Steffgen, Michael Philip

Other Events:

• Census: 1920, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA
• Census: 1930, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA
• Military Service: 1942
• Residence: Jul 1966, Salem, Marion County, Oregon, USA
• Residence: Dec 1974, Salem, Marion County, Oregon, USA

Notes:

Census:
According to the 1920 enumeration, "Mickel Philip Steffgen," age 2 years, 7 months, born in Nebraska, lived with his parents, Henry William Steffgen (age 26) and Clara Marie Steffgen (age 21), and his brother, Paul Francis Steffgen (age 3 months).

Census:
According to the 1930 enumeration, Michael P. Steffgen, age 12 (born in Nebraska), lived with his parents, Henry N. [sic] Steffgen (age 36) and Clara M. Steffgen (age 31), his two brothers, Paul F. Steffgen (age 10), Lawrence E. Steffgen (age 8), and sister, Alice L. Steffgen (age 6).

Military Service:
Army enlistment records indicate that Michael enlisted as a private on 19 August 1942 at Portland, Oregon.

Other Events:

• Census: 1900, Hamilton County, Nebraska, USA
• Census: 1910, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Census:
According to the 1900 enumeration of Farmers Valley Precinct, Henry Steffgen, age 6 (born October 1893 in Nebraska), lived with his parents Michel and Mary Steffgen, and with his two sisters, Elizabeth Steffgen (age 17) and Agnes Steffgen (age 9).

Census:
According to the 1910 enumeration of Momence Township, Henry Steffgen, age 16 (born in Nebraska), lived with his parents "Nick Steffgen" (age 53) and Mary Steffgen (age 57), his sister, Elizabeth Steffgen (age 27), and the hired man, Henry Berkbigler (age 28).

Buried:
According to obituaries, funeral services were held at St. Helena's Catholic Church. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, on the eastern edge of town.

Died:
The following transcriptions of obituaries for Henry W. Steffgen were provided by Jane Michel. Both notices originally appeared in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Nebraska. The first was published in December 1974; the second appeared on 2 January 1975.

          Grafton Rites for Henry W. Steffgen

     Henry W. Steffgen of Hastings, formerly of Geneva, passed away Sunday, December 22, 1974. He was 81.
     Funeral services will be conducted from St. Helena's Catholic church in Grafton at 10 a.m. Friday, December 27, 1974, with interment in Holy Cross cemetery, Grafton.


          Grafton Rites Are Held for Henry Steffgen

     Henry Steffgen, son of Michael and Marie Steffgen, was born October 26, 1893. He passed away December 22, 1974, at the Mary Lanning hospital in Hastings.
     He was united in marriage to Clara Spohn in 1916. To this union was born three sons; Michael, Paul and Lawrence, and one daughter, Alice.
     Henry, a former resident of Fillmore county, has made his home at Memory Manor of Exeter the past three years.
     Preceding him in death are his parents, Michael and Marie Steffgen; a sister, Mrs. Katherine Budler; also an infant sister.
     Survivors include his children; Michael of Salem, Ore.; Paul of Winthrop Arbor, Ill.; Lawrence of Tracy, Cal., and Mrs. William (Alice) Fiegenbaum of Albany, Ore., also a sister, Mrs. Hannah Berkbigler of Geneva and nieces and nephews.
     Rosary was held December 26 in Geneva. Funeral services were held at St. Helena church in Grafton, Friday, December 27, with Rev. Urban Schmitt officiating. Mrs. Paul O'Connor and daughters were in charge of the music.
     Pallbearers were Wayne Budler, Bernard Budler, Joseph Reinsch, W. W. Biegert, Floyd Pontine and Cecil Perkins, nephews of the deceased. Burial was in the family lot in the Holy Cross cemetery in Grafton. Farmer & Son Funeral Home of Geneva was in charge.

Henry married Spohn, Clara Marie 19 Jun 1916, Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. Clara (daughter of Spohn, Philip and Braden, Mary A.) was born 7 May 1898, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, USA; died 21 Jul 1966, Albany, Linn County, Oregon, USA; was buried 23 Jul 1966, Albany, Linn County, Oregon, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1900, Seward County, Nebraska, USA
• Census: 1910, Madison Township, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA
• Residence: 1936, Albany, Linn County, Oregon, USA

Notes:

Census:
According to the 1900 enumeration of L Precinct, Clara M. Spohn lived with her sister, Rosa L., both of whom were children of Philip and his second wife, Mary A. Braden. Also in the household were Clara's two step-brothers, "Willie A." and John L., children from her father's first marriage, to Frances Drummer.

Census:
According to the 1910 enumeration, Clara M. Spohn (age 11) lived with her parents, Philip and Mary A. Spohn, and her sisters, Rosa L. Spohn (age 10), "Eiva S. Spohn" (age 8), and "Josia L. Spohn" (age 6).

Residence:
According to her obituary, Clara moved to Albany, Oregon in 1936.

Buried:
A requiem mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Clara was buried at Willamette Memorial Park.

Died:
The following is a transcription of an obituary for Clara (Spohn) Steffgen provided by Jane Michel, who reported that the obituary was published by The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, on 28 July 1966.

          Clara Steffgen Former Genevan Dies In Oregon

     "Clara M. Steffgen, former Fillmore county resident, passed away at the General Hospital in Albany, Ore., July 21, 1966, at the age of 68. She became ill shortly after arising the day before and entered the hospital. Next day she suffered a heart attack that proved fatal. She had been the housekeeper for St. Mary's Catholic church rectory in Albany the past 14 years.
     "Clara Marie Braden was born at Utica, Neb., May 7, 1898. The family moved to Fillmore county in her youth and she received her education in the schools in this county. She was married to Henry Steffgen at Grafton June 20, 1919, by Rev. B. Sproll. She resided near Grafton and in Geneva until she moved to Albany, Ore., in 1936. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and had taken part in many church activities since living there.
     "Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. W. E. Fiegenbaum of Albany; three sons, Michael of Salem, Ore., Paul of Waukegan, Ill., and Lawrence of Erling, Cal.; three sisters, Mrs. H. H. O'Donnell of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. Frank Collicotte of Grand Junction, Col., and Mrs. Larry Ayres of Albany; two half-brothers, John Spohn and Bill Spohn of Antioch, Cal., and 11 grandchildren.
     "Requiem Mass was celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's church in Albany, Father Martin W. Doherty officiating. Interment was in Willamette Memorial park.
     "Mrs. Steffgen's sister Josie, Mrs. Collicotte, had been visiting in Albany on a vacation trip and the two had had a good visit. The son Lawrence came from Erling, Cal., for the service, bringing Susan Fiegenbaum, who had been visiting there."

     According to the Fillmore County, Nebraska record of the marriage of Clara and Henry W. Steffgen, Clara's maiden name was Spohn. The maiden name mentioned in this obituary is actually the maiden name of Clara's mother.
     It should be noted that the county record of the marriage contains many internal contradictions. According to the document, the marriage occurred on either June 19 or 20 at either Geneva or Grafton, Nebraska. Although the document does at one place give the year of the marriage as 1919 (the year also reported in the obituary), all of the remaining mentions of the year of the marriage in the county marriage record uses 1916.

Notes:

Married:
Henry and Clara were married by Rev. Bernard Sproll. Jack Walter and Rosa Spohn were the witnesses.

It should be noted that the Fillmore County marriage record, which includes the application for marriage license, the marriage license, the marriage certificate, and a report of marriage in one document, contains a number of internal contradictions. According to this document, the marriage may have taken place on either the 19th or the 20th of June, at either Grafton or Geneva, Nebraska.


Marriage License:
At the time, Henry was living in Grafton and Clara was living in Geneva.

It should be noted that the Fillmore County marriage record, which includes the application for marriage license, the marriage license, the marriage certificate, and a report of marriage in one document, contains a number of internal contradictions.


Residence (family):
According to his World War I draft registration card, completed on 5 June 1917 at Momence Precinct, Fillmore County, Nebraska, Henry Steffgen, age 23 years, was a farmer living at Grafton, Nebraska. He was born on 26 October 1893 at Stockham, Nebraska. He stated that he was married and that his dependants included his wife and one child. He was described as Caucasian male of slender, medium build, with gray eyes and brown hair.

Census (family):
According to the YEAR enumeration, the household consisted of Henry William Steffgen, head of household, age 26, born in Nebraska, married, a farmer; Clara Marie Steffgen, wife, age 21, born in Nebraska, married; Mickel Philip Steffgen, son, age 2 years, 7 months, born in Nebraska, single; Paul Francis Steffgen, son, age 3 months, born in Nebraska, single.

Census (family):
According to the 1930 enumeration, the household consisted of Henry N. [sic] Steffgen, head of household, age 36, born in Nebraska, married (at age 23), mechanic at a garage; Clara M. Steffgen, wife, age 31, born in Nebraska, married (at age 18); Michael P. Steffgen, son, age 12, born in Nebraska, single, attending school; Paul F. Steffgen, son, age 10, born in Nebraska, single, attending school; Lawrence E. Steffgen, son, age 8, born in Nebraska, single, attending school; Alice L. Steffgen, daughter, age 6, born in Nebraska, single, attending school.

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1869, USA
• Moved To: 1881, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Birth:
According to the 1880 U.S. census, Michael's birthplace was Luxembourg. In subsequent enumerations, the place of birth is reported as Germany.

Moved To:
He and his wife lived in Hamilton and Fillmore counties.

Buried:
Michael was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in a joint plot with his wife.

Michael married Blum, Maria K. 2 Jan 1880, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA. Maria was born 24 Oct 1858, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA; died 25 Dec 1944, Nebraska, USA; was buried 28 Dec 1944, Grafton, Fillmore County, Nebraska, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Moved To: 1881, Nebraska, USA

Notes:

Moved To:
He and his wife lived in Hamilton and Fillmore counties.

Buried:
According to her obituary, a requiem high mass was celebrated at St. Helena's Catholic Church. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery in a joint plot with her husband.

Died:
The following is a transcription of an obituary for Mrs. Marie Steffgen published in The Nebraska Signal, of Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska, in January 1945. The transcription and citation were provided by Jane Michel.

     Sorrow cast its shadow over this community with the death of Mrs. Marie Steffgen, who passed away December 25, 1944, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. J. Budler.
     Marie Bloom was born in Mineral Point, Wis., October 24, 1858. January 22, 1880, she was married to Michael Steffgen. To this union five children were born, one dying in infancy. The family came to Nebraska in 1881 and lived in Hamilton and Fillmore counties. Mr. Steffgen passed away in 1931. Mrs. Steffgen had been ill three months, being cared for at her own home and later at the country home of her daughter.
     Left to mourn her departure are three daughters, Mrs. Katie Budler, Mrs. Hannah Berkbigler and Mrs. Agnes Reinsch, one son, Henry, eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.
     Funeral services were held at St. Helena's Catholic church December 28, Rev. A. J. Lutz celebrating a requiem high mass. Burial was in Holy Cross cemetery. Six grandsons served as pallbearers.

Notes:

Married:
According to an obituary for Mrs. Marie Steffgen, the couple had 5 children, one of whom died in infancy.

Census (family):
According to the 1880 enumeration, the household consisted of Michael Stiffgen [sic], age 25, head of household, married, a laborer, born in Luxembergh [sic] and whose parents were also born in Luxembergh [sic]; and, Mary Stiffgen [sic], age 21, wife, married, keeping house, born in Wisconsin and whose parents were born in Prussia.
     Living in the same dwelling and enumerated as a separate household was Kate Bluum [sic], a 53 year old widow, born in Prussia.

Census (family):
According to the 1900 enumeration of Farmers Valley Precinct, the household consisted of Michel Steffgen, head of household, age 43 (born July 1856 in Germany), immigrated to USA in 1869 (in the USA for 31 years and a naturalized citizen), married, a farmer; Mary Steffgen, wife, age 41 (born October 1858 in Wisconsin), married (mother of 5 children; 4 still living); Elizabeth Steffgen, daughter, age 17 (born November 1882 in Nebraska), attending school; Agnes Steffgen, daughter, age 9 (born June 1890 in Nebraska), attending school; Henry Steffgen, son, age 6 (born October 1893 in Nebraska).

Census (family):
According to the 1910 enumeration of Momence Township, the household consisted of Nick Steffgen, head of household, age 53, born in Germany, a naturalized citizen, a farmer; Mary Steffgen, wife, age 57, born in Wisconsin, married for 30 years (mother of 5 children: 4 still living); Elizabeth Steffgen, daughter, age 27, born in Nebraska, single; Henry Steffgen, son, age 16, born in Nebraska, single; Henry Berkbigler, hired man, age 28, born in Missouri, single.

Census (family):
According to the 1920 enumeration, the household consisted of Mike Steffgen, age 63, head of household, married, his occupation is listed as 'none,' he and his parents were born in Germany, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1869 and was a naturalized citizen; and, Mary K. Steffgen, age 61, wife, married, her occupation is listed as 'none,' her parents were born in Germany, she was born in Wisconsin.

Census (family):
According to the 1930 enumeration of Geneva (Ward 3), the household consisted of Mike Steffgen, head of household, age 73, born in Germany, immigrated to USA in 1869, a naturalized citizen, married (at age 23); and Marie C. Steffen, wife, age 71, born in Wisconsin, married (at age 21).

Philip married Braden, Mary A. 5 Oct 1896, Utica, Seward County, Nebraska, USA. Mary (daughter of Braden, Philip and [---?---], Clara) was born Abt 1875, Illinois, USA; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Philip and Marry were married by "L. A. Dumphy, Catholic Priest." Witnesses were Philip Braden, of Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska and Kate Heser, of Utica, Seward County, Nebraska.

Marriage License:
At the time, Philip was residing in Utica, Seward County, Nebraska and Mary was living in Exeter, Fillmore County, Nebraska.

Census (family):
According to the 1900 enumeration of L Precinct, the household consisted of Philip Spohn, head of household, age 44, born March 1856 in New York, married for 4 years, a farmer; Braden [sic] A. Spohn, wife, age 24, born July 1876 in Illinois, married for 4 years, mother of 4 children all still living; Willie A. Spohn, son, born in June 1884 in Nebraska; John L. Spohn, son, born in September 1889 in Nebraska; Clara M. Spohn, daughter, born in May 1899 in Nebraska; Rose L. Spohn, daughter, born in December 1899 in Nebraska
     Mary A. (Braden) Spohn was Philip's second wife. The two daughters are from that marriage. The two son's are from Philip's first marriage, to Frances Drummer.

Census (family):
According to the 1910 enumeration, the household consisted of Philip Spohn, head of household, age 56, born in New York, married (second) for 13 years, a truck farmer; Mary A. Spohn, wife, age 37, born in Illinois, married (second) for 13 years, mother of 4 children (all still living); Clara M. Spohn, daughter, age 11, born in Nebraska; Rosa L. Spohn, daughter, age 10, born in Nebraska; Eiva S. Spohn, daughter, age 8, born in Nebraska; Josia L. Spohn, daughter, age 6, born in Nebraska.

Census (family):
According to the 1920 enumeration, the household consisted of Phillip Spohn, head of household, age 69, born in New York, married, a farmer; Mary A. Spohn, wife, age 44, born in Illinois, married; and, Josephine Spohn, daughter, age 15, born in Nebraska single, in school.

Census (family):
According to the 1930 enumeration, conducted by Maude M. (Montgomery) Fiegenbaum, the household consisted of Phillip Spohn (age 76) and Mary Spohn (age 54).

John married Behm, Gunda. Gunda died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.

Philip married [---?---], Clara. Clara died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Details of the marriage are not known at this time.