Schroeder, Nicholas 1846-1909 & Mary Ann Arens Family

SCHRODER, ARENS, MERTZ, ARENSDORF

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg (email)
Date: 7/3/2024 at 08:32:25

Schroeder, Nicholas 1846 – 1909 & Mary Ann Arens Family

This family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of 1883-1983 page 214. 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.

Nicholas Schroeder, born in 1846, came to Alton from Bellevue, Iowa, with his wife and family. His wife, Mary Ann, was born in 1848. One child, Cecelia, born in 1886 died in 1900, and is buried at Bellevue Iowa.

When the Schroeder’s came to Alton, they had seven children: Peter, John, Nellie, Frank, Clara, Anna and Millie. The father and his two sons, Peter and John operated a shoe repair shop and eventually a shoe retail store. The family lived in quarters above the shoe store.

The oldest son, Frank, born in 1875, decided to move to Goodrich, North Dakota, shortly after the family came to Alton. He became involved in the banking business, married, had three children and later moved to New York state, where he died.

The eldest daughter, Anna, born Sep 21, 1874, married Frank Koob. In 1912 they moved to Canada, leaving their daughter Celia with her grandmother and aunt and uncle, where she made her home.

John was born in 1877, and died in 1945. He never married, and lived with his two sisters after his parents’ death. He continued in the shoe business with his brother, Peter, until his retirement.

Clara Schroeder married Jack Gates. She had two daughters, Mary and Verla, and they also made their home with their Uncle John and Aunts Nellie and Millie.

Nellie was born in 1881, and never married. Millie was born March 22, 1884, and died September 29, 1962. She was a registered nurse and served during World War I. Nellie died in 1947.

Father Nicholas Schroeder died in 1909 while still living above the shoe store. His wife, with John, Nellie and Millie, then moved into a home. Mother Anna Schroeder passed away in 1920.

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

RESEARCH Notes: From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

Nicholas Schroeder born 26 May 1846 Bigonville, Rambrouch, Redange, Diekirch, Luxembourg, died 28 Nov 1909 Alton IA. His Parents were Nicholas Schroeder 1796-1863 and Anna Catharina Mertz 1800-1864. He married Marie Anna Arens 20 Oct 1873 St Donatus Jackson IA.

Marie Anna Arens born 10 May 1848 Olm, Kehlen, Capellen, Luxembourg. Died 7 Jan 1920 Alton Sioux Iowa. Her parents were Nicholas Arendt Arens 1816-1879 and Anna Arensdorf 1821-1904. They had children: Cecelia, Peter, John, Nellie, Frank, Clara, Anna and Millie.

1. Anna Schroeder born 21 Sep 1874 St. Donatus, Jackson IA died 21 Feb 1921 Meacham, Saskatchewan, Canada. She married Francis Frank Koob 1879-1956. They had children – Joseph Boob 1897-1980, Aurelia Koob 1898-1947, Laurie Lawrence Koob 1900-1979, Roman Koob 1901-1983, Oscar Koob 1903-1977, Clara Koob 1907-1932, Helen Koob 1910-1991, Frances Koob 1914-2008, Philip Koob 1916-2009.
2. Frank Schroeder born Dec 1875 Bellevue Jackson IA died 1932 Watervill, Oneida NY. Wife Wmma Schanz 1881-1967 Children: Helen M Schroeder 1910-2009, Paul N. Schroeder 1912-2006 and Esther Schroeder 1916-2010.
3. John Schroeder born 12 Dec 1877 Bellevue and died 13 May 1945 Alton IA
4. Peter Schroeder born Oct 1879 St Donatus, Jackson IA died 3 Sep 1942 Alton IA He married Frances C. Gillen born 12 Noc 1880 WI died Nov 1969 Rock Valley, IA. Four children were born to them, all of whom, with their mother survive. They are Dr. C.J. of Rock Valley; Marcene of Le Mars; Private Ivo H. of Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas; and Robert L. of Sioux City.
5. Nellie M. Schroeder (Miss) born 24 Oct 1882 died 27 May 1947 Alton Iowa. She was not married.
6. Amelia M. ‘Millie’ Schroeder born 21 Mar 1884 Belevue Iowa died 29 Sep 1962 DesMoines IA She was a nurse in WWI.
7. Barbara Cecilia Schroeder born Apr 1886 Bellevue Iowa died 20 Nov 1900 Alton IA She died at fourteen years of age.
8. Margaret Clara Schroeder born 6 Aug 1888 Bellevue IA died May 1964 Iowa

OBITUARY of Nicholas Schroeder 1846-1909

SCHROEDER, NICHOLAS 1846-1909
Nicholas Schroeder obituary from the Alton Democrat late November or early December 1909. Nicholas Schroeder died at his home in Alton from nervous exhaustion Sunday night November twenty-eighth at the age of sixty-three years. Deceased was born in Bondorff, Luxemburg Europe May twenty-sixth 1846 and came to America in August 1863. In May 1893 he came to Alton where he engaged in the shoe business which he had followed previously in eastern Iowa and which he continued to follow until a few years ago when he sold out to his sons John and Peter. As a businessman he was the soul of integrity and his sound judgment made him a valued member of the Alton council as well as the Alton business world. Deceased was married to Mary Anna Arens at St. Donatus, Iowa October twenty-first 1873 and eight children were born to them. Celia -- next of youngest -- died in November 1900. The children remaining to sorrow with their mother are Mrs. [Anna] Frank Koob of Hospers, Frank of Goodrich, North Dakota, John and Peter who operate the shoe business in Alton, the Misses Nelie and Amelia and Clara at home [Alton]. Funeral services were conducted by Very Rev. Brune of St. Mary's in Alton on Wednesday December first at nine-thirty and interment was made it St. Mary's cemetery. Large numbers from LeMars and Remsen and Granville and Hospers attended the funeral. From a greater distance were his son Frank from north Dakota, Mrs. Schroeder's [Maria Arens] brother Matt Arens and wife [Susan Peters] of White Lake, South Dakota, a nephew and niece of deceased -- Peter Schroeder and Mrs. [Unknown] Nic Retiree of Dubuque, Tony Weidenfeller of Merrill. Deceased is survived by four brothers all older than himself. They are Peter in Luxemburg Europe, Jake and Harry and John at Dubuque. The three last named are in ill health and could not come. Mr. Schroeder was a kind and loving husband and father and a capable businessman and devoted churchman. He will be missed in Alton and his family have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends.

OBITUARY of Maria Anna Schroeder 1848-1920SCHROEDER, MARIA ANNA (ARENS) 1848-1920
Obituary of Maria (Mary) (Arens) Schroeder
From the Remsen Bell-Enterprise January 1920
Death of Mary Schroeder
Mrs. Mary Schroeder, of Alton passed away at her home in that town last Wednesday evening at ten o'clock, her death being due to pneumonia. She was sick only a few days. Mrs. Schroeder took sick on the previous Sunday, but became seriously ill only on Tuesday, and her death was unlooked for.
The following account of her life was taken from the Alton Democrat:Mary Arens was born May 1st, 1848, in Luxemburg, Europe, and was 71 years old at the time of her death. She came to the United States with her parents in 1851 at the age of three, and in 1873 was married to Nicholas Schroeder at St. Donatus, Iowa. Eight children were born to the couple and in 1893 the family moved to Alton. Mr. Schroeder died November 29, 1909. Mrs. Schroeder is survived by seven children as follows; Mrs. [Anna] Frank Koob of Mercham, Canada; Frank Schroeder of Oriskany Falls, N. Y.; Mrs. [Clara] J. F. Gates of DesMoines; John, Peter, Nellie and Amelia of Alton; and by six brothers; Peter and John P. Arens, of Remsen; Charles Arens of Woonsocket; Math Arens of White Lake, S. D.; Theo and John Arens of Alton. A daughter, Cecelia, died November 20, 1900. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 10th at 10 a. m. at St. Mary's church. Mrs. Gates [Clara] of DesMoines arrived Tuesday, Miss Millie [Amelia] is expected tomorrow evening from Canada and Frank from New York.