Wobbema, Pieter (Peter), 1864-1914

WOBBEMA, WOBEMA, WOBENA, HANENBURG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/6/2015 at 10:02:56

From the Hawarden Independent, September 3, 1914:

KILLED IN RUNAWAY
Peter B. Wobema of Orange City Meets Death Near Ireton

A sad fatal accident occurred two miles north of Ireton at six o'clock Tuesday evening when Peter B. Wobema of Orange City lost his life in a runaway. He came over from Orange City Monday morning with E. Marra, a contractor who has the contract for building a house for R. Cleaveringa, some three miles north of town. Mr. Cleaveringa's present home is about five miles north of town, and he is building two miles south of where he lives. Mr. Wobena was a carpenter, and volunteered to drive a team from one place to the other and on the way the team became unmanageable and when near the Dan Gamble farm he was thrown or fell of the wagon. Cliff and Wm. Brown saw the accident and ran to give assistance and found Mr. Wobema dying. He passed away a few moments later. After he was out of the wagon it was overturned and the box demolished, but the team was not badly hurt. J. J. Eggers who was coming past in an automobile brought the body to town. Dr. Null examined it, but failed to find any marks or bruises that should cause his death. Dr. Gleysteen, county coroner, was notified and will hold an inquest.

Orange City people were notified and Mr. Marra came right over by auto, and he gave us the approximate facts about the deceased. He was about fifty years old, is survived by a wife and four sons, one of whom is married and lives at LeMars. The other three are quite large boys. He came to this country from Holland about twenty-five years ago, and after remaining here for several years, returned to his own country and came back about three years ago and settled at Orange City. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade.

Mr. Satterlee, undertaker, prepared the body for burial, and it was moved to Orange City Wednesday. Early Wednesday morning other Orange City people were over, neighbors of the deceased, and all spoke of him as a man of character, and a splendid workman.

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An almost identical news article was published in the Alton Democrat (Sept. 5).

The same issue of the Alton Democrat (What's New at the County Seat section) has this:

A shocking death occurred in this community on Tuesday. P. Wobbema of this place who had been engaged in carpenter work near Ireton was on his way home when the team he was driving ran away and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. A physician was immediately summoned who arrived within a short time, but too late. Mr. Wobbema was born in the Netherlands fifty years ago. In 1891 he was united in marriage to the widow who survives him. Four sons were born to them: Jacob of LeMars, and Peter, Herman and Bernie of this place. The family came to this country in 1911 and have since made this their home. The remains were brought from Ireton on Wednesday morning. The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon, services at the house and in the First Reformed church being conducted by Rev. Engelsman.

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Brief news notes in the Rock Valley Bee (Sept. 4) and LeMars Semi Weekly Sentinel (Sept. 4) spell his surname Wobena.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Wobbema, Pieter J., b. 6 Jan 1864, d. 1 Sep 1914, West Lawn Cem Orange City IA. Index entries for other family members also use the same surname spelling.

His wife appears to have been Klaaske, later Clara Hanenburg (see her obituary, posted separately, listing the same surviving sons). The Sioux County Cemetery Index has her as Wobbema, Klaaske (Hannenburg).