Pryde, John C. “Jack,” 1870-1927

PRYDE, MORRIS, WESTRA, MESERVEY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Boyden Reporter, June 2, 1927:

JOHN C. PRYDE

John C. Pryde was born at Moingona, Iowa on July 4th, 1870, the son of Walter Pryde and Jane Morris. He died at his home in Boyden Friday evening at 10:30 o’clock, May 27th, 1927, at the age of 56 years, 10 months and 23 days. The cause of his death was heart failure and he died instantly. Funeral services for the deceased were held at 1:30 o’clock at the home and 2:00 o’clock at the United Presbyterian church, on Tuesday, May 31st, Rev. Neil Stewart officiating.

At the age of three years, Mr. Pryde came to Sioux county, and he was raised to manhood in the home of the late John Morris, deceased. About 35 years ago he moved into Boyden, and on July 4th, 1898, he was united in marriage to Clara Westra. To this union two children were born. They are J. Morris, who resides in Chicago and Ethel of Boyden. Besides his wife and children he leaves a sister, Mrs. Oscar Olson, of Eau Claire, Wis., and two half-brothers, Mason and Will Meservey also of Wisconsin, and a large number of other relatives to mourn his sudden death.

He was appointed postmaster in Boyden many years ago and served for 18 years, and was assistant postmaster at the time of his death. He served for many years on the town council and also was Marshal of Boyden for many years. He also served as Deputy State Fire Marshal for a few years. Deceased was active in politics and was candidate for the office of Sheriff several years ago. He was well known in this section of the state. Mr. Pryde was for the past ten or more years, manager of the Quaker Oats Company, of Boyden, acting in this capacity at the time of his death.

He was a kind and loving husband and father, and was always of service to others. It can be truly said that his friends were numbered by his acquaintances, which fact was evident by the large number who attended his funeral. Mr. Pryde was a member of the I.O.O.F. of Hull and the Modern Woodmen of America of Boyden.

The relatives who attended the funeral from a distance are as follows: Mr. and Mrs. J. Morris Pryde and daughter Lois, of Chicago; Will Meservey of Chippewa Falls, Wisc.; Mason Meservey and Mrs. Oscar Olson of Eau Claire, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Peters and children of Platte, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. K. Terpstra and son Donald, of Bemis, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. H. Zuitenhorst, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Bonema, Mrs. S. S. Westra, Mr. and Mrs. Herman De Vries, William Lammers, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Westra, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Koops, Mr. and Mrs. Tunis Jansen, all of Sioux Center, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Will Westra of Orange City; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Duistermars, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Kimmel, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brinkman, Mr. and Mrs. Cornia Brinkman, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Brinkman, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Brewster, Mrs. John Hudson and Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Brewster, all of Sheldon; Mrs. Jerry Bonema, of Hawarden and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bonema, of Ireton, Ia.

The Reporter extends its sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

(The obituary includes a photograph.)

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His death was covered, more briefly, in several other area newspapers. A couple of them refer to him by his nickname, “Jack,” or note that he had been in poor health for some time. The Sioux Center Nieuwsblad (June 1) says that he was a brother in law of Mrs. S. Westra and Mrs. J. Wiekamp.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Pryde, John C., b. 1870 d. 1927, Sheridan Twp Cem Boyden IA.

His death certificate gives his mother’s name as Jean E. Moris and both parents’ birthplace as Scotland; cause of death, myocardial insufficiency, and the doctor notes that he had “Examined diseased one year ago.”

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found information from the 1925 Iowa census and Ancestry.com: born July 1870 in Boone, IA; parents Walter Pryde and Jean Morris; wife Clara Westra (1873-1942). Their daughter Ethel Drusilla was later Mrs. Harold Hatting.