Dykstra, Sam, 1882-1921

DYKSTRA, KOSTERS, MULDER, MARRA

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

From the Hawarden Independent, February 17, 1921:

Goes Violently Insane

Sam Dykstra, residing near Sioux Center, went violently insane the past week and on Monday was taken before the insanity commission at Orange City where he was found to be a fit subject for treatment at the state hospital and was taken to Cherokee Monday evening. Worry over financial matters is presumed to have brought about his mental aberration. Mr. Dykstra and family resided in Ireton for two of three years but moved onto a farm near Sioux Center a year ago. His many friends here hope that he may be speedily restored to normal health through treatment at the state hospital.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Alton Democrat, February 19, 1921, Orange City news:

Mr. Sam Dykstra of Sioux Center was brought to Orange City Monday evening and judged insane. He was in a violent condition and it was with great difficulty that he was taken to Cherokee Tuesday.

INSANE MAN DIED AT CHEROKEE

Sam Dykstra of Sioux Center, who was brought before the insanity commissioners at Orange City Monday and committed by them to the state hospital at Cherokee, died at the hospital Wednesday night. It was necessary for those who accompanied him to the hospital to tie him hand and foot.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Sioux County Index (Hull), February 25, 1921:

Sam Dykstra living over near Sioux Center on Monday of last week became violently insane. Deputy Sheriff Harry Dykstra and some of the neighbors brought Mr. Dykstra to town that evening and he was considered a fit subject for the asylum. Sheriff Synhorst and Deputy took Mr. Dykstra to Cherokee on the early train Tuesday morning.

It was first reported that the cause of Mr. Dykstra's mental derangement was some trouble over some land speculation but this is absolutely false and without foundation. By some it is claimed the trouble was over church matters. It seems, as best we can learn, that there is a division in the church over the language question. Mr. Dykstra wanted the people of the church to stand together and continue to worship in the Holland tongue. There are many others who wanted a part of the exercises in the court language of our country. This no doubt was weighing much more upon his brain than was generally believed. Mr. Dykstra died shortly after reaching the asylum.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Alton Democrat, February 26, 1921:
[portions of the article are blurred out]

Sam Dykstra Dies Suddenly

The community was shocked beyond measure Thursday morning of last week … that Sam Dykstra … to the state hospital … had died suddenly … night, February [16?] [2 blacked out lines] of the brain. Sunday night the body arrived at Sioux Center on the 8:08 train from the south and probably the largest number of people in years gathered at the depot to pay their respects to the memory of a man so suddenly [2 blurred lines] Mrs. John U. Dykstra. The mother died several years ago. They were all born in Friesland of the Netherlands.

Mr. Sam Dykstra, the deceased, was born March 3, 1883. In 1884 he came with his parents to LaCrosse, Wis., where the family made their home for nine years. In 1893 the family moved to Orange City and since that time have lived in this part of the country especially around Sioux Center. He attended school in the district west of town and in Orange City. He received his catechetical training in the local Christian Reformed church and united with the church at Doon eleven years ago.

Sam Dykstra was a giant in size and strength and his was a giant soul. Intense in his convictions and generally in the right he created influence wherever he lived. He had a sunny disposition unless stirred to action by what he thought to be unjust. The young folks liked him. The editor of The Times claimed him as a true friend and many times in our short acquaintance we talked over the beauty of the Christ life. He tried to follow Christ as he knew him and none can ever call him a hypocrite. If he was wrong it was a matter of the mind rather than the heart. His desire was to do good in the name of the Master.

On April 14, 1921, he would have been married fourteen years. He married Miss Hattie Kosters, daughter of Mrs. Hein Kosters. He leaves a wife and six children to make their way in the world without a husband and a father’s protecting care. The names of the children are as follows: Geraldine 13 years; Jessiell; Johnnie 9; Henrietta 7; Gertie 5 and little Hein William aged 16 months. The father, John U. Dykstra, survives the son and lives near Sioux Center. Two brothers and two sisters also survive him, U. J. of Lynden, Wash.; Rich. of Rock Valley; Mrs. J. Vander Schaaf and Mrs. John Bruns both of Sioux Center.

The funeral was held at 2 o’clock from the Christian Reformed church at Sioux Center, the Rev. Terpstra of Ireton officiating. The pall bearers, old friends of the deceased, were John Doornward, H. J. Schalekamp, R. Achterhof, Fred Kool, Hein Rensink, and Herman DeWilt[?]. His body was interred in the Sioux Center cemetery. Charles Vander Ploeg was the undertaker in charge.

Thus ends the first chapter out of the book of his life this side of the grave. May he enemies, if any, forget his faults, and may we all remember the good and true out of his many deeds of love and kindness. It is no formal thing to say that the heartfelt sympathy of the Times and the people of this community is with the sorrowing wife and orphans and the relatives in their time of trouble.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Dykstra, Sam, b. 3 Mar 1882, d. 16 Feb 1921, Father, Memory Gardens Sioux Center IA.

His Cherokee State Hospital death certificate gives his birth date as March 3, 1882; wife Hattie Kosters; father John U. Dykstra and mother unknown; died Feb. 17, 1921 at 12:45 a.m., of exhaustion; contributory cause manic depressive – manic.

FindaGrave.com has him as Sam “Syds” Dykatra, born 6 Mar 1882 at Sexbierum, Franekeradeel Municipality, Friesland, Netherlands; parents John Ulbes Dykstra (1852-1929) and Jeteche Mulder Dykstra (1855-1912); lists 5 siblings; spouse Hattie Kosters Marra (1885-1964); children Geraldine Dykstra Renes (1907-1990), Jessie Dykstra Bonthuis (1910-1990), John Dykstra (1911-1998), Henrietta Dykstra (1913-2000), Gertrude Dykstra Van Maanen Winters (1915-2005), and Hein Wm Dykstra (1919-1927).