DeYoung, Grietje ("Maggie," Mrs. Roel), 1863-1920

DEYOUNG, NIEUWENHOF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/8/2016 at 20:31:32

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 8, 1920:

DEATH OF MRS. R. DEYOUNG

Mrs. R. DeYoung died at her home in Rock Valley Wednesday evening after a long and lingering illness with paralysis. About nine years ago she was stricken with this dread disease and she has been an invalid since that time. For the past three years she has been unable to speak.

The subject of this sketch was born in Holland, July 6, 1863, and was at the time of her death fifty-seven years and three months old. At the age of four years, she came with her parents to this country. The family settled at South Holland, Illinois, where she received her education and grew to womanhood. She was united in marriage to R. De Young and she and her husband moved to Sioux County about thirty-five years ago. They resided at Sioux Center, Orange City, Middleburg, and for the past four years at Rock Valley.

Besides her husband and other relatives she leaves to mourn eight children, the youngest about fourteen years old. She was a woman of good Christian character and bore her long years of sickness patiently. The bereaved husband and children have the sympathy of many friends in their great sorrow. At this writing arrangements for the funeral have not been completed.

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From the Alton Democrat, October 16, 1920: Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Grietje DeYoung (nee Nieuwenhof), wife of our worthy townsman, R. DeYoung, was born in Holland, July 6, 1863, and died at her home in Rock Valley of paralysis on Oct. 6, 1920, at the age of 57 years and three months.

The deceased when of tender years emigrated with her parents to America and located at South Holland, Ill., where she spent the years of her youth and early girlhood, and as she grew to womanhood she acquired a cheerful and kindly disposition that designated all the years of her life. On March 31, 1881, she married R. DeYoung at South Holland, Ill., and found in him a congenial companion, to whom she was faithful and devoted in the most extensive meaning of these terms. During the years that spanned their marital associations they lived in happy companionship, although she was afflicted for nine years, and five of those years she could not speak, yet that affectionate devotion was not lessened in the slightest degree.

She was the mother of eight children, three girls and five boys, namely: Mrs. Henry Vander Wilt, Mrs. M. Bomgaar, and Mrs. Bert Ver Steeg of Middleburg, Edward of Oregon, Martin of Andover, S.Dak., Jake, Herman and John, who were present to pay the last tribute of respect to a departed mother, except Edward, who could not be present due to unavoidable circumstances.

After four years of their marriage they moved to Iowa in 1885 and located at Sioux Center, where they resided till 1889, when her husband engaged in the mercantile business at Middleburg. In 1906[?] her husband disposed of his business interests at Middleburg, and moved to Orange City, and in 1916 they moved to Rock Valley where she continuously resided till her passing. She was a devout member of the Reformed church, and lived an exemplary and consistent Christian life.

Funeral services were conducted at the Reformed church Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the presence of many sympathizing neighbors and friends, by the pastor Rev. H. Colenbrander, after which her remains were consigned to the last home of man in Valley View cemetery. She leaves a husband and children and five sisters and two brothers to mourn her departure. The bereaved have the sympathy of their many friends in their hour of extreme sorrow.

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The 1910 U.S. census has Roel Deyoung, age 52, married 29 years, born in Illinois of Dutch parents, "own income", living in Orange City with wife Grietje (47), mother of 8 children, born Holland, immigrated 1867; and children Jacob (18), Martin (13), Herman (9), and John R. (3).

The 1920 U.S. census has them living in Rock Township, she naturalized in 1875, neither of them with a stated occupation; sons Martin (22) and Herman (18) working as farm laborers, and son John R. (12) in school. Her name is rendered as Gretji.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has De Young, Maggie, b. 1863 d. 1920 ss Roel. Valley View Cem Rock Valley IA