Duven, James S., 1883-1938

DUVEN, APENHORST, HOLDINGA

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

From the Sioux County Capital, July 7, 1938:

James S. Duven, 54, prominent Orange City business man, passed away at his home on Thursday, June 30 at 12:30 p.m. following a three months illness of cancer.

He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Duven. He was born at Alto, Wis., on Sept. 14, 1883 and came to Sioux Co. with his parents in 1885. On September 30, 1908 he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Apenhorst of Preston, Minn. The couple located at Maurice where he was engaged in the implement business. Later the family moved to Orange City where for the past 22 years he operated a music and electric store.

Mr. Duven was a member of the American Reformed church where for several years he served as a faithful officer in the capacity of a deacon, elder and Sunday school teacher.

He is survived by his widow and five children, Stanley Chester, Esther Geraldine who is Mrs. Alfred Aalberts, Howard James, Edith Mae, and Leona Jean. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Lyda, Mrs. Alex Muilenburg; Lizzie, Mrs. J. Roelofs; Nellie, Mrs. Beckering; Martha, Mrs. R. De Cook; William, and Mae, Mrs. S. Spyker.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 2 o’clock at the home and at 2:30 at the American Reformed church, with Rev. Mr. L. Nattress officiating, assisted by Revs. J. G. Brouwer, M. Duven of Pella, Nebr., and F. H. De Jong of McKee, Ky. Interment was made in the Orange City cemetery.

From out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Apenhorst, Mrs. John Apenhorst, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Apenhorst, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Nagel, Gerrit Nagel, all of Edgerton, Minn.; Messrs. and Mesdames John Roelofs, Alex Muilenburg, James Roelofs, Gerrit Bylsma, Jim Bolluyt, John Kroen, and Mrs. John Westenburg all of Edgerton, Minn. Mrs. Nellie Beckering of Pella, Iowa, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Matt Duven of Pella, Nebr., the Roy Roskins, Tom Roskins and Martin Roskins families of Everly, Mr. and Mrs. George Roskins of Spencer, Miss Hilda Roskins of Everly, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Rouwenhorst and daughters of Everly, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Redeker of Sioux Center, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Duven and family of Cherokee, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Duven of Ashton.

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A similar obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, July 8, 1938.

It adds the comment that he was a remarkable salesman, and that: In the passing of “Jim” Duven the county loses a progressive, straight-forward business man who had a host of friends all over the county and, in fact, this section of the state who regret his untimely passing. Several of the out of town attendees that the above obit says were from Edgerton, the Alton Democrat obit says were from Greenleafton, Minn., and the surname given as Roskins above, the Democrat gives as Raskins.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate adds his parents, Henrey [Henry] Duvan and Josephine Holdinga, both born in the Netherlands; resident of Orange City for 15 years; died at 12:20 p.m. June 30, 1938; cause abdominal internal hemorrhage and carcinoma supra-renal capsule; contributory cause metastasis to colon, pancreas, igunum[?], duration 6 months and previous; a colostomy was performed on April 28, 1938.

His FindaGrave.com page gives his full name as James Samuel Duven; parents Henry Duven (1844-1910) and Josephine Holdinga Duven (1852-1925); 8 siblings and half-siblings listed; spouse Wilhelmina Apenhorst Duven (1886-1953, married 1906); four children listed: Stanley Chester Duven (1909-1962), Esther Geraldine Duven Aalberts (1913-1998), Howard James Duven (1915-2011), and Leona Jean Duven Grooters (1927-1986).

The Wisconsin Births and Christenings Index on Ancestry.com gives his mother’s surname as Hollinga. The 1925 Iowa state census gives it as Holdinga.

The Minnesota Marriages Index shows James S. Duven and Minnie Apenhorst marrying at Preston, Fillmore County, on 30 September 1908.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives his occupation as “automobiles & tractors,” employer Boland & Duven, Orange City; physical description: medium height and build, grey eyes, light brown hair.