Streff, Joseph Nicholas, 1876-1933

STREFF, FRANTZEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Alton Democrat, September 22, 1933:

Jos. Streff Gone—Funeral Here Friday

Joseph Streff passed on Wednesday afternoon at Sioux City after a long illness which physicians were unable to diagnose. His body was brought to the Martin Streff home Thursday and funeral services will be held Friday morning at nine o’clock at Saint Mary’s Catholic church, with interment in St. Mary’s cemetery beside that of his pioneer parents and brother.

He was born on the Streff homestead south of Alton, attended local and LeMars schools, continued his studies in Illinois and graduated from a four year course in law at Iowa university. After his graduation he went west and practiced law in the state of Washington for many years, later locating at Flandreau, S.D., where he practised until recent years. He was 58 years of age at the time of his death, and was the third son in the family, one brother, Mike, having died in 1912. He is survived by four brothers and one sister, namely Peter, Felix, Martin and A. L. of Alton; Mrs. Joseph Beheim of James; who have the sympathy of a host of friends. Although he was followed by ill fortune in later years, and for many months was a hospital patient, he remained uncomplaining and cheerful, showing a fortitude and courage worthy of his pioneer forefathers.

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From the Alton Democrat, September 29, 1933:

Joe Streff Star U. Football Man

Funeral services for the late Joseph Streff, who died at Sioux City on September 20, were held at St. Mary’s Catholic church at Alton on Friday morning, with the Very Rev. M. A. Schemel, the pastor, saying the requiem mass.

Friends from far and near came to attend the last rites for the attorney who was an alumnus of Iowa State university and a member of one of the great football teams of former years at the state U. He was a member of the same football squad as E. J. Feuling of New Hampton who is now Democratic state chairman. If our memory serves us correctly Mr. Feuling once said that Joe played a halfback position.

Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. John Arens and son of Lismore, Minn.; Nicholas Frantzen and wife of Dell Rapids, S.D.; Mrs. Frank Ginsbach and Mike Ginsbach, also of Dell Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Beheim of James, Iowa; Mrs. L. J. Baltes and daughter of Lismore; Ed Dopheite of Sioux City; and Mr. and Mrs. Gene Beaufils of LeMars.

A modest and unassuming man, he was gifted with the ability to make friends. While a resident of another state for many years he left behind him here a host of staunch friends, who regret his untimely passing.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has Joseph N. Streff, single, born March 1, 1876 in Alton; parents Mathias Streff, born in Paris, France, and Susan Frantzen, born in Luxemberg; died in Sioux City (where he had been a resident 3 years) at 12:02 p.m. September 20, 1933. The handwriting suddenly becomes illegible when recording the cause of death, but looks like some kind of leukemia, duration 6 months, confirmed by autopsy.

He does not appear in the Sioux County Cemetery Index, but his FindaGrave page shows him, as Joseph Nicholas Streff, buried in Saint Marys Cemetery, Alton. It lists his parents, Mathias Streff (1845-1912) and Susan Frantzen Streff (1846-1894).

His World War I draft registration card (September 1918) shows him as Joseph Nicholas Streff, age 42, born March 1, 1876, a lawyer, self-employed; nearest relative, brother M. M. Streff of Alton; medium height and build, brown eyes, brown hair.