Muyskens, John “Jan,” 1845-1921

MUYSKENS, ROGGEN, ROGGE, FENNEMA, PALS

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

Born: January 10, 1845
Died: September 11, 1921

From the Alton Democrat, September 17, 1921:

ALTON PIONEER PASSES TO THE GREAT BEYOND
John Muyskens Succumbs to Grim Reaper After Illness of Nine Months
SAILOR AND PIONEER
A Respected and Beloved Alton Citizen Since 1882—Born in the Netherlands 76 Years Ago

John Muyskens died at his home in Alton on Sunday, Sep. 11, after an illness of nine months with cancer. Mr. Muyskens numbered his friends in Sioux County by the hundreds and his passing leaves a void which no one can fill.

Mr. Muyskens was born January 10, 1845 at Taxel, Netherlands, and at the time of his death was 76 years, 8 months and one day. He was married at Ter Schelling, Netherlands, in 1866, to Miss Tilda G. Roggen, and during the time before and some time after his marriage he was a sailor in the Dutch merchant-marine, making many trips to all parts of the world. In 1882 they came to America and to Sioux County on March 28th. Mr. Muyskens had been a prominent citizen of this community since that time. Because of his wide experience and wide travels he was a most interesting and popular man, and respected because of his upright character and honest dealings. By prudent farming they amassed a comfortable fortune, all of the children receiving splendid educations and the latter are of the most solid and respected citizens of the communities where they live.

No one in the county was more interested in the needs of educational institutions than Mr. Muskens. He was a member of the board of trustees of the N.W.C.A. He was an elder of the First Reformed church at Alton and a member of the consistory for over 31 years.

Twelve children were born to them, ten of whom are living and who are as follows: D. Muskens, P. Muskens and Mrs. J. K-----, sr., of Alton, Mrs. H. K. [rest of column, 2 lines, fuzzed out] Fennema, Alton, Marie Muyskens, Annville, Ky., Rev. Muyskens, Red Bank, N. J., and Wm. Muyskens of Detroit, Mich.

His helpmeet passed on June 3, 1901 and on June 2, 1902, Mr. Muyskens married Mrs. J. Fennema of Alton, who died Feb. 7, 1921. Besides his children he leaves two brothers to mourn their loss, D. D. Muyskens of Orange City and L. Muyskens, the Netherlands.

The funeral was held from the Reformed church at Alton at 2 P.M. preceded by service at the home at 1:30, on Thursday, Rev. J. P. De Jong of the Alton church and Rev. J. Stennenberg of the Trinity church, Orange City, officiating. The six sons were pall bearers. Burial took place at Nassau cemetery.

Those present from abroad were A. J. Roggen, Hull, G. and J. Roggen, D. Muyskens, J. Wiersma, P. and B. Lubbers, and A. J. Pennings, Orange City, J. De Groot and J. Wiersma of Hull, T. Hollander, Sioux Center, Miss Louis Swank, Chicago, D. L. Muyskens, Hospers, J. Sordrager and Mrs. B. Rensink, Archer, Mrs. Markham, Sioux Falls, Mrs. Vern Kennison, Salem, S.D. All of the children were here from away, Will, John, Miss Marie and Arie, leaving this Friday for their homes.

(The obituary includes a photo.)

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A somewhat longer obituary appears in De Volksvriend (in Dutch), with a small slice of the left-hand margin cut off. It provides basically the same information, noting that as a sailor he saw many parts of North and South America and other lands; that he farmed for a few years at Terschelling and then moved his already large family to the prairies of Sioux County and Alton; and that he prospered there and became one of the richest landowners in the county. In the young Alton church congregation he soon became a deacon, and later an elder, serving until 1918. The N.W.C. Academy at Orange City was particularly dear to him, and his sons Revs. Arie and John Muyskens of New Jersey, daughter Marie of Annville, Kentucky, and son William of Detroit [studied there?]. He was a member of its Board of Education, and was saddened that his diminishing strength caused him to be absent so often.

It gives his children as Dirk Muyskens, Cornelis Muyskens, Pieter Muyskens, Mrs. Katie Korver, Mrs. Anna Bekman, Rev. Arie Muyskens, Mrs. Maria[?] Fennema, Miss Marie Muyskens, Rev. John Muyskens and Willem Muyskens.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has him as Jan Muyskens, 1845-1921. His death certificate (informant his daughter Mrs. H. K. Bekman of Orange City) has him as John Muyskens, and adds his father, Gt. [Gerrit] Muyskens, mother’s name not known; died at 11 a.m. September 11, 1921; cause, carcinoma stomach, duration 1 year; he underwent an operation on August 5, 1921.

His FindaGrave page has him as Jan “John” Dirks Muyskens, with a photo of his headstone showing him as Jan, and a photo that appears to be the same as in the obituary, but much clearer. It includes an abbreviated version of the Alton Democrat obituary and lists 14 children: Gerrit Jans (1865-1905), Dirk "Dick" John (1867-1938), Japke "Jacoba" (1869-1911), Cornelius "Neal" (1871-1946), Peter (1872-1955), Arien (1874-1877), Trinjtje "Kate" (1875-1956), Anna (1877-1933), Arien "Arie" Jan (1879-1944), Martha "Mattie" (1880-1950), Jan (1881-1882), Marie (1884-1969), John (1885-1948), and William (1888-1967).

WieWasWie.nl has a marriage index entry for groom Jan Muyskens, age 22, born in Terschelling, parents Dirk Muyskens and Japke Leenderts Pals; bride Tettje Rogge, age 16, born in Terschelling, parents Gerrit Ariens Rogge and Martje Cornelis Schaap; married in Terschelling 14 March 1867. There is also a birth record for him, same parents' names, born 10 Jan 1845 in Terschelling, Friesland.