Gorter, Antje “Annie” (Mrs. Lawrence / Louwris), 1868-1918

GORTER, BROUWER, KOOIMAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Sioux County Index, August 2, 1918

Mrs. L. Gorter Passes Away

This community was shocked Monday evening when the news came out that Mrs. L Gorter, Sr., had dropped dead while fitting a dress at the home of Mayor Herman Johnson in the east part of town. The cause of her death was heart failure, and her sudden death was a great blow to her relatives and many friends, as when she had left home she was seemingly in the best of health. When she suffered heart stroke medical aid was summoned, but she passed away without gaining consciousness.

Antje Brouwer was born in Andyke, North Holland, June 29, 1868, and died in Doon, Iowa, July 22, 1918, about 7:30 o'clock p.m. Deceased being 50 years and 22 days old.

She was married to Mr. L Gorter in 1888, and shortly after came to America. Nine children were born to them, who besides the husband, survive her. They are Mrs. Dick Bouma of Primghar, Mrs. L. W. Van Duyn of Inwood, Lawrence who resides east of Doon, John, west of Doon, and Nick, Peter, Jacob, Will and Cornelius, who are still at home. She is survived by two brothers who reside at Hull, and a sister, Mrs. John Groeneweg, who lives near Rock Valley.

The Gorter family have resided in Lyon county for a number of years, having lived on their farm three miles north of Doon, nearly three. Deceased was a loving wife, a kind and indulgent mother, and a lady of beautiful Christian spirt; one who will be greatly missed in her home and among her neighbor and many friends.

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From De Volksvriend, July 25, 1918, Doon news: (summary translation)

There is just one step between us and death. Monday evening, 22 July, Mrs. L. Gorter went to town with her husband, he to attend the school meeting and she to go to the seamstress. She was with Mrs. H. Johansen in the house when she complained of not feeling well. The doctor was summoned, but when he came Mrs. Gorter died. Everything happened within about 15 minutes. You can imagine how the children felt when their mother was brought home. They had seen her leave healthy, and in a short time she was dead and her work on earth is done.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The index to the Hillside Cemetery, Doon, has her as Gorter, Mrs. L. Sr., born 6/29/1868, died 7/22/1918. The Iowa Gravestones Photo Project has a photo of the joint headstone of her and her husband (L. Gorter Sr. and Mrs. L. Gorter Sr.)

Her FindaGrave.com page has her as Mrs. Antje Brouwer Gorter, born 29 June 1868 in Andijk, Mendemblik Municipality, Noord-Holland, died 22 July 1918 in Doon; buried in Hillside Cemetery, Doon; father John P. Brouwer (1840-1928); seven siblings listed; husband Lawrence Gorter (1865-1950, married 1888); eight children listed.

WieWasWie.nl has a marriage index entry for groom Louwris Gorter, age 22, a farmer, born in Andijk; parents Louwris Gorter, a farmer, and Marijtje Tol; bride Antje Brouwer, age 19, born in Andijk, parents Jan Brouwer, a farmer, and Grietje Kooijman; married in Andijk 24 Feb 1888.

The 1900 U.S. census for Westfork Township, Monona County, Iowa has Lawrence Gorter, age 34, born in Aug 1865 in Holland, immigrated in 1888, naturalized, a farmer, married 12 years; wife Annie, age 31, born in June 1868 in Holland, immigrated in 1888; children Mary (11, born July 1888), Gertie (10, born Sept 1889), Lawrence (7, born Aug 1892), John (5, born Sept 1894), ??loy (son, 4, born June 1895), and Peter (1, born Oct 1898), all born in Iowa.