Steyer, Joseph -- 1835 - 1891

STEYER, LAMM

Posted By: Lisa Hanson-Braun (email)
Date: 1/21/2005 at 16:26:12

Republican

DIED

STEYER - In this city on Saturday evening, May 3rd, after a protracted illness, Mr. Joseph Steyer, aged 55 years, 7 months and 3 days.

This is an event that has been feared by the friends of Mr. Steyer for many months. Early last year a throat difficulty made its appearance that gave him serious trouble. Physicians when consulted looked grave and gave the best construction to the symptoms that was possible. All the while there was impending a danger similar to that which afflicted Gen. Grant and carried him to his grave. Last fall a consultation of physicians was held in Minneapolis, and the five who were called in were divided in opinion as to whether it was cancer. The sequel has shown that the minority were correct in their diagnosis. The story of Mr. Steyer's life is thus told in Alexandr's History of Winneshiek County: - "Joseph Steyer is a native of Luxemburg, and was born in 1835. In 1852, he came to the U.S. and for several years traveled in different states, working at his trade, stone-cutting. In 1854, he leveled and laid the corner-stone of the bridge forming the aqueduct at Toledo, O. This privilege was bestowed upon him because he was the youngest man engaged on the work. In 1855, he laid the first cellar wall (laid in lime and mortar) in Lake City, Minn. In 1861 he superintended the building of the bridge at Elkader, Iowa. He located at Decorah, Feb. 8, 1865, and has since been in the saloon business, and has met with marked success. In 1868, accompanied by his wife, he took a trip to Europe. In 1870 he built the Steyer Opera House, and two years subsequently enlargened the same to its present size. The cost of this building was about $53,000. Mr. Steyer was married April 22, 1860, to Miss Mary Lamm. They have had two children, both deceased."

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at St. Benedict's Catholic Church.