04:17

Born: Feb. 4 1847 St. Anne Parachie, Bilt Friesland
Died: Nov. 18 1935 Daughter's Home Mrs. John Smith

Death claimed Mr. Gerben De Vries, a resident of Sioux Center for the past 33 years, November 18, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Smith. Mr. De Vries had been suffering from a carbuncle for a little more than a week preceding his death. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

Gerben De Vries was born Feb 4, 1847 at St. Anne Parochie, Bilt, Friesland in the Netherlands. He came to America with his parents in 1863 and settled near Pella. In the year 1869 he was united in marriage with Seitske Bruinsmaa. In 1873 they crossed the prairies by covered wagon to make their home in Sioux County. They lived two miles west of Orange City for a few years before homesteading three miles south and half mile west of Sioux Center. Here they lived for about eight years.

For a number of years they lived on a farm about a mile east of town and then, until his retirement 33 years ago, they lived two miles east and two and one-half miles north of Sioux Center, which farm is now tenanted by Mr. De Vries' son. Mrs. De Vries passed away Feb. 18, 1919. Since her death, Mr. De Vries has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. John Smith and Mr. Smith. A daughter, Mrs. Peter Vander Berg, also preceded him in death in 1923.

The deceased is survived by seven daughters; Mrs. Vande Gaarde, Boyden; Mrs. E. Poel; Mrs. J.A. Scholten, Hudson, SD; Mrs. Ed Van Putten; Mrs. J.G. Te Slaa, Hull; Mrs. Wm Rikkers and Mrs. John Smith; two sons Abe and Henry; 36 grandchildren; and 39 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday in the First Ref. Church, Sioux Center, of which Mr. De Vries was a member since it was but a few yeas old. Rev. L.A. Brunsting will officiate.

Mr. De Vries was one of the Sioux County pioneers and endured many of the hardships that characterize Sioux County history. After the horrible grasshopper plague of 1879 Mr. De Vries and his small family used burned barley as coffee and ground corn was their main food. He often told of the great snow storm of Jan. 12, 1882.

Mr. De Vries' kindliness has endeared him to both young and old. His many friends will miss him.

Source: Sioux Center News Nov. 21, 1935