CAPT. J. J. VAN HOUTEN
Captain J. J. Van Houten, who commanded company I, of the Twenty-third Iowa regiment of Infantry, died in Atlantic, during the latter part of October, 1884. The Telegraph spoke of him thus: "Captain J. J. Van Houten died at the store of J. C. Yelzer, in Atlantic, last night, between 11 and 12 o'clock. He had been in the employ of Mr. Yetzer for several years and boarded at his house and slept at the store. He had been unwell for several days and last evening was found in the yard back of the store by Charles Chapman, lying down and unable to get up. Mr. Chapman summoned help and carried him into the store. Dr. Reber was immediately summoned and attended him, but he was past medical help and he gradually grew weaker, suffering greatly until death relieved him of all pain. Mr. Van Houten came to Lewis in January, 1861, and has lived in this county ever since. He was a printer by trade, and set the first type ever printed from in this county. He learned his trade in Des Moines, and was foreman of the Cass County Gazette, published at Lewis, from the time it was established in January, 1861, until August 1, 1862, when he enlisted in company I, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and was made orderly sergeant. He served three years in defense of his country, and that he was a brave and faithful soldier all his comrades will testify. He was promoted and when mustered out August 16, 1865, was captain of the company. During the many years he had been in the employ of J. C. Yetzer here a friendship had grown up between the two men which rivaled that existing between Damon and Pythias. Van was well known to the citizens of this county, and no man had more friends. He had long been a member of the order of Odd Fellows and also of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the members of those orders as well as the printers of this city will escort the remains to the train this evening. The funeral will occur at Des Moines to-morrow at 2 o'clock, and his ashes will be laid to rest beside those of his parents. Of the family there are now living, one brother and seven sisters, all of whom reside in Des Moines, except two sisters, who live in Florida."
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 495.
