Busser, John, 1855-1936

BUSSER, VANDENBERG, VANDERBRINK

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

From the Alton Democrat, July 17, 1936:

Aged Citizen Of Alton Passes On

John Busser, resident of Alton for forty years or more, died at his home here on July 2. Funeral services were held July 3 at the Reformed church, with Rev. Stegeman of Hospers in charge, and burial was at Nassau township cemetery.

Mrs. Clara Busser, the loving and faithful wife, survives him, and also one son, Claus of Cherokee.

He was born in the Netherlands on November 30, 80 years, 7 months and 2 days before his death. Mr. Busser worked as a day laborer, supporting his family and obtaining his own small place at the eastern end of “lover’s lane.” His stooped figure was a familiar sight in Alton for a great many years.

The Democrat regrets that its usual contacts failed to publish this news sooner, an outside minister and other unusual happenings conspiring to keep The Democrat entirely in the dark about Mr. Busser’s death.

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He does not appear in the Sioux County Cemetery Index.

A briefer note on his death in De Volksvriend, July 9, 1936, Alton news, adds that a son of the deceased, Mr. and Mrs. Klaas Busser from Sutherland, were here for the funeral.

The 1930 U.S. census for Alton shows John (75) and Clara (68), both born in Holland, living in a $1500 home, which they own. He immigrated in 1888 and she in 1901. The 1910 census has John (54), married 8 years, second marriage, immigrated 1887, naturalized, a hauler for a creamery; Clara (45), second marriage, mother of 3 children, 1 living, immigrated 1901; and John’s adopted son Nicholas (11), born in Holland, immigrated 1901.

The 1925 Iowa state census shows John (69) and Klaasje [Clara] Bussar in Alton in a $1000 home that they own free of mortgage. John has been in the U.S. and Iowa 38 years, and Klaasje 18 years. His parents were [Henry?] Bussar and Allie Vanden Berg; hers were [no forename] Vanderbrink and [Frances?] [Catumbrook??].