Kooreman, John 1835-1913

KOOREMAN, KLEINHESSELINK, POPMA, ARGYLE

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

Source: Alton Democrat issue of 30 August 1913.

ALTON PIONEER PASSES ON [includes a picture]
John Kooreman died at his home in Alton early Sunday morning Aug. 24th of apoplexy. The old gentleman had been in fairly good health all summer and death came as a shock to all. Mr. Kooreman was one of Alton's most respected citizens. Not because of wealth or high station in life but because of his splendid personality and genial disposition. His life had not exactly been all roses but yet he never asked odds of the world and he met all issues fairly and squarely, and that is why we all liked him. He was a familiar figure on our streets and he will be missed by many. John Kooreman was born in the Province of Zeeland, Netherlands, on January 14th 1835 and was therefore 78 years of age when he passed away. In the year 1856, at the age of 21, he came to America and first located at Albany, New York where he became acquainted with the Kleinhesselink family of whom he married Miss Johanna, on September 30th, 1862, at Waupun, Wisconsin. He took his bride to New York City, later moving to Brooklyn and still later to Brandon, Wisconsin. In the year 1871 he brought his family to Alton, then East Orange, and located on an eighty acre tract one and one-half miles southwest of Alton. The land, now worth considerably more than $200 per acre, he bought for $7 per acre. The grasshoppers came and simply drove him off his small farm to town, in order to find support for his large family. He therefore loaded his small farm home on wagon trucks and actually moved his home into town. In Alton he made his home until he died, and he lived to see nine children grow up to be splendid men and women. Mrs. John Kooreman died in 1901. The surviving children are Mrs. G. Popma of Orange City, John of Salem, Oregon; Mrs. J. Argyle of Midland, Mich.; Gerrit of Monticello, Wis.; Thomas of Archer Iowa; Miss Jennie, William, Edward and Fred of Alton. He is also survived by one brother, Thomas, of Meriden Connecticut. His only sister died in the Netherlands about a year ago. The funeral services were held on Tuesday from the home and from the Reformed church of which deceased was a devout member. The services were in charge of Rev. J.P. De Jong of Alton and Rev Will Gleysteen of Peking China, an old friend of the family. Out of respect for the departed all business houses closed during the services and the funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Alton. Many from Orange City and other nearby points attended the services. Interment was made in Nassau township cemetery.