Frederic
William Sies, oldest son of twelve children of Frederic and Mary Sies,
was born in Baden, Germany, May 18th, 1846, and came to America with
his parents when two years of age, and lived near Niagara Falls, in New
York State until 8 years old. They then moved to Iowa and settled
in Johnson County on the old state road, on the farm now known as the
Kahler farm, later moving to the old Sies farm northwest of Oxford. He
farmed with his father until young manhood. He gained his education in
the country schools of Oxford Township, then at the State University at
Iowa City. After finishing school he was a teacher for a number of
years, later entering the business life of the community in a general
mercantile store in Oxford when the business part of Oxford lay south
of the railroad tracks. He later saw his building and business moved to
the site now occupied by the Miller warehouse.
During his school
life in Iowa City he met and married Amelia Johnson of Blue Grass, IA,
to which union were born three children, Ellsworth, Freddie and
Clarence. Of this family, Freddie met death by accidental drowning at
the age of 8; Ellsworth was killed in a railroad accident at the age of
38 in 1907 and the mother died in November of 1882.
Disposing of
his business in Oxford, he moved to a farm in Iowa County. In October
of 1886 he was united in marriage to Sarah Wyatt Nesmith, and to
this union were born three children, Ida, Winnie, and an infant son,
who died when 4 months of age, and the
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mother died in February of 1901. In later years, he came back again to Oxford, and ever since this has been home to him.
He served several terms as Coroner of Johnson County, and Mayor and Clerk of Oxford, and as Justice of Peace for many years.
In
July of 1910, he was married to Lucy Andrews of Vernon, Indiana, who
with his children, survive him: Clarence of St. Louis, Ida and Winnie
of Oxford; five grand children, Ivol of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Ellsworth
and Audrey of St. Louis, Frances Clark and Cathryn McCleery of Oxford;
three brothers, Charles of Glendale, California, Geo. W. of Oxford and
Oscar of Cedar Rapids.
He
was always greatly interested in civic affairs, and was keenly alive to
all that went on in this community, always keeping in touch with the
problems of the day; from his heart he enjoyed discussion of public
affairs. Being unusually well read and informed, he was ever ready to
advise or help any who sought his aid.
He served for many years
as trustee of the Methodist church, and took an active part in building
the present church in Oxford. He was an active member of Canopy Lodge
No. 290, A. F. and A. M., serving many years as their secretary.
At
the time of his death, he was engaged in the undertaking business, and
in point of years he had been in business longer than any man now
living in Oxford. He enjoyed a very large circle of acquaintances, to
whom he personified all that was ideal of good among his fellow men.
Mr.
Sies was a true pioneer, and a landmark in the community. He bravely
and successfully met the hardship that came to him. He wished and did
all that was in his power, that his family might have the good and the
best things in life, and his efforts are not unrewarded. His passing is
typical of the season of the year, for as the leaves color and brighten
before they fall, so his affectionate nature reached out to cover his
loved ones, and then as resisting as the leaves fall from the mother
tree, his soul went out into the Great Beyond.
Source: Oxford Leader, Oxford, Iowa, Thursday, October 23, 1924, pg. 1)
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