Kooreman, Gerrit 1868-1940

KOOREMAN, ELMER, KLEINHESSELINK

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

Source: Alton Democrat (7-26-1940)

Born: July 4, 1868
Died: July 15, 1940

ALTONITES AT FUNERAL OF Gerrit KOOREMAN

Started Working In Alton Store At Age of 12
William Kooreman and E.J. Kooreman returned home Saturday morning from Monticello, Wisconsin, where they attended the funeral of their brother Gerrit. Other Altonites and former Altonites at the services were John Kooreman of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Doris Giebink and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Kastein of Waupun, Wisconsin.

Of much interest to the Kooremans, especially to John Kooreman – Chicago chemist – was an inspection tour of the cheese factory where Mr. Gerrit Kooreman was employed during a long period of his life. The factory specializes in the huge Swiss "wheel" cheese – as large as a wagon wheel and weighing 200 pounds. These cheeses are of very fine quality. Mr. William Kooreman some years ago bought one for his store here, with some misgivings as to how it would sell. The big cheese was soon gone.

Monticello is a town of only 800 people, but has the cheese factory as an industry. The church where funeral services were held is a remarkably beautiful structure to be found in so small a town, says Mr. Kooreman.

William Stronks, pioneer Alton merchant, recalls that Gerrit Kooreman began work in the Stronks Store at the age of 12 years and was employed by Mr. Stronks for seven years. For a short time he was employed by F. M. Slagle & Co. at Sioux Center, and worked at Worthing, South Dakota before going to Janesville, Wisconsin, to take up telegraphy.

In addition to the details given last week, the Monticello newspaper states that Mr. Kooreman was married on May 12, 1903, to Miss Anna Elmer of Monticello, at Freeport. For about 23 years he served as bookkeeper for the Wittwer Bros. Cheese Co. He served as school clerk for 15 years and as village clerk for five years. He was a member of the Monticello Free and Accepted Masons and the Monroe Palestine chapter Royal Arch Masons.

He was a member of the Monticello Zwingli Evangelical and Reformed Church, where funeral services were held last Wednesday. Masons conducted the rites at the Highland Cemetery. He was highly respected and loved in the community which was his home for so many years, and also by many friends in his boyhood home at Alton, to which be remained attached all his life by ties of affection and interest. He was a subscriber to this paper, The Alton Democrat, up to the time of his death and often expressed his interest in the activities and people of his boyhood home town.

Note: His parents were John and Janna (Kleinhesselink) Kooreman