Vos, Joseph, 1838-1903

VOS, OLDENKAMP, OVERKAMP

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/24/2014 at 00:27:10

Alton Democrat of Oct 24, 1903:
Pioneer Gone
Joseph Vos--one of the pioneer settlers of this town and county--died at his residence Wednesday morning at four-thirty o'clock. He had not been feeling well for some time but did not think it serious until a week ago Sunday when he was at LeMars visiting his daughter Mrs. Clarence Schaap. He complained then of his illness and came home though not confined to the house until Thursday. He grew worse rapidly and telegraphs were sent his children who arrived Monday and Tuesday in time to be recognized by their father. Tuesday evening he passed into a semi-conscious state in which he remained until death relieved the old soldier of his suffering.

Joseph Vos was born in the Netherlands and emigrated to this country with the family in the forties--his father dying on the way—-and on their arrival at Pella young Joseph made his home with Mr. Van Stigt. When the rebellion broke out he enlisted in the third Iowa Cavalry Company K and served three years.

In 1855 he married Maria Oldenkamp and in 1870 be came Sioux county and settled at Orange City embarking in the shoe business in which he continued until a few years ago. During the Harrison administration he served as postmaster.

The funeral was held from the family residence Thursday afternoon at one-thirty and from the American church at two o'clock. Four of his old comrades and two of the early settlers acted as pallbearers as follows: H. J. Van der Waa, Gys Ver Steeg, S. R. Sipma and M. Rhynsburger—-the others being A. Vande Miede and Henry De Jong.

His wife and nine children survive him, the youngest being about fifteen years of age. The entire community sympathize with the sorrowing relatives.

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Rock Valley Bee, October 23, 1903:
Joe Vos Dead

Joe Vos, one of the oldest settlers in Sioux county and who has been a resident of Orange City for many years, died at his home in that city at an early hour Wednesday morning. Mr. Vos has a particularly large acquaintance throughout the county owing to the fact that for many years he had been janitor at the court house, and he has always been very obliging to the tenants of the building. He was also janitor at the American Reformed Church.

He was born in the Netherlands and came to this country at an early age and first lived at Pella. He later moved to Orange City, where he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.

In 1865 he married Mary Overkamp, who survives him, together with nine sons and daughters. They are, Peter N. of Maurice, Gerrit of Paulina, John student at Iowa City, and Isaac of Orange City, making four sons; Mrs. W. Fortuin of Grand Rapids, Mich., Mrs. C. C. Schaap of LeMars, and the Misses Artie, Retta and Josephine, at home.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Vos, Joseph, b. 4 Mar 1838, d. 2 Oct 1903 ss Maria, West Lawn Cem Orange City IA.

Some of the children as listed in the 1880 census of Sioux County were - Peter, Effie, Gerrit, Isaac, Cornelia and John.