VanLaar, Grada (Mrs. F. J.) 1838-1923

VANLAAR, SLOTBOOM, TENBRINK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2022 at 07:56:57

From the Alton Democrat, April 7, 1923:

SUDDEN TAKING OF A PIONEER
Mrs. F. J. Van Laar Came to Alton 47 Years Ago—Funeral Mon.

After an illness of only a week, friends were shocked last Friday to learn of the sudden death of Mrs. F. J. Van Laar, a resident of Alton since 1876, one of the earliest settlers still living here.

The funeral was held at 1:30 o’clock Monday from the Gerrit Van Laar home where Rev. Geo. Bray of the Presbyterian church spoke a few words. Services at the Reformed church were held at 2 o’clock, Rev. Ter Louw of Newkirk and Rev. Bray conducting them. A funeral march was played on the organ by Miss Grace Aalders. The large church was filled with a host of friends of the deceased pioneer and there was a profusion of beautiful flowers.

Deceased was born in the Netherlands Feb. 11, 1847 [submitter’s note: probably not, since she married F. J. in 1865 at the age of 28], coming with her husband to America in 1873, locating in Chicago. The family moved to Alton in 1876 where the children grew up and where Mrs. Van Laar spent the rest of her lifetime. Her husband Fred Van Laar preceded her in death by eight years. Surviving are five sons, Gerrit and Fred of Alton, Henry of Detroit, Mich., Will of Glen’s Ferry, Idaho and John of Crocker, Iowa. All of the boys were able to get here for the funeral except Will. Mrs. John Van Laar, who expected to come, was prevented by illness.

Mrs. Van Laar was a faithful and devoted member of the Dutch Ref. church, a loving wife and mother who reared a fine family of boys, all of whom are god-fearing and prosperous citizens. A host of friends sympathize with them in their hour of sadness.

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RESEARCH NOTES

She does not appear in the Sioux County Cemetery Index.

Her FindaGrave.com page has Grada Meggelina Slotboon Van Laar, born Feb 1838 in Gelderland, Netherlands; died 30 March 1923 in Alton, Iowa; buried in Nassau Township Cemetery, Alton. Spouse, Fredrik Jan Van Laar (1834-1914). Children: William Van Laar (1860-1941), John Van Laar (1862-1926), Henry Van Laar (1866-1944), Gerrit Van Laar (1869-1952), Bernardus Van Laar (1878-1882), Frederick Jan Van Laar (1881-1955), Verendina Van Laar (1884-1885).

WieWasWie.nl has a marriage index record for groom Fredrik Jan van Laar, age 31, a laborer, parents Willem van Laar and Hendrika Dikkers; bride Grada Meggelina Slotboom, age 28, parents Gerrit Jan Slotboom and Berendjen ten Brink; married 1 Nov 1865 in Zutphen, Gelderland. Frederik Jan is the widower of Helena Zomerhuis.

The 1900 U.S. census for Alton, Iowa has Fred J. Van Laar, age 66, married 34 years, born in Holland, immigrated 1872, naturalized, a shoemaker; wife Grace M., age 62 (born Feb. 1838) in Holland, immigrated 1872; son Fred J., age 19, born in Iowa, a carpenter.