Louis A. Kupyer

KUYPER, NEYENESCH, DOEDIJNS, WILKES, BLUNK, LEWIS

Posted By: Greta Thompson (email)
Date: 6/20/2007 at 17:53:18

Bringing with them their thrifty and industrious habits, their sturdy social customs, and their church relationships, the early members of the Kuyper family in America came from the Netherlands, and in 1849 became a part of the Holland colony of Pella, Iowa. In this organization of substantial farmers and upright citizens Peter Kuyper, the first, was a leader, and the grandfather of Louis A. Kuyper, who is part owner and manager of the extensive lumber yards at Pella, the most important in Marion County.

Louis A. Kuyper was born at Pella, August 8, 1898, a son of Arnuldus N. and Marie (Neyenesch) Kuyper. The grandfather, Peter Kuyper, married Janetje Doedijns. Their son, Arnuldus N. Kuyper, was also born at Pella, Augest 7, 1864, and his life was spent in this town, and here he died December 6, 1910. In 1893 he established a lumber yard in partnership with D. W. Wilkes, but two years later he bought out his partner, and continued the sole owner of the business until his death, at which time it was taken over by his sons. The father was a prominent man at Pella, serving for a long period as a member of
the City Council and for many years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Central College. On November 27, 1890, he was married, and Mrs. Kuyper is a native of Pella, and a daughter of Herman and Anna M. Nieuwenhuijzen) Neyenesch. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnuldus N. Kuyper, namely: Peter H., who lives at Pella, was formerly at the head of the concern succeeding his father, but in 1924 he resigned to go into the manufacture of roller screens, is married and has two children, Joan and Stuart; Louis A., whose name heads this review; and Julian A., who resides at Pella, and is married.

In 1916 Louis A. Kuyper was graduated from the Pella High School, after which he entered Central College, where he took three years of work, and completed his education at the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the meanwhile, in the fall of 1917 while a sophomore at Central College, Mr. Kuyper enlisted in the Student Army Training Corps, but peace was declared before their unit was detailed to overseas service. Returning to Pella after the completion of his university course, Mr. Kuyper entered his father's lumber business, and with his brothers assumed its management when the founder died. At the resignation of the older brother the active management of the lumber yard fell upon his shoulders, and he and the youngest brother have a large and flourishing business.

On January 16, 1924, Louis A. Kuyper married, at Ottumwa, Iowa, Miss Stella Mae Blunk, a daughter of J. C. and Stella (Lewis) Blunk, a prominent family of Ottumwa. Mrs. Kuyper is a college-bred woman, having been a student at the State College of Iowa and the University of Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Kuyper have one daughter, Cleo Joy. The family is of the Second Reformed Church of Pella, of which Arnuldus N. Kuyper was a deacon for a number of years. The example he set as a public-spirited man, interested alike in the progress of the home community and the upbuilding of the churches and schools, is being followed by his sons, all of whom are young men of high character, successful in business, and a decided asset to Pella and Marion County.

--from A Narrative History of The People of Iowa
with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN