Biever, Michael 1821-1893 & Wives Family

BIEVER, ZEIMET, HARNES, BINDNER, KREMER, SEYWERT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/11/2023 at 22:23:18

Biever, Michael 1821-1893 and wives family

This story was composed by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. The family were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Alton. Michael’s story was taken from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church book 1883-1983, first two paragraphs. Their son John Beiver and wife Helena Wolf had a story in the St. Mary’s book and their BIOS is also included on this page.

Note: there were quite a few discrepancies in the timelines of the four wives of Michael and the time sequences involved reported, through research have tried to sort out the facts and made some corrections by enclosing correct names in ( ).

Michael Biever was born 1821 in the village of Newsorf, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. He emigrated to the United States in 1855 (1853) . They lived at Bellevue, Iowa until abt 1870. he was married to Susanna Zeimet Apr 27, 1857 Jackson Co. IA. His wife, Anne Zeimet, died in child birth previously. Michael and Susanna Had a son, John Beiver, born 1860 at Bellevue IA. (Some confusion in the story in the story in the church book as second wife was Susanna Zeimet, third was Anne Harnes)

Michael then married Anne Harnes, and they and his son John (from previous marriage) , who was born August 2, 1860, moved to Alton in before 1886. (?)
Anne Harnes (it was Magdalena Bindner) was born 1830 in Luxemburg and died on November 18, 1895, following a tragedy. (It was believed to be the 4th wife, Magdelen Binder, who died 1895) An adopted daughter survived and was returned to the foundling home. However, the house and lot had been willed to her by her adopted father, Michael Biever. Michael Biever died April 28, 1893 in Alton. John continued on the Biever farm in East Orange Township, Sioux County IA.

RESEARCH notes: From a report on Ancestry.com submitted by other than this submitter.
Michael Biever was born May 18, 1821 Neudorf Luxembourg and died Apr 28, 1893 Alton IA.
His parents were – Michael Biewer/ Biever born 1782 and Johanna ‘Jeanne’ Kremer 1789-1856.

The ancestry.com report on the family which was done by other than this submitter:
Report that Michael was first married to 1st wife, Margaret Entringer born 28 Nov 1828 Clausen, Luxembourg. They were married Aug 18, 1852 Eich Luxembourg. and she died in childbirth in 1853, just before the time Michael immigrated.

Michael then married 2nd wife Susanna Zeimet Apr 27, 1857 Jackson County IA. She died in childbirth Apr 3, 1864 at Bellevue IA. Her parents were Cornelius Zeimet 1780-1860 and Maria Seywert 1792-1870. John and Susanna had a son John Biever born 1860 Bellevue IA. Susanna Zeimet was born Jul 2, 1822 Kroentgeshof, Luexmbourg and died Apr 3, 1864 Bellevue IA.

Michael then married 3rd wife Anna Harnes, was married to Michael in 1870 census. Married about 1865, and she died before 1880 census. Not much was found about her marriage to Michael.

Michael then married 4th wife Magdalena Bindner , she was born Jul 6, 1830 Schuttrage, Luxembourg and died Nov 18, 1895 Alton IA. Magdalena was the daughter of Nicholas Bindner 1789-1870 and Catherine Welter 1796-1877. She and Michael adopted a daughter Ella Biever born abt 1885. In the 1895 census of Alton IA Machdalena Beaver (Magdalena Biever) was 64 yrs born 1831 Germany. Her daughter was Ellie Beaver (Biever) born 1885 NY.

Census and Immigration Records.
1853, June 10 arrived a Michael Bever age 30 he was a mason, arrived at Castle Garden New York City on the ship Cotton Planter.
1860 census of Tete Des Morts, Jackson, Iowa lists Michael Bearer (Biever) born about 1822 Luxembourg, a farmer, wife Susan age 37 born about 1823 Luxembourg. No children listed as John was born just after census.
1870 census of Sioux county Township 94 Range 44 lists Michial Biever age 50, farmer born Germany, housekeeper, Sana (Anna?) 30 born Germnay, son John 12 born Iowa.
1880 census of Sioux County Nassau Township lists Michel Beaver (Biever) age 59 born abt 1821 Luxemburg, married to Madeline, age 50, a farmer son John age 19.

Additional information – Michael immigrated Jun 10, 1853 arrived at New York. In 1860 he was living in Tete Des Morts Jackson County IA. 1870 census living in Sioux County Area. His occupation was a farmer in the 1880 census of Nassua Twp Sioux county IA. He died Apr 28, 1893 and is buried in St. Mary’s cemetery at Alton IA.

OBITUARY of Michael Biever 1821-1893
From Alton Democrat of May 6, 1893
Michael Biever, aged 72 years, died at his residence in this city last Saturday. The deceased was born in the village of Neudorf, Grand Duchie of Luxembourg, Europe and emigrated to America in 1855. Until 1870 he resided at Bellevue, Iowa, when he removed to Sioux County, where he removed to Sioux county, where he resided ever since. He was a kindly, generous old gentleman, beloved by all who knew him and leaves a wife and son who have the sympathy of all in their great bereavement
(In the St. Mary's church book of Alton IA is a family story of Michael Biever. Michael Biever was born in 1821 in the village of Neudorf Luzemburg. He emigrated to the US in 1855. They lived at Bellevue IA until 1870. His wife, Anne (Suzanna) Zeimet, died in childbirth the previous year. He married Anne Harnes, and they and his son, John who was born August 2, 1860, moved to Alton in 1886. Anne Harnes was born in Luxemburg, and died on Nov 18, 1895, following a tragedy. An adopted daughter survived and was returned to the foundling home. However, the house and lot had been willed to her by her adopted father, Michael Biever. Michael Biever died April 28, 1893 in Alton, John continued on the Biever farm in East Orange Township, Sioux county, Iowa. Note: It was Magdalena Binder the wife who died in the tragedy.

OBITUARY Magdelena, Mrs. Michael Biever died Nov 18, 1895.
This account from the Rock Valley Register of Dec 6, 1895
Death by Asphyxiation
Orange City Herald: Mrs. Magdelena Biever of Alton lost her life Friday night by asphyxiation. She was a widow about sixty-five years old and lived with an adopted daughter about twelve years of age.
The two had retired as usual Friday evening. Saturday evening about 8 o'clock a niece of Mrs. Bentner/Belter's who was in the habit of making frequent visits to her, came to the house and found it full of gas.
The two were lying in the bed unconscious. Mrs. Biever was found to be beyond resuscitation, her advanced age rendering it impossible for her to overcome the effects of the noxious gas, but the little girl recovered after being removed to the open air. The gas had escaped from a hard coal burner.
Several sheets of mica in the doors were gone and the draft was not strong enough to carry the fumes up the chimney. Deceased was a highly esteemed member of the Alton community. Her sad death should prove a warning to others who may have been careless with their stoves.

OBITUARY of Michael Biever’s only child John Biever See his BIOS on this page for more family details.
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. For 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 upright 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 Bellevue IA, married 7 Sep 1886 died 2 April 1905 Alton, IA. Son of Michael Biever 1820-1983 Susanna Zeimet 1822-1864. 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.)