Tragedy on Newkirk Farm Ends
Useful Life of Peter De Graaf
Sunday evening Peter De Graaf, prominent farmer of Newkirk, went to his barn and fired a shot which resulted in his instantaneous death. He was 56 years of age. The tragedy came as a great shock to family, friends and the whole community, since Mr. De Graaf's life had been an exemplary one of service to others and forgetfulness of self. He was an elder in the Newkirk church, president of the school board, director of the Hospers Farmers Elevator, township trustee.
Peter De Graaf was born in the Newkirk vicinity, his parents having been pioneer settlers, and had lived in that community all his life. In 1905 he was married to Bertha Vander Berg and the couple started farming near Newkirk. Mr. De Graaf was successful above the average in his farm and business affairs and was a man of unquestioned integrity.
He is survived by his widow and seven children: Mrs. Virgil Smith (Jennie) of Boyden, Mrs. Carl W. Oelrich (Katherine) of Boyden, Frank, Andrew, Marlys and Mildred the twin daughters, and Gerald, all at home; by one grandchild; two sisters and two brothers: Dick De Graaf of Alton, Mrs. Gt. Vander Wilt, Mrs. Wiebe Vander Schaaf, both of Orange City and Andrew De Graaf, Alton. One sister, Mrs. Albert Klein of Hospers preceded him in death some years ago.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Newkirk church in charge of Rev. Roetman. Among the relatives present from out of the county were Mrs. John Verhoef of Forest City; Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Miederma, Mariou, N. D.; Mr. and Mrs. John De Graaf, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew De Graaf, Lake Park, and others. Former neighbors who came to show their sympathy were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Van Rooyen of Sioux City.
-Obituary from The Alton Democrat
(11/23/1934)
Useful Life of Peter De Graaf
Sunday evening Peter De Graaf, prominent farmer of Newkirk, went to his barn and fired a shot which resulted in his instantaneous death. He was 56 years of age. The tragedy came as a great shock to family, friends and the whole community, since Mr. De Graaf's life had been an exemplary one of service to others and forgetfulness of self. He was an elder in the Newkirk church, president of the school board, director of the Hospers Farmers Elevator, township trustee.
Peter De Graaf was born in the Newkirk vicinity, his parents having been pioneer settlers, and had lived in that community all his life. In 1905 he was married to Bertha Vander Berg and the couple started farming near Newkirk. Mr. De Graaf was successful above the average in his farm and business affairs and was a man of unquestioned integrity.
He is survived by his widow and seven children: Mrs. Virgil Smith (Jennie) of Boyden, Mrs. Carl W. Oelrich (Katherine) of Boyden, Frank, Andrew, Marlys and Mildred the twin daughters, and Gerald, all at home; by one grandchild; two sisters and two brothers: Dick De Graaf of Alton, Mrs. Gt. Vander Wilt, Mrs. Wiebe Vander Schaaf, both of Orange City and Andrew De Graaf, Alton. One sister, Mrs. Albert Klein of Hospers preceded him in death some years ago.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Newkirk church in charge of Rev. Roetman. Among the relatives present from out of the county were Mrs. John Verhoef of Forest City; Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Miederma, Mariou, N. D.; Mr. and Mrs. John De Graaf, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew De Graaf, Lake Park, and others. Former neighbors who came to show their sympathy were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Van Rooyen of Sioux City.
-Obituary from The Alton Democrat
(11/23/1934)
Tragedy on Newkirk Farm Ends
Useful Life of Peter De Graaf
Sunday evening Peter De Graaf, prominent farmer of Newkirk, went to his barn and fired a shot which resulted in his instantaneous death. He was 56 years of age. The tragedy came as a great shock to family, friends and the whole community, since Mr. De Graaf's life had been an exemplary one of service to others and forgetfulness of self. He was an elder in the Newkirk church, president of the school board, director of the Hospers Farmers Elevator, township trustee.
Peter De Graaf was born in the Newkirk vicinity, his parents having been pioneer settlers, and had lived in that community all his life. In 1905 he was married to Bertha Vander Berg and the couple started farming near Newkirk. Mr. De Graaf was successful above the average in his farm and business affairs and was a man of unquestioned integrity.
He is survived by his widow and seven children: Mrs. Virgil Smith (Jennie) of Boyden, Mrs. Carl W. Oelrich (Katherine) of Boyden, Frank, Andrew, Marlys and Mildred the twin daughters, and Gerald, all at home; by one grandchild; two sisters and two brothers: Dick De Graaf of Alton, Mrs. Gt. Vander Wilt, Mrs. Wiebe Vander Schaaf, both of Orange City and Andrew De Graaf, Alton. One sister, Mrs. Albert Klein of Hospers preceded him in death some years ago.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Newkirk church in charge of Rev. Roetman. Among the relatives present from out of the county were Mrs. John Verhoef of Forest City; Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Miederma, Mariou, N. D.; Mr. and Mrs. John De Graaf, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew De Graaf, Lake Park, and others. Former neighbors who came to show their sympathy were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Van Rooyen of Sioux City.
-Obituary from The Alton Democrat
(11/23/1934)
Useful Life of Peter De Graaf
Sunday evening Peter De Graaf, prominent farmer of Newkirk, went to his barn and fired a shot which resulted in his instantaneous death. He was 56 years of age. The tragedy came as a great shock to family, friends and the whole community, since Mr. De Graaf's life had been an exemplary one of service to others and forgetfulness of self. He was an elder in the Newkirk church, president of the school board, director of the Hospers Farmers Elevator, township trustee.
Peter De Graaf was born in the Newkirk vicinity, his parents having been pioneer settlers, and had lived in that community all his life. In 1905 he was married to Bertha Vander Berg and the couple started farming near Newkirk. Mr. De Graaf was successful above the average in his farm and business affairs and was a man of unquestioned integrity.
He is survived by his widow and seven children: Mrs. Virgil Smith (Jennie) of Boyden, Mrs. Carl W. Oelrich (Katherine) of Boyden, Frank, Andrew, Marlys and Mildred the twin daughters, and Gerald, all at home; by one grandchild; two sisters and two brothers: Dick De Graaf of Alton, Mrs. Gt. Vander Wilt, Mrs. Wiebe Vander Schaaf, both of Orange City and Andrew De Graaf, Alton. One sister, Mrs. Albert Klein of Hospers preceded him in death some years ago.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Newkirk church in charge of Rev. Roetman. Among the relatives present from out of the county were Mrs. John Verhoef of Forest City; Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Miederma, Mariou, N. D.; Mr. and Mrs. John De Graaf, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew De Graaf, Lake Park, and others. Former neighbors who came to show their sympathy were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Van Rooyen of Sioux City.
-Obituary from The Alton Democrat
(11/23/1934)
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