VerDoorn, Joost, 1860-1936

VERDOORN, INTVELD, VANHELDEN

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

From the Hawarden Independent, December 17, 1936, Near-by News Notes:

Jost Verdoorn of Rock Valley, a pioneer of Sioux county, died suddenly at his home Dec. 3rd. He was in his usual health during the forenoon except that he complained of a pain in his chest. Mr. Verdoorn was 76 years old and had lived in Sioux county forty-eight years. He is survived by his wife and eleven children.

* * * * * * * * * *

From the Sioux County Capital, December 10, 1936:

Joe Ver Doorn, sr. died Thursday afternoon, Dec. 3 at his home in Rock Valley at the age of 76 years. He had been in fairly good health until the day of his death. He ate a hearty dinner, shortly after which he suffered a heart attack from which he died, in his chair.

Mr. Ver Doorn was born in Heesbeen, Noord Brabant, in the Netherlands on Feb. 1, 1860. He spent the first part of his life, until he was twenty eight, in the Netherlands. On Nov. 21, 1883 he was married to Miss Elsie In’t Veld at Haarlemmermeer in Noord Holland in the Netherlands. Mr. and Mrs. Ver Doorn came to America in the fall of 1888 and made their home on a farm near here. In 1891 they moved to a farm at Middleburg. They went through many of the same hardships and difficulties which all pioneers of that time suffered. Mr. Ver Doorn was a successful farmer in spite of difficulties.

In 1913 Mr. Ver Doorn retired from active farming and moved to Rock Valley. Since that time Mr. and Mrs. Ver Doorn have lived continuously in their home just east of Main street in Rock Valley. On Feb. 1, 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Ver Doorn celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Both were in good health and enjoyed the day with their children and grandchildren very much.

Mr. Ver Doorn was a charter member of the First Reformed church in Rock Valley.

Mr. Ver Doorn is survived by two brothers, who are Cornelius Ver Doorn of Sioux City and William Ver Doorn of Orange City, and one sister, Mrs. Klaas Van Diepen of Sheldon. He is also survived by Mrs. Ver Doorn and six sons who are Joe jr., Tom and Dick of Rock Valley, Neale and Martin of Ashton, Iowa and William of Edgerton, Minn., and five daughters who are (Anne) Mrs. Joe Van Westerhuizen, sr. of Sioux Falls, S.D., (Tunie) Mrs. Henry Van Woudenburg of Fairview, (Bertha) Mrs. Arie Gaalswyk of Hudson, S.D., (Mary) Mrs. Harry De Groot of Doon, and (Grace) Mrs. Bert Bliek of Inwood. He is also survived by forty grand-children and fifteen great grand-children.

Rev. J. H. Aberson, pastor of the First Reformed church, was in charge of the funeral services which were held Monday afternoon Dec. 7. Burial took place at the Valley View cemetery. All of Mr. Ver Doorn’s children were present at the services.

* * * * * * * * * *

RESEARCH NOTES

A shorter obit was published in the Alton Democrat, December 11, 1936, Rock Valley news. The Rock Valley Bee is missing for this time period.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Ver Doorn, Joost, b. 1860, d. 1936, Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley, IA.

His death certificate has Joost Verdoorn, retired farmer, last worked at this occupation in 1912; born Feb. 1, 1860, Netherlands; parents Dirk Verdoorn and Anna Verdoorn; informant Joe Van Westerhuizen, Rock Valley; died in Rock Valley at 2:00 p.m. December 3, 1936; cause, angina pectoris.

His FindaGrave.com page shows him born at Heesbeen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands; spouse Elsjen Intvelt Verdoorn (1865-1936, married 1883); lists 10 of his children; includes a photo of his headstone.

The 1900 U.S. census shows the family renting a farm in Sioux Township, Sioux County: Joseph Verdoorn (40), born Feb. 1860, immigrated 1888, naturalized, married 17 years; wife Elsie (35), born Sept. 1864, mother of 10 children, 10 living, immigrated 1888; children Anna (16), Joseph (14), Richard (13), and Thomas (12), all born in Holland, immigrated 1888, and Teunnie (11), Mary (10), Martin (8), Cornelius (7), Bertha (8), and William (1), all born in Iowa. Subsequent census records and marriage records for his children refer to him as either Joe or Joost.

A marriage index record on WieWasWie.nl has groom Joots Verdoorn, age 23, a laborer, born at Heesbeen, parents Dirk Verdoorn, a farmer, and Anneke van Helden; bride Elsje Intveld, age 18, born at Haarlemmermeer, parents Joost Intveld, a farmer, and Teuntje van Wijk; married in Haarlemmermeer, Noord-Holland 21 November 1883. Included is a copy of the original marriage register entry, which also shows his forename as Joots.