History of Independence, (Buchanan County) Iowa United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Independence, (Buchanan County) Iowa, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Andrea Van Haveskerke was born in the harbor of New York city, August 31, 1854, while his parents were on a two-years' wedding journey, and little thought their child would one day be a prominent American citizen.

His father is Baron Jean Louis Van Haveskerke, viscount of Leland, estate owner and attache at the court of the king of Belgium at Brussels, officer of the Legion of Honor, etc. His family have been titled nobles for 400 years, distinguishing themselves in political and religious wars, under the French and Spanish or Austrian governments, always on the side of the Roman Catholic church. The family has been recognized in French, Austrian and Spanish courts as staunch and incorruptible for the Flemish race. Although of the Catholic faith, they fought unwaveringly against the Spanish-Austrian yoke during the inquisition. His mother was Cecilia De Lafouillade; her ancestors were French noblemen, and were liberal patrons of the arts. As a child, young Haveskerke was taught by a private tutor and afterwards was a pupil of the Royal Atheneum at Antwerp. At the age of 4 years he entered the conservatory of music in Antwerp, where he was taught musical notation and sight-reading by Professor Schermers, and violin playing by Prof. Victor Bacot. The latter was a pupil of the celebrated violinist, Chas. De Beriot, under whom Mr. Haveskerke was afterwards a pupil.

At the age of 14 he graduated from the conservatory of Brussels, having completed all branches, including composition by Director Fetis, whom he considers the greatest theorist of the age in music. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out, young Haveskerke was attending the Catholic university of Louvain, Belgium. He promptly joined the French army, in company with others of his countrymen, and stood by the cause till after the surrender of Paris and the fall of the commune, attaining the rank of adjutant of the Chasseurs. The result of his devotion to the French cause was banishment from his own country and home. Coming to America, he made use of his unusual musical talent and thorough education. Having had as fine a musical education as Europe affords, and learned. German French, Flemish, some Italian, Latin, Spanish, Greek, Hebrew, and Arabian, he was well qualified to support himself. In fact, his youth was spent almost entirely in the company of tutors, for he lived at school and saw his parents but two or three times in a year. After a residence of a year and a half in New York, he came to Independence, Iowa, where he taught music in the convent of the Sisters of Mercy, and organized a cornet band composed of young men who had never played before. He next resided in Columbus Junction, where he also taught music and organized a band. Five years later he came to Pella and took charge of Cox's Light Infantry band, and taught music in Central university. After five years of hard work there, he removed to Newton, his present home, where he has been devoting his energies to educating the people to a higher standard of music. The towns he has worked in show that he has been successful in developing a taste for the music of the masters, and he has been handsomely remembered for his efforts, both by handsome gifts and appreciative newspaper comments. His services to the public have always been freely given, and thus he hopes to lay up treasure in the world to come. Professor Haveskerke is now organist of the Catholic church in Newton, which is famous for its music and orchestral accompaniment, said to be better than any in the larger cities of the state. Since coming to America, the young nobleman has supported himself, and takes pride in doing so. He was married October 24, 1886, to Hattie Snyder, of Columbus Junction. They had two children, one of whom died when 5 days old, and the other at the age of 7 years. Since then they have adopted a 15-months-old child, which is now 3 years old, and is cherished as a true offspring. Professor Haveskerke is a member of the Newton Masonic lodge, No. 59, and Gebal chapter, No. 12. He joined the Congregational church a few years ago, but is not a regular attendant.

SOURCE: Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa published by Conway and Shaw, Des Moines: 1899.

History of Independence, (Buchanan County) Iowa

Biographies: