Rozeboom, Henry, 1884-1916

ROZEBOOM, ROSEBOOM, TERPSTRA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/22/2016 at 22:28:59

From the Alton Democrat, July 22, 1916: Rock Valley news:
[a small piece is torn out of one spot in the obit]

The community was startled Saturday morning when it was learned that Henry Roseboom, living on the Thorson farm four miles north of town, had been downed in Rock river. The circumstances as near as can be learned are as follows: Mr. Roseboom arose about five o'clock Saturday morning and mounted [his] horse and went in quest of [missing] which he thought were at [missing]herty's a neighbor, but [missing] find them he went to the r[iver] which had raised several inches during the night. He removed his shoes and started to cross the stream and in some manner he was thrown by the animal into the rapid current and drowned. He was unable to swim.

Mrs. Roseboom heard him call and supposed he had found the cows, when to her surprise she saw the horse returning minus the rider and she immediately began to investigate. Attorney Chas. A. Walhof, who had set some fishing lines along the river the previous night, saw Mrs. Roseboom and they made an investigation along the bank of the river and found his shoes and concluded that he was in he river. Mr. Walhof notified the neighbors and parties here in town and at Doon formed a searching party. At four o'clock in the afternoon M. S. Huie, A. F. Schemmer and John Klein found him by the aid of a spear in approximately nine feet of water and brought him to shore. He was brought to town and taken to M. S. Huie's undertaking rooms. The coroner, Dr. Myers at Hawarden, was notified and he came over and empaneled a jury consisting of Dr. McAllister, Simon Westra and Phil De Smit whose verdict was that of accidental drowning.

The deceased was born in Holland Sept. 26, 1884, and at the time of his demise was 31 years, 9 months and 19 days of age. He came from Holland to America in 1910 and located in Rock Valley. He formed the acquaintance of Miss Jennie Terpstra and this ripened into affection and culminated in their marriage in 1913. A little boy came to bless and brighten their home. He was a machinist but never followed that occupation after coming to America. He has been farming the past two years and has enjoyed a degree of success, but now his plans must go unfinished and those loved shall hold him only as a memory. He was industrious, quiet and unassuming, and was esteemed by his most intimate friends.

He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his parents, three brothers and three sisters in Holland, two brothers residing at Hancock, Minn., and two sisters, Mrs. Gerrit Zyp and Mrs. M. De Blonk of Rock Valley. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the First Reformed church conducted by the pastor, Rev. B. De Jonge, after which he was laid to rest in Valley View cemetery. May he repose in peace. His companion and relatives have the sympathy of their friends in their hour of extreme sorrow.

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Accounts of his drowning were also published in the Sioux County Herald (July 20) and the Sioux Center Nieuwsblad (July 19). They spell his surname Rozeboom. The Rock Valley newspaper is missing for this time period.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Rozeboom, H., b. 26 Sep 1884, d. 15 Jul 1916, Valley View Cem Rock Valley IA.