VanderPoel, Cornelius, 1860-1927

VANDERPOEL, GROEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:32

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 6, 1928:

C. Vander Poel Had Sudden Summons

People of Rock Valley were surprised and shocked when the report came Saturday that Cornelius Vander Poel had suddenly passed away. Mr. Vander Poel was apparently in his usual health during Saturday forenoon. He started to walk from his home to the business part of town after dinner. He stopped on the way at the home of his son, John Vander Poel, to visit a while. While he was talking to his daughter-in-law there he suddenly expired.

Mr. Vander Poel had lived in this vicinity for thirty-six years. He lived on a farm for several years but later retired from farm work and moved to Rock Valley and made his home here until death claimed him. He was a man of kind and generous disposition and was highly thought of by all who knew him and his sudden death is greatly regretted by all.

The subject of this sketch was born at Pella, Iowa, May 1, 1861, where he grew to manhood. He had attained the age of sixty-seven years and eight months. He was united in marriage with Jennie Groen at Orange City, November 21, 1883. Soon afterwards he moved to Sioux County. He is survived by his wife, three children, James, John, and Mrs. John Dodewaard, all of Rock Valley, two brothers, N. Vander Poel of New Kirk, Iowa, and Arie Vander Poel of Big Stone City, S.D., and two grandchildren, and many friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 at the home and at 2:00 o’clock at the First Reformed Church in Rock Valley, conducted by Rev. R. D. Douwstra, assisted by Rev. Lyman F. Focht, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery. The services were largely attended by sympathizing friends who in this manner showed their respect and high esteem for the departed and their sympathy for the bereaved relatives.

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From the Alton Democrat, January 6, 1928, Rock Valley news:

Cornelius Vander Poel passed away at the home of his son, John Vander Poel Saturday afternoon, Dec. 31, 1927 of apoplexy. Mr. Vander Poel, feeling as well as usual, started out away from home and reached the home of his son in safety. The usual greetings were exchanged but soon the daughter-in-law noticed the difficult breathing of her guest and sent her daughter to get her neighbor, Rev. L. F. Focht, to assist her. The pastor told them to call the doctor and before the doctor could get there, Mr. Vander Poel had passed into eternity.

Deceased was born at Pella, Ia., on May 1, 1860 and at the time of his passing had reached the age of sixty-seven years, 8 months. [Marriage and survivors same as in the Bee, except giving his daughter’s name as Mrs. Anna Doodewaard and one brother as M. Vander Poel.] He was an ardent Christian and was a man of many friendship circles as he was a quiet unassuming man and had a happy greeting for all, and so made friends easily.

Funeral services … were conducted by Rev. R. D. Douwstra who preached in the Holland language and Rev. L. F. Focht of the Methodist church in the English language. The bereaved family has the sympathy of a host of friends who truly mourn the passing of this dear and beloved friend.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index gives his birth year as 1860, as does his death certificate. His death certificate also adds the name of his father, Jacob Vander Pol[sic].

The 1925 Iowa state census gives has parents as James Vander Poel and Anna Vander Koek[?], both born in the Netherlands.