Grady, Anthony 1874-1949 & Francis Schmit Family

GRADY, SCHMIT, HECKER, GLESENER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/28/2025 at 17:54:30

Grady, Anthony Sr. 1874-1949 and Francis Schmit Family

This biography of the Anthony Grady family was taken from a family story in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church book of Granville Iowa page 102. It was further researched and composed by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

The full narrative including additions to the church book story were made from various sources including records from the web site www.iagenweb.org/sioux; family reports and vitals collected from ancestry.com records and ancestry’s public member trees, Find A Grave index, internet searches and various local archives.

Disclaimer: Names, dates and places may vary from one source to another, but have been stated in this biography as presented in the source. Family data taken from ancestry.com public member trees is subject to the submitter of data to ancestry.com and was not fully verified by this submitter. Information was cross checked from other sources when possible.

Anthony Grady Family story in the St. Joseph’s Church book page 102.

Anthony I. Grady (January 8, 1874 – April 4, 1949) married Francis Schmit. They had fourteen Children:
Anna A. Grady born 16 April 1900; Aloysuis Grady born April 10, 1903 – April 19,1934; Lucille A. Grady born May 6, 1905; Frances C. Grady born July 17, 1906; Elizabeth E. Grady was born August 26. 1908 – June 22, 1958. She married John Colling; Agetha S. Grady born March 24, 1911 She married Edmond Bohlke; Evelyn F. Grady born December 20, 1912; Elnora I. Grady born Jun 18, 1914; Anthony J. Grady born June 9, 1916. He married Angeline Reichle in May of 1942 at Granville IA; Mildred K. Grady born February 19, 1918 – July 11, 1976; Arthur Grady born June 4, 1919 – August 29, 1973. He married Ruth Joanna Wallinga in September 1951; Julia C. Grady born September 10, 1920; Florence M. Grady born December 9, 1923; and Lorraine Grady born October 23, 1923.
(End of the short church family history.)

RESEARCH Notes:

Anthony L. Grady born 8 Jan 1874 Chicago, Cook, IL died 4 Apr 1949 O’Brien County IA. His parents were Leonard Grady born Jun 1832 Germany died 17 Jun 1900 O’Brien County IA; and Anna Maria Hecker born 1848 Germany died 1895 O’Brien County IA. Anthony married Francis M. Schmidt 1882-1925 on 27 May 1902 Sioux County IA.

Francesca ‘Francis’ M. Schmidt was born 1882 Hospers, Sioux County IA died 23 Dec 1925 O’Brien Co. IA. Her parents were Peter Schmidt born Jan 1845 Luxembourg died 1908 MN and Susanna Glesener born 13 Apr 1853 Luxembourg died 15 Jul 1929 Hospers, IA. (See the obits of Peter and Susanna Schmit on this web page) Anton and Francis Grady’s children follow:

CENSUS Records:

1900 for Baker Tsp, O’Brien County IA. Anthony Grady age 26 born Jan 1874 Illinois, single, farm laborer. Father was Lenard Grady 67, born Jun 1832 Germany, widowed, son Mathias Grady 30, Mary Grady 26, Anthony Grady 26, Christ Grady 24, Theresa Grady 22, Theodore Grady 20, Lucy Grady 18, John Grady 14, Rose Grady 9, Christine Grady 22 dau in law, Annie Grady sister of Leonard 70.

1910 Census of Baker Tsp. O’Brien County IA. Albert (Anthony) L. Grady, 36 born 1874 Illinois, married, a farmer, owned farm, mortgaged, wife was Francis Grady age 28, Children – Aloysius Grady 7, Lucy Grady 5, Francis Grady 4, Annie Grady 2 , Elizabeth 0. Math Grady 40 brother living with them.

1920 census of Baker, O’Brien County IA . Anton Grady age 46 born Illinois, a farmer, owned farm free, wife Frances Grady 37, Children - Aloysius Grady 16, Lucy Grady 14, Frances Grady 13, Anna Grady 11, Lizzie Grady 10, Agatha Grady 8, Evelyn Grady 7, Elmira Grady 5, Anton Grady 3, Mildred Grady 1. Arthur 0.

1930 census of Baker Tsp. O’Brien County Iowa Anton L. Grady age 57 yrs. was born abt 1873 Illinois, a widower, a farm employer. Children – Aloysius C. Grady 26, Frances C. Grady 23, Anna A. Grady 21, Elizabeth E. Grady 20, Evelyn Grady 17, Elinora L. Grady 15, Anthony J. Grady 13, Mildred K. Grady 12, Arthur D. Grady 10.

1940 census of Baker Tsp, O’Brien Co. IA Anton Grady age 66 born abt 1874 Illinois, widowed, owned own home... Children – Elizabeth Grady 29, Agatha Grady 18, Edward Burlage 24 son in law, Elenora Burlage 25 dau.

CHILDREN: As listed in the above church book story, and added to by submitter referencing local obits on this web page, Find A Grave, and ancestry.com’s vitals and public member trees. The submitter had difficulty finding records on the children’s families as the time period extended into the time period that records are considered private especially if the person is not deceased yet. Also, the very common difficult surnames to research made it hard to locate them in the various directions they went after their youths in Sioux/O’Brien Counties in Iowa. Submitter added what appeared to be further information as found.

Clues to identity came from Lucille’s obit -eight sisters, Frances Ferrell, Ann Camp and Evelyn Cowdrey, all of. Denver, Agatha Bohlke of Wilmont, Minnesota, Eleanor Burlage of Osage, Julia Bax of Arvada, Colorado, Florence Conroy of Danville, California, and Lorraine Rondou of Concord; and a brother, Anthony Grady of Alton.

1. Aloysius Chris Grady was born 29 Apr 1903 O’brien Co. IA. Died 20 Apr 1934 O’Brien Co. IA. Buried in St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA. The 1930 census shows him living with parents family and not married. See his obituary on this web page as Alvin Grady 1903-1934.

2. Lucille Lucy Grady was born 6 May 1905 Granville IA died 27 Apr 1988 Concord CA. Buried in St. Joseph Cemetery. See her obit on this web page.

3. Francis Christina Grady was born 17 July 1906 O’Brien County, IA was from L A. CA died 29 Apr 1988 Arvada CO. Listed as Frances Ferrell of Denver in Lucille’s obit. Frances C. Ferrell born 17 Jul 1906 last address in Soc Sec index was Arvada CO. Assume she was single and married late to a Mr. Ferrell. No further information found

4. Annie Grady was born 26 Apr 1908 Baler. O’Brien Co. IA married name Camp was from Denver CO. Listed as Ann Camp of Denver in Lucille’s obit. 1950 census of Denver list Ann Camp age 42 born 1908 Iowa, a widow, a daughter Phyllis Jean Camp born CO. age 8 listed.

5. Elizabeth Eva ‘Lizzie’ Grady was born 26 Aug 1909 Baker Twp, O’Brien, IA died 1958 Miner Co. SD. She married John Colling on 8 Jun 1942 Sheldon IA. Possible two children – Janice Marie Klein and Theresa Germaine Erickson. Found 1950 census of Floyd Tsp Sioux County IA, to include John Colling age 39 born 1911 in IA. A farmer married wife Elizabeth Colling age 39 children Theresa Colling age 6, Frederik Colling age 4, Eugene Colling age 2, and Janice Colling age 1.

6. Agatha Grady born 24 Mar 1911 Granville IA, died 29 Jan 2005 Worthington MN. She married Edmund Bohlke. Children – Kenneth Edward Bolhke, Julie Ann Klein and Charles Anthony Bohlke. Found the family in the 1950 census of Bloom, Nobles, MN. Edmond H. Bohlke age 36 born about 1915 in IA, married a farmer, wife Agatha S. Bohlke age 39, children were- John 8. Mary 6, Charles 4, Michael 2 William 1, Julie Ann in Nov. with the family was Delores Bohlke age 27 sister of Edmond.

7. Evelyn Francis Grady was born 20 Dec 1912 Baker Twp O’Brien Co. IA. married Lee Cowdery of Denver CO. Of Denver in Lucille’s obit. ??Found an Evelyn Cowdrey age 37 born abt 1913 in Iowa living in Denver CO, with husband Frank N. Cowdery age 48, with children Brenda 8.

8. Elnora/Elmira Grady Burlage was born 18 Jun 1914 O’Brien Co. IA died 4 May 2006 Nixa, Christian Co. MO. She married Edward F. Burlage. Child listed James Kenneth Burlage. Found the 1950 census of East Orange Sioux County IA. Edmond F. Burlage age 34 born Iowa a farmer, wife Elmona Burlage age 35, Children – Leanna 9, Denis 8, Roger 7, Cyril 6, James 4, Norma 3 and Pamela 0.

9. Anthony John Grady was born 9 Jun 1916 Granille IA died 17 Nov 2000 Primghar, O’Brien Co. IA, He married Angelina Marie Reichle. Child listed Philip Arthur Grady.

10. Mildred Katherine Grady was born 19 Feb 1918 Baker Twp O’Brien Co. IA, of Oakland CA Mrs. George Smith.

11. Arthur Grady born 4 Jun 1919 Granville IA died 27 Aug 1973 Sioux Falls buried Holman cemetery Sibley IA of Denver. He married Ruth Wallinga.

12. Julia Emma Grady was born 10 Sep 1920 Baker Twp O’Brien Co. IA Julia Mrs. R. W. Bax of Round Up MT; Julia Bax of Arvada CO in Lucille’s obit

13. Florence M. Grady was born 9 Dec 1921 O’Brien Co. IA Died 7 Jul 2016 Danville CA. She married Wm. ‘Bill’ J. Conroy. Child Patricia Ann Conroy She was of Danville CA in Lucille’s obit. Found obit on line, she was mother of Susan Ken Rowland, Patty Conroy, Michael Karen Conroy and Joseph Brigitte Conroy.

14. Lorraine M Grady born Oct 23, 1923 Granville IA, died abt Nov 2008 She married Jack Condon of Burbank CA. Lorraine Rondou of Concord in Lucille’s obit Found obit of Lorraine Rondou on line born Oct 31, 1923 died Jun 27, 2016. Children Sharon Diamond, Deanna Porco, Marguerite Allen, and Teresa Saunders, and sons John Rondou and Dan Rondou.

OBITUARY OF Anton Grady 1874-1949
Alton Democrat of April 14, 1949 Rites Thursday For Anton Grady, Early Granville Resident
Funeral services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Granville Thursday morning, April 7 at 9:30 for Anton L. Grady, age 75 years, 2 months and 17 days, who passed away in the Sacred Heart hospital in Le Mars, Monday morning at 2:45. His death was caused by a cerebral hemorrhage after an illness of many years. Solemn requiem high mass was read by a nephew Rev. Sylvester Grady of Schaller, IA, as celebrant, Rev. Ocken of Mapleton as deacon, Rev. J. J. Dalhoff, sub deacon and Rev. C. A. Knobbe, master of ceremonies. St. Joseph high school choir sang. Pallbearers were six nephews, Leonard Grady of Sioux City, Jerry Grady and Ray Grady of Granville, Vincent Beyers of Merrill, Harold Schmit and Milton Schmit of Hospers.
Anton Grady was born Jan. 18, 1874 at Cambray IL. The son of Leonard and Anna Hecker Grady. At the age of 10 he came with his parents to a farm in O’Brien Co. near Granville. On May 17, 1902 he was untied in marriage to Frances Schmit, of Hospers and they began farming two miles east, 1 ¼ north of Granville, where he had since resided except the past two years he made his home with his daughter. Mrs. John Colling. He resided in Granville for the past 65 years and was a faithful member of St. Joseph parish.
Surviving are 11 daughters and two sons, namely: Lucille Grady of Mapleton IA; Frances Grady of Los Angeles CA; Mrs. Anna Camp of Denver CO; Elizabeth Mrs. John Colling of Granville; Agatha Mrs. Edmund Bohlke of Wilmont, MN; Evelyn Mrs. Lee Cowdrey of Denver CO; Nora Mrs. Ed Burlage of Granville; Mildred Grady of Oakland CA; Tony Jr. of Granville; Art of Denver CO; Julia Mrs. R. W. Box of Round Up MT; Florence Mrs. W. J. Conroy of Denver CO; Lorriane Mrs. Jack Condon of Burbank CA; also 24 grandchildren, 3 sisters and 2 brothers, Matt Grady of St. Louis MO, C. A. Grady of Granville, Mary Grady of Detroit MI, Lucy Mrs. Chas. Bingham of Detroit and Tess Mrs. Henry Barkstrom of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 Son Aloysuis, 1 brother Theodore, 1 sister, Rose and his wife who passed away 24 years ago.
(the obit has a list of priests attended as well as a large list of relatives who attended the funeral. )

OBITUARY of Francis (Mrs. Anton Grady) 1882-1926
Alton Democrat of Jan 1, 1926
Mother of Large Family Called. Mrs. A. I. Grady passed away at her home three miles northeast of Granville on December 23rd, after an illness of more than five months. An operation for cancer was performed in August but without avail. Besides her husband Mrs. Grady leaves a family of fourteen children, her mother and a number of sisters and brothers, all of whom have the deepest sympathy of the community. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at St. Joseph’s church in Granville, with the pastor, Rev. J. A. Gerlaman in charge and burial was in St. Joseph’s cemetery. Frances Schmit was born Aug 22nd 1882 at Hospers, Iowa. On May 27th, 1902, she was married to A. I. Grady and the couple have since that time been farming near Granville. 14 children were born to the union, all of whom are living, the youngest child being two years old. The children are Aloysius, Lucile, Frances, Anna, Elizabeth, Mildred, Arthur, Julia, Florence, and Lorraine. Mrs. Grady was 43 years old at the time of her death. She was a member of the Catholic church at Granville, a devoted wife and mother, She is survived also by her mother, Mrs. Susan Schmidt of Granville and by six brother and sisters, who are Nick M. Schmit of Taunton, Mrs. C. S. Grady of Granville, Mrs. Max Beyer and Mrs. Mike Meyers of Chamberlain SD. Clemens J. Schmit of Hospers and Mathias H. Schmit of Hospers. Among the relatives and friends who attended the funeral were Nick M. Schmit of Taunton, Mr. Meyers and Mrs. Beyer of Chamberlain. Matt Schmit, a cousin from Salem SD, Math Grady of Maryville, MA, Mrs. Susan Full, Mrs. Holmes and Mr. Milo Thill of Sheldon, Mr and Mrs. Clem Full of Alton. She was buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, Granville, Sioux County, Iowa.

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