DeVries, Jacob, 1903-1926

DEVRIES, GROOT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Alton Democrat, September 24, 1926, pp. 1, 8.

FIVE LOSE LIVES IN BIG FLOOD WATERS FRIDAY
A set of front-page articles about a massive rainfall and subsequent flood in Sioux County, including:

MAN DROWNS ATTEMPTING A NOBLE ACT
Jacob De Vries Perishes, In Trying To Reach Marooned School Children

In a courageous attempt to reach the “little teacher” and her twenty pupils who were marooned in the Prairie Creek school house, five miles west of Sioux Center, Jacob De Vries, a young farmer employed by John Haverhals, was drowned Friday evening while crossing the bottoms with a team and wagon. It is believed that the team became entangled in a wire fence which swept down with the flood and in their fright they tipped the wagon over, the young man going with it. The body was recovered after the water subsided Saturday morning, very near the spot where the wagon was seen to go down. Both horses and wagon were carried away by the flood. The body showed no signs of injury from the wagon, though to those who were watching he appeared to be caught under it, but the young man’s death appeared to be the result of drowning.

Meanwhile, the teacher, Miss Johanna Mouw, the 18-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. B. Mouw of Sioux Center, bravely carried on, encouraging the frightened children. [The article goes on to describe how the schoolhouse was surrounded by flood waters, the bridge torn out so that the parents could not reach it, and the students and teacher waiting all night until the waters subsided enough that they could be rescued.]

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Also from the Alton Democrat, September 24, 1926, p. 7:

FLOOD VICTIM BURIED MONDAY

Jacob De Vries, Drowned in Prairie Creek, Buried at Lebanon

Funeral services for Jacob De Vries were held Monday afternoon at two o’clock at the Lebanon Reformed church, which the young man attended. The entire community, including Miss Mouw, the teacher whom he attempted to rescue, her school director, Mr. J. W. Kosters, and all patrons of the school who could reach the church, were present to honor the young man’s memory. Long detours on account of washed-out bridges were necessary in many instances to get to the scene of the funeral.

Jacob De Vries was twenty-two years and seven months of age. He is survived by his father, who lives at Alcester, S.D., a sister, Mrs. Walter Blom of Sioux Center, a brother, Will at Maurice and Lane of Rock Valley. One brother lives in California and a sister in Missouri. With the exception of the last two, all the near relatives were present for the services. The family have the deep sympathy of the community in their sorrow over the tragic passing of their son and brother.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index and FindaGrave.com show him born 17 February 1903, died 17 September 1927, buried in Lebanon Cemetery, rural Sioux Center IA. FindaGrave.com has a photo of his headstone: “Jacob de Vries, Feb. 17, 1903[?], Sept. 17, 1927. Erected by school children of Dist. No. 2.” No explanation as to why the incorrect death year was inscribed on the headstone.

The FindaGrave page says he was born in the Netherlands; parents Riemer Devries (1867-1930) and Grietje Groot DeVries (1870-1921).

His death certificate gives his birth date as February 17, 1904 in the Netherlands; parents Reamas de Vries and Grietje Groot, informant Walter Blom; died at 6:00 p.m. September 17, 1926; cause, accidental drowning, lungs filled with water.

The 1920 U.S. census shows the De Vries family living in Washington Township, Sioux County, having immigrated from the Netherlands in 1914, all still aliens: head R. (51), a farmer, wife Grace (49), son Leonard (22), son William (20), son Jacob (16), daughter Nancy (13), son G. (24), and G’s wife Cornelia (21).

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index record for Jacob de Vries, parents Riemer de Vries and Grietje Groot, born 17 Feb 1903 in Haarlem, Noord-Holland, Netherlands.