Iowa Old Press
Boyden Reporter, April 4, 1912
The death of P. R. Schaap, Sheriff of Sioux County, at Orange City last evening at 10:40 was a great surprise to the people of Boyden. He had been ill since last Thursday evening with pneumonia and his condition grew gradually worse until the end. Last Wednesday evening he ate supper with W. R. Smith and A. VandenBrink in Sheldon and they came as far as Boyden with him on his way to Rock Valley. He seemed to be in good health but said he had been traveling quite a bit of late and told of his experiences of his trip to Denver the week before and his being snow bound for two days. The travel and exposure had put his system in such a shape he fell an easy prey to the dreaded disease and on his return from Rock Valley last Thursday evening he took to his bed, and death was the result.
The Alton Democrat -- 6 April 1912, Orange City column:
Sheriff Schaap was taken sick last Saturday with pneumonia and is in a critical condition. A nurse arrived from Sioux city on Monday and a second nurse was sent for on Wednesday. The absent children were notified and Miss Jennie arrived from Ireton on Tuesday and Ray came from Iowa City on Wednesday. Freeman, who is in Crawford Colorado on account of ill health, is expected also. Later--Peter Schaap passed away on Wednesday evening at eleven o'clock.
Alton Democrat -- 13 April 1912, Alton column:
Many from Alton were at Orange City last Saturday to attend the Peter Schaap funeral and some were unable to find seating room in the church. Though the roads were extremely bad people from all parts of the county were present to pay the last respects to the departed official and friend. The services were held in the First Reformed church and were in charge of Revs. Engelsman and McEwan. A male quartette consisting of Messrs. Schultz, Rhynsburger, De Bey and Oggel sang a beautiful selection. The pall bearers were Messrs. McKee, Te Paske, Jongewaard, Reiniger, Hospers and Fuller---courthouse associates of the deceased. The floral offerings were many and beautiful.
Alton Democrat, April 27, 1912
The sad demise of Mrs. Nic Schaul occurred on Sunday evening at six o’clock, following a several months illness of internal trouble. The deceased underwent an operation during August of last summer and since that time had complained of severe pains. On Friday evening of last week, it was deemed best to take her to the hospital for a second operation, but in spite of the best medical aid could do, she rapidly grew worse until death relieved her suffering.
Sophia Lebrun was born July 24th, 1840, in Oberfeulen, Luxemburg. All of her young maidenhood was spent in the land of her birth, the deceased growing into young womanhood there. In 1863 she was married to Nic Schaul, who was also a native of that country, but who had been in America for several years. He returned to the old country and had been there about a year when they were married. Mr. and Mrs. Schaul remained in Luxemburg for over six years, when they decided to come to America and moved to Dubuque. They resided there until 1873 when they once more decided to move and this time came to Plymouth county which has since been their home.
There we among the earliest settlers of this community, moving to Fredonia township where they farmed for several years. In 1881 they came to LeMars and commenced to run the Western House which they operated for thirteen years before selling out and taking the Dubuque House in charge. Mr. and Mrs. Schaul ran the latter place for two yars and then decided to settle down and spend the remainder of their years in the peace and quietude of a private life. They moved into the Richey house on Court street, which has since been their home.
The deceased is well and favorably known in this community and her demise is one which is causing considerable grief among her former associates. She was of a kind and lovable disposition and her death is particularly hard to her husband and children who already feel the loss of a tender mother’s hand.
Eight children were born to bless the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schaul, two of whom died in infancy. Three boys and three girls still remain and are, Al Schaul of Spokane, Wash., Nic of Woodstock, Minn., Felix J. of Quincy, Ill., Mrs. F.W. Melcher of Woodstock, Mrs. Anna Sellen of Luverne, Minn., and Miss Mary Schaul who resides at home. A brother, Geo. Lebrun of Minnesota, also survives and was present at the funeral.
The Funeral services will take place on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock from the St. Joseph’s church, Rev. Fr. F.X. Feuerstein officiating. Interment will be made in the St. Joseph cemetery. The many friends of the bereaved ones offer their most sincere condolence in this hour of trouble.—LeMars Globe-Post.