Pella Meeting Room, IA

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This is an assembly in Pella, Iowa that is historically affiliated with the TW exclusives, founded prior to 1878, and possibly as early as the 1850's. Present correspondents currently unlisted, but the assembly is alive and well, with an active children's ministry, regular breaking of bread and Bible teaching. .

Early Leadership

Those with emigration dates, are also when the family settled in the Pella area, from the Netherlands via Baltimore, Maryland, then either via New York City or St. Louis, Missouri prior to settlement. First set of dates denotes time served as an assembly correspondent.

  • Adrian "Arie" Hoogenakker +1878-1919 (b. 1840 Deventer, Overijssel, Neth., emig. 1854, d. 1919 Pella, IA)
  • Robert Radford Beard 1879-1915+ (b. 1846 Detroit, MI, emig. & m. 1870 Pella, IA, d. 1920 Des Moines, IA)
  • John W. David Scholte +1889-1896+ (b. 1852 Pella, IA, family emig. 1847, d. 1925 Seattle, WA).
    • John's father was president of the colony of 800 Dutch that incorporated Pella in 1847.
  • Paul Auguste Renaud +1901-1933+ (b. 1856 France, emig. 1862, d. 1942 Pella, IA)
  • Nicholas Charles Van Vliet +1901-1927+ (1857-1948 Pella, IA, family emig. 1847)
  • Peter Bastiaanszn Ryjkhoek +1927-1946 (b. 1868 Marion, IA, family may have emig. 1847 Pella, d. 1946 Pella, IA)
  • Perry Louis Renaud +1933-1940 (1882-1940 Sully, IA), grandson of Charles Renaud (emig. 1847 Pella, IA).
  • Harry Lewis Renaud +1944-1951+ (b. 1880 Sully, IA - d. 1962 Pella, IA), son of Paul Auguste Renaud
  • Dingeman John Van Vark +1944-1951+ (b. 1894 Knoxville, IA - d. 1987 Des Moines, IA)
  • John Valkenburg +1949-1951+ (b. 1889 Pella, IA - d. 1980 Keokuk, Lee, IA)
  • Frank Vanderhart +1962-1966+ possibly (b. 1933 Toronto, York, ON)
  • Paul Henry Renaud +1962-1966+ (b. 1888 Sully, Jasper, IA - d. 1968 Pella, IA)
  • Louis Franklin Brand +1962-1973+ (b. 1907 Sully, Jasper, IA - d. 1980 Denver, CO)
  • Earl Eugene Waddle +1973-1985+ (b. 1908 Red Rock, Marion, IA - d. 1996 Pella, IA)
  • Vernon Owen Seekamp +1973-1985+ (b. 1935 Black River Falls, Jackson, WI - d. 2000 Pella, IA)
  • Harry Vanderhart +1999-2016 (1939-2016 Pella, IA)
  • Leo Max Renaud +2010-2016+ (b. 1933 Sully, IA - d. Dec. 21, 2021 Des Moines, IA)
  • Robert Eugene Waddle +2005-2010+ (b. 1939 Red Rock, Marion, IA - d. 2013 Monroe, Jasper, IA)

Initial Dutch Settlers

Henry Peter Scholte led 800 Dutch immigrants in 1847 to settle Pella.

  • first postmaster (in 1847)
  • executive committee for erecting the first building of what is now Central College, having also donated the parcel of land, and furnishing much of the building material
  • founding editor of the Pella Gazette in 1855, and brought the first printing press.
  • provided the first banking facilities in 1855, "Scholte & Grant", and established an exchange office which handled some banking. The first regular banking institution was organized in 1857 as the Central Exchange & Land Office, managed by Scholte, P.H. Bousquet, and John Nollen, the latter two rebranded it soon after as the Pella Savings Institution, then as the Pella National Bank.
  • officiated weddings in 1857:
    • Cornelius van Rheenen, and Maria Buitendijk
    • Cornelius den Boer and Aaltje den Boest
  • In 1868, he was preaching from a farmer's cart, and dragoons came and ordered the people to scatter, and upon the Scholte's refusing to obey, the soldiers cut the cart into splinters, leading to the death of Henry and his wife.
  • On June 5, 1847 was in NYC, and the family traveled to Keokuk by rail, then to Pella by carriage to settle.
  • published a Christian paper "De Toekomst" (The Future) monthly from Sept. 1866 until his death.


The following are among those from the Netherlands who incorporated Pella, affiliated with the meeting room, sorted by each of the settling ships that left in April 1847 via Baltimore, MD. It is presently unknown which ship Henry Peter Scholte was on, who served as president of the Dutch colony, with forementioned history, as father of John W. David Scholte (1852-1925) who served as a correspondent +1889-1896+ at the assembly, as well as Robert Radford Beard's (1846-1920) 2nd wife's maternal grandmother, Sarah, who was also a daughter of Henry Peter Scholte, Robert had served as a correspondent in 1879.

Maasstroom

This ship left Rotterdam, Neth., on April 11, 1847.

  • Mr. & Mrs. Jan den Burger, and their five eldest children: Cornelius, Joost, Geuvertje (1835-1896), Pietertje, and Jan. Geuvertje (aka Govertje)'s daughter Margaret "Maggie" Vander Wilt married Nicholas Charles Van Vliet (1857-1948 Pella, IA) who served as a correspondent +1901-1927+.

Nagasaki

This ship left Rotterdam, Neth., in early April, 1847.

  • Mr. & Mrs. Gerritsen - they were possibly related to Arie Hoogenakker (1840-1919), paternal grandson of Ariann Hogenakker (1764-1831) & Hermina Gerritsen Hogenakker (1756-1840), who both died in the Netherlands. Arie was the earliest known correspondent of the meeting room, serving +1878, and in fellowship until his death in 1919.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Teunis Rykhoek - possible ancestors of P. Rykhoek who served as a correspondent +1927-1944+.
  • Gerhardus "Gerrit" Hagens (1811-1923) and his wife Anna Sophia Susanna Erts Hagens (1814-1895), and their three eldest children Willem (1839-1914), Zwaantje, and Mina. Willem's daughter, Byka "Rebecca" Vandermeulen married Paul Auguste Renaud (b. 1856 France, emig. 1862, d. 1942 Pella, IA), who served as a correspondent +1901-1933+.

Pieter Floris

This ship left Amsterdam, Neth., in early April, 1847.

  • Jacob van Vliet & his wife Maria (b. 1827 Neth.), and Gerritje, Matje, Klaas (1857-1948), Geertje, Neeltje, Cornelius, Hendrik, Mrs. H., H.M., and Grietje. Klaas was forementioned Nicholas Charles Van Vliet, see Burger family.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit van der Wilt, and children: Dirk, Neeltje, Jan Sr., Willem, Jacobus, Jan Jr. (1831-1906), Hendrik, Antonie, and Geertrui. Jan Jr., aka John Vander Wilt, was the father of Margaret "Maggie" Vander Wilt, who married forementioned Nicholas Charles "Klaas" Van Vliet.

1849 Holland Settlement

This was the second emigration of Dutch settlers in the summer and fall of 1849, who were noted to have brought "considerable gold" which greatly helped the struggling colony.

  • Mr. & Mrs. A.G. Vandermeulen, and children Geurt and Henry. Also Bonne and his wife, and children Egbert, Aartje, Jacob, Tenske, Gaardske, and Arie. Paul Auguste Renaud (1856-1942), who served as correspondent +1901-1933+, his wife Byka "Rebecca" Hagens' first husband was a Vandermeulen. A.G. (b. 1821) opened a jewelry (watch & clock) store on W. Washington St. on the corner that in later years became the residence of the family of L. Stegeman. By the early 1920's, with the help of A.G.'s sons, the jewelry store had morphed into a mercantile firm that had become one of the largest and most successful businesses in central Iowa, under the name of "Vandermeulen & Co.".

1922 firm members: J.H. DeVries, H.J. Boland, John F. Dykstra, and Henry P. Vandermeulen, the latter being a grandson of A.G. Also, G.A. Vandermeulen (b. 1845 Bergom, Neth. - d. 1916 Los Angeles, CA) and Harry H. Vandermeulen were among the sons that helped develop the mercantile business. G.A.'s wife Nellie Kramer (b. Feb. 7, 1848), daughter of Peter Kramer & Welmoed Pos Kramer, was the first girl born in Pella. In April 1881, a fire destroyed a Vandermeulen hardware store. Henry P. Vandermeulen's wife served as the first President of the Executive committee of the Ladies Auxiliary for Central College. She also served as the first vice-president of the Women's Federated Club of Pella in 1914, which was organized in the home of Mrs. Aschenbrenner, whose husband was among the physicians in 1922. C.H. Vandermeulen had a cream produce company in 1922.

  • Mr. & Mrs. Willem van Vark, Jr., and child Matje. Matje may not have survived the voyage as it is noted in a trip diary of fellow traveler John Hospers that on June 5th, a small child with the Willem van Vark family died. The correspondent +1944-1951+ was D.V. (and/or D.J.) Van Vark. In 1922, a Van Vark was part owner of Globe Plumbing & Heating (corner East First & Franklin Sts.

1854 Holland

  • Gerrit & Egberdina Hoogenakker, and their four eldest children, Johanna, Jacoba, Hein and Arie, emigrated from Holland in 1854. Arie was the earliest known assembly correspondent +1878.
  • Isaac Roorda. In 1922, E.A. Roorda was a deacon at the Second Reformed Church of Pella.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Willem van Vark, presumably Sr. (as Willem Jr. emigrated in 1849), and their children: Jacob, Johannes, Lena, Berdina, Mina, and Martha.

1855 Holland

  • Arie den Burger, and Maria, Willem, and Godert.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Hendrik Breuklander, and their children Albert, Heintje, and Maria. Heintje "Henrietta" Breuklander (1847-1918) married Arie Hoogenakker.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Jan de Graaf
  • Wouter, Bessel and Grietje Kraai. H. Kraai served as Marshal from 1866-1868.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Bastiaan Vandermeulen and their seven eldest children: Christina, Maaike, Maria, Jan, Adrianus, Leentje, and Sophia. Bastiann was a teacher in Holland, and also taught in a private school in Pella for many years.
  • Wiger & Anne Roorda

1856 Holland

  • Mr. & Mrs. William Breuklander, and children: Huibertje, Albertje, and Willem Hz.
  • Mr. & Mrs. H.J. Gerritsen, and children: Adrianus, Anna, Hendrika, Hendrik, and Gerrit.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit van der Hart, and children: Evert, Wouter, Maria and Govert.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Willem Scharf, and children: Arie, Helena, Engeltje, Wilhelmina, Maria and Adriana.

Other 1854-1855 & 1856-1857 Holland

  • Dr. Benjamin Franklin Keables, Dr. Henry Keables, M., E.A., James, and Alonzo Keables. Dr. B.F. Keables started a drugstore in Pella in 1855.

1861 Holland

  • Mr. & Mrs. Hermanus P. Tysseling, and children: Albertus Teunis, Evert, Teunis, Willem, Arie, Antonia, and Willempje.
    • Teunis Albert Tysseling (b. 1845). Farmed 3 1/2 miles east of Pella 1868-1901. Married Egje DeJong, daughter of Peter DeJong. First Reformed Church.

1863 Holland

  • Tysseling: Antonie, Antonie Gerarda, Gerarda Alyda, Gerrit Teunis, and Alberta Cecilia.

1868 Holland

  • Mr. & Mrs. Gerrit van der Wilt, and children: Gerrit Jr., Figie, Gerrit G., Hendrik, Neeltje, Sygie, and Cornelia.

1853-1860 French Emigrants

Four brothers and their families all emigrated from France to Pella, IA in this time period, along with the Charles Mobile family, and the J.P. Peters family.

+1855

  • Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Renaud, and son Louis.

+1855

  • Mr. & Mrs. Louis Renaud. Louis settled on a farm a few miles north of Pella. Enjoyed the respect and friendship of all his neighbors and associates. Farm inherited by son Henry.

1855+

  • Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Renaud, and children: Frederick, Ama and Eingenus. In 1861, Frederick Sr. was killed instantly by being thrown from a wagon during a runaway.

1860

  • Mr. & Mrs. Charles Renaud, and children: Charles, Frederick, Louise, Louis, Edmand, Paul and Eingenus. Charles Sr. (1825-1908) was remembered in the 1922 Pella history as emigrated in 1860, and "a man of warm heart and generous impulses, a good neighbor who was always ready and willing to help in time of need, and his death was recognized as a great loss to the community."

War Veterans

Civil War

  • William E. Beard
  • Dr. Benjamin Franklin Keables
  • Henry Roorda - killed in action

WWI

  • Rube C. Brand - died typhoid @ Pella Aug. 19, 1920
  • William A. Den Burger
  • Arthur J. Renaud
  • Henry R. Tysseling - died Spanish Flu on Oct. 18, 1918 @ Fort Riley, KS
  • Arthur Van Essen
  • Dingeman Van Vark
  • James M. Van Vliet

Pella church history

The first church building to be erected in Pella, according to the 1922 area history, was finished in March of 1848, located west of the Star Garage, on a lot occupied in 1922 by "The Chapel". The building was initially used for church services, public meetings and a day school.

H.P. Scholte was the first pastor in Pella, from 1847, and this church split into four groups, none of which were identified with denominations until 1856:

  • Rev. H.P. Scholte pastored De Christelikje Kerk 1847-1856, then it became the First Reformed Church of Pella, pastored by Dr. A.C. Van Raalte.
  • Rev. A.J. Betten, J. Maasdam, A.C. Kuyper, K. DeHoog, I. Overkamp, and G.H. Overkamp.
  • J. Van den Berge, A. Nultenbok, Oosterling, and W. DeHaan.
  • 20 members in the home of D. Van Ham.

Also, in 1851, according to a 1915 History of Marion County, a minister named Demoss held held services in schoolhouses in the Franklin and Dallas townships, organizing a society in each, with no erection of churches. The history identifies this group as "United Brethren", and credits it as one of the first to organize in the county. Probably no relation to the PB.

Also See

Assembly

Pella

Sources

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