Page 153 - Poat_to_Poot_Engels

the evangelical members of the Reformed Church. Congregationalists also
distrusted strong central authority and gave self governance to individual
churches.

William's decision caused a major dispute with his father. J.W. Poot
believed it looked bad and undermined his authority if his own son joined
a different church. J.W. was probably extra sensitive because of the
religious problems he was trying to resolve in Pella. The argument
apparently caused no lasting damage to their relationship, but the
disagreement would resurface in the future.

While in Pella, William's religious studies were supervised by his father.
Some portions of his studies were probably done through correspondence,
a common practice at that time. William was ordained as a
Congregationalist Minister by his father in 1899. This might seem
unusual since J.W. was still in the Reformed Church. However, it was
common for ordinations to be officiated by 3 or 4 ministers. This would
allow J.W. Poot to participate in the ceremony. The ordination may have
been done in Chicago. Pella had no Congregational Church, although
some existed elsewhere in Marion County. Dr. Torrey of the Moody Bible
Institute could have made arrangements for a ceremony in Chicago. The
Poots traveled to Chicago for 10 days in August 1899 and this could have
been when the ceremony occurred. William was only 21 years old, and he
was the youngest, fully educated Congregational minister to be ordained.
He was always proud of that accomplishment.

Another happy family event occurred this same month. Will's older sister
Ann had married in 1897 to Lambert Noordhoff in Chicago. In December
1898, Ann, Lambert and their infant son Henry, moved to Pella to assist
the publishing business. In August 1899, Ann Noordhoff gave birth to a
daughter named Freda.

Unfortunately, J.W. Poot's literary skills did not translate into business
success. In February 1900, J.W. Poot chastised his out-of-town readers for
failing to pay for their subscriptions! In March 1900, after only 15
months, J.W. sold the newspapers back to Mr. Neyenesch. The Jansma
Brothers probably celebrated this event. Mr. Neyenesch later sold the
newspapers to the Jansma Brothers in October 1901. They renamed the
English language Pella Blade to the Pella Chronicle and it continues to be
published under that name. The Dutch language Pella's Weekblad ceased
publication around 1942.

The Poot's stay in Pella was short but eventful. When Reverend J.W. Poot
and his family arrived, they expected to make Pella their permanent home.
But things did not work out as planned. J.W. Poot was here for only two
years. W.F. Poot stayed about 15 months.

(11-2006) - Published in Pella - page 9 -