Houwers, John W. "Will" 1848-1931

HOUWERS, EERNISSE, HIBBELINK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2017 at 06:35:23

Source: Alton Democrat (4-3-1931)

Born: November 23, 1848
Died: March 24, 1931

J.W. HOUWERS, DEAD AT 83, EARLY SETTLER HERE; A PAINTER

John William Houwers died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. P.W. Moeller at Doon, an Tuesday evening, March 24, following a stroke which came to him in the preceding day.

Jan Willem “John William” Houwers is the son of Gerrit Willem and Harmina (Hibbelink) Houwers. He was born November 23, 1848 at Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin and grew to manhood in that vicinity. On November 19, 1871 he was married to Miss Catherine Maria “ Kate” Eernisse and to this union seven children were born, the two eldest dying in early childhood, during a scourge of black diphtheria.

They came to Iowa in 1881, settling at Alton which continued to be their home during the next 26 years. In 1907 they returned to Sheboygan Falls where the next seven years were spent. In 1914 they moved to Monroe, South Dakota and in 1918 came to Hull where they lived until the death of the wife and mother on June 21, 1928. Not long after this the bereaved husband went to the home of his daughter near Doon where he continued to reside until his demise, with the exception of the winter of 1929-1930 which he spent with a daughter in California.

In early years he followed the carpenter trade, but in later years became a painter, paper hanger and decorator, which trade he followed until he was almost 80 years of age.

Deceased joined the Reformed Church at Alton in 1882 and continued to belong and attend a Reformed Church wherever he lived thereafter.

The following children survive: Mina, Mrs. B.J. Meylink of Hull; Mary, Mrs. P.W. Moeller, Doon; Kate, Mrs. M.T. Moeller of Sioux Center and Dina, Mrs. Lowell Hollingsworth of La Mesa, California. One daughter, Mrs. G. Vande Waa, died in 1914. Ten grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 27 at one o’clock from the P.W. Moeller home led by Reverend C. Hobson, pastor of the Congregational Church at Doon and at two o’clock from the American Reformed Church at Hull led by Reverend Tietema of Sheldon and assisted by Reverend Daverkamp of Sioux Center, both being former pastors in churches the deceased had attended. The remains were laid to rest in the Hull Cemetery by the side of his wife, Kate.