Person:Michael Steger (1)

In Dyersville, Its History and Its People pages 469 and 470, the author writes: Michael Steger was born in Bavaria, Germany, 3 Sep 1831. He came to America in 1846 and to Dubuque County with his parents on 20 Dec 1846. (It is believed that they arrived in America on 25 Dec 1846 and traveled to Iowa in 1847). Mr. Steger died 1 Aug 1908 at Dyersville, Iowa

         Barbara Herd was born in Mayence, Germany, 25 May 1834.  She came to America in 1857 and came to Dubuque County with her parents on 5 Jun 1857.  She died 16 May 1919, at Dyersville, Iowa.
         Michael Steger and Barbara Herd were married in Holy Cross, Dubuque County, Iowa, on 7 Feb 1860 and moved to the present Mrs. Mary Reittinger Loeser farm just west of St. Francis Cemetery in 1868.  Thence they retired on 11 Feb 1894 to the present Theodore Steger residence on East Victoria Street.
         Mr. and Mrs. Steger had the following children: John A., George, Frank and Theodore.

In the US census of 20 Jul 1860, Michael, 28, was listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $1,000.00 and a personal estate of $260.00. Though he was married five months earlier, he is included in his father's household and no wife is listed. (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Concord, Dubuque, Iowa; Roll: M653_320; Page: 82; Image: 221.)

         In the 19 Jul 1870 US census Michael, his wife Barbara and three children were living in Bremen Township, Delaware County, with a post office address of Earlville, Iowa.  Their real estate was valued at $3,600 and the personal estate at $1,000.00. At this time, Michael was a naturalized citizen of the United States. (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Bremen, Delaware, Iowa; Roll: M593_387; Page: 20; Image: 40.)
         Michael and Barbara were the parents of four children in 1880 and along with Barbara's mother, Magdalena Herd, who resided with them they were still farming in Bremen Township.  (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Bremen, Delaware, Iowa;  Roll: T9_336; Family History Film: 1254336; Page: 364.4000; Enumeration District: 150; Image: 0511.)
         In the 1885 Iowa state census, Michael, Barbara, their four sons and Barbara's mother, Magdalena Herd were living in Bremen Township, Delaware county Iowa on land legally described as: SW¼ NE¼ Township 89 Range 3 Section 25.  Michael was entitled to vote, having become a naturalized citizen.  (Source: Ancestry.com:  Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925; Family Number: 82; Line: 3; Roll: IA1885_175.)
         The 2 Jun 1900 US census found Michael and Barbara living in retirement, along with one son, Theodore, a carpenter, in Dyersville, Iowa.  They had been married for 40 years at this time.  Michael had arrived in the US in 1846 and Barbara in 1859.  (Source: Ancestry.com: Census Year: 1900; Census Place: New Wine, Dubuque, Iowa;  Roll T623 431; Page 3A; Enumeration District 123.)
         In 1905 Michael, Barbara and one son Theodore were living in Dyersville, Dubuque, Iowa.  (Source: Ancestry.com:  Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925; Line: 556; Roll: IA85.)
         The obituary for Michael which appeared in the Dyersville, Iowa Commercial weekly newspaper stated: Mr. Michael Steger, (son of the late Johann Georg, and Catherine Dirmayr Steger), one of the earliest settlers of western Dubuque County died at East Dyersville Tuesday evening (18 Aug 1908) at 7:30 o'clock, at the age of seventy-six years, eleven months and seventeen days.  He had been in ill health for some time and death was the result of a complication of diseases, tributary to old age.
         Deceased was a native of Germany and was born in Bavaria, September 3, 1831. When fifteen years of age he came to America with his parents, the family settling on a farm near Holy Cross. He helped his parents at farm work and attended the little district school in his youthful days. On 7 Feb 1860 he was married to Barbara Herd in the Catholic church of Holy Cross. The couple took up their residence on a farm about three miles east of Holy Cross which at that time was known as Georgetown. They resided there until 19 Mar 1868, when they moved onto the old homestead in Bremen township (Delaware County) west of Dyersville. They continued farming until 15 Feb 1894 when they retired moving to Dyersville in their residence in the eastern part of the city where he died. Besides his wife he is survived by four sons, John A., George, Frank and Theo all of Dyersville and one brother, Andrew of Holy Cross.
         Mr. Steger was an honest and highly respected citizen. There was a rugged sincerity and courage in his disposition, characteristic in pioneers, whose hands were instrumental in developing this new land. Passing through the experience of a long life he had learned what true manhood meant. While benevolent and public spirited, Mr. Steger's life was one devoted to his home and to the rearing of his children who are prominent and respected in the community and although arriving at an age not allotted many, his death caused a sorrow among his children by whom he was beloved that no earthly sympathy can solace.
         The funeral will be held this Friday morning at 9:30 from his late home to St. Francis church. Interment will be had in the Catholic cemetery. The pallbearers are six nephews, Messrs George, Joseph, Andrew, John, Paul and Herman Steger.
         Another story: It becomes our sad duty to chronicle in this issue the death of our pioneer citizen of this community, Michael Steger, which occurred at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening (18 Aug 1908).  The passing of this good man will recall to the minds of our pioneer people and among them are those who with the strength that would be figured by Gibraltar and the wisdom which the Almighty makes man bear to, worked the ground and paved the way by which many of the generations following make life a beautiful scene physically, and intellectually.  He was a worker in the world's work and in the voice of the great saint, "By Their Marks Ye Shall Know Them."  It is shown that by ambition and the spirt of good the natural competency was acquired to the full extent of the life of the man.
         Michael Steger was born in Bavaria, Germany, 3 Sep 1831 and came to America with his parents on the 20th of December, 1846.  His parents moving on a farm three miles east of Holy Cross shortly after that time.  He was married to Miss Barbara Herd at Holy Cross February 7, 1860 and lived on the old homestead until the 19th of March, 1868 when they moved to the farm a mile west of Dyersville which was their home until 15 Feb 1894 when they retired and came to Dyersville which has been their home up to the present time.

The deceased gentleman was endowed with quality of ambition and good judgment. During his earthly career he was recognized as a faithful citizen. Honest toil and a fair field were the condiments in his life work. His estate was built on these principles and his family has acquired much force in the community by the vigorous walk followed in the path of righteousness by a grateful parent. He leaves to mourn his death besides his bereaved widow, four sons viz: John A., George, Frank and Theodore and one brother Andrew of Holy Cross.

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