Person:George Steger (3)

          In Dyersville, Its History and Its People, pages 468 and 469, the author writes:  George Steger, (Jr) was born 30 Oct 1849 in Center Township, Dubuque County, Iowa of George (Sr.) and Anna Hutterer Steger.  In 1859 he came with his parents to the George Steger, Sr. homestead west of Dyersville, Iowa. On 2 Jul 1872, George Steger, Jr. married Mary Pfeiler at St. Francis Church.  She was born in May, 1851, (6 Jun 1852) of Joseph and Theresa (Puff) Pfeiler at Holy Cross, Iowa.
         After their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. George Steger, Jr. settled on a farm three miles northwest of Dyersville, the present Wm Deutmeyer farm.  In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Steger retired to Dyersville where they built a residence on West Victoria Street, lot 293, the present Wm. Lappe home.  After moving to Dyersville Mr. Steger worked as a self-employed home builder.
         They had the following children: Anna (Mrs. Joseph Lasche); Catherine (Mrs. Ed. Drexler); William, Emma (Mrs. Elmer Harder) and Anton.  Mrs. Steger died at her residence on 15 Apr 1927 and Mr. Steger passed to his reward on 15 Jul 1927 (July 13).
         In the June 1880 US census, George, his wife Mary and two daughters were living on a farm in Bremen Township, Delaware County, Iowa.  (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Bremen, Delaware, Iowa; Roll T9_336; Family History Film: 1254336; Page 363.2000; Enumeration District 150; Image 0509.)
         In the 1885 census conducted in the state of Iowa, the George Steger, Jr. family was living on land legally known as SW¼ of SE¼ Township 89 Range 3 Section 23 of Bremen Township, Delaware County, Iowa.  Both Mary and George had been born in Dubuque county and their children in Delaware county.  (Source: Ancestry.com:  Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925; Family Number: 75; Line: 22; Roll: IA1885_175.)
         By the 18 Apr 1910 US census, George, Mary and his mother Anna Maria were living on Victoria Street, Dyersville.  Mr. Steger was, at that time, a self-employed carpenter.  Of the five children they raised, all were still living.  (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1910; Census Place: New Wine, Dubuque, Iowa;  Roll: T624_401; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 141; Image: 739.)
         Mr. Steger was still building homes at the time of the 13 Jan 1920 US census and lived with Mary and one son, Anton, in their Victoria Street mortgaged home.  Their son, Anton, was employed as a mechanic in the auto repair business.  (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1920; Census Place: New Wine, Dubuque, Iowa; Roll: T625_488; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 153; Image: 1078.)
         In the Iowa State census of 1 Jan 1925, George, his wife Mary and one son, Anton, lived in Dyersville, Iowa in a home which they owned mortgage-free and which was valued at $3,500 and was insured for $1,200.  (Source: Ancestry.com:  Iowa State Census Collection 1836-1925; Line: 24; Roll: IA1925_1706.)

Mr. Steger's obituary appearing in the Dyersville Commercial states: Death, the inexorable reaper, claimed one of Dyersville's highly esteemed citizens in the person of Mr. George Steger, Jr., (son of the late George, Sr. and Anna Maria Hutterer Steger), which occurred at his home on East Victoria street, at 1:30 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon, July 13th. Death was due to complications tributary to old age, and he had been ailing since the death of his wife, which occurred on April 17th, of this year.

         Deceased was born on a farm in Center township on 27 Oct 1849 and he was 77 years, eight months and 16 days old, when death claimed him.
         When a young boy he moved with his parents to Dyersville and they settled on a farm northwest of this city. He received his education in the rural and parochial schools, and after his school days were over, assisted his  father with work on the farm.
         On 2 Jul 1872, deceased was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pfeiler of Holy Cross, the marriage taking place in St. Francis Church, Dyersville, where they were successfully engaged in the pursuit of farming until 1906 when they retired from active farm life and moved to Dyersville, which has since been their home.
           His wife preceded him in death nearly three months ago, her death occurring on Thursday, April 17th, of this year. He is survived by the following children: Anna, Mrs Joe Loesche, Worthington; Catherine, Mrs. Edw. Drexler, Herman, Minn William of Dubuque; Emma, Mrs. Elmer Harder, Rochester, Minn. and Anton at home.
         He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Joseph of this city, Stephen of Canton, Minn. and Susie, Mrs. Jos. Kipp of Timber Lake, S. D. One brother, John and two sisters, Mary, Mrs. Jasper and Kate, Mrs. Jos. Schindler, preceded him in death.
         In the death of Mr. Steger, Dyersville looses one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. Mr. Steger's life was one of usefulness, his sincerity and ideals of life admired by all who knew him. He was devoted to his family, and was a kind and considerate husband and father, and in his later years he had the love and consideration of his children. He was a regular attendant at St. Francis church, having been a staunch Catholic all his life and passed away fortified with the last rites of his faith. Heartfelt sympathy is extended the children left to mourn his loss.
         The funeral will take place Saturday morning from his late home to St. Francis church at 9:30 o'clock, where requiem high mass will be sung for the repose of his soul after which interment will be made in the family lot in St. Francis cemetery, beside those of his wife.
         The obituary that appeared in the Friday, 15 Jul 1927 Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal had this to say: Dyersville, Iowa., July 15--Special: George Steger, (Jr.) 77 years, passed away at his home Wednesday afternoon (13 Jul) at 11:30 o'clock.
         Deceased was born on a farm in Center township 27 Oct  1849.
         When a young boy he moved with his parents to Dyersville and they settled on a farm northwest of this city. He received his education in the rural and parochial schools.
         On 2 Jul 1872, he was married to Miss Mary Pfeiler of Holy Cross, the marriage taking place in St. Francis church Dyersville and was performed by the late Rev. Kortenkamp. The couple settled down to housekeeping on their farm northwest of Dyersville. They retired from farm life and moved to Dyersville, which has since been their home.
         His wife preceded him in death nearly three months ago. He is survived by the following children: Anna, Mrs. Joe Loesche, Worthington; Catherine, Mrs. Edward Drexler, Herman, Minn.; William of Dubuque; Emma, Mrs. Elmer Harder, Rochester, Minn. and Anton, at home.
         He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Joseph of this city; Stephen of Canton, Minn. and Susie, Mrs. Jos. Kipp of Timber Lake, S. D. One brother, John and two sisters, (Mary) Mrs. Jasper and Kate, Mrs Joe (George) Schindler preceded him in death.

1.   GEDCOM file submitted by norbert steger, dianor@mybluelight.com. Created on 28 JUL 2006. Imported on 1 Aug 2006..