Schreier, William, 1856-1925

SCHREIER, BISCHOFF, KASCHMITTER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/22/2013 at 16:37:12

PIONEER OF ALTON CALLED TO ETERNITY
William Schreier Came With Parents To America When Only 7 Months Old

The sudden passing of Wm. Schreier, an Alton pioneer, early Tuesday morning was a shock to the entire community. Mr. Schreier was at home enjoying a visit and a hand at cards with friends when a heart attack came on and he passed away a few hours later at 12:40 A.M. He had a previous attack about four weeks ago but has since seemed in good health and continued his usual duties and activities, having attended church Monday morning.

He is survived by Mrs. Schreier and ten children, two having passed away. The children are Mrs. Peter A. Miller of Alton; John M., Remsen; Mrs. Nick Koch, Remsen; Wm. A., Alton; Joe, LeMars; Mrs. Paul P. Staab, Remsen; Frank J., Manson; Jacob of Manson; Mrs. Francis Elbert, Whittemore; and Bernard at home. A brother Mike, lives at Dell Rapids, S.D.

Wm. Schreier was born in Germany in 1856, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Schreier, and came with his parents to the United States when but seven months old. The family were on the water for sixty days, their boat making little headway against wind and stormy weather. They came to Galena, Ill., and later moved to Cassville, Wisc., where they purchased a farm. When a young man William came to southern Iowa where he worked for two years on a farm. He recounts having spent months in corn fields under three feet of snow where he pitched corn at 50¢ a day. In 1881 he came to Sioux County where he purchased a quarter section of land southeast of Alton, paying $7.10 an acre for the land. Since that time by hard work and sacrifice he has acquired 180[or 480?] acres of land all in the Alton vicinity.

On April 26th, 1887, Mr. Schreier was married at Alton to Miss Margaret Bischoff. Twelve children were born to them, all on the home place, and ten of these they reared to manhood and womanhood. Mrs. Schreier passed away eleven years ago, in 1914. In recent years Mr. Schreier has made his home in Alton, having retired from the farm. He was married on June 4th, 1918 to Mrs. Anna Kaschmitter. On February 3rd, 1925 he passed away, after an active life in which he earned the respect and esteem of the community in which he lived. He was a member of St. Mary's church and the K. of C. order, a kind neighbor and friend, a devoted husband and father.

The funeral services were held this Thursday morning, Feb. 5th at St. Mary's church, Rev. Brune officiating. Among those here for the service, besides the children, were Mrs. Chas. Grimes of LeMars; Henry Kaschmitter, Sheldon; Frank Bremer, Willmont; Mike Schreier, Dell Rapids; Otto Kaschmitter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kollasch, Mr. and Mrs. Aug. Elberts, all of Whittemore, Ia.; Mrs. John Broich of Adrian, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Louis Staab of Remsen; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Lang of Manson.

Source: Alton Democrat, February 6, 1925.

(The Sioux County Cemetery Index gives his full birth date as 10 Jan 1856.)