Geels, H. A., 1839-1911

GEELS, GEEL

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/4/2015 at 20:06:44

From the Alton Democrat, April 29, 1911:

After suffering several weeks of erysipelas Mr. Geels died at the County Farm last Monday afternoon [April 24]. Deceased was seventyone years of age. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. Engelsman.

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From the Sioux County Herald (Orange City), April 27, 1911:

His Soul Goes Marching On

Monday one of the most picturesque characters of this community wandered away out of this world. For over thirty years H. A. Geel has marched among the country roads of this county with a knapsack on his back selling his wares to farmers and finding lodgement wherever he chanced to be. He was born in the Netherlands and his family was wealthy and prominent in the old country. At an early age he enlisted in the Dutch army as [a] volunteer and became a proficient fencer, an art which he still possessed in his later more unfortunate years. After an operation he was disqualified from soldiering and became a school master. Some forty years ago he came to Pella, Iowa, and from there went to Kansas where he lost the greater part of his worldly goods. He has lived here for over a quarter of a century and his tall, military figure was a common sight even miles away from town trudging on like a lost pilgrim. During the last year of his life deceased has been a charge at the county home. The funeral was held yesterday.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, May 5, 1911:
A. Geel who had lived in Sioux county for a quarter of a century died Monday at the county poor farm. He was a most peculiar character and wandered along the country roads of this county with a knapsack on his back selling his wares to the farmers and finding lodgement wherever he chanced to be. He had been a volunteer in the army in the Netherlands. During the last years of his life he became a charge at the county poor farm.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Geels, H. A., born 2 Oct 1839, died 24 April 1911, buried West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City.