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Background:
As follow are excerpts from a letter from Nick Vanderkloot to Dave Jordan. Nick's grandparents were Matthijs and Trijntje Vanderkloot. His father was Cornelius Vanderkloot who married Gertrude Kaan. Only the key genealogy parts of the letter have been transcribed. |
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November 12, 1977 Dear David, To the best of my knowledge, and I believe it to be accurate, Adrianus [sic and Maatje] never came to America. Matthijs was the first and he brought his children with him. I have been told that Kloot or Kloat as it sometimes is spelled means the Odd or Eccentric one. I believe this to be correct. The Vanderkloots came to America because the Iron Works on the Island of Texel was not doing well and there was a religious problem that caused concern to my grandfather [Matthijs]. The South Halsted Street Iron Works is most interesting: There were two companies: The Vanderkloot Steel Works made structured steel for buildings such as hotels and schools. They were at 26th and Halsted Street and often when they had a large building they closed off a city block and fitted the steel beams on the street. Their greatest accomplishment was the steel structure for the Congress and Auditorium hotels in Chicago. The more interesting company and one, which became nationally known, was the Chicago Ornamental Iron Co. They were well known for their decorative interpretations of the early school of Chicago Architects, for example, the well-known facade of the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company building in Chicago was a product of their foundries. They also worked with Henry Trost and all the other well-known designers of what was known as the Prairie School of Architecture. To the best of my knowledge, the company was founded by a cousin of my grandfather. I know his name was Adrian Vanderkloot. They were in business as early as 1893, possibly before but I am not sure. Adrian died in 1912 and I believe he was succeeded by William Vanderkloot who I believe was also the mayor of Lake Bluff, Illinois. William had a son Bill who won some fame as Churchill's personal pilot during World War II. The Vanderkloot Steel Works to the best of my memory closed in the Depression of 1929 - 1933. The building later became a garage for the Indianapolis Forwarding Company. The only written stories I have about the family are those about my own career in the Graphic Arts and an early account of the Prairie School of Architecture that refers to the Vanderkloot Iron Works. I am certain my Grandfather [Matthijs] and his children entered this country through the Port of New York. In 1939 when the Dutch East Indies were attacked by the Japanese a Vanderkloot from Holland came through Chicago. My father [Cornelius] talked with him. I did not meet him. This would lead me to believe there must be a Vanderkloot plot in Holland, probably on the Island of Texel. Well there you have it. If I can help you further let me know. All the best, Nick Vanderkloot |
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