Buma, Adam, 1882-1938

BUMA, VANDERMEER, POST

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

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 21, 1938:

Former Resident Killed in Automobile Accident in California

Fred Buma received a message the fore part of this week advising him of the death of his brother, Adam Buma, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident. Mr. Buma lived in this vicinity for a number of years before going to California to make his home.

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From De Volksvriend, November 3, 1938: (Translation)

PASSED AWAY – BUMA

In the morning of 17 October, 1938 we were plunged into deep mourning when our husband and father, Adam Buma, died in an automobile accident at the age of 56 years, 8 months and 12 days. Although we are deeply saddened, we need not grieve as those without hope, since as his life was in Christ, so his dying is gain. We tender our heartfelt thanks to friends and neighbors for their assistance in our painful loss.
Mrs. Adam Buma
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Bylsma
Mr. and Mrs. John Veenstra
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Westra
Walter, Alice, Clarence, Susiana
7 grandchildren
His mother Mrs. H. Buma
3 brothers and 3 sisters
Bellflower, Calif.

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RESEARCH NOTES

From the Los Angeles Daily News, 18 October 1938:
ADAM BUMA, 55, of 1146 Marquardt street, Norwalk, was killed at Carmelita and 14th streets in Artesia. [The occupants of the other car were critically injured. No obituary was readily located.]

The California death index has Adam Buma, age 56, died 17 Oct 1938 in Los Angeles.

His FindaGrave.com page gives his birth date as 5 Feb 1882; death date 17 Oct 1938; buried in Artesia Cemetery, Cerritos, Los Angeles County; wife Jennie Post Buma (1889-1972). Two children listed: Tracy Buma (1922-1930) and Susianna Buma Smith (1927-2020). An added note (unascribed) says he died from fractured ribs, basal skull fracture, and ruptured lungs. There is a photo of the joint headstone of Adam and Jennie.

WieWasWie.nl has a birth index entry for Adam Buma, parents Hylke Buma and Akke van der Meer, born 5 Feb 1882 in Leeuwarden, Friesland.

The 1905 Iowa state census index on Ancestry.com shows Adam Buma, age 22, born in Holland, living in Hull, Sioux County, with several other Bumas. He was not readily located in the 1910 U.S. census.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1909-1910 has groom Adam Buma, age 27, resident of Rock Valley, a farmer, born in Malsum, Netherlands, parents Hielbe[?] Buma and Akke v. d. Meer; bride Jennie Post, age 20, resident of Rock Valley, born in Orange City, parents Watze Post and Eike [or Eske?] Kooymans; married in Rock Valley January 6, 1910.

The Minnesota Alien Registration form (Feb. 26, 1918) for Adam Buma, age 36, shows him and his family – wife Jennie, children Agnes, Ada, Helen, and Walter – living in Hancock, Stevens County, Minnesota; he is a farmer; lived in Hancock four years. He owes allegiance to Holland; arrived in the U.S. June 1, 1903, at the Port of New York; has not registered for the draft; has not applied for citizenship. He owns or has interest in the NE ¼ of Section 7, Township 121N, Range 41W; equity of $8000; acquired it in August 1912. Also owns $25 in stock in the North Western Cattle Co. He owns 9 horses worth $900; cattle worth $800; farm machinery worth $400. He sold cattle in South St. Paul [stockyards] for $500; H[ogs?] in South St. Paul for $421; and grain to W. L. Johnson for $330.

His World War I draft registration form (Sept. 1918, issued at Orange City, Iowa) has Adam Buma, age 36, resident of Rock Valley, born 5 Feb 1882 in Holland, a farmer, wife Jenny Buma, medium height, blue eyes, brown hair.

In the 1920 census he and family are farming in Lyon Township, Lyon County, Iowa: Adam, age 37, immigrated 1904, an alien; wife Jennie (30), born in Iowa; daughters Agnes (8) and Ada (6), born in Iowa; daughter Helen (5) and son Walter (2-4/12), born in Minnesota.

In the 1925 Iowa state census the family is living in Richland Township, Lyon County: A. Buma (43), wife Jennie (35), children Agnes (13), Ida (11), Helen (10), Walter (7), Alsie (4), Tracy (2), and [illegible] daughter (1). His parents are given as H. Buma and Agnes WenderMaer[?].

The 1930 U.S. census shows the family as dairy farmers in Artesia, Norwalk Township, Los Angeles County, California: Adam (49, immigrated 1903, still an alien), Jennie (32 [should be 42]), Agnes (19), Ada (18), Helen (15), Walter (12), Alice (9), Tracy (8). Clara (5), and Susian (3).

Although Adam apparently never applied for U.S. citizenship, his wife Jennie, who under the Expatriation Act of 1907 had lost her citizenship when she married him, did fill out a naturalization petition under the “Cable Act” of Sept. 22, 1922, which repealed the Expatriation Act. The petition, dated 2 August 1938, gives her name as Richtze Buma, alternate name Jennie; she signs it as Richtze. Address 1146 Marquardt St., Norwalk, Calif.; born in Orange City, Iowa Sept. 5, 1890; race Dutch; husband Adam Buma; married Jan. 26, 1910 in Rock Valley; Adam was born Feb. 5, 1882 in Wolsum, Holland and entered the United States at New Jersey on June 2, 1903. She resides with him and their seven children: Agnes (born 3/21/11), Ada (4/22/13), and Susanna (3/21/27), all born in Rock Valley, Iowa; Helen (10/15/14) and Walter (8/26/17), both born in Hancock, Minn.; Alice (8/31/20) and Clara (7/22/24), both born in Inwood, Iowa.