VanderKieft, Willem, 1848-1920

VANDERKIEFT, VANDEKIEFT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/11/2016 at 08:56:50

From the Rock Valley Bee, December 17, 1920:

DEATH OF W. VANDER KIEFT

Willem Vander Kieft died at the home of his son, M. Vander Kieft, in Rock Valley, Wednesday, December 8, 1920, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, three months and one day, his death being due to the natural decline of old age.

Mr. Vander Kieft was born in Holland, Sept. 8, 1848, where he spent most of his life, coming to this country about seven years ago. His wife preceded him in death several years ago. Since coming to Rock Valley, he has made his home with his children. He is survived by a large family of grownup children most of them living in this vicinity.

Mr. Vander Kieft was a man who was highly respected by all who knew him. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon from the home of his son, M. Vander Kieft, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery for burial.

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A brief note on his death in the Alton Democrat, Rock Valley news (December 18) says that he was the father of six sons and six daughters.

The more common spelling of the surname appears to be Vande Kieft, per several entries in the Sioux County Cemetery Index. There is an entry for William Vande Kieft, b. 1884 d. 1920. This may be him, with a typo in the birth date; no other Vande Kieft or Vander Kieft death was reported in the Rock Valley Bee during 1920.

The 1920 (January) U.S. census has a couple of M. Van De Kieft families in Rock Valley; Willem/William is not with them.