Brunsman, Herman 1836-1897 & Anna Dopheide Family

BRUNSMAN, DOPHEIDE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/15/2023 at 21:22:36

Brunsman, Herman 1836-1897 & Anna Dopheide Family

This story was taken from the St. Mary’s Church book of Atlon Ia 1883-1983 page 130. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Iowa Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

Page 130 of the St. Mary’s Church book has a brief story of Herman Brunsmann father of Joseph Brunsman, who also has a BIOS on this page. Herman Brunsmann was born in Munster, Germany in 1836. He was married, and the father of three sons, Joseph, Barney and Bernard, and one daughter, Lidwina. After his wife’s death, he came to the United States, and to Sioux County in 1881. Herman Brunsmann died at Alton in 1897, and is buried in St. Mary’s cemetery. His son Barney, also lived in Alton.

RESEARCH Notes: In an ancestry.com report done by other than this submitter. Herman’s wife was Anna Dopheide. Marriage record of Sankt Clemens Katholisch, Telgte Stadt, Westfalen Prussia lists Hermann Brunsmann married to Anna Dopheide on 18 Sep 1855, He son of Bernd Henrich Brunsmann, Herman’s wife, Anna Dopheide Brunsman, died (between 1871-1880) before they came to the United States in about 1881.

Although it states Herman came with three sons, Joseph, Barney and Bernard. The submitter of this narrative can only find one Bernard ‘Barney’ referenced in the research done. Have thus come to the conclusion that Barney and Bernard were the same person. In 1899 when Barney died it mentioned he had one brother Joe (Joseph) and sister Ludwina.

1885 census of Sioux county IA lists Herman Brunsman age 50 born Germany a widower, living in Nassau twp, Sioux county, son Bernard Brunsman age 22 born 1863 Germany, and Lizie Brunsman age 10 born Germany. (Barney) born 1863 at the time of his death 1899 he was 36 yrs old.
1895 census of Sioux County, lists Herman born about 1831 Germany, Joseph born about 1872 Germany, and Barney born about 1862 Germany.
The fact there is only one Barney/Bernard Brunsman listed in both census gives credence to the fact that Bernard and Barney were the same person.

Alton Democrat of Dec 6, 1890 Barney Brunsman expects to leave within a few days for Germany, where he will visit friends and relatives for a couple of months. His sister Ledwina, will return with him. Barney wanted to go back before this, but as he left Germany to avoid being impressed in the army five years, and he didn't have over ten minutes time to escape the army officers, when he did leave, he didn't hanker for a visit back until he became a naturalized American citizen. This year Barney got his last papers and can now face the emperor and army without any fears of the result.

Daughter of Herman, Ludwina Brunsman was housekeeper for the late Father Gerleman when he was first ordained. She passed away Sep 4, 1947 see her obit at the end of this narrative.

OBITUARY of Herman Brunsmann born 1836 died Nov 3, 1897
Last Wednesday afternoon, Herman Brunsmann, a respected and esteemed citizen of Alton, passed peacefully away at the home of his son, Barney Brunsman in this city. He was in his sixty-first year, and had been ailing for a number of years with asthma. He was a native of
Munster, Germany, coming to this country about fourteen years ago. He leaves three children to mourn his loss, Barney and Joseph of this city, and Miss Vina Brunsman of Sioux City. The funeral was held from St. Mary's church (this) Friday morning, interment in Catholic cemetery. THE DEMOCRAT sympathizes with the bereaved family and friends.
(According to the Alton St. Mary's book account of the family, his wife died in Germany, no mention of her name was made.)

OBITUARY OF Bernard / Barney Brunsman 1863 died Sep 11,1899
Barney Brunsman died at his home in this city [Alton] last Monday [Sept. 11] afternoon, after a lingering illness of several months duration. He was born in Munster, West Phalia, Germany, and was 36 years of age at the time of his death. In November 1883 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Welchert at Dubuque, Iowa. Six children were born to them, four sons and two daughters, four of whom are living, the eldest, a daughter 14 years of age, and the youngest a baby boy 11 months old.
Barney followed the profession of painter and paper hanger, and was a good workman as long as his health permitted. When the end drew near loving relatives and kind friends did all possible to alleviate his sufferings. He leaves besides his wife and four children, one brother, Joe Brunsman of this city, and one sister, Miss Vina Brunsman of Baum, to mourn his death. The funeral was held from St. Mary's church Wednesday morning, conducted by Rev. Father Brune, interment in St. Mary's cemetery. Source: Alton Democrat, Sept. 16, 1899

OBITUARY of Joseph Brunsman 1869-1942 (Also see his BIOS on this page)
Alton Democrat of April 24, 1942 Jos. Brunsman Early Alton Resident, Dies. Came Here In 1881 Was Skilled Artisan.
Joseph Brunsmann, a resident of Alton for over sixty years, passed on at his home here Tuesday, April 21st, after a few days illness, having been taken critically ill with a heart attack Sunday. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at nice o’clock in the morning at St. Mary’s Church. He was born in Gembte, Westfalen, Germany, on June 4, 1869, and came to Sioux County with his father at the age of twelve, settling in Alton, where on Feb 11, 1896, he was married to Mary Koppert. Ten children were born to this union, of whom nine are living, namely, Mrs. Peter Wiltgen (Agnes) of Alton; Vincent of Lexington KY; Gilbert of Alton; Mrs. D. J. Thill (Olivia) of Remsen; Sister Mary Gilbert (Lucinda) of Pocahontas; Mrs. Linus Freking (Clarinda) of Le Mars; Cletus of Alton; Rosine (R.N.) of LeMars, and Vernon of Alton. He is also survived by his wife and by an only sister, Lidwinia, who has made her home with the family for the past twenty years.
A veteran decorator, Mr. Brunsman was widely know as a skilled artisan and took great pride in turning out a good job. He stuck to his ladder and paint until failing health only within the last few years made it impossible for him to work. However, he remained erect and agile and seeing him even during the past few weeks no one unaware of his age would have thought he was nearly 73 years old. He recovered from several serious attacks of illness and liked to predict that he would live to be over a hundred. He will be missed by hundreds of friends who sympathize with his wife and children in their loss of a good husband and father.

OBITUARY of Brunsman, Lidvina 1871-1947
LIDVINA BRUNSMAN PASSES, FUNERAL HELD SATURDAY Miss Lidvina Brunsman, a resident of Alton for 56 years, died Wednesday evening as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage. She had become sick Wednesday morning. She was 76 years old. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 9 o'clock, Father J. M. Neppel celebrating the Requiem High Mass in St. Mary's Church. Burial was in St. Mary's cemetery. Pallbearers were Al Arens, John Miller, J. T. Even, D. T. Hoxmeier, John Schmidt and O. N. Homan. Lidvina Brunsman was born on Jan. 21, 1871, in Gimpten, Westphalia, Germany, the daughter of Herman and Anna Brunsman. She came to this country with her father and two brothers in 1871, landing on the day she was 20 years old. They made their home in Alton, where her father and both brothers, Barney and Joe, preceded her in death. While in Alton she kept house for Father Gerleman for many years, and was also housekeeper for Father Fisch. She was employed for a time as a seamstress by Mrs. Peter Bamberg in her millinery shop. For the past 27 years she had been in the care of Mrs. Mary Brunsman, her sister-in-law. She suffered a stroke three years ago and another this spring, and was partially paralyzed at the time of her death. Here for the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Linus Freking and Mr. and Mrs. Al Koppert, of Le Mars, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Thill and Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bunkers of Remsen. Source: Alton Democrat, Sept. 11, 1947.