Meis, Anna (Mrs. Fred), 1858-1934

MEIS, HOEFER, QUIMBACH

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Alton Democrat, June 29, 1934:

Wife, Early Alton Barber, Dies at Her Home at Battle Lake

Mrs. Fred Meis, wife of the early Alton barber, died at her home at Battle Lake, Minn., from a heart attack, according to the Dyersville Commercial. Many folks, some of whom went to school with her in the Granville and Alton vicinities, were well acquainted with Mrs. Meis.

Fred Meis and Peter Kass, the Alton blacksmith, owned the first bicycle here, according to the recollection of old timers. They made long trips on the bike. Fred built what is now the Alton barber shop here and operated it several years. The Meis family left here some 30 or more years ago. Mrs. Meis was a cousin of John Hoefer of Alton. Mr. Kass still recalls with considerable pride the first bicycle which was as big a curiosity in those days as the automobile later became.

In the article about Mrs. Meis the Dyersville Commercial says: The many friends of the late Mrs. Fred Meis, of Battle Lake, Minnesota, were grieved and shocked to hear of her sudden death, due to a heart attack which occurred at her home at the above mentioned place on last Monday.

Mrs. Meis was born on a farm near New Vienna about 76 years ago. Her maiden name was Miss Anna Hoefer. She lived on the homestead until her marriage to Fred Meis of Hickory Valley when they moved to Alton, Ia. For the last thirty years they conducted a summer resort at Battle Lake where she made a host of friends thru her cheerfulness and congeniality. She was an ardent Catholic, a dutiful and loving wife and mother.

It being her wish to be buried in Dubuque, her remains were brought to that city, where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. Kerper on Saturday morning at the Nativity church. He also officiated at the grave on Mt. Calvary cemetery. The pallbearers, all nephews of the deceased, were Messrs. John Merkes, Ed Tressel, Wm. Klauer, John Tressel, Joe Spies and Paul Kalb.

Besides her bereaved husband, she leaves to mourn her loss the following children: Ida, Mrs. Joe Richard, of Dubuque; Albert of Saskatchewan, Canada; Roman of Battle Lake, Minnesota; and Martha of Chicago and 17 grandchildren. All of her family were present at the funeral. Others from out of town who attended the funeral were Ed Tressel of Webster City, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Jos. A. Bockenstedt and son Paul of New Vienna, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Hoefer of Cuba City, Wis., and Mrs. Josephine Hoefer and daughter Mary of New Vienna.

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Minnesota death certificate number 1934-MN-011200. The death certificate shows her as residing in Everts Township, Otter Tail County; wife of Fred Meis; born September 27, 1858 in Iowa; father Adam Hoefer, mother’s name unknown to the informant (Fred Meis), both born in Germany; died in Everts Township at 6:30 p.m. June 11, 1934; cause, arteriosclerosis and hypertension, duration 8 years, and coronary occlusion.

FindaGrave.com shows her as Anna Christine Hoefer Meis; parents John Adam Hoefer (1811-1890) and Barbara Quimbach Hoefer (1822-1871); several siblings listed; spouse Fredrick Wilhelm Meis (1861-1945, married 1894).