Streff, Peter, 1871-1933

STREFF, FRANTZEN, HASTERT

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

From the Alton Democrat, October 27, 1933:

PETER STREFF WAS PIONEER THIS COUNTY
Respected Citizen Lived Here 62 Years

Although it was known that he was probably fatally ill with blood poisoning, it was with shock and a feeling of great regret that Alton people learned Sunday afternoon of the passing of Mr. Peter Streff.

Just a week previously Mr. Streff had stepped on a rusty nail. Blood poisoning developed from the infection in the wound, causing lockjaw which is always fatal. He had come to town each day to have the wound dressed and was last seen here Thursday afternoon when he walked briskly enough, but with a limp favoring the injured foot. Serum was administered Friday, but too late to check the tetanus and he became steadily worse, passing away shortly after noon Sunday, almost exactly a week after the nail penetrated his foot, and a month following the death of his brother, Joe Streff, in Sioux City.

Peter Streff was the eldest child of the Mathias Streff family, Sioux county pioneer settlers. He was born at St. Catherine in Jackson county, Iowa, on November 1, 1870, accompanying his parents here in May, 1871, before he was a year old. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Mike and Joe, a baby sister also dying in infancy, but is survived by three brothers and a sister, as follows: Martin, of Alton; Mary (Mrs. Joe Beheim) of James, Iowa; Felix and Al., both of Alton.

On January 17, 1904, Mr. Streff married Miss Magdalene Hastert at David City, Nebraska. After touring the west they settled on the farm near Alton which he owned at the time of his marriage. Four children came to bless this union, but the youngest, Elmer, died nine years ago. The three children who survive their father are Mrs. Matt. Klein of Granville, Miss Irene Streff of Sioux City, and Oscar, at home; also their mother, his devoted helpmate.

A charter member of the Farmers Mutual Co-Op. Co., of Alton and Carnes, Mr. Streff was a member of the board of directors until last year, and also served on the board of directors of the Alton Savings bank until last year. He was president of the bank for one year. Mr. Streff was democratic member of the board of Nassau township trustees for many years. Although without particular ambition for this job his colleagues on the board appointed him to fill the vacancy when one occurred, thus drafting his experience and sound judgment into service. He was invariably appointed election judge for the Nassau precinct and election officials in the future will miss his genial and accommodating personality.

Those who have visited Mr. Streff at his beautiful farm home four miles south of Alton were impressed and keenly delighted with his accurate descriptions of this prairie before its settlement, his vivid recollections bringing those days clearly before the hearer. We were impressed with his description of some of the wild game birds of the early days here, particularly one bird which he named that flew at the hunter like a cannonball, veering sharply off just as he got ready to duck. He knew the names of all the birds common in that day, many of the species now extinct.

Mr. Streff “grew up with Sioux county” but was widely traveled, and his extensive knowledge not only of the early days here but of other parts of the country, made his personality especially attractive, while his sound judgment gave his opinions on current matters much weight. Although frequently urged to run for public office he had no ambition along that line.

Solemn Requiem High Mass was held Wednesday morning at St. Mary’s Catholic church at Alton of which he was a lifelong devoted member. Burial was at St. Mary’s cemetery. The sympathy of the community goes out to the devoted family in their great loss.

Relatives and friends from a distance who were here to attend the last rites included the following: Mr. and Mrs. Matt Streff, Nick Streff and Mr. and Mrs. John Heuer, all of Ft. Dodge; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Streff, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Streff, St. Leo, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Audre, Mrs. Anna Reisdorff, Petersburg, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas and son Clarence, David City, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lux, North Bend, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. John Arens, Mrs. Leo Raltes, Lismore, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ginsbach, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Frantzen, Dell Rapids, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Frantzen, Alta Vista, Ia.; Miss Sophia Frantzen, Hospers; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Ruppert, Currie, Minn.

Ven. Sister M. Fidelia, Oyens; Mrs. Leo Kettler and sons, Mrs. George Welter, LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Schroeder, son Greg and daughter Florence, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Beheim and daughter Iola, James; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Schroeder, Oyens; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Schroeder, Lawrence Schroeder, LeMars; Mrs. George Graaf, Sioux City.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Beaufils, Mr. and Mrs. John Poeckes, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Treinen, John Duester, Val. of LeMars; Mr. and Mrs. John Jonas, Brauch and Josephine Ruppert, all of Adrian, Minn.; Al Jonas, Ashton; Mr. and Mrs. P. J. LaVelle, Struble; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fiddler, Mr. and Mrs. John Fiddler, Mrs. Nick Bulls[?] and son, Mr. and Mrs. Benjigers[?], Mr. and Mrs. Vinc. Schnepf, all of Oyens; Emil Gloden, Hospers.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has Peter Streff, born November 1, 1871 in Iowa; parents Mathew Streff and Susan Frantzen, both born in Luxembourg; resident of Alton 61 years; farmer, for 40 years; wife Lena Streff; died in Alton at 2:15 p.m. October 22, 1933; cause, tetanus, onset October 20, 1933; contributory cause, nail puncture of rt. foot. Refused tetanus antitoxin.

The Butler County, Nebraska marriage register has groom Peter Streff, age 32, born in Dubuque County, Iowa, residence Alton, Iowa, parents Matt Streff and Susanna Frantzen; bride Miss Magdalena Hastert, age 26, born in and resident of Butler County, Nebraska, parents Nicholas Hastert and Cathrina Shuk; married January 17, 1905 at St. Mary’s Church, Butler County, Nebraska.

A 1908 land ownership map of Nassau Township shows Peter Streff owning 160 acres south of Alton on the south side of an unnamed river, probably the Floyd, called River Bend Farm.