Lemke, John 1843-1920

LEMKE, WILLMS, MOHLMANN, BUSCH

Posted By: Glenna Rice, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/13/2012 at 11:39:36

Death of Pioneers

John Lemcke Came Here In The Seventies

Built Many Dwellings

John Lemcke (sp. Lemke), a resident of LeMars for the past twelve year, died at the community hospital on Tuesday following a long illness caused by cancer of the liver. John Lemke was a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, where he was born on April 20, 1843 and received his schooling and learned the trade of carpenter and was married to Catherine Voss, who died shortly after their marriage.

Attracted by the demand for carpenters after the big fire in Chicago in 1871, Mr. Lemcke came to the United States and worked at his trade in that city for several years. From there, having friends whom he had known in his native land, he came to LeMars and in 1878 was united in marriage to Miss Geske Willms.

In 1879 he and his wife moved to live at Mitchell and Plankington, Sioux Falls, S.D,, and subsequently where he pursued his avocation. In 1895 they came back to Plymouth county and settled in Preston township where they engaged in farming.

Mrs. Lemke died in 1904. In 1907 Mr. Lemke made a visit to his old home in Germany and returned with a wife, who survives him.

They came to LeMars in 1908 and bought a home on Clark street where he resided until the time of his last illness.

Mr, Lemke is survived by his wife and three sons, John Lemke, of Arkon; Dick of Aberdeen, S.D., and Fred Lemke living in Oregon, and two daughters, Mrs. Busel (sp. Busch) and Mrs. Bohlken, of Akron vicinity. There are also eighteen grandchildren. The funeral will be held this morning at Sr. John's Lutheran church, Rev. J. J. Vollmar, the pastor, officiating, and the interment made in the Preston township Lutheran cemetery.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, December 31, 1920; page 1, column 1
LeMars, Plymouth, Iowa

Family note: Mrs. Bohlken should read Mrs. Mohlmann