VandeHoef, William (Willem), 1863-1915

VANDEHOEF, VANDERHOEF, VERHOEF, LANGENDYK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/21/2016 at 03:51:30

From the Rock Valley Bee, July 2, 1915:

William Vander Hoef, wealthy Sioux county farmer, committed suicide Monday [June 28] by hanging himself. He had lived on a farm a few miles south of Boyden for many years and was one of the county's most successful and prosperous farmers. He leaves a wife and children. Mr. Vander Hoef's friends know of no reason which could have prompted him to take his own life. He was well known in the east part of he county and had many friends.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Hospers Tribune, July 2, 1915:

William van der Hoef a farmer living two miles east and two miles north of Middleburg, committed suicide by hanging himself on Monday noon.

Mr. Van der Hoef ate a hearty dinner and afterwards layed down [and] rested a while. After this he went to the barn as if to return to the field, where a short time afterwards his lifeless body was found hanging.

Mr. Vander Hoef was a prosperous influential and wealthy farmer and a staunch member of the consistory of the Dutch Reformed church of that place. He leaves to mourn his death a wife and family. He has many friends and relatives in this community.

* * * * * * * * * *

Source: Alton Democrat issue of 3 July 1915, Sioux Center column.

Last Monday our community was shocked when the sad news arrived that William Ver Hoef of Middleburg had committed suicide by hanging himself. He was a son-in-law of the old gentleman Lagendyk and a brother-in-law of John Veenkamp.
* * * * * * *

A similar news note appeared in the Alton Democrat (July 3).

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Vande Hoef, Willem, b. 1863, d. 27 Jun 1915 father ss Janna Capel Twp Cem Middleburg IA.

The 1900 U.S. Census, Sioux County, Capel Township has William Van de Hoef, age 36, born Nov. 1963 in Holland, immigrated 1867, a farmer; wife Annie, age 30, born Dec. 1869 in Holland, immigrated 1870, mother of 5 children, 4 living; daughter Jane (12, born Oct. 1887), son Pleun[?] (9, born March 1891), daughter Cora (2, born April 1898), and son Jake (4/12, born Oct. 1899).

The 1910 U.S. Census shows William (46), Anna (41) daughters Jennie (21), Cora (12), and Lena (8) and sons Paul (19), Jacob (10), Bert (6), and Willie (1).

Iowa Probate records show Paul Van de Hoef appointed estate administrator; and Anna Van de Hoef appointed guardian of minor children Jacob, Paulina, Bert, William and Margaret.