DeBruin, William 1871-1912

DEBRUIN, DEBRUYN, VANGENDEREN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 7/16/2016 at 21:00:32

Source: Alton Democrat issue of 10 Feb 1912.

Shocking News

Just as we were going to press we received a telegram from the St. Paul Dispatch which reads: "Man believed to be W. De Bruin, was found dead at Union Depot here this morning. Name found on card in his picket. Suit he wore bore name of Bekman Tailor, Alton Iowa." The indications are that the unfortunate man in this case is W. De Bruin of Hospers. We called up the St. Paul Dispatch and were informed that motor cycle catalogs were found in one of the coat pockets, which gave the name of W. De Bruin, Agent, Hospers Iowa. We notified John De Bruin at Hospers who immediately started investigations and he and C.P. De Jong left for St. Paul this Friday noon. Wm. De Bruin left Hospers for Alton Thursday and he evidently took the midnight train for St. Paul.
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Alton Democrat issue of 17 Feb 1912, The Death Roll.

Wm. De Bruin came to his death by his own hand at St. Paul early Friday morning of last week. The unfortunate man had not been himself for nearly two weeks but this serious ending was not once anticipated. He took the train for St. Paul Thursday where he arrived along about supper time. Passengers waiting for trains at the St. Paul Union depot saw a man acting in great trouble but he refused to be talked to or have anything to do with anyone. Shortly after midnight his mind gave away entirely and he commited the awful deed. Deceased was a popular man in Hospers. He was always cheerful and had a pleasant word for all. He was a single man and therefore had no family cares and as he was an industrious man and a capable workman there were no financial difficulties that could have worried him or preyed on his mind. Wm. De Bruin was born in Pella Iowa on October 19th 1871. He came to Sioux county with his parents on March 1st 1883 who located on a farm near Orange City and later moved onto a farm near Hospers. Twelve years ago deceased came to Hospers to live. He made his home with his mother and he worked at the carpenter trade. John De Bruin and C.P. De Jong went to St. Paul last Friday, identified the remains and brought the corpse to Hospers. The funeral services were held on Monday from the First Reformed church and were conducted by Rev. George H. Douwstra. The large church could not hold all the friends of the deceased and his family and many stood outside. Friends and relatives from all the neighboring towns attended the services. Interment was made in the new Hospers cemetery. Deceased is survived by his old mother, Mrs. John De Bruin, who is nearly 80 years old. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters--John and Kryn De Bruin of Hospers and Mrs. J.H. Niewenhuis of Hospers and Mrs. Arie Bomgaars of Middleburg.
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NOTES:
William De Bruin
Listed in the cemetery index was Willem/William De bruin born 10 Oct 1871 died Feb 9, 1912
***reference to Mr. De Bruin’s funeral – Joe Hoeven was at Hospers Monday where he attended the funeral of Mr. De Bruin.
Alton Democrat February 17, 1912
Notice – All those knowing themselves indebted to the late William de bruin of Hospers, IA, please make payment to the undersigned at an early date.

( according to a listing on ancestry.com 'by others' Wm. was born 1873 in Iowa son of Jan De bruin 1829-1907 and Marie Van Genderen 1832. In the 1910 census he was listed as William De bruyn age 38 born Iowa living in Floyd twp Sioux County, single, son of John and Mary De bruyn, Father deceased, and a brother Kryn De bruyn.)