Friedmann, George 1855-1943 & Catherine Westendorf Family

FRIEDMANN, WESTENDORF, WENTZEL, WENZEL, BROCKE

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/29/2023 at 08:49:56

Friedmann, George 1855-1943 & Catherine Westendorf Family

This family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of 1883-1983 page 140.
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.

George Friedmann, was born April 1855 at Waynesburg Ohio. He died December, 1943 at Alton and is buried at Alton. He married Catherine Westendorf born November, 1856 at Luxemburg, Iowa and died March 1945, buried at Alton.

Grandfather Friedmann bought some land near Alton in 1877. In March of 1882 the family moved here with three children, Joseph, Mary and Anthony, seven weeks old Anthony died a year later and was buried near the Prairie church in the country. Later when the church was built those buried in the country were moved to the new cemetery.

(Children listed as written the family story in1983 apparently by a grand daughter are not in birth order and some are referred to twice, also see the list of children below in research notes)

JACOB born May 1884 at Alton , died September 1940 and was buried at Alton. PAUL born August 1887 at Alton died 1891 and was buried at Alton. ANNA born January, 1890 at Alton. ELIZABETH born February 1892 at Alton. JOHN born April 1894 at Alton. JULIA born August, 1896 at Alton. Elizabeth died Oct 1975 and was buried at Paynesville, MN. Father JOSEPH Friedmann was born November 1878 at Luxemburg, IA, He was ordained April 25, 1905 at the Cathedral in Sioux City IA. He died Feb 2. 1910. He was buried at St. Mary’s cemetery at Alton IA. MARY was born in 1879 at Luxemburg IA. She married Fred Odenbrett February, 1903 at Alton. They had ten children. They lived most of their life in Minnesota. They are both deceased and are buried at Melrose Minnesota. JACOB was born in 1884 at Alton, IA and died September, 1940. He married Catherine Schneider in January, 1909. She was born 1885 and died 1978. They had six children. ANNA was born in 1890 and married John Schneider on January 1910 He was born 1883. they moved to Oregon in 1917. They had five children. John died March 1959 and was buried at St. Paul, Oregon. His family all live in Oregon. ELIZABETH was born in 1892. she married Otto Kaschmitter in August of 1914. They had eight children. They are both deceased and are buried at Paynesville, Minnesota. JOHN Friedmann was born in 1894 and married Merle Taylor at Salt lake City. She is deceased. They had one daughter. He lived in Vancouver WA until a year ago when he moved to California to be near his daughter. JULIA born 1896. She married Ed Lower, April 1925 in Portland Oregon. He died in 1938. Julia lived in Portland, OR.

RESEARCH Notes: From birth, marriages and deaths and in family reports on Ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

George Friedmann was born 18 Apr 1855 Waynesburg, Stark Co., Ohio and died 9 Dec 1943 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. His parents were Joseph Friedmann 1814 Germany-1883 Dubuque Co. IA. and Katherine Wentzel or Wenzel 1822 PA -1861 Dubuque Co. IA. George married Catherine Westendorf 1 Feb 1876 at Luxemburg Twp. Dubuque IA.

Catherine Westendorf was born 11 Nov 1856 Luxemburg, Dubuque Co. IA. And died 17 Mar 1945 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. Since the parents of Catherine were not named in the ancestry report, her family was found in the 1960 census of Liberty, Dubuque, IA. Her father was Joseph Westendorf born about 1819 Hanover, Germany, He was a farmer, his wife was Catherine age 35 born 1825 Prussia and children were Elizabeth 11 born Maryland, Mary 5 born IA, Catherine 3 born IA, and Anna 1. Further found in another ancestry.com report that Catherine father was Joannes Bernadus Josephus Westendorf 1813 Germany died 10 Apr 1890 Luxemburg Dubuque IA. and mother was Catherine Brocke born abt 1823 Prussia and died 8 Dec 1895 Luxemburg Dubuque IA. Catherine 1856-1945 was one of ten children.

Check out the interesting ancestral story on the Westendorf-Brocke family authored by Ann Friedmann Schneider at the end of this narrative.

CHILDREN of George Friedmann and Catherine Westendorf as researched by Wilma J. Vande Berg. From ancestry.com birth, marriages, and death; from ancestry.com public member trees; and from local Sioux County archives within this page on this site.

1. Joseph G. Friedmann born 7 Nov 1876 Luxemburg Twp. Dubuque IA died 2 Feb 1910 Carroll, IA. There is a complete obituary for Father Joseph Friedmann on this web page click on Obits.

2. Mary Katherine Friedmann born 10 Mar 1879 Luxemburg Twp. Dubuque IA died 20 Oct 1958 Melrose, Stearns, MN. She married Frederick Mathias Odenbrett born 11 Mar 1877 Fusville WI, died 19 Aug 1958 Melrose, Stearns, MN. They had children – Mathias Frederick 1904-1995, George H. 1905-1921, Anna Mary 1906-1966, Jacob 1908-1961, John 1909-2002, Katherine Mary 1911-1994, Joseph John 1914-2000, Peter John 1916-2005, William J. 1919-1947 and Mary Jane 1921-2005.

3. Anthony Friedmann born 27 Feb 1882 died 27 Mar 1883. Antonius Friedmann died 27 Mar 1883 age 1 yr 1mo 1 day, on same headstone as brother Paulus, buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery Alton IA as listed in the Sioux County IA cemetery index.

4. Jacob John Friedmann born 28 Mary 1884 Sioux City IA died 4 Sep 1940 Alton IA. Jacob was married to Catherine Schneider 19 Jan 1919. He was an Alton farmer; six children were born to them; Veronica, Joseph, Virginette, Raymond, Lillian and Cecil. See the obituary of Jacob Friedmann on this web page under Obits - Friedmann, Jacob, 1884-1940

5. Paul Andrew Friedmann born 18 Aug 1887 Alton, Sioux, IA died 10 Mar 1891. Friedmann, Paulus died 10 Mar 1891 age 3 year 6 mo 22 days, on same headstone as brother Antonius, buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery Alton IA as listed in the Sioux County IA cemetery index.

6. Anna Susan Friedman born 15 Jan 1890 Alton, Sioux, IA died 11 Jan 1993 Saint Paul, Woodburn, Marion Co., Oregon. Married John Nicholas Schneider 1883-1959. She authored a story of her ancestral background that is included at the end of this narrative. Anna and John’s children listed were Irene Ann 1911, Marie Catherine 1912-1976, Milo Oscar 1914-2001, Esther 1915-1984, Albert John 1918-1990.

7. Elizabeth Catherine ‘Lizzie’ Friedmann born Feb 1892 Granville, Sioux Co., IA died 19 Oct 1975 St. Cloud, Stearns Co., Minnesota. She married Otto Joseph Kaschmitter who was born Aug 24, 1890 Alton IA, and died Jul 20, 1972 Paynesville, Stearns, MN. They were the parents of listed eight children with five being named - Irma 1916, Leon J. 1918, George 1920, Joseph 1921, Therese 1925-2001, and three others not named because of ancestry’s privacy issues.

8. John Joseph Friedmann born 13 Apr 1894 Granville, Sioux Co., IA died 9 July 1988 Lompoc, Santa Barbara, California. He married Merle Taylor 1912-1951, one child listed as Patricia Ann 1936-2019

9. Julia Friedman born 10 Aug 1896 Granville, Sioux Co., IA died 20 Dec 1987 Portland Clackamas Co., OR. She married Oliver Edward Lower 25 Apr 1925 Portland OR and he died 5 Dec 1938. In the 1930 census of Portland, Multnomah, OR they had no children. In the 1940 census she was a widow born abt 1897, living in Dunham Washington Oregon. No further information found.

OBITUARY of George Friedman 1855-1943
Source: Alton Democrat (12-16-1943) Born: April 18, 1855 Died: December 10, 1943 GEORGE FRIEDMANN DIES HERE AT AGE OF 88 YEARS George Friedmann, well known Alton citizen and retired farmer, passed on at his home here Thursday morning, December 10th from heart trouble and old age. He was 88 years old and was taken ill about ten days before his death and up to that time had been about his usual activities about the house and down town.
He was born at Waynesimrg, Ohio, April 18, 1855 and when a year old came to Luxenburg, Iowa, then known as Liberty, with his parents. He was married to Catherine Westendorf February 1, 1876. In the year 1882 they came to Northwest Iowa and settled on a farm five miles south of Alton. For ten years they resided on a farm near Granville and in 1901 they brought a farm adjoining Alton on the West where they had erected a set of buildings. In 1909 they retired from the farm and moved to their present home.
Nine children were born to the couple. Four sons preceded their father in death, two in infancy, Reverend Joseph Friedmann in 1910 and Jacob Friedmann in 1940. Surviving are his widow, four daughters and one son, namely: Mrs. Fred Odenbrett of Melrose, Minnesota; Mrs. John Schneider, Newburg, Ohio; Mrs. Otto Kaschmitter, Roscoe, Minnesota; John Friedmann, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Mrs. Julia Lower, Portland, Oregon; also 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Lena Baner of Dubuque.
Mrs. Friedmann was one of our progressive farmers and farseeing citizens, one of the organizers of the Farmers Co-operative Co., director of the local bank for many years, township trustee and on the board of St. Mary’s Church for over twenty-five years.
In 1926 he and his good wife celebrated their golden wedding and then in 1936 another big family reunion was held honoring their parents on their 60th anniversary. If Mr. Friedmann had lived until February the couple would have observed their 68th anniversary.
Solemn Requiem Mass was held Monday morning at St. Mary’s Church, with the pastor Very Reverend Neppel as the celebrant, Reverend Nick Gaul of Portenmouth, Iowa, as deacon, Reverend Lawless as sub-deacon and Reverend Knobbe of Granville as master of ceremonies.
All the daughters were here for the services and to be with their mother. John Friedmann of Salt Lake City was unable to obtain transportation but the company of which he is an executive, sent a beautiful floral piece.
Relatives present from a distance included the daughters mentioned, Otto Kaschmitter of Roscoe, Minnesota; George Friedmann Luxemburg, Iowa; Reverend Nick Gaul, Portsmouth; William and John Gaul, Pete Gaul and son, all of Earling; Mrs. B.H. Determan, Ben and John Staltzer, Raverhill, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John Reker, Adrian, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Reker, Lismore, Minnesota; Pvt. Ray Friedmann, Sheppard Field, Texas; among Granville relatives and friends were Mrs. Frank Dielerich, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ahlers, Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Spieler, Mr. and Mrs. George Schneider, Paul and Katherine Diederich, Lawrence Spieler Jr., besides many other friends from neighboring towns.

OBITUARY of Catherine Mrs. George Friedmann 1856-1945
Source: Alton Democrat (3-29-1945) Born: November 11, 1856 Died: 1945
MRS. GEORGE FRIEDMANN RESIDENT HERE SINCE 1882---BELOVED ALTON PIONEER LAID TO REST Solemn Requiem Mass was held Wednesday morning, March 21, at St. Mary’s Church for Mrs. Catherine Friedmann, beloved Alton pioneer, who passed on at St. Cloud, Minnesota the preceding Saturday.
Reverend James Fandel was celebrant, Reverend Friedmann of Remsen deacon, Reverend Vollmer of Sacred Heart Hospital, Le Mars, sub deacon, Reverend Thomas of St. Joseph’s, Le Mars, master of ceremonies. Pallbearers were J.H. Homan, John Engeldinger, D.J. Hoxmeier, Martin Streff, Will Wolf and P.J. Hansen.
Catherine Westendorf was born at Luxemburg, Iowa on November 11, 1856 and had reached the age of 88 years at the time of her death, which took place at St. Cloud Hospital after a week’s illness with heart trouble and pneumonia. She was married to George Friedmann February 1, 1876. In the year 1882 they came to Northwest Iowa and settled on a farm five miles south of Alton. For ten years they resided on a farm near Granville and in 1901, they brought a farm adjoining Alton on the West where they had erected a set of buildings.
In 1908 the couple retired from the farm and moved to Alton. After her husband passed away December 9, 1943. Mrs. Friedmann left Alton and spent most of her time at St. Francis Old Folks Home in Dubuque, Iowa and St. Joseph’s Home in St. Cloud, Minnesota and also visiting her near relatives here and at Roscoe, Minnesota.
Nine children were born to the couple. Four sons preceded their parents in death--two in infancy. Reverend Joseph Friedmann in 1910 and Jacob Friedmann in 1940 besides her husband in 1943.
Surviving are four daughters and one son, namely: Mrs. Fred Odenbrett, Melrose, Minnesota, Mrs. John Schneider, Newberg, Oregon, Mrs. Otto Kaschmitter, Roscoe, Minnesota, John Friedmann, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mrs. Julia Lower, Portland, Oregon; also 28 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Mrs. Theresa Pottebaum, St. Francis Home, Dubuque, Iowa; and Mrs. Bernadine Hoefler, Westphalia, Kansas.
She was a member of the Rosary Society of St. Mary’s Parish, loved by all for her kindness and charitable deeds.
In 1926 she and her good husband celebrated their golden wedding, and ten years later in 1936 another happy family reunion was held honoring the parents on their 60th anniversary.
Out of town relatives present at the Mass were Joe Friedmann, Dyersville, Mr. and Mrs. John Recker, Adrian, Minnesota; Miss Mary Sassen, Worthington, Minnesota; Mrs. Fred Odenbrect, Melrose, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Otto Kaschmitter, Roscoe, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Spieler Paul and Kathryn Diederich, Mrs. Theo. Goergen, Mr. and Mrs. George Schneider, all of Granville, besides scores of fiends from Alton and neighboring towns.

Ancestral information as authored by Ann Friedmann Schneider sent to a cousin:
(Below is a story found on ancestry.com public member trees was transcribed, from a family genealogy book ‘Stalzer Family History’ Marshall county, Iowa, Volume 1, 1996” Author Ann Friedman Schneider 1890-1993).
Catherine Brocke (Bernard’s Mother) lived in the Rhine country near the city of Cobenz and the city of Trier and the village of Neunkirchen. She saw the beautiful “Koeliner Dom”. She had a rosary of wooden beads which had touched the ‘Heilige Roch’, Holy Robe, which was preserved and venerated in Trier. Her father was a shoemaker. There were ten boys in the family and Catherine, who was second or third oldest. The oldest son was called to the army and then the father said he wanted the family to move to America. Then the oldest son deserted the Army and was apprehended and forced to serve his time in the military training for three years. All the rest of the family came to America. When the eldest son came home his mother asked him how he fared, he replied the punishment for desertion was so severe that he often wished that he could die. They settled in Maryland and Mr. Brocke continued as a shoemaker. Catherine worked as a waitress in a restaurant in Fredrichsburg, Maryland. Joseph Westendorf worked on the railroad and they met and and married in October, 1848. They met before leaving Germany. Joseph came from Neuenkirchen, Germany. They lived in Fredericksburg until they had three children and then they moved to Iowa. In Maryland peach trees were in bloom as they left and in Dubuque, Iowa a snow storm was blowing. The second oldest, a son Frank, took sick and died with croup at the age of three. They settled on a farm near Luxemburg IA. Elizabeth was the oldest and Mary was the baby. Catherine (my mother) was the first born in Iowa, then Anna, Theresa, Dina, and Lena who died when two years old during a smallpox epidemic. Grandmother also got smallpox and a baby boy was born and died. Elizabeth spoke English only when they came to Iowa into a German settlement. On the trip from Maryland, a neighbor Mr. Sher, as well as Henry Pottebaum’s father, came with them They spoke English. Catherine Brocke was married at the age of 24 and died at the age of 72 on December 8, 1895. This is what I have of the Westendorf and Brocke history. Your cousin Ann Schneider.

This picture of the George Friedmann family was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s church book page 140

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