Niederfrank, Caspar Henry 1837 - 1920

NIEDERFRANK, BRANDHURST, WALKAMP, NIEMANN, MERTEN, HEYER, TALCOTT, LUNDT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/1/2022 at 09:19:40

Elkader Register, Thur., 29 July 1920. Strawberry Point column.

Caspar Henry Niederfrank was born in Prussia, Germany, Jan. 15, 1837. His parents were Chas. and Catherine Niederfrank. Already in infancy he lost his father. His mother was married in second marriage to Caspar Brandhurst. In 1849 his stepfather with his family consisting of wife and four children emigrated to U.S. After a voyage extending over seven weeks and five days they landed at New Orleans, La., about Jan. 1st, 1850. From here they continued their journey on a river steamer to Guttenberg. On the way up the river the mother fell victim to the dreaded disease cholera. They settled down at Guttenberg in the first year after his arrival where at that place his stepfather died. He a youth of fifteen was thrown on his own resources. He hired out on a farm and for years worked diligently storing his earnings up for a start for himself. In 1863 he bought a farm with the money he had earned for ten years. In the same year he was married to Louise Walkamp of Clayton county, who however, in 1865, was taken from his side by death leaving a daughter, Sophia. In 1866 he again was married this time to Mary Niemann which union was blessed by nine children: Louis, Louise, Alvina, Edward, Emma, Hannah, Pauline, Ida and Mamie. For six years he was engaged in farming in Clayton county. In 1866 he bought a farm in Delaware county where by industry and practical business talent succeeded. In fall of 1902 he moved to Strawberry Point to spend the rest of his life in retirement. In 1913 his wife preceded him in death. In his life he was blessed with good health only about four years ago he was severely attacked by rheumatism which however, by patient treatment was elevated. Last winter he again had an attack which had weakened his heart. After a long and lingering sickness he was relieved of all temporal affliction by a peaceful death at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 6 days. The children left to mourn the loss of a kind father are: Miss Sophia Merten of Garner; Mrs. Alvina Heyer of New Hampton; Mrs. Hannah Talcott and Mrs. Pauline Lundt and the Misses Emma and Mamie all of this place. Funeral services were held in the Lutheran church Friday afternoon conducted by his pastor Rev. Fritschel. Among those from out of town in attendance were Mrs. Sophia Merten and daughter Mildred of Garner, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Heyer and son Lloyd of New Hampton, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Schenke of Colesburg and Mrs. Louis Niederfrank and Mrs. Ed. Niederfrank of Greeley.