Streff, Joseph A., 1848-1935

STREFF, JEMMING

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Alton Democrat, January 3, 1936:

Aged Uncle Alton Men Killed by Car

News reached Alton this week of the accidental death of Joseph A. Streff, at Indianola, Nebraska, on December 22, when the aged man was struck by a car while on his way to church.

Mr. Streff was the uncle of Martin M., Felix and A. L. Streff of Alton and one of the seven Streff boys who came to Sioux county in the early history of this northwest domain. He married one of the Jemming girls at Granville and taught school near that town for some years. His brother, Math. Streff, settled south of Alton, and the latter was the father of the present citizens of the Alton community mentioned above, His brother, Peter Streff, of near Dubuque, is the only one of the seven brothers who still survives.

Nick Streff, one of the brothers who came here in the early years of the county, later moved to Nebraska. His son, Clem, is working for Martin Streff at Alton at the present time.

Many of the old settlers in the Granville-Alton section of the county will remember Joe Streff. He was about 80 years of age. Mr. Streff stepped in front of the approaching car, occupied by two young men who were unable to see him because of the many lights, street lights and passing cars. Funeral services were held at St. Catherine’s Catholic church at Indianola on Dec. 24.

He had made his home there with his daughter, Mrs. John Rollins, for a number of years, spending a portion of each year with his other daughter in Denver. He also leaves a son in California. He was a good man, a devout church member and leaves many friends. Mr. Streff was an expert gardener and at one time made considerable money marketing stuff from his gardens on a strip of land he owned near Denver.

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From the Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, December 23, 1935:

Indianola Man is Struck Down by Car

Indianola, Neb., Dec. 23 – Joseph Streff, 80, of Indianola, was killed almost instantly last night as he walked across the street near the Catholic church on the main thoroughfare here. He was struck by an automobile authorities said was driven by Tony Webb.

After an investigation the officers said it apparently was an unavoidable accident and there would be no inquest at this time. Streff, who authorities said apparently did not see the car, suffered head injuries and a broken leg.

A pioneer resident of Indianola, Streff made his home with his daughter, Mrs. John Rawlins.

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A similar obituary was published in the Lincoln State Journal, December 24, 1935. A recap of the week’s news in the Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star, December 29, 1935, includes Indianola—Joseph Streff, 80, killed by car while driving cattle. None of the other obits mention cattle.

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RESEARCH NOTES

FindaGrave.com has Joseph A. Streff, born 1848, died 1935, buried in Saint Catherine Cemetery, Indianola, Nebraska, with a photo of his headstone. There is no additional information.

The Iowa Select Marriages Index on Ancestry.com has Joseph A. Streff and Lena Jenning married in LeMars, Iowa, 5 August 1879. [The family surname in the Sioux County Cemetery Index is spelled Jemming.]

The 1880 U.S. census shows Joseph Streff, age 25, and wife Magdalene (23) living in Marion Township, Plymouth County, where he is a schoolteacher. The 1900 census shows him (Joseph A.), age 52, born April 1848, a widower, living in Red Willow County, Nebraska with his children, all born in Iowa: Adelaide (19, born Dec. 1980), Margaret (18, born May 1882), Rosina (16, born March 1884), Anthony S. (13, born Feb. 1887), and Albert P. (11, born Jan. 1889). He was born in Iowa, his parents in Germany. He is a farmer and Adelaide is a dressmaker. The 1920 census shows him, age 72, a widower, living in Sullivan Precinct, Arapahoe County, Colorado, with his daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Earl C. Warwick. His parents’ birthplace is given as Luxemburg. The 1930 census shows him, age 82, living in Indianola with his daughter and son-in-law, Adelaide A. and John C. Rollins.