Liebenstein, John 1862-1947

LIEBENSTEIN, WIETHORN, KRUEGER, MUELLER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 6/8/2021 at 20:20:40

Mrs. Ernst Thiel has received a letter from Agnes Liebenstein, of Hubbard, telling of the death Friday of her father John Liebenstein, 80, formerly in the grocery business here. The family came from Whittemore and Mr. Liebenstein and S.J. Ramsey were partners in the present Sorenson grocery store. Later the firm became Ramsey & Runchey when the Liebensteins moved to Garner. They eventually settled at Hubbard and for many years ran a general store. Mr. Liebenstein is survived his wife and daughter Agnes.

~Algona Upper Des Moines, July 3, 1947; pg 5

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Funeral services for John Liebenstein, 84, of Hubbard were held Monday morning at 9 o'clock in the Salem Evangelical United Brethren church in Hubbard with Rev. C.F. Liming of Kamrar officiating.

Burial was in the Council Hill cemetery, east of Monona, Monday afternoon with Rev. Roscoe C. Jerrell officiating at the committal services.

Mr. Liebenstein died Friday evening June 27, at the family home in Hubbard after an illness of several months.

He was born a son of Mr. and Mrs. Burkhardt Liebenstein, Dec. 1, 1862, at Pearl City, Ill. When a small child, he moved with his pioneer parents to the northeastern part of Iowa, settling on a farm near McGregor, which served that section of the state for miles around as a grain market. In this timberland country, he was given the task of helping clear the land for the homesite.

When 18 years old, he began clerking in the country store in the home community. Two years later he went to McGregor, where he was employed by the long established firm of Baird and Sherwood.

On Dec. 27, 1888, he married a former schoolmate, Miss Sarah Wiethorn, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Curt Wiethorn. Rev. Wiethorn was a pioneer circuit rider in the locality. The wedding took place in the old log house built by the Wiethorns.

In 1891 Mr. Liebenstein moved his family to Pearl City, Ill, where he began his fist venture as a merchant, a vocation he continued to follow throughout his life. Returning to Iowa in 1900, he successively conducted stores at Whittemore, Algona, and Garner, in which he and his daughter were associated with him. In the fall of 1925, the family came to Hubbard, he and his daughter acquiring the Strother Brothers stock of merchandise. Until the last two years, he remained an active member of the firm, when declining health forced his retirement.

Early in his youth, he became a member of the Methodist congregation of the Old Stone church at Watson. He continued his membership with that denomination until the closing of the Methodist church in Hubbard, when he became a member by transfer of letter of the Salem Evangelical United Brethren church in that town.

In addition to his widow, he is survived by his daughter, Agnes; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. H.J. Liebenstein of Monona; two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Krueger of Brookings, S.D., and Miss Adaline Leibenstein of Pasadana, Calif.; two grandchildren, Mrs. Doris Mueller of Fredericksburg and Miss Phyllis Liebenstein of San Francisco, Calif.; and a great-grandson, Jackie Mueller of Fredericksburg.

He was preceded in death by a son, Harry J. Liebenstein, eight years ago; John Liebenstein, grandson and namesake, who lost his life during World war II in the Italian campaign three years ago last April.

Pallbearers were: Elmer, George, Gilbert, William and Harry Wiethorn, and Alvin Marting.

~Monona Leader, Thursday, July 3, 1947; pg 1