TeGrotenhuis, John Willem 1833-1921

TEGROTENHUIS, KLEUVERS, REIJMERS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

John Willem Te Grotenhuis born 11 Jan 1833 Gelderland Netherlands died 25 Jun 1921 Sioux Center IA. He was married to Janna Hendrika Kleuvers 1850-1939. John was the son of John Hendrik Te Grotenhuis 1791-1869 and Aleida Reijmers 1797-1861.

Alton Democrat July 2, 1921

Mr. Te Grotenhuis of Sioux Center One of County’s Earliest Pioneers
Once owned 25 Eighties.
J. W. Te Grotenhuis Passes on in his 88 Year one pioneer still left.
Last Saturday evening Mr. J. W. Te Grotenhuis passed away after months of suffering from the infirmities of old age. Funeral services were held Tuesday in the First Reformed church at Sioux Center. Rev. Lubbers and Rev. James De Pree delivering appropriate addresses.

Jan Willem Te Grotenhuis was born in Gelderland. The Netherlands, Jan 11, 1833 and had therefore passed his 88th birthday. At the age of about 25 years he came to America and lived in Wisconsin for two years. Following the western pioneer he homesteaded on the section one mile west of Sioux Center and at once became a buyer of land. The farm where Mr. De Goei now lives he acquired for 25 cents an acre and his son, Will who now owns the farm refused $800 an acre for it in 1919.
Mr. Te Grotenhuis lived on his homestead for fully 40 years and raised a family of sturdy sons and daughters. He amassed a large estate of Sioux County land at one time owning 25 eighties.

He belonged to the group of pioneers who have almost entirely passed away. J. W. Te Grotenhuis, J. W. Eppink, D. W. Doornink, Gerrti Zuetenhorst, Hein Mouw and Ben Mouw all neighbors in the early eighties and of them all Ben Mouw is now the only survivor.

A Widow survives the two sons, John and William and four daughters Mrs. Anna Punt, Mrs. Lena Peelen, Mrs. Hattie Den Herder. One son Gerrit was instantly killed 13 years ago last April by falling from a tree.

A large number of people attended the funeral which was held at 1:30 p. m. from the home and at 2 o’clock from the church. The pall bearers were Ben Mouw Sr., H. Naberhuis, B. Campagne, C. De Groot, H. Kiel and Henry Wandscheer. Burial occurred at the Sioux Center cemetery.