Hospers, Isaac H., 1878-1965

HOSPERS, HUIZENGA, OVERKAMP

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/9/2022 at 21:59:20

From the Sioux County Capital, February 25, 1965:

Services Held for Isaac H. Hospers

Isaac H. Hospers, 87, died Friday, February 19, at the home of his daughter in Rockford, Ill. He was born January 20, 1878, in Orange City, Iowa, the son of Henry and Hendrina Overkamp Hospers. He is survived by a son, Roger, Iowa City, Iowa, and his daughter, Muriel; two grandsons, Brent and Garth Hospers, Iowa City, and a sister, Hendrina Hospers, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He graduated from the Northwestern Classical Academy of Orange City, attended Hope College, Holland, Mich., and graduated from Grinnell College in January 1900. He took graduate work at the University of Iowa and the University of Chicago. He was a teacher of Latin, English, French and German in Tecumseh, Nebr.; Parker and Watertown, S.D.; the Academy at Orange City and was Supt. of schools in Scranton, Iowa, before purchasing the Orange City Herald in 1911. Later he was editor and publisher of newspapers in Hubbard, Armstrong, Kellogg, Kiron, Olin, Lawler and Wesley, Iowa. He retired in 1945 and moved to Iowa City, Iowa. He has lived with his daughter in Rockford, Ill., since 1947. He was a member of the American Reformed Church of Orange City.

Memorial services were held in Iowa City Monday with the Rev. Roelof Duiker of Eddyville, Iowa, officiating.

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The same obituary was published in the Pella Chronicle, March 2, 1965, adding that Mr. Hospers was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude Huizenga in 1940.

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From the Iowa City Press-Citizen, February 19, 1965:

I. H. Hospers Dies; Rites Set

I. H. Hospers, 89, father of Roger H. Hospers of 1123 East Washington street, died this morning at Rockford, Ill. He had been in failing health for some time. Private funeral services will be Monday afternoon at Beckman’s. Cremation is planned.

Mr. Hospers published newspapers in several Iowa communities, including Kellogg, Olin, Pella and Kiron. He also had been a school teacher. Survivors include the son, a daughter and two grandsons. His wife died several years ago.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His FindaGrave.com page has Isaac Hospers, born 20 Jan 1878 in Sioux County, Iowa, died 19 Feb 1965 in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, burial details unknown. Parents Henry Hospers (1830-1901) and Hendrina Overkamp Hospers (1837-1907). Long list of siblings and half-siblings.

The Ottawa County, Michigan marriage register for 1911 has groom Isaac Hospers, age 33, residence Orange City, Ill., born in Illinois, occupation newspaperman, parents Henry Hospers and Hendrina Overkamp; bride Anna Gertrude Huizenga, age 32, resident of Rock Valley, Sioux County, born in Nebraska, parents Rev. J. F. Huizenga and Anna Boonstra; married August 8, 1911 in Holland, Mich., by H. Hospers, clergyman.

In the 1900 U.S. census (age 22) he is living in Orange City, Sioux County, with his parents and sister Effie, and attending school. In 1910 (age 32) he is living in Orange City with his sister Eva Schultz, her husband William W., and their children, working as an academy instructor. In 1920 He (as I. H.), wife Anna, and their children Roger H. (6) and Eve M. (4) are living in Armstrong, Emmet County, Iowa, where he is a newspaper editor. In the 1925 Iowa state census he (as Isaac H.), wife Gertrude A., and children Roger H. and Muriel E. are living in Kellogg, Jasper County. In 1930 (as Isaac), he, wife Gertrude, and children Roger (16) and Muriel (14) are living in Kiron, Crawford County, Iowa, where he is a newspaper publisher. In 1940 Isaac H., Gertrude H. and Muriel E. Hospers are living in Olin, Jones County, Iowa, where they had also lived in 1935; Isaac is a newspaper printer. The Rockford, Ill. City directories for 1948 and 1951 shows him living there with his daughter Eva M. Hospers, who is a linotype operator for Rfd Consol Newspapers.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) has him as Isaac Henry Hospers, age 40, resident of Armstrong, Emmet County, Iowa; occupation publisher, in business for self; nearest relative Mrs. Gertrude Hospers; medium height, slender build, eyes light blue, hair dark brown, slightly bald. He also, at age 64, registered for the World War II “old man’s draft,” living in Wesley, Iowa, self-employed, height 5'10", weight 191, blue eyes, hair light brown, light complexion, injured middle finger on left hand and index finger on right hand, mold[mole?] on left shoulder.