Steffen, August 1860-1926

STEFFEN, FALKE, NAGEL

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/8/2012 at 08:22:59

DEATH SUMMONS LOCAL RESIDENT.

August Steffen died Monday afternoon at his home in Remsen. Mr. Steffen had been failing with a weakness of a heart condition for the last four years, and although he occasionally suffered acute attacks, his general condition of health was favorable up to last week. Last Tuesday, Mr. Steffen felt unusually well and went forth in the afternoon, for the purpose of casting his vote in the general election. After he had gone several blocks from home, he suddenly suffered an attack of dizziness, and was taken home by a bystander. A physician was summoned, and the condition was found to be such that he was ordered to remain in bed for several weeks. It was thought that Mr. Steffen would rally and again be able to be up and about, but suddenly on Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock he was seized with a violent attack and passed away in a few minutes.

August Steffen was born on a farm in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin on March 18, 1861. Both of his parents passed away when August was but three years of age. The parents being taken in an epidemic which swept that part of the country. There were seven children in the family and August, as well as the rest of the family, was taken to neighbors, other friends and relatives for adoption. August Steffen lived with neighbors until he was 14 years of age. After that he went to friends near Schaller, Iowa where he was employed on various farms for several years. In the year 1882, he came to Remsen and thought this is a suitable location, and bought a farm of 160 acres, nine miles southeast of town. He remained here for a few months and returned to Schaller for the winter. And in the spring of 1883 came back to take possession of the farm.

In 1888, Mr. Steffen was united in marriage to Augusta Falke of Remsen, but his wife passed away four years later. To this union two children were born, both of whom are living. They are Mrs. S.B. Johnston of Remsen, and Mrs. Lee McKinley of Vermillion, S.D. In 1894, Mr. Steffen was united in marriage to Frederike Nagel, also of this vicinity and to this union seven children were born, six of whom are still living. One daughter died in infancy. The living children are: Fred, Elmer, Walter and Carl, all of whom are farming in this community; Mary who is now Mrs. Will Koch, also of Remsen and Miss Pauline, who is living with her mother.

There is also one sister, Mrs. Sophie Jacob, living in Wisconsin, and two brothers William in California and Hermann in Storm Lake, Iowa. Three brothers and one sister preceded Mr. Steffen in death.

August Steffen was one of this community’s most respected citizens. He was a true Christian gentleman and was a splendid father and husband, and an excellent neighbor, friend and citizen. He took active part in various civic affairs, and for many years was a member of the board of trustees for this township while living on the farm and also served for a number of years on the school board. For the last six years and up to the time of his death, He was an elder in Christ Lutheran Church of Remsen. Mr. Steffen always took an active interest in the affairs to which his friends and associates entrusted him. He was a man of exemplary habit and of many admirable traits of character, and his many friends throughout this part of the county where he lived for nearly a half century, sincerely grieve his early death and extend sincere sympathy to the bereaved widow, children and brothers and sister.

The funeral took place this afternoon at 1 o’clock with services in Christ Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. A. Noack. Burial was in the Remsen Cemetery. - Remsen Bell-Enterprise, November 11, 1926

Note: Although this obit and August's gravestone say he was born in 1861, church records from the Immanuel German Reformed Church in Herman Township, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin say he was born on March 18, 1860 and was baptized on May 27, 1860. His parents were Friedrich Wilhelm Steffen and Dorothea (Druffel) Steffen. Both parents died of smallpox in 1864 leaving a family of 7 young children. The parents are buried in Immanuel German Reformed Cemetery in Sheboygan County.