VandenBrink, Art, 1865-1926

VANDENBRINK, VERHOEF, DEVRIES

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Boyden Reporter, September 2, 1926:

ART VENDEN BRINK

Mr. A. Vanden Brink, a local business man for many years, died at his home last Thursday morning at about seven o’clock, after an illness of nine months with cancer. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 12:30 at the house, and 1:00 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Neil Stewart officiating. Interment was made in the Boyden cemetery.

Art Vanden Brink was born at Armelo Veldwyk, Netherlands, on January 1st, 1865, and died at the age of 61 years, 7 months, and 25 days. He was the son of Garret Vanden Brink and Dirkje Ver Hoef. He came to this country with his parents in the year of 1885, and became a naturalized American citizen on November 3, 1890.

On May 18th, 1892, he was united in marriage to Nellie De Vries, and to this union five children were born, four sons and one daughter. One son Garret died in infancy. Those who live to mourn his death besides his wife, are Steve, Dora, Arthur and Ray. He also leaves two brothers and four sisters.

Deceased started in business in Boydem in the year of 1893, and continued in business here until 1913, when his building and stock were destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1915 he purchased a general merchandist stock at Hull, and the family moved there in the fall of the same year where they lived until 1922, when they returned to Boyden, to operate the city restaurant. During his residence at Hull he served on the School Board and also as Mayor. He also served as town treasurer at Boyden for many years, and on the town council. Mr. Vanden Brink was a progressive merchant, and one of this community’s best boosters.

The Reporter extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved relatives.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, September 3, 1926:

FORMER BUSINESS MAN DEAD

A. VandenBrink, a former business man of Rock Valley, died at his home in Boyden last Thursday, August 26, his death being due to cancer.

A few years ago Mr. VandenBrink conducted a land and insurance office in Rock Valley in the building on Main Street now occupied by D. J. Scanlan and son. Later he owned the Vanderwell hardware. From here he went to Hull and went into business there, going from Hull to Boyden, where he has been one of the leading business men for several years.

Mr. VandenBrink had been suffering from cancer for eight months. He went to specialists at Rochester, Minn., but they could do nothing for him there. He was sixty-one years old last January. He is survived by his wife and three sons and one daughter. Funeral services were held at Boyden Saturday afternoon.

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A briefer obituary in the Alton Democrat, September 3, 1926, adds no additional information but does include a photo of him.

His death certificate gives the primary cause of death as cardiac insufficiency and secondary anemia; contributory cause, carcinoma of prostate, duration 2 years 6 months.