Schneider, John Sr. 1857-1948 & Katherine Thelen Family

SCHNEIDER, THELEN, SCHUVER

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg (email)
Date: 5/27/2024 at 15:47:52

Schneider, John Sr. 1857- 1947 & Katherine Thelen Family

This family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of 1883-1983 page 212. 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 Schneider was born in Alsace Lorraine, France in 1857. He came to America in 1876. In 1880, he came in a covered wagon with his brother, Nick, from Wisconsin to Sioux County.

Katherine Thelen was born in Harresbach, Germany in 1867. In 1870, she came with her parents and one sister, Gertrude (Jonas) to America. They settled in Mills County, Council Bluffs area. In 1883 with her father and sister, they moved to a farm, five miles south of Alton, Iowa, near Carnes. Her mother had died and is buried at Glenwood, Iowa.

Katherine married John Schneider at St. Mary’s church on February 25, 1884. Twelve children were born to this union namely: Peter married to Mary Fath and they had two children: Loretta and Mercedes.

Catherine, John and Joseph were not married and are deceased. Aloysius, married to Theresa Leinen and they had four children: Helen, Evelyn (Sister Bendon), Marvin, killed in World War II and Bonnie, who died at seven years old.

Leo married Amelia Biever and they had two children: Sybelle and Loralie. Victor married Clara Hansen and they had five children: Betty Lou, Patricia, Marilyn, John and Sandra. Rita married Tom Kool and they had two children; Dudley and Larry.

Bertha married Joseph Bousen and they had five children: Donald, Anna May, Norma Jean, Mary and Grace. Martha married George Kellen and they had three children: Glenis, Kay and Janet.

Emma was not married and died in 1938. Josephine married Richard Foreman and they had six children: Robert (deceased), Donna, Rex, Richard Jr., Jane and Harold.

In 1920, they moved to their newly built home on the west edge of Alton. Here, they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary. Katherine passed away October 17, 1935 and John passed away February 1, 1947.

(end of family story in the Alton St. Mary’s church book)

RESEARCH Notes: From a report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter. Ancestry’s births, marriages and deaths.

John Schneider born 9 Apr 1857 Weisviller, Alsace Lorraine, France died 1 Feb 1947 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. His parents were Johann Adam Schneider 1808-1883 and Catherine Schuver 1812-1870. He married Catharina Thelen 25 Feb 1883 Sioux County IA.

Catharina Thelen was born 23 Jul 1867 Harrisbach, Germany and died 17 Oct 1935 Alton, Sioux IA
Note: the marriage record in Sioux County IA states Catherina Thelen 19 years born about 1864 Germany married 25 Feb 1883 Sioux County IA to John Schneider. Her parents were J. Peter Thelen and Maria M. Schneider. In a family report on ancestry.com Johann Peter Thelen born 17 Feb 1827 Herresback Germany died 1 June 1891 Alton IA and wife Maria Margaretha Schneider born 8 Mar 1839 Germany died 4 Jul 1873 Council Bluffs, IA. John and Katharina had 15 children:

CHILDREN: 15 Children were born to them.
1. Peter John Schneider born 31 Mar 1885 Alton IA died 25 Jun 1969 Alton IA . Wife Mary Fath 1888-1962. Children include Loretta Schneider 1914, and Mercedes M. Schneider 1917-1975, who are Mrs. Martin Spieler of Remsen, Iowa, and Mrs. Leo N. Gergen of Granville, Iowa
2. Catherine ‘Katie’ A. Schneider born 23 Jul 1887 IA died 1 Dec 1966 Fulda MN. Husband John N. Schneider 1883-1959.
3. John Jake Scheider born 27 Dec 1889 IA died 11 Dec 1963 Fulda MN.
4. Joseph ‘Joe’ Schneider born 12 Apr 1891 Alton IA died 4 Nov 1963 Fulda MN.
5. Aloysius John Schneider born 4 Sep 1892 Alton IA died 16 Jan 1964 Ashton IA. Wife Theresa Anna Schneider 1892-1987.
6. Leo Schneider born 31 Dec 1893 Alton IA died 13 Aug 1969 Brewster MN
7. Gertrude Schneider born abt Jan or Feb 1896 as mention in father’s obit as preceded him in death. She was not in the 1900, 1910 or 1930 census of the family. Possibly the 6 mos old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Schneider died, in the Alton Democrat of July 25, 1896 . Death records has a 5 mo old child died July 16, 1896.
8. Mary N. Schneider born 25 Nov 1897 IA died 1911 Alton at 13 yrs of heart trouble.
9. Victor Peter Schneider born 27 Nov 1899 Alton IA died 30 Aug 1967 Alton IA Wife Clara M. Schneider 1903
10. Rita Bertha Schneider born 31 Oct 1901 Alton IA died 15 Feb 1993 Alton IA Husb Anthony Frederick Kool 1905-1994. Two sons, Dudley D. and his wife Marge Kool of Sioux City, and Larry L. Kool of Sioux Falls, S.D
11. Bertha Ann Marie Schneider born 25 Jan 1903 Nassau Twp Sioux IA. Died 19 May 1990 Boonville MO.
12. Martha Josephine Schneider born 2 May 1905 Alton IA died 1 Feb 1997 LeMars, IA. She married George Kellen. Two daughters - Kay and Alan Fisch of Osage Beach, Missouri and Janet and David Allison of San Diego, California
13. Emma Anna Schneider born 9 Aug 1907 died 14 Nov 1938 Alton IA She was single and an invalid.
14. Josephine Christina Schneider born 4 Jul 1910 IA died 29 Nov 1990 Alton IA. Married Richard Foreman, Children: Donna Vaselar of Houston, Texas, Rex and Richard M., both of Alton; Jane Brown of Magnolia, Texas, and Harold of Alton
15. Infant son Schneider. Born died at birth.

OBITUARY of John Schneider 1857-1947

Source: Alton Democrat (2-6-1947) Born: April 9, 1857 Died: February 1, 1947
CAME TO COMMUNITY IN 1880 BY COVERED WAGON
John Schneider, pioneer citizen, died Saturday, February 1, at his home. He was nearly 90 years old, had been ill health for the past few years and confined to bed since last March. He was one of our best known early farmers, having arrived by team and covered wagon in the year 1880, and had a long and eventful life.

Born at Weisweller, Lorraine, France April 9, 1857, he came to the United States on the steamer “Le America” in April, 1876 and went to Columbus, Wisconsin to join his brother Nick who was working on a farm. He worked on a farm near Doylestown, Wisconsin for four years. In 1880 with his brother Nick he bought a team and covered wagon and started for the Dakotas. Three weeks later the two arrived in Northwest Iowa --Alton. Sioux County, to visit Nick Henrich and liked the country so well that they bought 80 acres of land at $9.00 per acres, now the Martin Streff farm. He worked at the carpenter trade and also on the farm for some years and later bought another 120 acre farm. In 1884 he married Catherine Thelen at Alton and fifteen children were born to the couple of whom 11 survive; also 24 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The surviving children are Peter of Alton, Catherine, John and Joseph, all of Fulda, Minnesota; Al of Ashton; Leo of Brewster, Minnesota; Victor of Alton; Mrs. Tom (Rita) of Orange City; Mrs. Joe Bonen (Bertha) of Booneville, Missouri; Mrs. George Kellen (Martha) and Mrs. Richard Foreman (Josephine) of Alton. One son died at birth and three daughters, Gertrude, Mary and Emma preceded him in death. Mrs. Schneider died October 17, 1937.

The couple moved to their beautiful new home on the west edge of Alton in 1920 and had the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding February 25, 1934.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, delayed an hour because the hearse was unable to get through the drifts on the Orange City road left by the high winds which raged Monday all day and night. When it appeared that the hearse was definitely stalled, pallbearers carried the casket from the home to church where the Mass was held and then to St. Mary’s Cemetery for interment. Pallbearers were Will Wolf, P.J. Hansen, George Henrich, Nick Gaul, Nick Fath, Joe Fath, assisted by Peter and Joe Schneider and Joseph Friedmann.

On account of the blizzard and extreme cold, (it was 12 below zero that morning) many were prevented from attending the services. However, all the children and families were present, also a cousin, John Schneider of Paullina and many neighbors and friends. Mr. Schneider was one of our most highly regarded citizens, devoted to his home and family and loyal to his country and community.

OBITUARY of Katherine (Mrs. John Schneider) 1867-1935
Source: Alton Democrat (10-25-1935) Born: July 23, 1867 Died: October 17, 1935

Mrs. John Schneider, a resident of the Alton community since 1883, passed away on Thursday, October 17th, at her home in Alton. She was seventy years of age.

Mrs. Schneider, nee Katherine Thelen, was born July 23, 1867, in Harrisbach, Germany. She came to America in 1870 with her father and mother and sister, the family having settled in Mills County, Iowa. In 1883 with her father and sister, she moved to a farm south of Alton. Here on January 25, 1884, she was married to Mr. John Schneider. Together they lived on that farm until 1920, when they moved to their home on the west edge of Alton. On January 25, 1934, Mr. and Mrs. Schneider celebrated their golden wedding among their children, grandchildren and old time friends.

The couple was blessed with fifteen children, twelve of whom are living. They are: Pete, Victor, Martha (Mrs. George Kellen), Emma and Josephine, all of Alton; John, Joe, and Kate of Fulda, Minnesota; Leo of Brewster, Minnesota; Al of Ashton; Rita (Mrs. Tom Kool) of George, Iowa; and Bertha (Mrs. J.H. Bonen) of Pilot Grove, Missouri; also sixteen grandchildren.

Mrs. Schneider was a member of St, Mary’s Catholic Church and was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery on October 21. Reverend Father Schemel read the Funeral Mass. Her pallbearers were six nephews: John Schneider of Primghar, Iowa; Peter, Jonas and Ed Schneider of Alton; John Jonas of Adrian, Minnesota; Al Jonas of Ashton and George Schneider of Granville.

Family picture on page 212 of the St. Mary’s Church book.