Merced County Biographies

CONRAD JONGEWAARD

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        It is in youth that the life of a man is marked out, his future course 
decided upon and his choice as to good or evil made, and to the work of 
instructing and guiding the boys of Merced and vicinity, Conrad Jongewaard is 
devoting his time, energies and thoughts. As the conscientious and capable 
secretary of the local Y. M. C. A., Mr. Jongewaard is accomplishing an 
outstanding work among the boys and young men of the community. During October, 
1919, State representatives of the Y. M. C. A. were in Merced and held a 
conference with several of the local citizens and outlined the advantages of 
having a Y. M. C. A. for the boys and young men of the city and environs. The 
men became so interested in the proposition that within a few days sufficient 
funds were subscribed to cover the budget for two years. After a board of 
directors had been chosen the next thing to do was to employ a secretary. Conrad 
Jongewaard, who had formerly been a Y. M. C. A. secretary in Chicago, and only 
recently had been discharged from the Navy, was making a visit in the State and 
he was secured as secretary, taking up his duties November 1, 1919. The Y. M. C. 
A. has found a definite place in the community to serve. It seeks to supplement 
and strengthen the home, the church, the school, and the municipality in their 
relations to the social, recreational, educational, moral and spiritual life. 
The Association has become a clearing house for community cooperative work.
        There are certain activities which are carried on through which it seeks 
to accomplish its purpose for existence and to make the largest possible 
contribution to the welfare of the boys. The Y. M. C. A. is ever challenging the 
constructive forces of the community to a co‑operative attack on all that 
prevents the highest expression of community life. Mr. Jongewaard is peculiarly 
fitted for the responsible position he is so admirably filling; he is endowed 
with more than ordinary intelligence, gifted with sound judgment and a frank and 
genial disposition that appeals to boys and young men; all in all, Merced is to 
be congratulated on their choice of a Y. M. C. A. secretary.
        Mr. Jongewaard was born in Sioux Center, Iowa, January 17, 1890, a son 
of R. C. and Jennie (Ver Ploeg) Jongewaard. The father, R. C. Jongewaard, was a 
stock-raiser and cattleman; he is now deceased, while the mother is still 
living.
        Mr. Jonegwaard completed the grammar and high school courses in his 
native State; then he entered Hope College in Holland, Mich., and after his 
graduation he entered the University of Chicago, and for two years trained as a 
Y. M. C. A worker and previous to the outbreak of the World War was engaged in 
this work. On December 13, 1917, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, and after seven 
months of service was promoted to ensign; he was discharged from the service on 
July 12, 1919, and the following November took up his work as secretary of the 
Y. M. C. A. in Merced.
        The marriage of Mr. Jongewaard united him with Miss Lydia De Mots, a 
native of Iowa; they were playmates in their childhood. Mrs. Jongewaard was 
killed in an automobile accident when her mother, two uncles and an aunt met 
their death. Mr. Jongewaard is a Republican in politics and belongs to the 
American Legion of Merced.
 
History of Merced County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 853-854