Schuurman, Gerrit, abt. 1876-1931

SCHUURMAN, SCHUUMAN, BROEK

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

From the Alton Democrat, September 11, 1931, Hull news:

A very bad accident occurred last Wednesday evening north of Hull on one of the corners where the road is obscured on all sides by corn fields. Mr. and Mrs. T. Brunsting and Mrs. Ella Van Wyk were going south in the Brunsting car and Mr. Schuurman and daughter of Sanborn were headed east, on their way home, when both cars landed in the ditch and badly smashed. Passersby picked up the victims and brought them to the hospital. Mr. Schuurman passed away before reaching the hospital. Mrs. T. Brunsting has five ribs broken, collar bones broken and hip bone broken, Mr. Schuurman’s daughter had a fractured skull and Mrs. Van Wyk suffered from the shock and slight bruises about the body. Mr. Brunsting was not hurt and was able to be about town the next day.

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From the Sioux Center News, September 3, 1931:

FARMER KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT NEAR HULL
G. Schuurman Dies from Collision Injuries

Mr. Garrit Schuurman, a farmer near Sanborn, died shortly after arriving in the Hull hospital late Wednesday afternoon. He was driving east, accompanied by his daughter Christine, a few miles north of Hull when he collided with the Teunis Brunsting car, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Teunis Brunsting, Mrs. J. M. Van Wyke, driving south, at the Graham corner. The accident quite obviously can be explained by the fact that the view was obstructed by corn fields. All the people in the accident were hurt. Miss Schuurman was hurt the least. Mrs. Van Wyke was very badly bruised and cut. Mrs. Brunsting's condition is quite serious, with possible internal injuries, but has not been determined. The injured people were rushed to the Hull hospital.

The death of Mr. Schuurman is an added link in a story of deep tragedy. Mrs. Schuurman, his good wife, died two years ago, one year ago a daughter passed away, and only two months ago a young son died. Four deaths in one family two years. Two daughters, Mrs. De Vries and Christine, now lying seriously ill in the Hull hospital, and one small son, survive in the Schuurman family.

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From the Sioux County Index (Hull), September 4, 1931:

Sanborn Man Killed in Auto Accident North of Hull
Gerrit Schuurman of Sanborn was killed and his daughter seriously hurt at a collision of automobiles two miles north of Hull Wednesday evening when their car hit that of Mr. Teunis Brunsting, broadside. Mrs. Brunsting and Mrs. J. M. VanWyk of this place were both quite seriously hurt when their car toppled over into the ditch from the impact. All the injured were taken to the local hospital where they are being cared for. Mr. Schuurman’s car was a complete wreck.

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From De Volksvriend, September 10, 1931, Sanborn news:

We ontvingen bericht van het ongeluk te Hull. Gerrit Schuurman kwam in botsing met een andere auto. Schuurman werd gedood, andere gewond. Hij was 55 jaar oud, begrafenisdienst was hier Vrijdag van uit de Ger. kerk onder leiding van Ds. Fikse. Teraardebestelling te Melvin. 7 jaar geleden stierf Mrs. Schuurman, 7 maanden geleden de 20 jarige dochter Emma en drie maanden geleden een 15 jarige zoon. Nu zijn er nog drie van dit gezin in leven: Mrs. Steve De Vries te Rock Rapids, Christena en een 11 jarig zoontje.

Translation:

We received a message about the accident at Hull. Gerrit Schuurman collided with another car. Schuurman was killed, others injured. He was 55 years old. The funeral service was [held] here Friday from the Reformed church, led by Rev. Fikse. Burial at Melvin. 7 years ago Mrs. Schuurman died, 7 months ago the 20 year old daughter Emma and three months ago a 15 year old son. Now there are just three of this family alive: Mrs. Steve De Vries at Rock Rapids, Christena and an 11 year old son.

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A news note about the accident in De Volksvriend (September 10, 1931, Hull news) says that Mr. Schuurman was a son-in-law of Dick Broek.

The Iowa Deaths and Burials Index on Ancestry.com has Gerrit Schuurman, widowed, age 55 (born abt. 1876), died at Hull 2 Sep 1931. No corresponding death certificate was found. No birth record was located on Ancestry.com. Nor was an entry found on the Iowa Gravestones website.

Family tree information on Ancestry.com shows Garret Schuurman or Schuuman, born 22 Sep 1875 or 1876 in Dalfsen, Overijssel, Netherlands; died 2 Sep 1931, in Hull; spouse Christenia Broek (1885-1924); five children: Wilhelmina (1908-1999), Emma (born 1911), Gustina (born 1915), Dick (born 1915) and Clarence Gerard (1920-1964).