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Descendents of Oldebroek immigrant have deep roots on Century Farm

Bought by John Vande Berg in 1886


Tags: Genealogy

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa - A Dutch-American family in Sioux County is the latest one to earn - on the threshhold of a new century - the designation Century Farm for its former homestead. Most of the 120-acre farm just east of Iowa's youngest of three Dutch settlements, Sioux Center, has been in the Vande Berg family since 1886.

The farm was originally purchased by Oldebroek, Gelderland-born John Vande Berg who arrived in the U.S.A. in 1865 at the age of 20 and who first settled in Alto, Wisconsin. The Vande Bergs arrived in Sioux County in 1873 when Dutch pioneers flocked to the area which had been handpicked as a daughter colony of the Pella settlement of 1847.

The farm is now owned by the 4th and 5th generation Van De Bergs. Original owner John raised purebred cattle and horses, Arlin and his family raises cattle and hogs and also grows corn and soybeans. John bought many farms in the area, was co-founder of Welcome Township which he named in 1882, started several local businesses, including a creamery, helped organize schools and institute a church.