Franke, Frederick 1839-1920

FRANKE, DUEVE, SCHUETTE, SCHUTTE

Posted By: Janet Brown - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/12/2013 at 16:21:50

From the August 5, 1920 Hawarden Independent:

Frederick A. Franke, one of Sioux county's pioneer homesteaders and a veteran of the Civil war, died very suddenly Wednesday evening, July 28th, at his home in Ireton from a stroke of apoplexy. He had been in his usual health and had eaten a very hearty supper. After supper he went out on the lawn with his son Henry and other members of the family and it was while strolling around that he was suddenly stricken. He became unconscious and passed away in a very short time.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Lutheran church in Ireton, Rev. J. E. Rich. Schmidt preaching the funeral sermon. The funeral was largely attended. Comrades of the G. A. R., of which order the deceased was an honored member, acted as honorary pall bearers. Interment was made in the cemetery near St. John's church, southeast of Ireton.

Frederick A. Franke was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, July 4,1839. At the age of 17 he emigrated to America and located at Guttenburg, Iowa. On the 8th day of August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 27th Iowa Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. His company was first sent to Fort Snelling, Minn., on account of the Indian outbreaks, but late in the fall of that year they were transferred to the South. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and was then sent up through Arkansas to take Little Rock, and participated in a number of engagements in that state. He then went to Mobile, Ala., and participated in the fights at Fort Spanish and Fort Blakely. It was not until August, 1865 that he received his discharge at Clinton, Iowa, having honorably serving his country for a period of three years.

After the war he returned to Clayton county, Iowa, and in June, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Duwe.

In 1872 he came with his family to Sioux county and took a homestead in West Branch township, which was still in his possession at the time of his death. He remained on the homestead until 1901, When he and his wife came to Ireton to make their home. The good wife passed from him Nov. 17, 1912. He is survived by one son, Henry Franke of Ireton, and four daughters, Mrs. W. S. Johnston of Ireton, Mrs. James Cobb of Norcross, Minn., Mrs. Charles Werley of Le Mars and Miss Mary Franke of Denver, Colo. He also had 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

He recently made inquiry regarding the members of his old company and found that he and his comrade, Charles Hennrich of Ireton, were the only surviving members. His death leaves only one survivor of that brave 100 men who offered their lives that this government of the people and by the people should not perish from the earth. Comrade Franke was held in high esteem by everyone, and sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved children in their sad hour.

Poster's note: In the obituary, it appears that Mr. Franke married Miss Mary Duwe or Dawe but according to "Ireton, A Proud History, 1882-1982", p. 388, he married a widow, Mary Schuette Dueve. That is consistent with the information given in the 1925 census by his children Henry Franke and Anna Werley who spelled her maiden name Schutte and by daughter Christine Johnston who spelled her maiden name Schuette.