VanWechel, William S., 1864-1937

VANWECHEL, SINNEMA, SINEMA, BATES

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

From the Sioux County Capital, March 25, 1937:

William S. Van Wechel, 75, of Rudyard, Montana, died Sunday morning, March 21. He is widely known among the older residents of Sioux County. Deceased had suffered with diabetes for 20 years. Seven years ago, he had a stroke which paralyzed his lower limbs confining him to a wheel chair.

He is survived by his widow, the former Kate Sinnema of Orange City, to whom he had been married for 50 years March 2. Also surviving him are his children, Aaron of Marysville, No. Dak.; Mrs. Esther Davies of Spokane, Wash.; Jake, Mrs. William Stevens, Guy, Lester, Mrs. Victor Novak, and William, jr. all of whom live at Rudyard. William is the only one unmarried and he worked the farm for his father.

Mr. Van Wechel also leaves his step-mother, Mrs. Aaron Van Wechel, sr. and several step-brothers and sisters who are Allen Van Wechel, Aaron F. Van Wechel, Mrs. Henry Luxemburg, Mrs. John Werkhoven all of Orange City.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His Montana death certificate has William S. Van Wechel, residence, farm home 12-1/2 miles north and ½ mile west of Rudyard; born January 10, 1864 at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; parents Arend Van Wechel, born in Holland, and Julia Bates, born in Pennsylvania; wife Catherine Sinema; occupation, farmer, last worked at this occupation in 1930; died at home at 12:55 a.m. March 21, 1937; cause, mitral stenosis.

His FindaGrave page has him as William Sabine Van Wechel, born 10 Jan 1864 at Alto, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; died 21 April[sic] 1937 at Rudyard, Hill County, Montana, buried in the Rudyard Cemetery; parents Arend Van Wechel (1831-1914) and Julia Elvira Bates Van Wechel (1833-1872). Nine siblings and step-siblings listed. Spouse Katherine Sinema Van Wechel. Two children listed: Julia Mae Van Wechel Stevens (1892-1959) and Lester Marion Van Wechel (1906-1986).

The 1885 Iowa state census index shows him (age 21) living in Nassau Township, Sioux County. Delayed birth records on Ancestry.com for three of his children show the family living in Orange City from at least 1888 to 1894. In 1900 William (36) and Katie (32), married 13 years (i.e., about 1887) and the first six of their children were living in Vaugine Township, Jefferson County, Arkansas, where he worked as a blacksmith. In 1910 they and 8 children were farming in Dodds Township, Nelson County, North Dakota. By 1920 the family had moved to Montana.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1886/1887 has groom Wm J Van Wechel, age 24, resident of Orange City, a farmer, born in Wisconsin, parents A. Van Wechel and Julia R. Beets; bride Katie Sinnema, age 20, resident of Orange City, born in Pella, parents Jacob Sinnema and Wyntje Vander Plats; married at Orange City, March 2, 1887.