Arens, Nicholas T. 1874-1929 & Margaret Schaeffer Family

ARENS, SCHAEFFER, SCHAEFER, PFEFFER, CAPESIUS

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/2/2023 at 13:57:59

Arens, Nick T. 1874 – 1929 and Margaret Schaeffer Family

This story was taken from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of Alton IA1883-1983. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes have been added.

Nick T. Arens, son of Theodore and Katherine Pfeffer Goebel was born Nov 27, 1874. His father was born March 19, 1844, and died March 31, 1929. His mother was born Jan 8, 1842, and died June 11, 1917. Nick T. Arens married Margaret Schaeffer on May 21, 1901. She was born on Oct 29, 1875 and died March 18, 1952.

They were the parents of five children, Aloysius born August 28, 1902 and died Feb 27, 1961. Joseph, born October 20, 1905, died November 4, 1969. He married Gertrude Nolan in the Orange City Hospital on Feb 15, 1938. The marriage was performed by Father M. A. Schemmel in the hospital, Since both young people had been injured in an auto accident. Marie, born may 15, 1908 married James Mahar on Oct 29, 1931. He passed away and she married J. Peter Gaul on July 6, 1942. George, born Aug 23, 1912 died Dec 23, 1966, married to Marian Hendriksen, on Nov 26, 1935. Germaine, born Jan 24, 1919 married to Wm. C. Gaul on Feb 25, 1961.

Research Notes:
Not much information was given about the life of the family. The 1910 Census of Nassau township Sioux County states that Nicholas was a carpenter.
From a family report on ancestry.com submitted by other than this submitter. Nicholas ‘Nic’ Theodore Arens was born 27 Nov 1874 Dubuque Co. IA, died 10 Apr 1940 Alton Sioux County IA. His parents were Theodore Arens 1844-1929 and Catharine Pfeffer 1841-1917. He married Marguerite ‘Maggie’ Schaefer .

Marguerite ‘Maggie’ Schaeffer was born 29 Oct 1875 Springbrook Jackson Co. IA died 18 Mar 1952 Alton IA. In her marriage record she was born 1875 Jackson County IA to Louis Schaefer and Anna Copenens. Louis Joseph Schaefer was born 1845 Niederroedern, Alsace France died 1892 Marcus Cherokee IA. His wife was Anna C. Capesius born 1855 La Motte, Jackson IA. Died 1893 Marcus IA

Children : Found information in local obits found on this site or from family accounts on Ancestry.com.

1. Cecilia Hildagard Arens born 4 Sep 1901-1906 Alton Democrat of August 4, 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Nic Arens were called upon to mourn the loss of their little daughter Thursday night at nine. She was their eldest child being four April twentieth last. She was a bright sweet sunshiny little girl and greatly beloved by all who knew her, but she has gone to be with him who said: Suffer little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven. The little one was taken ill Wednesday evening about six thirty after eating of some unripe fruit. Cramps and the formation of gas followed and before it was realized the little one passed into a state of lethargy and grew weaker and weaker until the end. The funeral is to be at nine o'clock this Saturday morning. The bereaved parents surely have the sympathy of the entire community.

2. Aloysious ‘Al’ Theodore Arens 1903-1961 Research- ancesstry.com submitted by others. Aloysius Theodore Arens born 28 Aug 1903 Alton IA died 27 Feb 1961 Los Angeles Co. CA . He married Mable Caroline Shannon born 17 Aug 1910 Springwater , Rock Co. MN, died 29 Jan 1999 Norwalk CA. No children listed Her second spouse Albert Roghair 19101954.

3. Joseph ‘Joe’ Louis Arens 1905-1969 Source: Sioux Center News (11-13-1969) Born: October 20, 1905 Died: November 4, 1969 Funeral Services were held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton at 10:30 am November 8 for Joseph L. Arens, 64, of Palo Alto, California, former Alton resident, who died November 4 in California. Burial was made in the Catholic Church Cemetery at Alton. Mr. Arens was born to N. and Maggie (Schafer) Arens on October 20, 1905 in Alton. Survivors include his widow, the former Gertrude Nolan, three sons and two sisters, Mrs. JP Gaul of Granville and Mrs. William Gaul of Alton.

4. Marie Martha Arens 1908-1992. Mrs. J. Peter (Marie A.) Gaul, 83, of Sioux City and formerly of Granville, died Sunday, April 26, 1992 at a Sioux City hospital after a brief illness. Services were held Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. The Rev. Clem Currans officiated. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery at Alton under the direction of the Fisch Funeral Home of Remsen. Mrs. Gaul was born May 15, 1908 in Alton, the daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Schaeffer) Arens. She was raised and educated at Alton, graduating from St. Mary's Academy in 1926. She graduated from nurse's training at Sacred Heart Hospital in LeMars. She married James Mahar, Oct. 29, 1931 in South Sioux City. The couple lived in Chicago until his death. She returned to Alton and was employed at the Orange City Municipal Hospital. She married J. Peter Gaul, July 6, 1942 at Portsmouth. They made their home in Granville. He died May 11, 1982, and she moved to Sioux City in the fall of 1983.Mrs. Gaul was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City. Survivors include three sons, James Mahar of Fort Worth, TX., Peter Gaul of Alexandria, VA, and Theodore Gaul of Des Moines; three daughters, Joanne Mahar of Watertown, WI, Mrs. Gayl (Katherine) Hopkins of Salix and Mrs. Alfred (Angela) Ulrich of Sioux Falls; two stepsons, Mark Gaul of Sioux Falls and Joseph Gaul of Granville; eight stepdaughters, Mrs. Les (Gertrude) Dekker and Mrs. Eugene (Rosemary) Nelson, both of Sioux Falls, Sister Verna Gaul OSF of Sioux City, Mrs. James (Joan) Meaden of Slayton, Minn., Mrs. Harry (Ruth) Block of Los Altos, Calif., Mrs. William (Marjorie) Childres of San Diego, Calif., Mrs. Loren (Elinor) Crawford of Yankton, S.D., and Mrs. Ivan (Clare) Pottebaum of Granville; 11 grandchildren; 28 step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by a daughter, Zita, in infancy; three brothers, Joseph, George and Al Arens; and two sisters, Mrs. William (Germaine) Gaul and Cecilia Arens in childhood. Source Sioux County Capital, Orange City, April 20, 1992

5. George Nicholas Arens 1912-1966 From a family report on Ancestry.com submitted by others.. George Nickolas Arens was born 23 Aug 1912 Alton IA died 23 Dec 1966 Los Angeles CA. He married Marion Blanche Henrickson born 8 Sep 1906 Le Mars IA died 20 Nov 1971 San Diego CA. One child was listed as George Daniel Arens 1936-2019.

6 . Germaine K. Arens 1919 - Source: Sioux County Capital (8-15-1985) Born: January 24, 1919 Died: August 12, 1985 Mrs. William Gaul,66, of Alton, died Monday in a Sioux City Hospital after a brief illness. Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton with the Reverend David Hogan officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery under the direction of the Fisch Funeral Home of Remsen. Mrs. Gaul, the former Germaine Arens, was born January 24, 1919 in Alton where she was raised and educated. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy at Alton. She married William Gaul on February 5, 1941 in Alton and the couple moved to eastern Iowa where they lived for several years before moving back to Alton. Mr. Gaul died October 5, 1974. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Church Guild and St. Mary’s Rosary Society. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Michael (Karen) Siderewicz of Omaha, Nebraska and Robert (Margaret) Connell of Braintree, Massachusetts, a sister, Mrs. John P. (Marie) Gaul of Sioux City and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Arens (Margaret Schaefer); three brothers, Aloysious, Joseph and George Arens and one sister, Miss Cecelia Arens.

OBITUARY of ARENS, NICHOLAS T. 1874-1940
From the Alton Democrat April 19, 1940 Rites For Nick Arens Saturday. Funeral services were held at St. Mary's church in Alton Saturday morning for the late Mr. Nick Arens, in charge of the Very Rev. Neppel. Pallbearers were J. P. Wiltgen, Peter Schneider, Tony Kern, C. W. Hentges, J. H. Homan, N. Ruppert. Out of town relatives and friends present included Mrs. [Margaret Schaeffer] Arens' twin sister, Mrs. J. J. Newhaus of Clinton and her brother, Ed Schaefer of Armour, S. D.; John P. Arens, Olive Arens [Aurelia 1900-1987], Mr. and Mrs. [Florentine Arens] Nick Mai, Mr. and Mrs. [Elizabeth (Lizzie) Arens] Gengler, Mrs. [Mary (Mae) Strohbeen] Paul Arens, Mrs. [Frances M. Stuntebeck] Fred Arens, Miss Margaret Arens, Mr. and Mrs. [Mary Arens] Nick Hatz, Mr. and Mrs. [Susanna (Ann) Schmitt] Nick Homan, all of Remsen, besides relatives and a host of friends from the Alton community.
From the Remsen Bell-Enterprise Nick Arens Dies at Alton Wednesday
Nick Arens of Alton, 65 years old, well known in this territory and a member of a prominent pioneer family of Alton, died at his home there Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at nine o'clock.

OBITUARY of Margaret Mrs. Nicholas Arens 1875-1952
Alton Democrat March 20, 1952 Mrs. Nicholas Arens passed On at her home Thursday March, 18, at 12:15 p.m. after an illness of many months. She was a loved resident of Alton for some fifty years. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at St, Mary's church pending the arrival of her youngest son, George Arens who is expected with Mrs. Arens from Alhambra. California.
Margaret Schaefer was born in eastern Iowa near Springbrook Oct. 29, 1875, and was 76 years old at the time of her passing. She came to Alton when a young woman and was married May 21, 1901 to Nicholas Arens. Six children were born to the union, of whom five survive their mother, namely: Al and Joe of Alton; Mrs. P. Gaul of Granville; George of Alhambra, Calif., and Mrs. Wm, Gaul of Alton, She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Frank Bascom of Preston, Iowa; and by 11 grandchildren. Celia, oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Arens, died at the age of 4 years. Mr. Arens passed on April 10, 1940 a t the age of 65. Mrs., Arens was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor, cheerful and friendly, and the family have the sympathy of many friends.