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Arend Balster
December 23, 1835–August 16, 1922
Arend Balster Sr. is Dead

Arend Balster senior died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. C. Balster, yesterday noon, at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 23 days. Mr. Balster had been rather feeble for several years, but failed rapidly during the last month of his life.
He was the son of Juergen Herman Balster, and Etta Maria Balster (nee Conrads), and was born at Marx, East Friesia, Germany December 23, 1835, and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in 1851.
He left the old country for America August 20, 1854 and landed in New York October 6, being, as it will be observed, a period of a month and a half in crossing the ocean. For two years he lived at Marine City, Michigan and for twelve years at St. Clair, Michigan, where he followed the trade of a ship carpenter. He saved his money during these days and having an accumulation that he desired to invest in land likely to rise in value, he journeyed into Iowa where a number of his wife’s relatives lived and invested in Jones County land in Scotch Grove Township about the year1868.
Mr. Balster was married to Gesche Maria Jacobs, November 12, 1854. She died July 25, 1895 after 40 years of married life. Of the children born unto them, the following are dead George Balster, Mary Balster, Mrs. Henry Hanken and J. C. Balster. Those living are Mrs. Mary Poppe, Langworthy and Mrs. Louise Pleuger of Scotch Grove. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
After making his investments in real estate in Scotch Grove township in 1868, Mr. Balster took up residence there, and changed his business pursuits to that of farming. He was successful, not only in a pecuniary way, due to good farming and the rise in real estate values, but had always the esteem of all his neighbors and acquaintances. He was a fine old gentleman, and no one ever suggested anything but the highest regard for him. The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the house, and 1:30 o’clock at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran church. They will be in charge of his long term pastor, Rev. W. H. L. Schuetz.

Submitted by: Steve Hanken
Source: Monticello Express, Monticello, Iowa, August 17, 1922

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Last updated on Friday, 16-Apr-2021 16:55:42 MST