Biever, John 1860-1905 & Helena Wolf Family

BIEVER, WOLF, HARNES, MANDERSCHEID

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/9/2023 at 19:37:24

Biever, John 1860- 1905 and Magdalen ‘Helena’ Wolf Family

This family story was taken from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Book of Alton IA 1883-1983. 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.

John Biever was born at Bellevue Iowa on August 2, 1860. He married Magdalen (Helena) Wolf on September 17, 1886 at Alton. Helena was born December 1866.

Their children were Michael, born 1887 and died 1943; unmarried; Regina born 1891, married Tom Allen, and living at Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Tracy, born 1893 and died 1904; Philomena, born 1895, married to John Engeldinger, and now living in Sioux City nursing home; Amelia born 1896 married Leo Schneider, lived at Brewster, MN, and died 1980; Alois, born 1898 married Gert Steichen, and died in 1971; Alphonse, born 1902,married Molly Hentges and died in 1946; and a baby stillborn in May 1908.

John Biever died Apr 2, 1905 after a long illness of cancer of the stomach. His wife, Helena, continued on the farm with the help of sons Michael and Alois, until 1928 when they moved to Alton . Helena died October 5, 1941 of heart failure after surgery at Mayo Hospital Rochester MN. As of the present time, (in 19830 the Biever farm is operated by Alois’ son. Orville and family

Research note: From a family report on ancestry.com submitted by other than this submitter.

John Biever was born 20 Aug 1860 Belleveue, Jackson, Iowa, and died 2 Apr 1905 Alton IA. He was the son of Michael Biever 1821-1893 and Anna Harnes 1830-1895. Also see the BIOS of John’s parents Michael Biever 1821-1893 for more ancestral family details. John married Helena Wolf 7 Sep 1886 at Alton IA.

Helena Wolf was born Dec 1866 Jackson County IA and died 6 Oct 1941 Alton IA. She was the daughter of John Wolf born 1826 Luxemburg died Mar 12, 1890 Alton IA and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Manderscheid born 11 Nov 1844 Contern Luxembourg, and died 24 Jan 1923 Carroll, IA.

CHILDREN of John Biever and Helena Wolf:

1. Michael 1887-1943 Sioux County Capital June 10, 1943 Michael Biever, a resident of the Alton vicinity since the time of his birth died Wednesday morning June 2 at the University hospital in Iowa City where he was taken from the Oakdale hospital the previous week, and underwent an operation on the Thursday preceding his death. Mr. Biever was born here June 29, 1887 and lived here until the time of this mother’s death in 1941, when he was taken to the state hospital in Oakdale. He was and invalid for many years. His brother Al returned Monday after being with him during and after the operation . He is survived by three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Tom Allen of Dell Rapids, S. D. Mrs. John Engeldinger of Alton, Mrs. Leo Schnieder, Brewster, MN. and Alois and Alphonse of Alton. Funeral Services were held Saturday morning in S. Mary’s Church.
(From ancestry.com information Micheal Biever born 19 Jun 1887 Sioux County IA. Died 2 Jun 1943. Parents John Biever and Helena ‘Lena’

2. Regina Biever born 30 Nov 1891 died July 29, 1991 Dell Rapids SD Married Thomas L. Allen 1892-1963, children were Imelda Allen 1920-1992, Leroy Allen 1922, Lawrence J. Allen 1922-2015, Thomas Allen 1926, Jena Allen 1927, Annette Allen 1928, Leonard Allen 1931, Anna Mae Allen 1938 and one other not mentioned.

3. Tracy Biever 1893 -1904 From the Alton Democrat of Jul 15, 1899
Tracy, the ten year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Biever, residing three miles south of Alton, died Friday morning. We have not heard the particulars, but learn that the funeral will be held Saturday morning in St. Mary's Church. Tracy was a bright and lovable girl and the parents have the sympathy of the entire community.
(This death annoucement and the information found in the family history in St. Mary's church book does not agree. In the church book it states the Tracy was born 1893 and died 1904. Her parents were John Biever 1860-1905 and Helena Wolf 1868 - 1941. Children reported in the church book and on line were - Michael 1887, Regina 1891, Theresa 1893, Philomena 1894, Amelia 1896, Aloysius 1898, Alphonse 1902, and Agnes 1903.)

4. Philomena Biever born 1895 Mrs. John Engeldinger Source: Sioux County Capital of Orange City (9-22-1983) Mrs. John (Philomena) Engeldinger, 88, of Alton died Tuesday in a nursing home in Sioux City after brief illness. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. The Rev. Thomas Hart officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery under the direction of the Fisch Funeral Home in Remsen. Mrs. Engeldinger, the former Philomena Biever, was born September 17, 1894 at Alton to Mr. and Mrs. John 9Helena Wolf) Biever. She was raised and educated in Alton. She married John Engeldinger February 4, 1918, at Alton. They farmed in the Alton area until retiring and moving into Alto in 1957. He died April 4, 1963. In 1964 she moved to Granville where she lived until 1979 when she moved to Casa De Paz in Sioux City. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America at Remsen. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Vincent (Ethelyn) Muth of Hawarden; one son, Harlen of Sioux City; one sister, Mrs. Thomas (Regina) Allen of Dell Rapids, S.D.; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one daughter, Mrs. Paul (Maxine) Goergen; three brothers, Michael, Alois and Alphonse; and one sister, Mrs. Leo (Amelia) Schneider.

5. Amelia Biever 1896- 1980 Mrs. Leo Schneider From an ancestry.com report submitted by others.
Amelia Anna Biever was born 31 Mar 1896 Alton IA, and died 21 Dec 1980 Brewster, MN. She was married 23 May 1922 Alton IA to Leo Schneider born 31 Dec 1893 Alton IA, died 13 Aug 1969 Brewster MN. Two children were listed as Sybelle Marie Schneider 1923-2009 and Loralie Regina Schneider 1931-2017.

6. Alois Biever 1898-1971 married Gert Steichen Obituary - St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alton, at 10:30 A.M., Monday for Aloysius J. Biever, will known Alton farmer who died at the hospital, Le Mars, June 10, after a long illness. The Reverend Norbert Boes read the funeral Mass and interment was at the parish cemetery. Mr. Biever was a lifelong resident of the Alton area. He was born April 8, 1898, son of John and Helena (Wolf) Biever, on a farm near Alton and on May 6, 1935, married Gertrude Steichen of Alton, who survives him. Other survivors are his son, Orval, former basketball star at Westmar College, Le Mars; two daughters, Mrs. Roger Dimmick of Le Mars and Mrs. Romain Kaiser of Yankton, South Dakota; three sisters, Mrs. Regina Allen of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Mrs. Philomena Engeldinger of Granville and Mrs. Mollie Schneider of Brewster, Minnesota; also by five grandchildren.

7. Alphonse Biever 1902-1946 married Molly Hentges From a family report on line submitted by others. Alphonse Biever was born 29 Oct 1902 Alton IA died Sep 29, 1946 Iowa. He married Melvina Hentges 1906-1994 Orange City IA. and two children born to them Duane Biever 1931-2017 and one other not mentioned.

8. Agnes Biever born 1903. FindA Grave lists Agnes Biever born 1903 died 1903 buried in St. Mary’s cemetery Alton IA.

OBITUARY of John Beiver 1860-1905
Alton Democrat April 8, 1905 Passed away at his home south east of town on April second at one o'clock in the afternoon John Biever after a long illness of cancer of the stomach. Fo months loving hands and skillful medical aid did all in their power to prolong this good man's life but all to no avail. Deceased was an up right industrious sober man. In the home there never was a kinder husband or more devoted father and today his entire neighborhood bow their head in sorrow and mourn with the bereaved ones in their irreparable loss.
That he was held in high esteem was evidenced by the large concourse of relatives and friends that attended the funeral which was held from St. Mary's church Tuesday morning. Rev. Brune delivered an excellent tribute to the deceased.
He was a member of St. Joseph's society and of the Catholic Mutual Protective society John Biever was born on the twentieth day of August 1860 in Jackson county Iowa coming to Alton with his parents when a boy.

On September seventh 1887 he was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Wolf who with six children still survives him The children range in age from two to eighteen years.

(Found family on line - John Biever 20 Aug 1860 Bellvue IA, married 7 Sep 1886 died 2 April 1905 Alton, IA. Son of Michael Biever 1820-1983 Susanna Zeimet 1864. His wife was Helena Lena or Magdalena Wolf 1866-1941. Children were - Mike 1887, Regina 1891, Theresa 1893 -1904, Philomenia 1894, Amelia 1896, Aloysius 1898, Alphonse 1902, Agnes 1903.)

OBITUARY of Helena Mrs. John Biever
Mrs. Helena Biever passed away at Rochester, Minn. Oct. 6 from a heart attack, following an operation. Helena Wolf was born in Jackson County, Iowa 75 years ago and came to Alton with her pioneer parents in her childhood. On Sept. 7 1888 she married at Alton to John Biever. Eight children were born to this union, of whom six survive. Mr. Biever died in 1902. The surviving children are Michael of Alton; Mrs. Tom Allen of Dell Rapids, S.D.; Mrs. John Engeldinger of Alton; Mrs. Leo Schneider of Brewster, Minn.; Aloysius and Alphonse, both of Alton. She is survived by 16 grandchildren, 4 brothers, and 4 sisters. In 1928 Mrs. Biever left the farm and built a new home in Alton where she has since resided. Funeral services were held Thursday morning in St. Mary's Church in charge of Rev. J.M. Nepple. Source: Alton Democrat October 16, 1941

The pictures of John and Helena Biever were taken from the report on ancestry.com.

Family History by Duane Biever
 

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