Blom, Peter C., 1875-1939

BLOM, WALLENBURG, WAAGMEESTER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/15/2021 at 20:05:05

From the Alton Democrat, September 29, 1939:

Steward County Home Called By Death Saturday

County officers were pallbearers at the funeral of the late Peter Blom, steward of the county home, which was held Tuesday afternoon at the First Reformed church, following services at the county home, with the Rev. Colenbrander conducting the funeral services.

Mr. Blom, who had made a fine record in operating the county home, died Saturday evening following a very serious intestinal operation performed Friday. He had been ailing for several months but was around as usual less than a week before his death and his passing came as a great shock to the community and friends throughout the county. He was steward during the past 4½ years.

Born in the Netherlands on October 17, 1875, he came to this country with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Blom, at the age of 9 years. He was the youngest of 11 children and was the only survivor of the family, all of whom are now deceased.

He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wallenburg on March 26, 1914, who, with their one daughter, Hilda Elizabeth, survives him. The Alton Democrat joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved widow and daughter. Interment was made at the Orange City cemetery.

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From the Sioux County Capital, September 28, 1939:

OBITUARIES – PETER BLOM

Peter Cornelius Blom, 63, died in a local hospital Saturday evening, Sept. 23, following an operation and blood transfusion. He had been ill for some time and last week had returned from Rochester, Minn., where doctors told him he would need an operation soon.

Surviving him are his widow and one daughter, Hilda Elizabeth of Hawarden. Funeral services were held Tuesday at the home and in the First Reformed church with Rev. Mr. H. Colenbrander officiating.

Mr. Blom was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Blom and he was born at Callandsoog, The Netherlands. He came to this country when he was 9 years [old]. On March 26, 1914 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wallenburg. Mr. Blom was by trade a painter and paper hanger, but for the last few years he and his wife were steward and matron of the Sioux County Home.

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RESEARCH NOTES

(Note that his cemetery headstone gives his birth year as 1876, but all other sources give it as 1875.)

His death certificate adds his mother’s name, Effie Waagenmeester; 5 years spent as steward at the County Home; died at 11:00 p.m. September 23, 1939; causes, secondary haemorrhage post operation, carcinoma cecum; an operation had been performed: “resection of ileum & caecum & ascending colon.”

His FindaGrave.com page has him as Peter Cornelius Blom, born 17 Oct 1876 in Callantsoog, Schagen Municipality, Noord-Holland, Netherlands; buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Orange City. Parents John Blom (1824-1906) and Aafje Waagmeester Blom (1835-1920). Two siblings listed: Hillegonda Katharina Blom Hoogschagen (1863-1906) and Kathrina Blom Verdoorn (1867-1936). Wife Elizabeth Wallenburg Blom (1884-1973, married 1914). Daughter Hilda Blom Vander Lugt (1915-1985). There is a photo of his headstone (Peter C., 1876-1939)

The 1900 U.S. Census for Orange City shows Peter Blom, age 24, born Oct 1875, single, a section hand, with his parents, Jan Bloom (76), a landlord, and Aaffie Blom (63), mother of 11 children, 3 living. All immigrated from the Netherlands in 1885, and Peter and Jan are naturalized.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1913/1914 has groom Peter Cornelius Blom, age 37, resident of Orange City, a painter, born in Kalenzor[?], Noord Holland, Netherlands, parents Jan Blom and Aaltje Waagmeester; bride Ellise[?] Beth Wallenburg, age 29, resident of Orange City, born in Bennekom, Gelderland, Netherlands, parents Evert Wallenburg and Elizabeth De Graaf; married in Orange City March 26, 1914.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) shows him as Peter Cornelius Blom, age 42, born October 17, 1875, a citizen by father’s naturalization, resident of Orange City, a painter and paper hanger, nearest relative Bessie Blom; tall, medium build, blue eyes, dark hair.