Frantzen, Peter Sr. 1848-1935 & Catherine Steichen Family

FRANTZEN, STEICHEN, RODIUS, SCHOUWELLER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/24/2023 at 13:31:51

Frantzen, Peter Sr. 1848- 1935 and Catherine Steichen Family

This family history was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church Book 1883-1983 pages 138 and 139. 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 with dates, spelling of names and places are stated as found in the particular source.

Peter Frantzen was born February 14, 1848 in Koelen, Luxemburg. He came to America in 1860 and settled near Dubuque with his brothers, Henry and Nic. (See their BIOS on this web page) In 1871 he came to Sioux County and homesteaded a farm. Section 26 in Nassau Township.

Catherine Steichen was born in 1853. she married Peter Frantzen in Le Mars, November 1872. They lived together 53 years, celebrating their Golden Wedding in 1921. Mrs. Frantzen passed away in 1925. There were 14 children born to this union. Seven children survived their mother. Susan, Mrs. Frank Ginsbach of Dell Rapids SD; Magdalene, Sister M. Fidelia; Christine, Mrs. Carl Baune of Alton Iowa; Rose, Mrs. John Fisch of Marshalltown Iowa; Joe, married Rose Stalzer of Alta Vista Iowa; Nic, married Catherine Kellen of Dell Rapids; Peter Jr, married Theresa Reith of Alton;

Peter Frantzen Sr., lived with his son, Peter Jr, until he died in 1935. The statue, Mary of Christians, which is now in the Spalding School, St. Mary’s of Alton, was brought from Luxemburg by Mrs. Peter Frantzen, Sr. (This information is from a grand daughter Marie Hillsman of New Hampton, Iowa, to Judy Hansen.)
End of Story in the Church Book. Note: there is story of Peter Jr. born 1888 in the Chruch Book also.

RESEARCH Notes: Information from ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter, other ancestry.com sites, local obituaries and census records.

Immigration record Passenger departure from La Havre France, arriving at Castle Garden New York, June 8 1861, on ship Vanguara. Franzen, Pierre age 49 male, Suzana 46 female, children – Henry 23 male, Nicholas 18 Male, Suzanna 16, female, Pierre 14 Male, Jean 9 male, Mathias 6 Male. (Peter was Pierre age 14 at the time.)

1870 Census record of Peter Frantzen’s parents, living in Mosalem, Dubuque, IA, Peter Franzen age 60 born about 1810 Luxembourg, a farmer, wife Susan, children John Franzen 18, Mathias Franzen 16, living with them Matthias Streff 25 and wife Susan Streff 23. Assume that Peter born 1848 was working out at the time. Possibly a farm hand, there was a Peter Franzen born abt 1843 Holstein living at Hickory Grove Scott County IA. (?)

1880 census of Nassau, Sioux County Iowa, Peter Frantzen was 32, born about 1848 Luzemburg, Wife Cathrine Frantzen, children – Susan 4, Lena 3, Christine 1.

1900 census of Nassau, Sioux County Iowa, Peter Frantzen age 52, born Feb 1848 Germany, wife Kate Frantzen, married in 1872, children – Christina 21, Maggie 19, Joseph 18, Rosa 14, Peter 11, Lousia 10, Nicholas 7.

From the family report on ancestry.com Peter Aloysius Frantzen was born 14 Feb 1848 Kehlen, Capellen, Luxembourg and died 9 Apr 1935 Alton Sioux Iowa. He was the son of Peter Frantzen 1812-1877 and Susanna Rodius 1814-1897. He married Catherine Steichen Nov 1871 at Le Mars IA.

Catherine Steichen was born 5 May 1853 Clemency, Capellen, Luxembourg and died 12 Apr 1925 Alton Sioux Iowa. She was the daughter of Jean Steichen 1807-1882 and Margaret Schouweller 1809-1870.
Peter and Catherine were the parents of 14 children.

1. Susan Amelia Frantzen was born 12 Aug 1875 Alton IA died 30 Sep 1947 Dell Rapids SD. She married Frank Ginsbach 1874-1973 in 1896 at Alton. The children listed – Coletta M. Ginsbach 1901-1993, Prima M. Ginbach 1902-1982, Peter Hyacinth Ginsbach 1905-1982, and Francis Nicholas Ginsbach 1913-1987.

2. Magdalene ‘Sister M. Fidelia’ Frantzen born 13 Jun 1877 Alton IA died 5 Nov 1963 Dubuque IA.

3. Christina Frantzen born 7 Nov 1878 Alton IA died 25 Aug 1943 Alton IA. She married Carl Baune 1868-1936. Their children listed were - Cletus George Baune 1914-1969, Marina E. Baune 1916-1994 and Ceveria Susan Baune 1917-1976. Her obituary in the Alton Democrat paper of Sep 3, 1943 can be viewed on this web page under obits.

4. Margaret ‘Maggie’ Frantzen born 30 Aug 1880 Alton IA died 11 Mar 1905 Alton IA. See the obit of Miss Margaret Frantzen 1880-1905 in Obits on this web page. All was well, she went to bed and died during the night.

5. Joseph John Frantzen 12 Apr 1882 Alton IA died 10 Apr 1954 Alta Vista IA. He was married to Rose Mary Bernadine Stalzer 1883-1977. The children listed were – Olivia Nena Frantzen 1908-2011, John Victor Frantzen 1910-1998, Marie Mary Frantzen 1912-1989, Dorothy E. Frantzen 1914-2000, Alfrieda Mary Frantzen 1916, Bernice Mary Maruske 1918-2006, Joseph Wilfred Frantzen 1919-1942, Helen Pauline Frantzen 1921-2015, Leonard Charles Frantzen 1923-1997, Joan Theresa Frantzen 1926-2006.

6. Henry N. Frantzen born 9 Jan 1884 Atlon IA, died 16 Oct 1884 Alton IA.

7. Rosa J. Frantzen born 13 Aug 1885 Alton IA died 10 Mar 1961 Marion OR. She married John Fisch 1876-1958. Their children listed were – Francis R. Fisch 1914-1980, Agnes C. Fisch 1916-1981, Regina S. Fisch 1918-2003, Clarence Fisch 1919-1984, Fidelia C. Fisch 1921-1927, Two more children not named, as private due to dates.

8. Baby Frantzen born Jan 1887 Alton IA died 1887 Alton IA.

9. Peter Aloysius Frantzen born 12 Dec 1888 Alton IA died 9 Feb 1969 Alton IA. He married Theresia Marie Reith 1882-1965. In his obit on this web site under Obits, no children listed.

10. Louise ‘Lucy’ M. Frantzen born 16 Mar 1890 Alton IA died 19 Jan 1919 Elgin, NE. She married Anton Ollendick 1893-1966. They had one child listed as Raymond Nicholas Ollendick 1917-1970.

11. Nicholas ‘Nick’ Mathias Frantzen born 4 Sep 1892 Alton IA, died 20 Nov 1952 Dell Rapids SD. He married Katherine Kellen 1900-1957. They had children listed – Lawrence Frantzen 1922-1922, Bernard Peter Frantzen 1923-2000, Aloysius Peter Frantzen 1926-1940, Alfred John Frantzen 1928-2008, Donald J. Frantzen 1931-2001 and one other not named.

12. Baby Frantzen born 14 Sep 1892 Alton IA died 10 Feb 1896 Alton IA.

13. Alvena Frantzen 1895 died before 1905 Alton IA

14. Infant B. Frantzen born 1896 Alton died 1896 Alton IA.

OBITUARY of Peter Frantzen Sr. 1848-1935
Source: Alton Democrat (4-12-1935) Birth: February 14, 1848 Death: April 9, 1935
Peter Frantzen -- Nassau township pioneer, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning at his home south of Alton. Born February 14, 1848, in Germany, he came to this country with his parents at the age of 12. The family settled near Dubuque. With his brothers Nic. and Henry, Mr. Frantzen came to Sioux County in 1871 and the brothers homesteaded on section 26, Nassau township, Peter, however, was the only one of the brothers that remained at that location. He had made his home on the original homestead during the past 64 years, a remarkable record.

Of a family of five boys and one girl, he was the only one surviving, the four brothers and one sister having preceded him in death many years. Mrs. Math. Streff, mother of the Streff brothers of this vicinity, was his sister. His brother Henry, who located at Hospers, died at the Frantzen home here. His brother Math. taught school here in the early days and died here. Nick and John farmed the home place near Dubuque. Seven children survived there parents, all respected citizens, as follows: Susan, Mrs. Frank Ginsbach, Dell Rapids, South Dakota; Sister Fidelia, Oyens; Christine, Mrs. Carl Baune, Alton; Rose, Mrs. John Fisch, Marshalltown, Iowa; Joe Frantzen, New Hampton, Iowa; Nic. Frantzen, Dell Rapids, South Dakota; and P.A. Frantzen, on the home farm here. One other child, Margaret, died in 1905.

Mr. Frantzen married Catherine Steichen in November 1871, the ceremony being solemnized at Le Mars. They suffered all the hardships of pioneer days, of course, but had the grit to see it through, grasshoppers scourges and all, and both lived to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary in 1921. Mrs. Frantzen passed away in 1925. Sister Fidelia of Oyens and P.A. Frantzen were present when their father quietly passed away.

Solemn Requiem High Mass was held this Thursday morning at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Alton at 9 o'clock, with Very Reverend M.A. Schemel, the pastor; Reverend Schumacher of Le Mars, Reverend Henry Pick of Sutherland, and Reverend Rolfes of Oyens, officiating.

A remarkably efficient farmer, possessing much common sense, long vision and good judgment, Mr. Frantzen was one of the splendid pioneers who laid the foundation for what this great country later became. Conservative, honest, a staunch friend, his loving family feels his loss keenly, as do a host of loyal friends.

OBITUARY of Catherine Steichen Mrs. Peter Frantzen 1853-1925.
Source: Alton Democrat (4-17-1925) Birth: May 5, 1853 Death: April 12, 1925
The death of Mrs. Peter Frantzen Sr., at her home four miles south of Alton, on Easter Sunday was a severe blow to her many relatives and friends. Although her life had been despaired of several weeks ago it did not lessen the sting nor the sorrow when the dark hour came. Mrs. Frantzen was a sufferer from liver trouble for 3 months. All that medical skill and loving hands could do to prolong her life and relieve her suffering was done but to no avail. She seemed to be sinking rapidly until the end which came sooner than expected.

Mrs. Frantzen's maiden name was Catherine Steichen, born in Koenzig, Luxemburg, Europe on May 5, 1853; came to this country 5 years later, settling at La Crosse, Wisconsin; moving to Bellevue, Iowa, later on at the age of eighteen. The family moved to this part of the state two years afterwards.

She was united in marriage with Peter Frantzen at Le Mars, Iowa. They at once went to housekeeping on the present estate then only a little two-room shack homestead by Mr. Frantzen. Their first five years, crops were mostly hailstorms and grasshoppers with little to eat and little to wear, the nearest trading station being Le Mars 17 miles away. Method of transportation was on foot or by oxen, each taking about the same length of time often getting lost as there were no trails. Often she related the hardships and joys of pioneer life especially prairie fires that came quite regular. She possessed natural cheery disposition, yet very sympathetic.

Fourteen children were born, of whom seven are living, Mrs. Frank Ginsbach, Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Sister M. Fidelia, Ossian, Iowa; Mrs. Carl Baune, Alton, Iowa; Joseph Frantzen, New Hampton, Iowa; Mrs. John Fisch, Pipestone, Minnesota; Peter Jr., Alton; Nicholas, Dell Rapids, South Dakota all of whom attended the funeral. There are 25 grandchildren.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. A. De Frang, Henrietta, Minnesota; Mrs. Anna Justen, Fredericksburg, Iowa; Miss Susan Jacobs, Bancroft, Iowa; Mrs. J. Frantzen, New Hampton, Iowa; Mrs. Louise Schneider, Dubuque, Iowa; J.P. Frantzen, Dubuque, Iowa; Henry Frantzen, Le Mars; Peter, Sophia, Celesta, Josephine and Lee and Emil Frantzen, Hospers; J.N. Streff, Flandreau, South Dakota; John Fisch, Pipestone, Minnesota; Frank Ginsbach, Dell Rapids, South Dakota. The pallbearers were Peter and John Frantzen, John and Nicholas Steichen, Martin and Aloysius Streff, all nephews of the deceased.

Picture of the Peter and Catherine Frantzen family as shared on ancestry.com. L – R Front Rosa, Joseph, Margaret, Christine, Back L-R Susan, Catherine, Peter, Lena. Circa: September 1886 Sioux City IA.

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