Heerema’s Silver Anniversary Celebration This Week
John Heerema observes his 25th year in the drug business at Heerema Drug Co. in Pella. The Chronicle showcases congratulatory ads from manufacturers and wholesalers, details anniversary sales and prizes, and notes a planned big celebration on June 10 and 11 with stories of Heerema’s rise from Holland immigrant to local business leader.
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the Chronicle
John Heerema
Pera
Heerema Drug Co
Iowa
Heerema
Pella
Heereman
Heerema Drug Co Builds on Historic Storefront
The Heerema Drug Co occupies a building once used by S F Cole and B H Langerak since 1900. A new basement, furnace, and modernized storefront updated the site while maintaining the original structure. Heerema began as a clerk, later bought the business with Langerak’s partner Vander Linden, and has since become sole owner. He married Alice Dieleman twenty one years ago. they have two children, Donald and Virginia.
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Heerema Drug Co
S. F. Cole
B. H. Langerak
Heerema
Langerak
Hee
John Heerema's Philosophy on Persistence
Poem attributed to anonymous author emphasizes perseverance through hardship. Encourages resting when needed but not quitting, noting success often lies just beyond apparent failure and near when one feels far. The verse highlights resilience, steady effort, and the value of continuing the fight despite fatigue.
Gross Incomes and Wages Not Same
The article recounts John Heerema detailing changes in earnings since he entered the drug trade 26 years ago. He notes B H Langerak’s earlier income was half of today’s, and WWI prices made it one third higher then. He recalls long hours as grocery delivery boy and drug store clerk, starting at $20 monthly, then $40, and his marriage on that $40 monthly.
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John Heerema
Mr. Heerema
B. H. Langerak
Mr. Langerak
Heerema
James Russell Lowell
John Heerema Aims at Pharmacy Despite Early Dream
The article profiles John Heerema who aspired to be a physician but due to family finances pursued pharmacy. It notes the four year college requirement for licensure and Heerema's belief in elevating educational standards while supporting a process to cede positions to more progressive practitioners when appropriate.
Mother Thought Americans Were Sickly People
Mr Heerema recalls his mother’s view of Americans as pale and sickly upon arrival in the U S She notes she used no modern remedies then and favored vegetarian diet Cod liver oil is praised as a health boon He observes fewer spring tonics sold as families follow his mother’s dietary beliefs Mothers now better care for themselves and infants resulting in fewer deaths He reflects on nine siblings and only four surviving to maturity
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Mr. Heerema
Delivered Groceries Over Muddy Streets
John Heerema recalls delivering groceries before paved streets facing deep mud on Main Street near I. M. A. Clark's home. He describes a runaway on a one eyed horse that threw him and notes frequent horse trade by local traders, highlighting rough times in early mobile commerce.
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John Heerema
I. M. A. Clark
Main Street
Education Was Not Easy In Heerema Boyhood
John Heerema’s boyhood education in early 1900s faced limits as he attended grade school and one winter at Central Academy. He left school at 14 to work as a delivery boy, then farmhand aged 17 to 20, later studied at Highland Park College Des Moines 1909 10 and passed state pharmacist exam December 6 1910. He later gained experience with Henry Van Houten John Wit tenberg Meyer Brothers and Pella Produce before becoming a pharmacist. He recalls innovation in business methods as merchants shifted to active efforts to meet public demand and competition.
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John Heerema
Mr. Heerema
Central Academy
Vandermeulen Company
Eph Roorda
John Onstine
George Stout
P. G. Ganss
George G. Gasss
Heerema
Highland Park College
Des Moines
Pella
Henry van Houten
John’ Wittenberg
Meyer Brothers
Mr. van Houten
Pella Produce Company
Pharmacy changes in buying habits over 25 years
John Heerema discusses shifts in consumer behavior at Heerema Drug Co over 25 years. He notes the public now sees the pharmacist as an advisor, with the soda and ice cream business growing and Pelin painting strong in a small Iowa town. He also observes hammocks selling less and doctors moving away from dispensaries in cities toward prescribing.
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John Heerema
Heerema Drug Co
Heerema
Pel- In
Iowa
Pharmacist Heerema Active in Community and State Roles
Mr. Heerema, a longtime local pharmacist, has played a leading role in the Chamber of Commerce and Masonic lodge while serving as president of the State Pharmaceutical Association last year. He remains active on the executive board and engaged in community, county, state, national, and international affairs.
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Heerema
Chamber of Commerce
Masonic Lodge
Second Reformed Church
State Pharmaceutical Association
Mother with four children over deep sea voyage remembered
A small New York arriving mother, widowed in Tolland, raised John Heerema and siblings in Iowa towns Otley and Pella. John recalls her unflagging work at 50 cents a day, washing three times daily and scrubbing floors at night, all to feed, clothe, and educate her brood aided by steadfast faith in God. He credits her with shaping his life and career in the drug trade.
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New York Harbor
Tolland
America
John Heerema
John
Pete
Martin
John Hollander
Oskaloos
Mr. Heerema
Pella
Fire misdated in Grinnell Herald June 12 1899 report
The Grinnell Herald cites a June 12 fire misdated as January 12 in an old story. It notes proofreading errors are common and cites a rule that editors must focus on accuracy above all else.
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Grinnell Herald
The
Herald
Place Of Druggist In the Community
The article argues the drug store holds a key public role as a first aid station and universal convenience in the community. A druggist is presented as a trained professional whose knowledge and judgment guide medical choices, making the drugstore indispensable to public welfare.
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Cmrcen
School of Pharmacy
Heerema Drug Stores Embrace New Equipment Upgrades
Progressive owner Mr Heerema modernized his store with a 1920 fountain and 1929 Frigidaire system to handle rising demand. The shop’s preferred lines include Shaeffer's writing goods, Lowe Bros paints, San-Tex drugs, and the famed Dutch chocolate ice cream drawing strong local patronage.
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Heerema
Heerema Drug Store
Shaeffer
Lowe Bros
San-Tex
de Pree
First Reformed Church
Faith Guides Commerce and Merchant Confidence
Faith forms the basis of every commercial venture. A successful merchant trusts in his ability, the goods he sells, and the customers who come to his store. Verifying this confidence helps explain the rise or fall of business outcomes.
Auction Sale in Pella Saturday Goes Over Fine
A Pella trade extension auction Saturday drew hundreds to Central Park with spirited bidding and many items selling for over $100 in auction scrip. Items included furniture, clothing and household goods, reflecting active local trade despite a soft mood.
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Pella
Central Park
Also Mentioned on This Page
Chronicle
Best
Sirustveroecey
Organization of Druggists
Poe Aed
Heerama Drug Store
Otley
Indianola
Wormhoudt & Plette
H. W. Kolenbrander
Firestone Tire
O & P Tire Go
Frank Warner
Gilbert
van den Borg Electric Co
Ohn
Ta Dot Valde
Dusseldorp
Campfire Girls
White Way Auto Co
Bill van Vark
Hall
Awtry & Lankelga
Bob Brush
Klyn & de Winter
Dick Miekmershuizen
Farmers Co-Operative Exchange
John Bogaards
Benteco Grocery
Mort de Witt
Model Clothing Co
Will Stursma
Wileson’s Jewlery
Nellie Heimstra
Pella Clothing Co
H. W. Rolenbrander
Walter Donai
Vogelaar
Lou Bousquet
John Braak
Marinus van Gorp
J. C. Penney Co
Ashburn
Waechter Lumber Co
Herman Nollen
Henry Carson
Klyn: &Ators
Bert de Bray
Steenhoek
John W. Vos
Wren
Wi van Gorp
Ulrich
Herbert Bosch
Paul Boertje
Wilson's
Clydus Reneed
J Penney Co
Dingman van Vari
Will Wiechart
Vens
Henry Kersbergen
Thomassen’s
Jacob Boat
Thomassen
Nick Hagens
Carl Verrips
Ideal Pharmacy
John Klein
Catterson
William Vandee Horst
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