Konz, Peter 1854-1921

KONZ, KOOB, PROBST, HANSEN, NOETHE, MOUSEL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/4/2013 at 19:06:55

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
December 27, 1921

NORTHWEST IOWA PIONEER
Peter Konz Arrived in Le Mars in 1870 With Ox Team

Peter Konz, one of Sioux county’s first settlers, died at his home in Alton on Thursday afternoon at the age of 67 years, after a three weeks illness caused by diabetes from which he suffered for a long time.

Peter Konz was born in the duchy of Luxemburg on October 4, 1854, and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Math Konz, to America when he was 12 years old. He was the eldest child. The family lived in Jackson county four years and then moved westward, accompanying Sioux county’s first pioneer overland with ox teams to LeMars in 1870, arriving here in May. Mr. Konz homesteaded on the farm which P. M. Konz now owns, 4 ½ miles southeast of Alton. In later years the deceased acquired a farm just across the road from that homesteaded by his father. The family experienced all the rigors of pioneer life, the grasshopper scourge and the counties other difficulties which beset the pioneers in the vast prairie land. LeMars was their nearest town for many years.

Peter Konz was married on October 10, 1883, to Miss Lizzie Koob in the prairie church south of town. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Koob, who were also early settlers. Thirteen children survive their father, one other son dying at the age of two years about 15 years ago. The children: Nic, Wadene, Minn.; Math, Alton; Mrs. Anna Probst, Alton; Mrs. Mary Mousel, Alton; John and Joe, Alton; Mrs. Susan Probst, Alton; Clara, Celia, Violet, Christina, Margaret, and Bernard, at home. He is also survived by two full sisters and one full brother: Mrs. Peter Hansen, Alton; Mrs. St. John, LeMars, and John Konz, Granville. One sister, Mrs. Mary Noethe, died four years ago. There are two step-brothers and one step sister, who survive him: Nic, of Granville; P. M., of Elkton, S.D.; and Mrs. A. H. Noethe, of Sutherland. One step brother, James, died in 1913.

The funeral was held on Saturday at St. Mary’s church in Alton.