Brink, William G., 1881-1937

BRINK, DEVRIES, PIETENS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has an entry for Brink, Wm. G., born 25 Sep 1881, died 15 Apr 1937, buried Valley View Cemetery, Rock Valley IA. No obit was found in Sioux County newspapers; the Rock Valley Bee is missing for this time period.

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found family history data on Ancestry.com (compiled by others): He died at Sanborn, Iowa. Parents Gradus Brink (1845-1919) and Grietjen De Vries (1857-1901). Wife Minnie Pietens, born 18 Feb 1885 in Orange City, died 4 Dec 1957 at Santa Paula, Calif. In the 1920 census the family consisted of William Brink (age 38), Minnie Brink (34), children Gradus (16), Alice (13), Gertie (11), Charley (9), Henry (7), Jennie (2), Clara Mae (baby).

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From the Sanborn Pioneer, April 22, 1937:

Wm. Brink Dies Thurs. After Short Illness

William Brink passed away last Thursday, April 15, 1937 at his home here following a week’s illness with pneumonia.

William G. Brink was born Sept. 25, 1881 at Morris, Ia. There he grew to manhood and it was there he brought his bride, the former Miss Minnie Pietens, after their marriage, March 4, 1903, at the home of her parents at Hull, Iowa. They settled on a farm near Morris, later living at Rock Valley, where Mr. Brink operated a blacksmith shop. Seven years ago they came to Sanborn, living the first five years on a farm near here.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brink, who with their mother remain to mourn the loss of a loving and loved father. They are Gradus, of Sanborn; Alice, Mrs. R. A. Torguson, Pomona, Calif.; Gertrude, Mrs. Dick Van Wyhe, of Lester, Is.; Chas., of Compton, Calif.; Henry, Sanborn; Jennie, Pomona, Calif.; Clara, Mrs. Arie Struyk, Sheldon; George and Russell, at home.

He is also survived by two brothers, Henry, of Morris, Ia., Neil, of Tacoma, Wash., and one sister, Mrs. Geo. Pietens of Hancock, Minn. One brother, Albert, passed away at Sibley seven years ago.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the First Reformed church. Rev. J. H. Straks had charge of the services and was assisted by a cousin of the deceased, Rev. John Brink of Boyden. Wm. Faas, Lucy Drest, Gladys Koyper and Peter Bosch accompanied at the piano by Bernice Straks, sang “God Will Take Care of You” and “Will Jesus Find Us Watching.” Pall bearers were Sam Omer, John Nissen, Peter Bosch, Chas. Statema, John Kleinjan and Jake Wolthuizen.

The body was taken for burial to Rock Valley, where a large group of relatives and friends met them at the cemetery and short services were held before committing the remains to the grave.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate gives his birth place as Maurice, Iowa; parents Gradus Brink and Gertie De Vries. both born in Holland; occupation blacksmith and day laborer; died at 6:30 a.m. April 15, 1937; cause, lobar pneumonia, onset 4/7/1937; contributory cause, pleurisy, onset also 4/7/1937.

His FindaGrave.com page repeats birth, death, and spousal information, with a photo of his headstone.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives his residence as Rock Valley and occupation as blacksmith; tall, slender, blue eyes, light hair.

In the 1910 and 1920 censuses he was living in Rock Valley, working as a blacksmith in 1910 and owning his own blacksmith shop in 1920. In 1930 he was living in Sanborn as a laborer in a blacksmith shop.