Gritters, Egbert, 1871-1937

GRITTERS, SCHMIDT, KUIPER

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

Birth: May 3, 1871
Death: September 2, 1937

From the Sioux County Capital, September 9, 1937:

Egbert Gritters of Hull died September 2. He was born in Diever, The Netherlands, May 3, 1871. He came to this country in 1894, but returned to his fatherland in 1896. He came back again that same year and worked as a hired hand in the vicinity of Orange City and Boyden.

He was married in 1898 to Anna Schmidt. They farmed near Boyden, Hull and Perkins. He raised pure bred hogs and cattle. In 1935 Gritters moved to Hull, where he was a charter member of the Protestant Ref. Church.

He is survived by his mother, 90 years old, his wife, 6 sons and 1 daughter, 1 brother and 5 sisters. There are 19 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held in the Protestant Ref. Church, of Hull with Rev. L. Vermeer and B. Kok officiating. Interment was made in Hope Cemetery besides two children who preceded him.

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From the Sioux County Index (Hull), September 10, 1937:

Egbert Gritters Buried in Hope Cemetery Saturday

Egbert Gritters, one of the early settlers of this part of Sioux county, died at his home here in Hull last Thursday, September 2nd.

Mr. Gritters was born in Diever Netherlands, May 3, 1871. He worked in a bakery in his native land until 1894, when he came to this country, and worked on a farm until he was married. He was united in marriage in 1898 to Miss Anna Smidt, and they farmed in this vicinity until their retirement, in 1835, to Hull. Mr. Gritters specialized in breeding pure bred hogs and cattle and had a national reputation.

Mr. Gritters was a member of the local Protestant Reformed Church, was one of its charter members, and took great delight in championing the Cause of the Truth. His theme was always “Saved by Grace.” The Hallelujah’s of his favorite Psalms filled his room until shortly before he passed away.

The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. L. Vermeer, assisted by Rev. B. Kok, with interment in Hope Cemetery. Besides his loving wife he is survived by his aged mother, 90 years old, one brother, Ralph, and five sisters. He also leaves to mourn the loss of a loving father, six sons and one daughter: Mrs. Ray Hulstein of Sioux Center, John, Ralph, Ben, Martin, Herman and Eddie; and nineteen grandchildren. The Index joins in extending sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.

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RESEARCH NOTES

An obituary in the Alton Democrat, September 10, 1937, Hull news, adds the residences of six of his children: John, Boyden; Ben, Ed, and Della Hulstein, Hull; Rev. Martin, Holland, Mich.; Herman, Chicago. Three children died in infancy.

His death certificate gives his wife as Albertje Gritters; parents John Gritters and Deeltje Kuiper; occupation, farmer, for 50 years, last worked at this occupation in 1935; died at 12:15 a.m. September 2, 1937; cause, carcinoma stomach, duration 2 months, confirmed via X-Ray.

His FindaGrave.com page included a photo of him; also of his headstone with the inscription “PS 89:8.” Parents John Gritters (1843-1923) and Deeltje Kuiper Gritters (1847-1941); wife Albertje Schmidt Gritters (1873-1961, married 1898). It also lists 7 siblings and 6 of his children.

Ancestry.com has a passport application, dated February 26, 1920, for Egbert, Albertje, and children D??tje (11) and Egbert (5). It says he is a resident of Perkins; emigrated to the United States about May 26, 1893; has resided uninterruptedly at Hull and Boyden from 1893 to 1920 except for a residence in Holland from Sept. 1895 to April 1896; was naturalized on January 23, 1906; and desires the passport in order to visit relatives in Holland, leaving the U.S. on May 15, 1920. It describes him, age 48, as having a high and broad forehead, small chin, blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion; does not give height or weight. There are photographs of him, Albertje, and the two children.