DeVries, Herman E., 1884-1934

DEVRIES, PIETENPOL, DUISTERMARS, ZAKEMA

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

From the Alton Democrat, March 2, 1934:

COL. DE VRIES FORESAW AN AUTO WRECK
Victim of Fatal Crash Dozed at Wheel

Herman E. De Vries, popular Sioux Center auctioneer, was instantly killed last Thursday night at about midnight when his car crashed into the guard rail on the curve of highway 10 just east of the “million dollar” corner, while he was on his way home from Granville. His rapidly moving car, a Ford v-8, sheared off five guard rail posts on the north side of the highway. One of the boards struck his head, snuffing out his life. The car careened to the other side of the highway and stopped where it was found an hour later by a motorist on his way home to Orange City. The colonel’s hand was still on the wheel, his foot on the throttle. He had died without knowing what happened.

Col. De Vries had long since realized his ambition to become the leading auctioneer in this section of the nation. He was recognized as such. For ten years he had been chosen as auctioneer at the baby beef show at the Sioux City stock yards, also crying Shorthorn and Hereford sales there. For 17 years he and Col. Henry J. Ramaker were partners and the two constituted a team of auctioneers hard to beat anywhere in the country. Their time was at a premium during the winter months and their sale dates so crowded that it was frequently necessary for them to split up and cry more than one sale a day.

That was the situation last Thursday, Col. De Vries crying the Mrs. Peter Ney sale at Sheldon, while his partner was engaged elsewhere. He worked hard at the Sheldon sale. Afterward financial technical difficulties arose and it was necessary for him to remain at the Ney home at Granville long after his usual 9 o’clock bedtime during the busy season. He reached Alton along towards midnight. Mr. De Vries had remarked to his long time friend, P. J. Hansen, of Alton, that he had a tendency to fall asleep at the wheel. “Some day I’ll get mine that way,” he remarked. Mr. Hansen assisted him with the Ney sale. The colonel’s prediction came true all too soon.

Finding himself unable to get home to hear his son, Lorance, take part in a school contest, Col. De Vries ‘phoned him and told him not to feel badly if he did not win, and that if he did win there was a gold watch awaiting him.

No one will ever know just how the accident happened. Probably he dozed momentarily. It was probably an hour before he was found by the first passerby who aroused the attendants of the service station at the corner and notified Sheriff Synhorst who came out at once.

The Alton Democrat feels keenly its personal loss in the passing of Col. De Vries, a long-time friend who had bestowed many favors. His genial personality endeared him to those in every walk of life. His magnetic salesmanship turned farm livestock and machinery into gold within the space of a few hours. Sioux county loses one of its greatest assets, Sioux Center a public spirited citizen of great value and everyone who knew him well mourns the loss of a friend.

Born on April 20th, 1884, in the Netherlands, Herman E. De Vries came to America when 4 years of age, in May, 1888, with his parents who settled at Maurice. In October his father died, leaving the mother, two sons and one daughter. After several years the mother was married to L. Pietenpol and the family lived on a farm in West Branch township, where he attended the rural school, and at the age of 20 became mail carrier, later going into the implement business. During this time he was married to Miss Bertha Duistermars, July 27, 1906.

For 11 years the couple farmed in Welcome township and Mr. DeVries became famous as a Shorthorn cattle breeder, lover and keen judge of livestock. During this time he helped organize the Farmers Cooperative lumber yard at Hull, and was township trustee. In the fall of 1918 the family moved to Sioux Center and Mr. De Vries attended the Jones Auctioneer School in Chicago, then entering into partnership with H. J. Ramaker, an association which continued for fifteen years, extended into three states, and won for this pair the well earned reputation as the best and most successful auctioneers in this part of the country. Mr. De Vries’ dynamic personality, his quick wit combined with remarkable judgment, his splendid voice, ideally suited him for the role of auctioneer and with his talented partner he has cried approximately 2000 sales, according to Mr. Ramaker’s estimation.

He was one of the organizers of the Cooperative Gas and Oil Co., was secretary for 10 years and president at the time of his death; was a member of the volunteer fire company and president of that organization. He was director of the Sioux County Fair association for 10 years and at the time of his passing was one of the county committee on the Corn-Hog plan. During his career one of the most successful livestock sale companies was organized at Sioux Center on March 4, 1933. He was chairman for some years of the Northwest Shorthorn Breeders Assn., and continued to work in the interest of better livestock after becoming an auctioneer. From Feb. 1929 to April, 1932, he was head of a successful hardware store, retiring from this activity an account of his many other interests.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Arta, teacher in the Sioux Center public school; Cathryn, also a teacher, now Mrs. Dan Voorderman; Clarine, teaching in West Branch township; one son, Lorance, a senior in high school. One daughter, Wilma Marie, died in 1919; a brother, Peter E. De Vries, county supervisor and farmer; two sisters, Mrs. Gerrit Ter Host and Mrs. Arie Reckers, both of Orange City.

In his passing the family has the sympathy of a host of friends. He was a kind and generous husband and father and loyal friend. Although his school education had been meagre, he had a keen mind, great natural ability and a boundless store of energy which enabled him to make the most of every opportunity and brought success to his every undertaking. His untimely passing will be greatly felt not only by his family and his devoted partner, but by the whole community.

Funeral services Monday were attended by some 1500 people, the largest tribute ever paid to a citizen of this town. Services at Central Reformed church were in charge of the pastor, Rev. J. H. Keuning, assisted by Rev. L. A. Brunsting of First Reformed church. A mixed quartet, Mrs. Wm. Maris, Mrs. Neal Jongewaard, P. B. Mouw and Ed Te Veltrup sang three numbers requested by the family, “Close to Thee,” “Sometime We’ll Understand,” “Just when I need Him most,” and John Wandscheer sang “God Shall Wipe Away All Tears.” Miss Margaret Brunsting was organist. Pallbearers were his long-time partner and friend, H. J. Ramaker, Ben Poll, chief of the fire company, J. P. Schutt, Dr. Neal Jongewaard, Lane Kosters and P. J. Hansen, the latter of Alton.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate adds his parents, Eintze de Vries and Attje Zakema, both born in the Netherlands; died at 1:00 a.m. February 23, 1934.

FindaGrave.com gives his full name as Col. Herman Edwin “Harmen” De Vries; born 20 April 1884 in Oosterbierum, Franekeradeel Municipality, Friesland, Netherlands; died 22 Feb 1934; buried in Memory Gardens, Sioux Center. Parents Ynze De Vries (1848-1888) and Attje Zakema De Vries Pietenpol (1849-1918). Siblings Clara De Vries Ter Horst (1879-1949) and Peter Edwin De Vries (1880-1962) . Half siblings Johanna Christina Pietenpol Reekers (1889-1969) and Willie Pietenpol (1899-1899). Children Arta De Vries Wandscheer (1908-1996), Catherine De Vries Voorderman (1911-1976), Clarine De Vries Wandscheer (1914-2005), Lorance E. De Vries (1916-1977), and Wilma Marie De Vries (1918-1920).

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index entry for Harmen de Vries, born 20 April 1884 in Leeuwarden, Friesland, parents Ynze de Vries and Attje Zakema.

His World War I draft registration card shows him at age 34 as a farmer, Route 2, Hull, Iowa, a naturalized citizen; medium height and build, light blue eyes, brown hair.