VERMEER, GERRIT AND PETERJE (VERMEER)
Gerrit Vermeerwas born December 10,1859 in Harderwijk, Netherlands to Evert Vermeer and Maria (Vanden Berg) Vermeer. Gerrit Vermeer came to America at the age of eight years with his parents and sisters, Edie (Mrs. William Gerrits) and Anna (Mrs. John Jansen). They settled in Alto, WI and after fourteen years there, Gerrit started on foot and arrived in Sioux Center with only one quarter left in his pocket. He worked in the area until his marriage on December 22, 1886 to Peterje Vermeer. Peterje Vermeer was born on March 13, 1867 in Harderwijk Netherlands to Jacob Vermeer and Jannetje (Luchtenberg) Vermeer. Gerrit and Peterje farmed southeast of Sioux Center, where their eight children were born. The eight children of Gerrit and Peterje Vermeer are as follows.
Gerrit Vermeer Family about 1907. Rear L-R: Evert Vermeer,
Jacob Vermeer, Gerrit Vermeer,
Marie (Mrs. John H. Den Herder) and
Jennie (Mrs. Gerrit L. Vande Berg). Parents: Gerrit and
Peterje
Vermeer, child in center, Elizabeth (Mrs. Herman Van Eldik), child on lap,
Priscilla
(Mrs. James Hollander). Pictured separately is eighth child
Benjamin Vermeer.
Evert G. Vermeer was born October 3,1887 and married Hermina Hoksbergen in 1912. They raised six children who were: Priscilla, Alice, Gerrit, Esther, Margaret and Verlyn. Evert and Hermina Vermeer farmed on his parents farm, after which they retired in Sioux Center.
Jake G. Vermeer was born June 25, 1890 and married Wilhelmina Rozeboom in 1914. Their child was Priscilla Vermeer. Jake and Wilhelmina Vermeer farmed southeast of Sioux Center and they retired in Sioux Center.
Jannetje "Jennie" Vermeer was born August 29, 1892 and married Gerrit L. Vande Berg. They were from Sioux Center and the parents of six children. Their story is given separately.
Maria Vermeer was born February 11,1895 and married John G. Den Herder. Gerald Den Herder is their son. John and Maria Den Herder farmed northeast of Sioux Center and later retired in Sioux Center.
Gerrit G. Vermeer, known as "Speed," was born December 12, 1897 and married Cora Van Beek in 1929. Darlene is their daughter. "Speed" worked at the Farmers and Merchants Bank, which in 1918 became the Sioux Center State Bank. After serving in World War I, he again took up employment with this bank and even experienced a bank robbery! In 1934 the Sioux Center State Bank had its charter moved to Rock Valley, IA. "Speed" Vermeer moved with it, and later years retired there.
Elizabeth Vermeer was born May 3, 1902 and married Herman Van Eldik in 1937. She taught in the country schools in West Branch and Welcome townships. Herman Van Eldik, better known as "Cope" was an auctioneer. They lived and retired in Rock Valley, IA.
Priscilla Vermeer was born August 11, 1905 and married James Hollander in 1932. They raised three daughters: Ruth, Lois, and Martha. After Priscilla graduated from the Sioux Center High School, she taught country school in Welcome township one year. She then attended Hope College in Holland, MI. After graduating she again taught country school in Welcome township. Jim Hollander operated a Skelly gas station on Highway 75 that was located across from the Central Park in Sioux Center. He then sold the gas station to serve in the navy in World War II. After he returned in the late 1940's, he went into partnership with Herb De Jong's Hatchery business. He later was in the realty business, semi-retiring in Sioux Center.
Benjamin "Ben" Vermeer about 1910.
Benjamin Vermeer was born August 3, 1909 and married Christine Van Roekel in 1935. Their son was Carl Vermeer. After graduation from high School Ben Vermeer received his B.A. degree trom Hope College in Holland, MI. He then was employed as bookkeeper for Kooiman's Grocery, and later for Mouw Motor Company, both in Sioux Center. In 1944 he served in the Army during World War II, in Texas after serving less than three weeks, he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was buried in Memory Gardens in Sioux Center.
Gerrit Vermeer died October 20,1923, leaving his wife Peterje a widow with four children yet at home. Peterje enjoyed raising canaries, and in her later years became well known for her "wool-working". She started with freshly sheared wool, which she purchased by the bag full, directly trom the farmer. She would wash, dry, and then spin the wool into yam. She then dyed the hanks of yam, then knit articles, including scarves and mittens.
Peterje died March 14,1952 and she and her husband Gerrit are buried in Memory Gardens in Sioux Center. The spelling of Peterje is recorded several different ways. Her own handwriting shows Pitje, Petje, and Pietje. Her tombstone records Peterje. Her American name in later years was "Priscilla".
by Gertrude J. Jansen
Last week Saturday morning another Sioux Center pioneer passed on to his eternal reward. Mr. Gerrit Vermeer Sr. succumbed to a long painful sickness. Last April he went to Rochester for medical examination and the doctors told him he had a cancer and they could do nothing for him, and this disease was the cause of his death.
He was born at Harderwyk, Netherlands, on December 10th, 1859. He came to this country as a lad when 8 years old and spent some 14 years at Waupun, Wisconsin. From Wisconsin he came to Sioux County in the year of 1881 and has been here ever since. In the year of 1888 he married her who is now his widow. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vermeer, all whom are still living. They are Ed Vermeer, Jacob Vermeer, Mrs. G. L. Van der Berg, Mrs. Den Herder, Gerrit Vermeer, Jr., Elizabeth Vermeer, Priscilla Vermeer and Benjamin Vermeer.
The funeral services were held on Wednesday at the First Reformed church and were conducted by the Revs. Lubbers and De Pree. Mrs. Wm. Gerrits and son Wm. and Mr. Gerrit Groeneveld were relatives who came from Waupun to attend the funeral.
Mr. Vermeer was an earnest Christian and an active member of the First Reformed church for the past 35 years. His wife and children who will sadly miss him, have the sympathy of their many friends.
-Obituary from The Alton Democrat
(10/27/1923)
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, March 18, for Mrs. Gerrit Vermeer, Sr., who passed away at her home on Friday evening following a heart attack. She had reached the age of 85 years and one day.
Mrs. Vermeer, nee Peterje Vermeer, was born in the Netherlands on March 13, 1867 and came to America early in life. On Dec. 22, 1886 she was united in marriage to Gerrit Vermeer who preceded her in death on October 20, 1923. To this union eight children were born, and the following now survive: Edward Vermeer; Jake Vermeer; Jennie, (Mrs. Gerrit L. Vander Berg); Marie (Mrs. John G. Den Herder); all of Sioux Center; Gerrit Vermeer and Elizabeth (Mrs. Herman Van Eldik) of Rock Valley, and Priscilla (Mrs. James Hollander) also of Sioux Center. She is further survived by 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by a son, Benjamin, who passed away on April 13, 1944, as also three brothers, Everett Vermeer, Henry Vermeer, and Peter Vermeer. Services were held at the home and at the First Reformed church with Rev. P.A. DeJong officiating. Burial took place at the local cemetery with the following grandsons as pall bearers Gerrit E. Vermeer, Gerald Den Herder, Henry Kosters, Edward Jansen, Edward J. Sneller and Lowell Vande Berg.
-Obituary from The Sioux Center News
(3/20/1952)