VandeSteeg, John, 1851-1914

VANDESTEEG, PAS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/1/2015 at 21:27:15

From the Rock Valley Bee, May 29, 1914:

John Vande Steeg, one of the pioneers of Sioux County, and for a number of years one of the leading merchants at Orange City, died suddenly at his home in Orange City Friday morning [May 22] of hardening of the arteries. He was at his store as usual until five o'clock on the day before he died when he went home, because of severe pains in his chest. He came to Sioux County in 1870. He taught school for a while and also served as deputy treasurer for a few years, later going into the general merchandise business. The funeral services were held Monday.

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From the Alton Democrat, May 23, 1914: What's Doing at the County Seat:

On Thursday morning [May 21] our townspeople were shocked by the report that one of our business men, John Vande Steeg, had died early in the morning from the bursting of a blood vessel. Deceased was sixty-three years of age. The day before he was at his store as usual but went home at six o'clock feeling quite ill. A physician was called but nothing could be done and he died at four o'clock. Deceased was one of the pioneers of Sioux county and has been in business for a number of years. Besides his widow and seven children, he is survived by his brother, G. L. Vande Steeg, and sisters, Mrs. G. Beyer and Mrs. H. J. Vande Waa Sr. of this place, and his sister, Mrs. Maris Lewis of Moscow, Idaho. The funeral will be held from the American Reformed church on Monday afternoon at two o'clock.

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From the Alton Democrat, May 23, 1914, p. 1:

JNO VANDESTEEG, COUNTY PIONEER, DIES SUDDENLY

Merchant John Vande Steeg of Orange City died suddenly at home early Thursday morning of heart failure. He had been at the store during the afternoon of Wednesday, had indulged in a game of chess with A. W. Lohr when the attack was first felt and Mr. Lohr assisted him to walk to the store. During the night he grew feebler and gave up the fight in the early hours of Thursday. The funeral will be held Monday, May 25 at 2 P.M. in the American Reformed church.

John Vande Steeg was born in the Netherlands Feb. 11th, 1851, and came to America with his parents in 1857. May 14th, 1870, the family. including John, arrived in Sioux county, being one of the first families to settle here. The father took up a fine homestead two miles north of Orange City which was a general stopping place for the early pioneers. During the term of office of A. J. Betten as county treasurer, Mr. Vande Steeg served as deputy. His aptness in business matters was soon proved and, together with Mr. Betten, he opened a general store which prospered greatly. The store burned some eight years ago, entailing a severe loss. But Mr. Vande Steeg, with his usual energy, rebuilt on a better scale.

He was married in March 1880 to Miss Mary Pas, daughter of Hubert Pas. Seven children survive, Geo. H., a lawyer of Nampa Idaho; Coba of Fort Morgan, Colorado; Florence of Des Moines; Mae, Arthur, Lucille, Dorothy of Orange City. Three sisters and a brother are living: Mrs. H. J. Vander Waa, Mrs. G. Beyer, Mrs. M. E. Lewis of Moscow, Idaho, Postmaster G. L. Vande Steeg of Orange City.

Deceased was an elder in the American Reformed church from which the funeral sermon will be preached on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. David McEwan. Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Lewis of Moscow, Idaho, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Pas of Mankato, Minn., and T. Tysseling of Knoxville are expected to attend the funeral.

John Vande Steeg was a man of extraordinary energy and courage. He came of good stock, had a good education, was industrious and honest. Few there are of us left behind who are able to point to a life of so many accomplishments. His big store, his fine home, his excellent family are fine testimonials to the man now gone.

(An abbreviated version of this obit was published in the LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, May 29.)