Umhoefer, John B., 1865-1940

UMHOEFER, GROETE, GRODE, GRADA, NEMMERS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/4/2022 at 21:59:31

From the Alton Democrat, April 19, 1940, Maurice news:

Mrs. H. J. Schlosser received word Monday of the death of her uncle, John Umhoefer, who passed away at his home in Los Angeles, Calif., at the age of 72 years. Mr. Umhoefer and his brother Frank owned a general store in Maurice some 40 years ago in the building now occupied by the Hensinkveld mercantile and will be remembered by many of the early settlers here.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The California Death Index on Ancestry.com has John B. Umhoefer, born 25 March 1865 in Wisconsin, died 14 April 1940 in Los Angeles; mother’s maiden name Groete.

The Los Angeles Times has an announcement of his funeral services, but apparently no obituary.

His FindaGrave.com page has John Benedict Umhoefer, born 25 March 1865 in Wisconsin; died 14 April 1940 in Los Angeles; buried in Calvary Cemetery, Los Angeles; parents Joseph Umhoefer (1830-1906) and Anna Maria Grode Umhoefer (1932-1906); four siblings listed; wife Helena Nemmers Umhoefer (1869-1932, married 1891); children Alvin Francis Umhoefer (1892-1973), Walter Elmer Umhoefer (1902-1982), Esther E. Umhoefer (1907-1934).

The Plymouth County, Iowa marriage register for 1891 has groom John B. Umhoefer, age 26, residence Alton, Iowa, a lumber dealer, born in Milwaukee, parents Joseph Umhoefer and Anna M. Grada; bride Helena Nemmers, age 20, residence LeMars, Iowa, born in St. Donatas, Iowa, parents Michael Nemmers and Catherina Marx; married in LeMars September 1, 1891.

The 1885 Iowa state census shows Josephus and Anna Umhoefer and their family, including John (19), living in Alton, where Josephus is a lumber dealer and John is working for him. A news note in the Alton Democrat, March 23, 1889, says that John Umhoefer has graduated from the Sioux City business college and is now keeping books for his father. In 1900 John (35) and Hellen (29) and their children Alvin (7), Hellen (5) and HenryEtta (3) are living in Maurice, where John is a merchant. The Alton Democrat of Dec. 13, 1902 notes that John Umhoefer is now an insurance agent for Chicago Life, headquartered in Maurice where he formerly had a merchandise business.

In 1910 they are in Adrian, Nobles County, Minnesota with children Alvin (17), Helen (15), Henrietta (13), Herald (9), Walter (8), Esta (2), and Agnes (2/12); John is a merchant. In 1920 they are farming in Cumberland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin, with children Harold (19), Walter (17), Esther (12), Agnes (9), and Rita (7), daughter Henrietta Taylor and her husband Phillip and their sons Gerald and Robert. In 1930 John B. and Helen, five of their children and a lodger are living in Los Angeles, where John is manager of a variety store and his children have various other jobs. In 1940 John P. (75), now widowed and with no occupation noted, is living with his two unmarried children, Helen (45), a bookkeeper, and Harold (40), a truck delivery man.