Hildesheim, Jacob J., 1869-1940

HILDESHEIM, BIERENHOFEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/8/2022 at 10:57:41

Born: August 27, 1869
Died: October 24, 1940

From the Sioux Center News, July 25, 1940:

Former Maurice Druggist Dies at San Juan

Jacob J. Hildesheim, long time Alton resident, recently died at his home in San Juan, Texas, according to news reaching his sister, Mrs. Gertrude Gerst, this week. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Gerst of Alton and Mrs. Frank Levermann of San Juan, besides nephews and nieces.

In 1897 he bought a drug store at Maurice which he owned for five years, then sold his property there to come to Alton and care for his mother. After his mother’s death in 1919 he went to Texas.

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From the Alton Democrat, July 19, 1940:

Jake Hildesheim Dies at San Juan

Jacob J. Hildesheim, long time Alton resident, recently died at his home in San Juan, Texas, according to news reaching his sister, Mrs. Gertrude Gerst, this week. A clipping from a southern newspaper states that funeral services were held in St. Paul’s church, Mission, with burial in the cemetery there. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Gerst of Alton and Mrs. Frank Levermann of San Juan, besides nephews and nieces.

His parents came from Germany to Cassville, Iowa, where he was born August 27, 1870. Four years later the family moved to southern Iowa, near Red Oak, where they lived for seven years. They journeyed from Red Oak to Alton in a covered wagon, coming across country to make their home on the prairies.

In the spring of 1885 young Jake attended school in Alton’s first school house. Later he attended college and became a registered pharmacist. In 1897 he bought a drug store at Maurice which he owned for five years, then sold his property there to come to Alton and care for his mother. After his mother’s death in 1919 he went to Texas where he resided until his death. Many old time friends here will regret to learn of his passing.

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From The Monitor (McAllen, Texas), June 27, 1940

MISSION--Rosary services for Jacob J. Hildesheim, 69, prominent long-time Mission resident, who died at Edinburg today after an illness of two years, will be held at the Kriedler Chapel here tonight. Surviving are two nephews, Joe and Bill Leverman. Requiem mass will be said by Rev. Fr. Platte at the Catholic Church tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. followed by interment in the Mission cemetery.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate (informant Joe Leverman, McAllen, Texas) has Jacob J. Hildesheim, single, born in Wisconsin August 27, 1869, father William Hildesheim, mother’s name unknown; a night watchmen; employee P.W.A. Works Irrigation, San Juan, Texas; died in the Old Folks Home, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas, where he had been a resident one year, on June 27, 1940; cause, carcinoma of rectum; buried in Mission, Texas.

His FindaGrave.com page says he died 24 Oct[?!] 1940, buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas; father William Hildsheim[sic] (1823-1898). Four siblings listed: Joseph Hildesheim (1859-1930), Gertrude Juliana Hildesheim Gerst (1863-1942), Anna Mary Hildesheim Levermann (1866-1947), and Christina Hildesheim Minten (1868-1901).

See the obituary for his father, William Hildesheim (posted separately) for additional family information. It shows his mother to have been Mary Anna Bierenhofen

The 1880 U.S. census shows Jacob (age 8) living with his parents (farmers) and siblings in West Township, Montgomery County, Iowa. In 1885 the family is farming in East Orange Township, Sioux County. In 1900 (age 28) he is living in Alton, Iowa with his mother Mary in the household of his sister Christina and brother-in-law Chris Minten, and working as a druggist. In 1910 he (age 38) is living with his mother Mary A. and working as a house painter.

In 1920 he (age 42) is living with his brother-in-law Frank Leverman, a real estate agent, sister Annie, and their family, and working as a pharmacy assistant in a drug store. In 1930 (indexed as Jacob J Hildeshrine), age 58, he is still living with the Levermans and has no occupation. In 1940 (age 68) he is an inmate in the Old Folks Home in Edinburg, Texas.