Landhuis, John Bertus, 1871-1939

LANDHUIS, WIERKS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/24/2016 at 08:03:57

From the Sioux County Capital, November 23, 1939:

J. B. LANDHUIS

John B. Landhuis, 68, of Hospers, died Sunday, Nov. 19 at the M. Vander Waal home in Hospers. He had been sick a week when an embolism caused his death.

He was born in Vrieseveen, Overijsel, The Netherlands and came to America when a boy. In 1897, he was married to Dora Wierks. Mrs. Landhuis died in 1933 and a daughter, Leora passed away in 1918. Surviving are 4 children: Cornelia, Mrs. Renaud of Aurelia, Lester of Sheldon, Dorothy, Mrs. M. Vander Waal, and Howard of Sheldon. There are also 2 brothers, Henry of Boyden and Cornelius of The Netherlands. Funeral services were held Wednesday in the First Reformed church at Hospers with Rev. Mr. G. Docter in charge.

Mr. Landhuis was at one time postmaster at Hospers and also worked in the Hospers Savings Bank. Recently he had conducted a jewelry store.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Alton Democrat, November 24, 1939:
(The text of the obit was fuzzy and portions were nearly illegible; consequently, the submitter may not have interpreted all words correctly.)

PIONEER HOSPERS BUSINESS MAN
J. B. Landhuis Helped Start Savings Bank

Hospers people and friends throughout the county were shocked to learn of the death of J. B. Landhuis, business man at Hospers for more than a quarter century, which occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. G.[?] Vander Wal, there at 9:45[?] Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Landhuis had been taken ill a week previous with what at first was thought to be stomach trouble. It developed that it was far more serious, a blood clot near the heart. Specialists were called but nothing that medical aid could administer were of any avail[?] and his life ebbed slowly away.

Born September 14, 1871, in Vijtseveen[?], [Overijsel], The Netherlands, he came to America with his parents in 1880[?] as a small boy. The family located on a farm in the Newkirk vicinity. When a young man he came to Hospers and entered business. He was postmaster for a time and then helped organize the Hospers Savings Bank with which he was associated from Sept. 1, 19[??] until Dec[?] [20?] 1926[?]. He suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident in 1918[?] which left him with some facial disfigurement but with no apparent effect on his health.

When Sip Terpstra[?] and his young son were drowned in the West Branch flood at the [3 or 4 illegible words], Mr. Landhuis and his son, Lester, took over the Terpstra[?] jewelry business at Hospers and continued it for some years[?]. Lately he had returned[?] to that business, having[?] a small stock[?], and was also in the real estate and farm loan business.

Mr. Landhuis married Miss Dora Wierks on November 24, 1897. His wife died on Oct. 25[?], 1933. Five children were born to the couple, as follows: Leora, deceased; Cornelia, Mrs. A. [Renaud], Aurelia; Dorothy, Mrs. M. L.{?] Vander Wal, Hospers; and Lester V. and Howard Landhuis, both of Sheldon. Two brothers, Cornelius Landhuis of The Netherlands, and Henry Landhuis of Boyden, also survive.

After retiring from the jewelry business, Mr. Landhuis moved to his farm near Boyden and resided there for a number of years but sold the farm last summer and returned to Hospers to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. Vander Wal.

One of the most public spirited men in the county, J. B. (as he was known to his friends) was known far and wide in this section. He was one of the old line. staunch republicans of the county and a most influential one. It is said that he was offered the managership[?] of the state liquor[?] store at Alton but protested that his ["dry" convictions?] made it impossible for him to accept the position. The story goes that he was told that men with those convictions were the type of men the liquor[?] [2 illegible words] desires as store managers but Mr. Landhuis could not bring himself to accept.

All Hospers business places were closed during the funeral services Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22, which were held at the residence and at the First Reformed church, Hospers, of which he had been a member for many years. Burial was made at the Hospers cemetery.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Landhuis, John Bertus, b. 1871, d. 19 Nov 1939, Hospers Cem Hospers IA.