Goebel, Peter (Mayor) 1864-1932

GOEBEL, LAMPE

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 1/23/2017 at 21:02:53

Source: Alton Democrat (9-2-1932)

Born: November 12, 1864
Died: August 26, 1932

Shortly after 11:30 o’clock last Friday morning while Mayor Peter Goebel was mowing some grass on his lots back of the Alton Furniture Store he collapsed and fell to the ground. Mrs. Matt Herrig, who was on the back porch of her home, saw him fall and called her husband who had just before been talking to Mr. Goebel. Mr. Herrig going to his assistance and Mrs. Oscar Henrich calling members of the Goebel family.

Dr. Gleysteen and Father Schemel were called, Mr. Goebel passing on shortly after their arrival with members of the family, the cause being diagnosed as heart failure.

Peter Goebel was born November 12, 1864, at Luxemburg, Iowa, where he lived until 13 years of age. At. That time he joined his older brother, the late Henry Goebel, who was homesteading a farm in Sioux County, a few miles from the village of Alton.

The two boys living alone on their prairie farm underwent many hardships during these early winters, when the corn in the snow-covered fields was often their only fuel. He was the first man server in the “prairie” church early established by the Roman Catholic settlers in this community. When the church was moved to Alton he assisted in the work and frequently accompanied the local priest as mass server in the mission churches throughout this territory. At one time before the church was moved, a covered wagon stopped at the little prairie church and a new born babe was brought into the church for Baptism. To obtain rain-water it was necessary to melt some ice for the baptismal fout and another obstacle was the lack of a godfather for the child. The young man server offered to act in that capacity, the child was properly baptized , the family set out in their prairie schooner for more westerly country, and the young godfather never saw or heard further of his prairie-born godchild.

After a few years experience in farming the young man came to the town of Alton. His first business venture was the selling of sewing machines traveling about the country with team and wagon to market these highly prized household necessities. At the same time he began to sell land. In those early days three dollars an acre was the top price for land and his commission twenty-five cents an acre. From that time on he engaged more and more in the business of real estate, establishing an office in town, where he later became owner of considerable property.

On October 27, 1885, he married Miss Elizabeth Lampe of Bellevue, Iowa, who had previously come to Alton to visit her uncle, Mr. John Kember, an early jeweler here. They were married in St. Mary’s Church here. The bride, who was convert to the Catholic Church, received her instructions and baptism at Spruce Creek, Iowa. Seven children were born to the union, all of whom, with their mother, survived Mr. Goebel. They are Louis T. Goebel, Alton; Edward H. Goebel, Denison; Elmer A. Goebel, Sioux City; Viola Mae Goebel, Stella H. Goebel, Maris J. Goebel, all of Alton; Florence, Mrs. A.J. Riedmiller, Danbury, Iowa; He is also survived by a half-brother, Nicholas Arens of Alton, and by thirteen grandchildren.

Mr. Goebel served as mayor of Alton for 27 ½ years, practicing in that capacity native good sense and judgment, tact and ability, so that town is not only in excellent financial condition, but many disputes were peacefully settled without fee by the mayor and all matters handled so as to avoid notoriety in the community.

His kindness to the poor and needy, while never displayed as a virtue was so generous that he became known among the many homeless men who yearly pass through the town of Alton, as “the best mayor in the world.“ His devotion to his church was continuous and for fifty years he was a member of St. Mary’s choir. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society.

The great church here was crowded for the funeral services on Monday, August 29. As nine o’clock Requiem Mass was celebrated by the pastor, Very Reverend M.A. Schemit, assisted by Reverend Schultes of Le Mars and Reverend Henry Pick, chaplain of Sacred Heart Hospital, Le Mars.

Over one hundred relatives were here for the services. Among those who came from a distance were his brothers-in-law, Messrs. John Lampe and Leo Lampe of Bellevue, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Seferd Lampe, Ida Grove, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John J. Kegler, son Cyrille and daughter Alverda, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Goebel and children of Denison; Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Riedmiller and children of Danbury; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Rusch, (a niece), Corrine and Charlette, of Ida Grove; Mr. Frank Arena, Mrs. Floyd Arena, both of Lake Park, Iowa; Peter Roeder, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Goebel, Dyersville, Iowa; Miss Louise Goebel, Dyersville; Mr. and Mrs. Block of Lanscaster, Wisconsin; relatives here from Granville were Henry Goebel, Misses Anne and Mathilda Goebel, Mr. and Mrs. John Goebel, Mrs. P. Mich, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Lechtenberg, from Remsen; Mr. and Mrs. John Beck from Danbury; Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Matt; Mr. and Mrs. W. Gruber, Le Mars, Mr. and Mrs. Pehler and many other friends.