DeGroot, Thomas, 1865-1926

DEGROOT, JANSMA, WIERSMA

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

From the Boyden Reporter, October 7, 1926:

THOMAS DE GROOT

Thomas de Groot was born the 13th of September, 1865, at Minnersga, Netherlands. He died after a lingering illness which lasted for more than a year at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joe Mouw, Boyden, Ia. He had reached the age of 65 years and 20 days.

When only a small boy of 11 years he lost both parents and made his home with an uncle. At the age of 23 years he came to America. The 20th of February, 1891, he was married to Froeke Jansma at Hull, Ia. For several years they engaged in farming near Boyden and in 1916 moved to Sheldon to enjoy a well deserved rest from their hard labor.

Mr. De Groot was a member of the Reformed church and in the Boyden Reformed church as well as in the Sheldon Reformed church served as deacon. He loved to attend the church services and to worship his Lord and Savior with the people of God.

He was a faithful husband and a kind and loving father. Four children were born from this marriage, two who died in infancy and two who with Mrs. De Groot mourn his departure. The children are Mr. Dick De Groot and Mrs. Joe Mouw, both of Boyden, besides four grandchildren.

Services were held in the local First Reformed church today, Wednesday and interment was made in Boyden cemetery. Rev. Jean A. Vis was in charge.

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His death certificate adds that he was a farmer, retired 11 years; 37 years in the U.S.; parents Dirk De Groot and Bauwke or Bouwke Wiersma, both born in the Netherlands; he had been living in Capel Township [Boyden area] for 24 days; died October 3, 1926 at 9:00 p.m.; cause of death myocarditis and nephritis; contributory cause, dropsy.

The Sioux County cemetery index gives his death date as October 6, 1926.