VanPeursem, Gerrit, 1915-1930

VANPEURSEM, SPATH, SPAETH

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

From the Alton Democrat, September 26, 1930:

BELOVED SON OF MISSIONARY DEAD
Gerrit Van Peursem Passes After Operation at Kodaikanal, In India

A brief letter to The Democrat from Rev. G. D. Van Peursem, dated August 20, at Muscat, Arabia, announces the death of their oldest son, Gerrit, on August 17 at Kodaikanal, India. The letter from the missionary carries a note of earnest faith and is as follows:

On August 13 he was operated on for acute frontal sinusitis. And four days later he breathed his last. I myself do not know the details of his sickness and operation. All the news I have is by telegram, and that is 15 cents a word and unsatisfactory. I arrived in Muscat on the same day that he was operated [on], and it takes a letter nine days to reach here. Only yesterday I received a letter written by Gerrit in which he states that his prayers are ever for me and hopes that I will not be lonely in Muscat and will not get fever. He wrote this a few days before his death and sent it off. This will be a life long treasure to me, let me assure you.

In the midst of this sorrow, we think of a lovely past with our son, but also joy in the fact that he is safe in the arms of Jesus. He was a good athlete but also a very religious boy, and we have no doubt of his present rest that remains for the people of God. The Christian has much to brighten his gloomy days, but it has been a great comfort to have the Moslems come and speak words of cheer as best they know how. Most of them say it is Kismet, and so one must resign. Others say Gerrit was not my boy. He was God’s and so He could take him. Many said that perhaps Allah was taking the boy so that he would not meet the temptations and troubles of life. Then others said, “may the second son have the additional years that would have come to Gerrit.” I have not heard the note of joy in a resurrection, and the anticipation of meeting again. But you know, it is sorrow that makes the whole world kin. Even the brother of the ruling sultan came to see me yesterday and I could see that he really felt sorrow. This makes one love the people all the more, and creates a stronger desire in one to give them Christ the saviour. With many regards to you all most sincerely, G. D. Van Peursem.

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Reports of Deaths of American Citizens Abroad (Ancestry.com) shows him as Gerrit Van Peursem, Jr., age 15-1/2 years; died August 17, 1930 in the Kodaikanal Operating Room, Kodaikanal, South India; cause of death, cerebral abscess; immediate cause, respiratory failure; buried in Ghat Road Cemetery, Kodaikanal, India; custody of effects given to father, Gerrit D. Van Peursem, Reformed Church Mission, Muscat, Arabia.

A family tree on Ancestry.com shows him as Gerrit Van Peursem; parents Gerrit Dirk Van Peursem and Josephine E. Spath [or Spaeth] who were married 31 August 1912 (no source citation given); born 13 April 1915 in the USA; died 17 Aug 1930 in India.

His father’s application (signed Gerrit Dick Van Peursem) to the Bombay consulate for a family passport to return to the U.S. on temporary furlough (Nov. 2, 1922) says that his permanent residence is Maurice, Iowa and indicates that he has been doing missionary work in the Middle East since 1910. It lists his wife Josephine Elise and four children, including Gerrit John, born at the Persian Gulf on April 13, 1915.

(Reverend Van Peursem wrote occasionally to the Alton Democrat describing life and events in Arabia and India. His letter in the December 14, 1912 Democrat says “I have been married since last I wrote you,” implying that he and Josephine were married in Arabia or India. In 1930 and for several years previously, his permanent station was in Muscat, Arabia, but the family spent summers in Kodaikanal to escape the intense Arabian heat.)