Jongewaard, Wilhelmina (Dr.), 1887-1925

JONGEWAARD, HAVERCAMP

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

From the Rock Valley Bee, May 15, 1925:

NIECE OF MR. AND MRS. A. ROELOFS DIES IN INDIA

Miss Wilhelmina Jongewaard, who is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jongewaard, of Orange City, former county recorder, and a niece of Mr. and Mrs. A. Roelofs, of Rock Valley, died in India, where she was serving as a missionary, according to a report received here last week. The Orange City Journal gives the following account:

"Mr. and Mrs. John Jongewaard received a cablegram Tuesday noon giving them the sad news of the death of their daughter, Dr. Wilhelmine, a missionary in India. The message stated that death was due to cholera, but the grief stricken family know no further particulars.

Dr. Wilhelmine returned to India just last year after having spent a year's furlough here with her parents and in studying. Her sister, Miss Harriet, and one brother, Dr. Bert, are also in India as missionaries and relatives and friends anxiously await further news from them. The entire community extends heart-felt sympathy to the Jongewaards in their great bereavement."

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From the Alton Democrat, May 8, 1925:

MISSIONARY IN INDIA PASSES ON

Mr. and Mrs. John Jongewaard received a cablegram Tuesday from India telling of the death of their daughter, Dr. Wilhelmina Jongewaard, from cholera. Dr. Jongewaard and her sister Miss Harriet chose the missionary field as their life work and went to India some years ago. About a year ago both sisters were home on leave of absence. Dr. Jongewaard was absorbed in noble work and no doubt gave her life by her devotion. A host of friends sympathize deeply with the family and report the untimely passing of a noble woman.

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From the Iowa City Press-Citizen, May 7, 1925:

From faroff India, by way of a relayed message sent from Orange City, Iowa, to Mrs. E. M. Shaver, Iowa City, comes the sad news of the death of Miss Wilhelmina Jongewaard, M.D., formerly of the University of Iowa college of medicine.

She was a medical missionary in India, going there after receiving her degree, preparation for which was largely made in S.U.I., where she received her liberal arts degree in 1924. She was in the Orient six years and came back to America, for a year's furlough, and returned to India last year.

She was a victim of cholera and died recently, says the message. She was about 30 years of age. Surviving are her brother, Dr. Albert J. Jongewaard, who was graduated in medicine in 1917, in Iowa City. He is located at Taxilia mission hospital, Taxilia, Punjab, India, now. Miss Harriet, sister, is a teacher. The young woman's numerous friends in Iowa City and S.U.I. circles will read with sorrow of her death.

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RESEARCH NOTES

No Orange City newspapers are available online for this time period.

A family tree on Ancestry.com shows her as Wilhelmina Jacoba Jongewaard, daughter of John Albert Jongewaard (1855-1927) and Harriet Wilhelmina Havercamp (1862-1947); born 30 Sept. 1887 in Orange City; died 4 May 1925 in Jhelum, Gujranwala, India.

The Directory of Deceased American Physicians 1804-1929, also on Ancestry.com (text only, no page image) shows her type of practice as allopath; attended medical school at the University of Iowa, Iowa City (1912) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (1914); licensed in Washington (1914) and Illinois (1923); was listed as being in practice at Orange City (1914), Spokane, Washington (Jan. 1915), Sialkot, India (May 1917), Chicago (Sept. 1922), and Indianapolis (Feb. 1924); died in Jhelum, India 4 May 1925 of Asiatic cholera.

The American Consular Service, Report on the Death of an American Citizen Abroad, adds that she died at the Good Samatarian[sic?] Hospital, Jhelum, Punjab, India; buried in United Presbyterian Mission Cemetery at Jhelum; John A. Jongewaard, Orange City, notified by telegram May 5; possessions disposed of by will to the relatives.