Meylink, Theodore 1849-1921& Zwaantje Ludens Family

MEYLINK, LUDENS, KAMERMAN, RONDHUIS

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg (email)
Date: 3/21/2024 at 19:44:33

Meylink, Theodore 1849-1921 & Zwaantje Ludens Family

This story was taken from page 435 of the Maurice Centennial Book (1891-1991). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

Theodore Meylink grew up in the northwest part of Sherman Township. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jan Meylink, pioneers, living in the northwest quarter of Sherman Township, coming to this part of the country from Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. Theodore married Zwaantje Ludens, who lived three miles east of the Meylinks on a farm located on the southeast quarter of section 34 in West Branch Township.

In those days there was no prohibition, and thereby hangs a tale concerning the Meylink-Ludens wedding ceremony. The groom’s father was commissioned by the bride’s father to get the whiskey for the event. Mr. Meylink left by horseback the evening before the wedding to get two jugs of whiskey, at Sioux Center. After he made the purchase, he put the whiskey in a sack, tying it in the middle and at the end, so that it could be slung over the neck of the horse with a jug on each side. Then he went to the barber to get his two-month’s growth of beard removed. Since the barber had only a single light, he shaved one side of the face before moving the light so that he could see to shave the other side. When the barber had completed shaving the first side of Meylink’s face, two men came by bobsled to warn them of the approach of the sheriff, causing Mr. Meylink to leave with speed, without the jugs of whiskey. He hurried as fast as his horse could run, arriving home half-shaved. Fearing to go to a barber in Orange City, in his predicament, he found a nearby farmer who at times performed such duties, and had the other half of his face shaved. The next morning he sent his son Hendrik to Sioux Center, to inquire about the whiskey, where it was learned the excitement of the past night was a hoax, and whiskey was still waiting.

The wedding ceremony took place that afternoon at the home of the bride’s parents with Dominie Bolks officiating. The couple were “toasted” with much hilarity, with many memories to enjoy throughout their married life. Through the years they became parents of five children: Jennie, who died as a small girl; Gerdena (Mrs. John Smits); Nellie (Mrs. John Schreur); Jacob (who married Gertrude Schreur); and Mary, (Mrs. Dick Drost).

IN MEMORY OF Theodore and Zwaantje Ludens Meylink by Greta De Jong De Zeeuw

RESEARCH Notes: From a family report on ancestry.com submitted by other than this submitter.
Theodore Teodorus Meylink was born 3 Jul 1849 Hellendoorn, Overijssel Netherlands and died 9 Jul 1921 Sioux Center IA. His parents were Jan Meylink 1817-1895 and Gerdena Kamerman 1813-1887. He married Zwantje Ludens , they were the parents of five children.

Zwantje Ludens was born 7 Oct 1858 Uithuizermeeden, Groningen, Netherlands and died 5 Jun 1924 Sioux City, Iowa. Her birth record in the Netherland lists Zwaantje Ludens born 7 Oct 1858 Uithuizermeeden, Groningen, Netherlands. Here parents were Jakob Pieters Luden 1827 and Pieterke Pieters Rondhuis, she was the mother of five children:

CHILDREN:
1. Jennie Meylink born date ? died as an infant
2. Gerdena Meylink was born 21 Mar 1881 Maurice IA and died 24 Feb 1950 Maurice IA. She married John Smits who preceded her in death March 17, 1949. Nine children were born to them - Jennie, Mrs. Walter Schreur, Theodore, Dick, Susan (Mrs. William Jongbloed), William, Esther, Johanna (Mrs. John Rulsch), Elsie (Mrs. Ivan Medsker) and Marvin. Two stepchildren, Arie and Dora (Mrs. Dick Haarsma), are children of the late John Smits’ first marriage.  See the obit of Gerdena Mrs. John Smits on this web page.
3. Nellie Meylink born 26 Jun 1882 and died 15 Dec 1927 Reading Twp Sioux County IA. She married John Schreur 1871-1943. Ted from Hawarden, Gert (Mrs, Dick De Jong) of Maurice, Suzan (Mrs. Bert Bolluyt) of Hawarden, Agnes (Mrs. Norman Offadahl) from SanDiego, Calif:, and Pvt. Nelson Schreur from Camp Edwards, Mass. See her obit on this web page.
4. Jacob Meylink born 11 Sept 1885 Maurice IA died 12 Feb 1940 buried Maurice cemetery, wife Gertrude Schreur, they had one son Theodore born 1920- 1931. See the obit of Jacob on this web page.
5. Mary Meylink 6 Jan 1890 LeMars Semi Weekly Sentinel of March 10, 1925. Mrs. Dick Drost passes away suddenly last Sunday afternoon of a complication of diseases. Mary Meylink youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Meylink, both deceased was born January 6, 1890, on the Meylink homestead where she lived continuously until her death. Deceased was 35 years, one month and three weeks old at time of death. February 21, 1917 she was united in marriage to Dick Drost 1881-1966 to which union five children were born, two of which preceded her in death. Besides the husband and three small children, Theodore, Arie and Susan, she is survived by two sisters and one brother, Funeral was in the first Reformed church of Maurice and she was born in Sherman township cemetery.

OBITUARY of Theodore Meylink 1849 died 9 Jul 1921
DeVolksvriend of July 14, 1921 In Dutch
Translated:
From there some went from here to Maurice to pay their last respects to the remains of Theodore Meylink, who died at his house at the age of 72 years.

De Volksvriend of Jul 18, 1921 In Dutch
Saturday morning, the 9th of July, has struck us a heavy blow, as it pleased the Lord to take to Himself through the death of our beloved husband and father. Theodore Meylink, at the age of 72 years. After a long suffering, he is at last freed from it, to enter into your eternal rest, as we may believe.
This hope makes the afflicted vain in his last sufferings, and comforts us in our sorrow, since we do not have to suffer like those who have no hope. Names of the family, Mrs. Theodore Meylink – Ludens; John Smits and Dena Meylink; John Schreur and Nellie Meyink, Jake Meylink and Gertie Schreur, Dick Drost and Mary Meylink;

OBITUARY OF ZWAANTJE MEYLINK
Source: Maurice Times (6-12-1924)
Born: 1859
Died: June 5,1924
Mrs. Theodore Meylink, one of the old settlers of this community died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Drost, Thursday, June 5, after an illness of a few weeks.
Mrs. Zwaantje Meylink was born in Holland sixty-five years ago. When quite young, she came to this country and she and Mr. Meylink homesteaded on a farm west of town. They moved later to the farm adjoining Maurice where their son, Jake now lives. When they retired from active farming, Mr. and Mrs. Meylink moved to town where they lived until three years ago when Mr. Meylink passed away on July 9. Since then Mrs. Meylink has made her home principally with her daughter, Mrs. Drost.
There are left to mourn their mother’s departure are three daughters, Mrs. John Smits, Mrs. John Schreur, and Mrs. A. Drost and one son, Jake Meylink, a large number of grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon in the American Reformed Church and were conducted by Reverend R. Duiker and Reverend Herraan Maasen. Burial took place in the Maurice Cemetery.

There is a picture on page 435 of the Maurice book.

Grandpa Theodore Meylink (pic)
 

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen