Frederick Henry Reedrick Roskammer (1882-1937)

ROSKAMMER, REIFFENBERGER, TAYLOR

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Frederick Henry Reedrick Roskammer, son of Mr and Mrs. John Roskammer, was born at Hanover, Iowa, Nov. 4, 1882. He was the second child in a family of four children, two boys and two girls. When he was very young his mother died, and when he was thirteen his father died. Thus at an early age he was forced to earn his own living He found employment on farms near his home and later he worked near Calumet and Cherokee. While working at Cherokee he met Miss Threasa Reiffenberger and they were married March 9, 1910.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Roskammer were interested in farming and skillful in doing farm work, and so their first home was a farm in Cherokee county. Later they moved to O'Brien county. Here they lived on four different farms in the vicinity of Primghar and then in 1924 -- almost thirteen years ago -- they moved to the farm north of Primghar that was Mr. Roskammer's final home.

During their early married life they became the parents of two children, one daughter Ruth, now Mrs. Herman Taylor, and one son, Johnny. Mr Roskammer was baptized as an infant and brought up in tho German Lutheran church He was confirmed at the age of fourteen in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church at Hanover. After he left his birthplace he went to the Lutheran churches In the communities where he lived and for years he attended the Center township Lutheran church.

As soon as Mr Roskammer was of age he joined the Yoeman lodge. He enjoyed the lodge associations and attended the meetings as long as he lived In communities where there was a local chapter and he always continued his membership. Ever since 1928 Mr Roskammer has represented his school district by serving as school director In 1932 he was elected president of the Center township school board and he has held that position ever since. Thus, throughout the years of his youth and maturity Mr Roskammer worked diligently to support his family and to share the social and religious work of the communities where he lived.

At last, however, he became ill and was forced to leave his tasks and his friendships, his death occurring Friday morning, January 8, 1937, at the age of 54 years.

He is the first of the brothers and sisters to pass away One sister, Mrs. Mary Steimkee, Is now living at Larrabee, Mrs. Andy Jensen lives at Cherokee, and the brother, August lives at Granville. His wife and his two children and three grandchildren also survive him.

Mr Roskammer was highly respected for his personal worth and accomplishments. He made his own way in life without much assistance from others and built for himself a place of respect and good-will in each of the communities where he lived. Earnest and industrious, he learned early in life what hard work is and how important it is to work hard and long, and he continued to be a hard worker as long as he lived. Early in life also he learned to work efficiently and to manage his affairs intelligently. Thus, through the years he advanced in skill and in favor with his neighbors and acquaintances. He made a worthy contribution to his family and to the neighborhoods where he lived. He will be remembered as a diligent, neighborly citizen.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational church Monday afternoon, with Rev Beebe in charge. Interment was made in Pleasant Hill cemetery.— Primghar Bell

Reprint - Paullina (Iowa) Times, 21 Jan 1937, p5