Siege, Frederick 1832-1907 & #2: Sophia Lehrman Family

SIEGE, LEHRMAN, MOLTKE, ENGELHART

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 10/4/2024 at 05:57:27

Siege, Frederick 1832-1907 and Sophia Lehrman Family

This story was taken from pages 483-485 of the Maurice Centennial Book (1891-1991). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. NOTE: It is noted that generally the submitter, Wilma J. Vande Berg, will add some research notes that were not in the family story that appeared in the Maurice book. However, this family narrative was found to be pretty complete as it stands. No changes or additions were made, except the addition of their obituaries. Separate stories on their sons; Edward, Fred Jr, and Henry, appear in the Maurice book and will be entered with their stories subsequently.

From the Maurice Centennial book -

Frederick Franz Siege was born October 22, 1832, in Mecklenburg, Germany. He was the third son of Louise (nee Moltke) Siege. In 1854, Louise came to America with her seven children and landed in New Orleans. Like many of the other early settlers of Iowa, who came into the great western wilderness before railroads were so plentiful, they came up the Mississippi by boat and landed in Dubuque, Iowa.

In Dubuque, Frederick worked as a butcher. He had learned this trade in Germany.

In 1865, he married Christine Lehrman, older sister to his second wife, Sophia. The sisters were born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Christine was born July 7, 1846, and Sophia was born July 25, 1850. Their parents were John Henry Christian Lehrman and Eva Marie Franziska (nee Engelhart) Lehrman.

Eva was an adopted child and was born in Germany, on April 25, 1831. John was born in Masslegen, Germany, on September 1, 1824. In 1844, they were married and came to America, the following year settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1855, they moved to Jackson County, Iowa, and in 1864, they moved to Cedar County, Iowa.

Eva died December 27, 1896, and John died August 11, 1915. Both are buried at Mechanicsville, Iowa.

Frederick and Christine were the parents of two children. Clara was born March 9, 1866, and Emily was born October 23, 1868.

In 1868, they moved to Mechanicsville, Iowa, and on March 6, 1871, Christine died. She’s buried there.

Frederick married Sophia on October 5, 1871. Their first child, Henry, was born on April 8, 1872. That same year on September 20, Emily died, when run over by her father’s wagon. She’s buried at Mechanicsville, Iowa.

The following eight children were also born to Frederick and Sophia in Mechanicsville: Emma, January 3 , 1874; Ida, January 13, 1875; Lydia, May 9, 1877, Minnie, February 10, 1880; Lena, August 20, 1882; Fred, December 13, 1884; Marie, May 23, 1887; and Anna, October 8, 1889.

Sophia’s father was a prospector. He came by train to Alton, Iowa, from Cedar County and probably walked to Section 26, Sherman Township. He bought the section and two of his sons settled on it; Will, on the northeast corner and Louis on the southwest corner.

Louis and his wife Minnie (nee Wendt) only stayed two years. Minnie got homesick and they returned to Cedar County.

Sophia’s father then approached his son-in-law, Frederick Siege and said he thought he could make a better living as a farmer, rather than a butcher. Frederick and Sophia took the challenge and on March 17, 1890, arrived in Sioux County, Sherman Township, Section 26 and settled in the southwest corner. Frederick, with his son Henry, came on the train with the livestock, machinery and furniture. Sophia and the rest of the family followed on the passenger train.

About six months before they left eastern Iowa, on September 17, 1889, Ida died of diptheria. She was 14 years old. She is buried at Mechanicsville, Iowa.

On January 2, 1893, the youngest child, a son was born. He was named Edward.

The children attended Sherman Township School #7, Section 36. The family was members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Reading Township, Ireton, Iowa. The children attended German catechism classes and were confirmed at St. John’s.

Frederick was known as a very honest man. A neighbor once said of him, “if you have his word, you don’t need his note.”

Clara was the first to marry. She married Ferdinand Schwier on April 10, 1888, in eastern Iowa. They had two sons and a daughter and lived on a farm west of Struble, Iowa. She died October 3, 1955, and is buried at Mechanicsville, Iowa.

Henry married Wilhelmine Kruckenberg on May 26, 1898, in Lowden, Iowa. They had two sons and three daughters and lived on a family farm southeast of Maurice. He died March 27, 1954, and is buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Emma married Henry Werley on December 5, 1895, at her parent’s home. They had a son and a daughter and lived on a farm north of Seney, Iowa. She died July 29, 1938, and is buried at LeMars Memorial Cemetery, LeMars, Iowa.

Lydia married Henry Franke on February 14, 1901, at her parents’ home. They had two sons and lived on a farm northeast of Ireton, Iowa. She died February 21, 1952, and is buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Minnie married Reuben Hamilton. She was a seamstress and beautician in various localities, the last being Tulsa, Oklahoma. She died February 20, 1935, and is buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Lena married George Mueller on February 27, 1908, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ireton, Iowa. They had one son and lived on a farm southwest of Maurice, Iowa. She died on June 17, 1963, and is buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Fred married Olga Mueller on May 26, 1915, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ireton, Iowa. They had two daughters and a son and lived on the family farm southeast of Maurice. He died on November 29, 1941, and is buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Marie married Henry Werley (her brother-in-law) on September 23, 1941 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ireton, Iowa. They lived on a farm north of Seney. She died June 14, 1951, and is buried at LeMars Memorial Cemetery, LeMars, Iowa.

Anna married Arthur Henry on September 7, 1946, in Seattle, Washington. They made their home in the west until moving to Plymouth Manor, LeMars, Iowa, in 1982, where Anna currently resides.

Edward never married. He was killed at the young age of 19 in a horse runaway accident. He died August 20, 1912, and is buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Frederick died at his home September 10, 1907. He’s buried at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

Sophia continued to live on the family farm until 1915, when she moved to Struble, Iowa, to make her home. She died there September 4, 1928. She’s buried beside her husband and son Edward at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Ireton, Iowa.

All of Frederick and Sophia’s children are now deceased, except Anna. She celebrated her 100th birthday in 1989 with family and friends. She continues to enjoy her Bible, the newspaper, playing cards, dancing and having visitors.

OBITUARY OF FREDERICK SIEGE 1833-1907
Alton Democrat of Sep 21, 1907
Frederich Franz Siege who died at ten-thirty five on the night of Tuesday September tenth at his home near Maurice was born in the province of Mecklenburg Schwerin in Germany on the twenty second day of October 1833, He came to America in 1854 landing at New Orleans. Like many of the other early settlers of Iowa who came into the great western wilderness before railroads were so plentiful he came up the Mississippi river by boat and stopped off at Dubuque. He settled down there and for a number of years worked at the butcher's trade.
In 1858 with his family he moved to Mechanicsville Iowa where he lived for thirty two years. In 1890 he moved to this vicinity where he has since lived. He is survived by a wife and the children who deeply mourn his loss. He was a man of thrift and enterprise and a kind husband and father. He had many friends in this vicinity who with his family mourn his demise.
Alton Democrat Sep 14, 1907 Maurice News
Henry Siege (This is believed to be Frederich Siege) died at his home near Maurice Tuesday night from cancer. He was over seventy years old and had lived in this region for twenty years. Funeral services are to be held this Saturday at eleven o’clock from the house. Interment will be in the German Lutheran cemetery west of town.
(A report on ancestry.com Frederick Franz Siege born Oct 1832 Germany died Sept 10, 1907 His wife was Sophia Lehrman 1850-1928 Children Lennia 1881, Fred 1885, Anna 1889, and Edward 1893.)

OBITUARY OF SOPHIA SIEGE 1950-1928
Source: Alton Democrat (9-14-1928)
Born: July 25, 1850 - Died: September 4, 1928
Mrs. Sophia Siege was born July 25th, 1850 at Cincinnati, Ohio and passed away September 4th, 1928 at Struble, at the age of 78 years, 1 month and 16 days. She had been ill for over two years, suffering from cancer. She was faithfully nursed and cared for by her loved ones and the best medical skill secured to alleviate her suffering, but her frail body became weaker and weaker until she peacefully passed beyond early Tuesday morning.
Mrs. Siege affiliated early in life with the Lutheran Church and was a faithful member to the end portraying the teaching of her church in her daily life, she was a true Christian woman of exemplary character and when surrounded by her family being a loving and devoted mother training her children in the true Christian Faith which had been her daily guide and comfort through life. She was one of the sturdy pioneer women and she under went the hardships of early days, the family farming five miles east of Struble.
Her companion, Frederick F. Siege, passed away 21 years ago. She and her children continued living on the farm until thirteen years ago when they moved to Struble and has resided here since.
Funeral services by Reverend C.D. Nuoffer and interment made in the Lutheran Cemetery. She is survived by nine children.

Picture on page 483 of the Maurice book will be added shortly.

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