Kooiman, Jacob (Jake), 1857-1907

KOOIMAN, LANGEBERG, LANGENBERG, NIEUWENHOF, VERSTEEG

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Alton Democrat, May 4, 1907: Hospers News:

Word has reached here that Jake Kooiman who lived between here and Alton nine or ten years ago died at Leota MN Saturday and was buried Tuesday. He lived where John Bloemendaal Jr. now lives. He has relatives in Orange City.

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From the Edgerton (Minn.) Enterprise, May 2, 1907:

JACOB KOOIMAN DEAD
Died at His Home in Leota, Saturday

Last Saturday Leota and surrounding country were cast into gloom when the announcement of Jacob Kooiman’s death was spread. For some time it was known that it was only a matter of a few days before the end would come, but the relatives and hosts of friends hoped against hope that he might survive, and although his death was expected it nevertheless was a shock to the community.

A few weeks ago one of his limbs became useless and although everything that medical skill could do was done it did not relieve the suffering and it was decided as a last resource to amputate the leg, which operation was performed last Friday by Dr. DeBoer, assisted by Dr. Moe of Heron Lake. In his weakened condition Mr. Kooiman was unable to withstand the reactory effects of the operation and death came to relieve his suffering Saturday evening.

The deceased was an exemplary citizen, beloved and respected by all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his death a wife and six children, four boys and two girls, the eldest twenty-one years and the youngest three years of age. He would have been 50 years of age on the 10th of this month.

The remains were interred in the Leota cemetery, Monday, from the Holland church, Rev. Eulheker, of Leota, and Rev. Byleveld of Edgerton, conducting the services. Hundreds of friends were in attendance to pay their last sad respects to a beloved and respected citizen.

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Minnesota Death Record Card 1907-54-284 has Jacob Kooiman, 49-11-17 [no explanation of this number], a farmer, born in the Netherlands. Underneath his name are his parents [not identified as such]: Gerrett J. Kooiman, Netherlands, and Willamstje Langeberg, Netherlands; followed by Meacham Bros., U [Undertakers?]; Herman DeBoer, M.D., Edgerton; and Henry Hofkamp, T. C., Leota. Died 1907 April 27, Leota Township, Nobles County, “Heart exhaustion with a probable acute endocarditis, Fatty heart – Inflluenza.” No reference to the amputation.

His FindaGrave.com page has Jacob Kooiman, born 10 May 1857; died 27 April 1907; buried in Leota Cemetery; wife Hilligonda Nieuwenhof VerSteeg (1868-1924); one child listed: Peter Jacob Kooiman (1894-1952). There is a photo of his headstone. (Hilligonda’s page shows her second husband to have been Jacob VerSteeg.)

The 1880 U.S. census for Holland Township, Sioux County, Iowa shows Jacob Kooiman (23), living with parents Garrett (55) and Willemtje (58) and sister Willemtje (18), all born in Holland. Garrett is a farmer and Jacob is assisting on the farm.

The 1900 census for Leota Township, Nobles County, Minnesota shows the Kooiman family as Jacob (43), born May 1857 in Holland, immigrated in 1865, naturalized, an implement dealer; wife Hellen A. (32), born Feb. 1868 in Illinois of Dutch parents; and sons Garrett (13), Jacob (8), Peter (5), and Herman (2), all born in Iowa.

The 1905 Minnesota state census for 1905 shows the Kooiman family living in Leota, where they had been residents for 6 years: Jacob (47), Hellagonda (age illegible); sons Garret (17), Jacob (13), Peter (age illegible), and Herman (8), all born in Iowa; daughters Hellagonda (5) and Elizabeth (9/12), both born in Minnesota.

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found from various sources that he was the son of Gerrit Kooiman and Willemtje Langenberg, born 9 May 1957 in Andijk NH Netherlands.)