Alvord Family Histories 
  
Ahrens, 
Gustave – born March 3, 1865 in Germany, he came to America in 1883 and settled 
at Plattsmouth, Nebr. He married 
Mary Frenzel Feb. 1899. He retired in 1928 and died Dec. 2, 
1946 . Mary was 
born Sept. 28, 1874 and died Jan. 1, 1967. They had five children – Ernest 
(Dunbar, Nebr. – retired), 
Edwin (Alvord – retired), Albert (died Feb. 2, 
1918 ), Robert 
(Thorton, IA – Lutheran pastor), Hildegarde (Mrs. George Fridrichsen, 
Alvord). 
Albertus, 
Balster Wm. – born in 1875. He married Emma Fiebelkorn, who was born in 1880. 
They settled in Alvord where for many years he was Alvord’s realtor. They had 3 
children – Earl, John, Helen (Mrs. CE Bild) and Ida (Mrs. Ole Loe). Mrs. 
Albertus died in 1931 and Mr. Albertus died in 1934. 
Albertus, Earl 
John – born at Alvord on Sept. 29, 1904. He married Polly Knutson on June 26, 
1930. Mr. Albertus operated the highway maintainer and farmed near Alvord until 
he moved to Sioux 
Falls . He returned 
in 1946 and operated a hardware store until 1952 when he returned to 
Sioux 
Falls . He died on 
Dec. 27, 
1965 . They had 4 
children: Harlene (Mrs. Eldon Schmahl of Aberdeen , So. Dak.), 
Joan (Mrs. Al Daniels of Viborg , 
South 
Dakota ), Shirley 
(Mrs. Don Kuhle of Lincoln , 
Nebr. ), and Daniel 
Earl of Sioux 
Falls . 
Allen James – 
was born at Montreal , 
Canada 
in August of 
1861. He was married to Julia Barron in 1890. She was born at 
Shannon , 
Illinois in 1859. They 
farmed a mile South of Alvord in 1893. He was also a hardware merchant and 
livestock buyer. He died on July 31, 
1920 and Mrs. Allen 
died on Oct. 29, 
1932 . They had 
four children – Edward (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Mike Doherty of Inwood), John 
(Inwood) and Clement of Alvord. 
Allen, Clement 
– married Vera Lawler in Sioux Falls on Nov. 24, 1920. They farmed near Alvord 
for a number of years and retired in Alvord. They have six children – Catherine 
(Mrs. Ray Kippley of Worthington , 
Minn. ), Peggy (Mrs. 
Lawrence Schreurs of Alvord), James ( Sioux 
Falls ), Joseph 
( Hannibal , 
Mo. ), Joan (Mrs. 
Eugene Krier of San 
Gabriel , 
Calif. ) and Julie 
(Mrs. Allen Van Houten of Moville , 
Ia. ). 
Allen, George 
– (son of Patrick and Margaret Allen of Alton , 
Iowa ) married Anna 
Elizabeth Frembgen of Alvord on February 10 
1904 . Anna was the 
daughter of Leo and Theresa Frembgen. George and Anna farmed three miles north 
of Alvord from 1904 to 1912. They had five children. Daughters Coletta (born 
March 8, 
1906 ), Ethel (born 
April 28, 
1908 ) and Lois 
(born January 25, 
1910 ) were born 
while the family lived north of Alvord. A daughter Rose (born 
June 11, 
1914 ) and a son 
Donald (born December 26, 
1923 ) were born 
after the family moved from Alvord to Woonsocket , 
SD. 
          
Anna passed away March 23, 1932 and George passed away January 28, 1935. 
Daughter Lois passed away August 6, 
1968 . 
          
Currently, Donald lives in Pierre, SD; Rose lives in Marysville, Wa.; 
Coleta lives in Lakeside, Ca; and Ethel lives in Florence, Or. 
Andresen, 
Albert – born in Davenport, Iowa, Feb. 6, 1873. He married Emma Oldenburg 
Sept. 4, 
1901 . She was born 
in Davenport Oct. 2, 
1881 . They farmed 
in Scott county until 1907 when they moved to 
Lyon County where they had 
purchased a farm northwest of town. In 1929 they bought the farm adjoining 
Alvord (now occupied by the Lawrence Schreurs) 
where they lived until 1945 when they purchased a residence in town and retired. 
They had two children: Wilbur – married Leona Meyer, they reside on the Pete 
Meyer farm 4 miles west of Alvord; Ella – living in Alvord. Mrs. Andresen died 
July 12, 
1962 . Mr. Andresen 
died April 5, 
1965 . 
Anderson’s – 
Being natives of Iowa, but not of the town of Alvord, the legacy of the 
Anderson family cannot 
add much to the 100 year old history of Alvord. 
          
William “Bill” Anderson, a widower, along with his seven children, moved 
to Alvord in the winter of 1940; an eighth child, Joseph, had died earlier. Mrs. 
Anderson, who was Frances Pendergast, died on 1934 in Larchwood, 
Iowa . Bill 
Anderson passed away in 1947. The oldest child, Raphael, passed away in 1982, 
and the youngest child, Rita (Mrs. John Boer) passed away in 1991. The remaining 
children are Ruth, (Mrs. Vernon “Bud” Kramer), and Esther (Mrs. Rollin Ogland) 
both of whom live in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mary (Mrs. Darrell Peterson) 
who lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Maurice “Mike” Anderson of Sheldon, 
Iowa; and Josephine (Mrs. Rupert Swacina) of Alameda, California. Mike Anderson 
is married to an Alvord native, Myra Thompson, whose father worked in a barber 
shop in Alvord for several years. Rita’s husband, John Boer, is also an Alvord 
native, and has been in the trucking and farming business for most of his 
life. 
Barron, C.H. 
“Chris” – Mr. and Mrs. Barron came to Alvord from 
Benton County in the early 
1900s. They farmed for a number of years. Later on he acquired the rural mail 
route out of Alvord in addition to his farming activities. One team of horses 
was used for many years on the 42 mile trip. Mr. Barron only missed one day a 
year because of bad roads and weather conditions. The Barron’s were the parents 
of six children: Richard, who died in infancy; Evelyn (Mrs. Frank Scollan, 
deceased); Walter (deceased); Gladys (Mrs. John Spain, Waterloo, Ia.); twins 
Irene and Corrine (Madison, Wis.); Chris (Charlotte) Barron was a sister of Mrs. 
Jim (Maria) Kelly. 
Barron, 
William – born in Stephenson County, Ill., March 3, 1860. He was raised on a 
farm, educated in the area school, later attending St. Viateurs college, 
Kankakee Ill. He came “west” 
in 1886 staying for a time in Beresford , 
SD , then coming 
to Alvord. This area appealed to him and before long he purchased a quarter 
section farm in Cleveland township as he 
always considered land a good investment. He never lived on his farm but it was 
tenanted by the Bernard Doherty (Mary Barron) family for 45 years. He did grain 
buying also carpenter work for a time. When the Great Northern railroad was 
known as the Sioux City-Northern was built through the town in 1890 he joined a 
construction company and assisted building elevators along the line. He then 
became local buyer for the J.Q. Adams grain company and later was manager for 
the Thorpe, and also the Cargill company. On August 16, 
1892 he was united 
in marriage to Thecla Catherine Krebs at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock 
Rapids, as Alvord was a mission of Rock Rapids at that time. She was born on a 
farm near Alton ,  August 23, 
1871 , had come to 
Alvord with friends, the Joe Schnees, and was employed by them. To this union 
six children were born: Mary (Mrs. Bernard Doherty) now at LeMars;; Joe, a 
retired rural mail carrier, Monticello , 
Iowa , librarian in 
Chicago , William E. – 
Monticello , 
Iowa (deceased 
March 1967). Loretta and Margaret of Alvord. Mr. Barron helped build the town; 
having served on the council for a period of years, as a member of the school 
board for 40 years and three terms as mayor. He passed away 
November 21, 
1942 . Mrs. Barron 
was an active member of Sacred Heart Altar society and a charter member of the 
Alvord Womans Club. She died November 30, 
1966 . 
Bauchspies, 
Bernhard – born October 18, 1848, in Saxony, 
Germany 
. He was 
married to Mary Jones on April 25, 1891. They settled three miles north of 
Doon , 
Iowa , and lived 
there for 19 years. They moved to Alvord in 1912. Bernhard was a cabinet maker 
and carpenter, farmer and then retired. Bernhard made application for 
citizenship in Davenport, Iowa, Scott County October 17, 1882 and received his 
citizenship papers October 31, 1882. To this union seven children were born. A 
son died in infancy. Six living daughters; Mrs. Minnie Dengler, Orange City; 
Mrs. Alma Dewey Herber, Cherokee; Mrs. Clara Albert Borman, Rock Rapids; Mrs. 
Ella Nordell, Rock Rapids; Mrs. Bertha Winrow, Rock Rapids; and Mrs. Lillie Lee 
Strait, Rock Rapids. Bernhard died on November 25, 1930 and his wife Mary passed 
away December 11, 1960. 
Bauer, Mr. and 
Mrs. Henry – born in Selent, Germany; Mr. Bauer September 12, 1852 and Mrs. 
Bauer March 27, 1859. They were married in 
Germany 
in 1878. In 
1883 they came to Iowa and farmed in 
various localities until 1918; first at Galsbrook, then 
Rock Valley and Inwood. 
They then retired and moved to Alvord. Mr. Bauer died in 1937. Mrs. Bauer lived 
in Alvord until 1950 when she moved to Dell Rapids, SD. Mrs. Bauer died in 1956. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bauer had 11 children: Lizzie, Martha, Rudolph, Minnie, Henry, 
Albert, Clara, Gust, Emil, John and Carl. John is the only one still living and 
now resides in Sioux 
Falls . 
Beck, Grant – 
Born in Union 
Town , 
Pa. , 1863. He 
married Mrs. Mary Weisensee in 1896. She was born in 
Peoria , 
Ill in 1862. They 
had three daughters: Lottie (Mrs. Colonel Kemp, 
Sioux 
Falls ), Ollie (Mrs. 
Phineas McMahon, Sioux 
Falls ), and 
Margaret (deceased). 
Berg, John – 
Born in Kiel, Germany and came to the United States at the age of 7 with his 
mother, three brothers and one sister. On March 7, 
1900 he married 
Clara Kruger, she was born in Holstein , 
Ia. , and shortly 
after this marriage they moved to Alvord where they lived the rest of their 
lives. They had two children: Albert of Atlanta , 
Ga. , and Otto of 
Alvord. They had one grandchild, Burdette, of 
Austin , 
Minn. John Berg 
owned and operated a livery and dray line for a number of years and later went 
into the mercantile business. He and Mrs. Berg with the help of their son Otto 
operated Berg’s general store for many years. John Berg was mayor of Alvord and 
was instrumental in securing the first electric lights in Alvord. He died in 
1947 being active in the store until the time of his death. Mrs. Berg died in 
1965. 
Berg, Otto – 
worked with his father in business until his father’s death. He now owns and 
operated Berg’s Locker and Grocery Store. He married Viva Johnson in 1928 and 
they had one son – Burdette of Austin, Minn. 
Blair, Dr. 
S.E. – was born March 28, 1867 on a farm near Piolette, 
Pa. His early 
education was received in Piolette and 
Clarion County Normal 
school where he 
received his first teachers certificate. He then graduated from 
Valparaiso , 
Indiana normal college 
and accepted the position of superintendent at Jefferson township high 
school in Shueyville , 
Iowa , where he 
taught for two years. One of the members of his first graduating class was 
Luetta Crowell who later became Mrs. Blair. The Medical profession appealed to 
him so he entered the State University at 
Iowa 
City graduating in 
1894. After serving an internship of three years under Dr. Riorden of 
Melrose , 
Iowa , he came to 
Alvord in April 1897. The first baby he delivered was Anna Mae Quinn. On October 
28 of the same year he married Luetta Crowell of Sheuyville. She was born 
February 1, 1872 at Western, Iowa, attended college at Toledo, Iowa, and 
graduated from the Normal Institute for Johnson county, after which she taught 
school for several years. Throughout the years Dr. and Mrs. Blair were respected 
and beloved residents – friends of all. On Christmas 1899 the people presented 
the doctor and the Catholic priests – Father Desmond with a card bearing the 
names of all and a $20 gold piece in appreciation for the service during the 
smallpox scourge which had struck Alvord earlier that year. They had buried the 
first victim, Dolly Cleary. Due to quarantine no public services could be held. 
In April 1940 the community honored Dr. Blair with a surprise birthday party for 
the services he had so faithfully rendered over a period of 43 years. After a 
program the Doctor was presented a loving cup, a lounging chair with footstool 
and reading lamp. A large bouquet of red roses and a cake with 73 candles 
decorated the table. Dr. Blair passed away October 1940. Mrs. Blair was one of 
the most prominent women in Alvord. She was a charter member of the Federated 
Womens Club and besides holding different offices in the local club had served 
as county chairman. She was very active in the Congregational church and was 
always one of the important figures in any successful enterprise. She passed 
away July 25, 
1948 . They were 
parents of five children: James, deceased 1941; Paul, 
Portland , 
Ore. ; Mary, Mrs. 
Art Uhl – Rialto , 
Calif. ; Catherine, 
Mrs. Ed Kroger – Puyallup , 
Wash. ; John, Rock 
Rapids. 
Bleedorn, F. 
Gustave – born in Germany 
in June 1864. 
He married Emilie Ninnemann on Sept. 25, 
1895 at 
Mayer , 
Minn. , and their 
first home was in Big Sandy , 
Mont. About 1900 
they came to Alvord where he served as Great Northern Railway agent for ten 
years and lived in the rooms above the depot. About 1910 they purchased the meat 
market on main street and a home with a small acreage at the south end of main 
street where they lived until the fall of 1919 when the family moved to a farm 
near Mayer , 
Minn. , which is now 
owned by Ray. There were seven children: Agnes, Dan, Ray, Hazel and John living 
in or near Minneapolis ; Helen of 
Sioux 
Falls , 
SD ; and Herb who 
lived in California until his 
death January 20, 
1967 . Mrs. 
Bleedorn died in 1929, and Mr. Bleedorn in 1940. 
Boer, Jake K. 
– born March 28, 1901, in the Netherlands 
and came to 
the United 
States at the age of 
three years. He lived at Rock Valley a few years 
and lived in the Alvord vicinity for 41 years. He was united in marriage to 
Elsie Herman in 1926. Mrs. Boer was born January 6, 1906 at LeMars. They were 
the parents of five children, John is married to the former Rita Anderson and 
are the parents of seven children: Barbara (Mrs. Earl Meyer), John, Eloise, 
Pamela, Paula, Kimberly and Lisa. They farm near Alvord. Coba (Mrs. Wayne 
Schmahl), Cincinnati , 
Ohio . They have 
four children. Evelyn (Mrs. Werner Berg) they are the parents of a son, and live 
in Corpus 
Christi , 
Texas . Clarence is 
married to the former Karyn Weatherly and they are the parents of three 
children: Sandi, Jason and Lance. Clarence has been with the local bank since 
1963, is an insurance agent and farms. Elaine (Mrs. Don Kelderman), they are the 
parents of three children. Mrs. And Mrs. Boer’s occupation was farming. Mr. Boer 
passed away in 1967. A brother, Everet (Ed) was also born in the 
Netherlands 
and came to 
the United 
States in 1904 and 
has since made his home in the Alvord area. 
Bornholdt, 
Chris – came to Lyon county in 1888 
and lived on a farm three miles east of Alvord. He was united in marriage to 
Fredricka Schlimme December 7, 
1877 . Six children 
were born to this union: Agnes, born December 1, 1880, Charlotte born September 
7, 1882, Magdalena, July 6, 1885, Minnie, June 15, 1890, Henry born August 14, 
1892, Clara born June 11, 1894. 
Bosler, 
Heinrich – born June 9, 1865 in the village of 
Vitzdorf on the 
Island of 
Fehmann in the 
Baltic 
Sea . In 1883 he 
came to Durant , 
Ia. , and to 
Lyon county in 
1888, the following year he bought 160 acres of prairie northwest of Alvord and 
broke sod with a walking plow and three horses walking barefoot behind the plow. 
After putting up some buildings he sent for his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andreas 
Bosler and his sister Elise (Mrs. Wm. Serck) in 1889. In 1900 his father passed 
away, his mother Catharina in 1901. Mr. Bosler was united in marriage to 
Dorothea Kroger in 1891 and to this union seven children were born: Matilda 
(Mrs. J.A. Schemmel, deceased); Ella (Mrs. Louis Kock, deceased); Caroline 
(deceased); William (deceased); Hertha (Mrs. Amerose Paffrath, deceased); Henry 
J., Inwood; and Leonard, Alvord. Mr. Bosler was township assessor for many years 
and helped to organize a stock company to build the opera house. Mrs. Bosler 
passed away Dec. 25, 1914 and he passed away April 30, 1916. The farm home is 
now owned by Henry J. Bosler and farmed by his son, Loren and family. 
Bosler, Henry 
J. – united in marriage to Elsie Koch in 1926 and six children were born to this 
union: Henry Jr., Alvord; Irene (Mrs. Don Kock), Elkton, SD; Harold, Brandon, 
SD; Loren, Alvord; Lorraine (Mrs. Cletus Gacke) Inwood; and Carol, Mrs. Delano 
Hinsch, Rock Rapids. Henry Jr. was united in marriage to Mary Ann Dehn and are 
the parents of three children: Mark, Lori and Jann, and is employed at the local 
elevator. Loren was united in marriage to Anita Overman and they are the parents 
of four children: Julie, Ronda, Lowell and Loren Eugene. William Bosler was 
united in marriage to Edna Schlimme in 1926, one son Robert was born to this 
union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bosler are deceased. Robert is farming near Alvord. 
Leonard Bosler was united in marriage to Luella Stoltenberg in 1934 and three 
sons were born to this union: Kenneth, Spirit Lake; James, farming near Inwood; 
and Wayne farming near 
Alvord. 
Boysen, Fred 
N. – settled on a farm 2 ½ miles east of Alvord in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Boysen 
were the parents of five children: Ernest, Albert, Hugo, Frieda and Herbert. 
Mrs. Boysen passed away in 1899. He was married to Marie Holmer in 1902 and she 
passed away in 1956. Ernest and Albert are both deceased. Hugo lives in Murdo, 
SD, Frieda, Mrs. Ira Gotfredson in California . Herbert was 
born in 1898 on the farm east of Alvord and was married to Minnie Olson of 
Truman, Minn.; and they were the parents of three children: Dr. James, 
Sioux 
City ; Helen 
(deceased); and Bruce (deceased). Dr. Herbert Boysen is now living at Madelia, 
Minn., where he is a physician and surgeon doing general practice. 
Bradley, Dr. 
A.M. – born August 12, 1893 at Lone Jack, 
Mo. , and was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth DeKing at Rock 
Valley on November 8, 1918. They were the parents of three children: Constance 
Gove, Wayzata, Minn.; Virginia Nelson, Alvord; and Dr. Alfred M. Bradley, 
Alcester, SD. Dr. Bradley attended South Dakota State at Brookings. He was 
discharged from the army in 1918 and in 1921 graduated from the 
Indiana Veterinary College , 
Indianapolis , 
Ind. In the summer 
of 1921 he established his Veterinary practice in Alvord and practiced here 
until his death Jan. 1, 
1951 at 57 years of 
age. He served as a member of the town council and several terms as mayor, and 
he was also president of the school board for a number of terms. 
Bramstedt, 
Henry D., Sr. – born Oct. 8, 1872 in Hannover Province, 
Germany 
. He came with 
his parents to Ute, Ia. In 1884 and to 
Lyon county in 
1890. He was united in marriage to Adelia Schemmel January 15, 
1902 who was born 
in Davenport , 
Ia. , 
March 18, 
1879 . They couple 
farmed in the Alvord area until they retired and moved into Alvord in 1949. They 
celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1952. They were the parents of 
eight children: Louis was united in marriage to Maggie Kreber in 1927 and was a 
foreman for the state highway commission at LeMars until he retired. He passed 
away Nov. 23, 
1966 . George, was 
united in marriage to Wilma Moeller April 11, 1940. They make their home in 
Alvord where George is a school bus driver for West 
Lyon . Dora 
Bramdstedt passed away in June 1938. Minnie was united in marriage to Leo 
Dubbeldee Jan. 5, 1937 and they now live on a farm near Larchwood. Tillie was 
united in marriage to Freddie Stettnichs, March 25, 1937. Mr. Stettnichs passed 
away March 19, 1965. Mrs. Stettnichs makes her home in Alvord. Elsie was united 
in marriage to Earl Stettnichs Jan. 23, 
1947 and are 
farming near Alvord. They are the parents of one daughter, Elnora. Mr. 
Stettnichs died May 26, 
1968 . Henry was 
united in marriage to Ann Wheelhouse January 15, 1949 and are now farming near 
Harrisburg , SD, and are 
the parents of three sons. Edward was united in marriage to Lillian Watke 
February 4, 1947, and are farming near Alvord, and is a school bus driver for 
West 
Lyon . They are the 
parents of two children, Glennis and Barry. Mr. Bramdstedt passed away Jan. 16, 
1956 and Mrs. Bramstedt Feb. 24, 1957. 
Bruening, Fred 
– born April 10, 1870 in Hanover, 
Germany 
to Peter and 
Kathryn Bruening. In 1887 Fred and his brother, Will, immigrated to 
America 
. They stayed 
with their sister’s family the George Finck’s and Fred worked for Peter Stein. 
He was united in marriage to Caroline Gust November 24, 
1893 and lived on 
various farms around Alvord until moving to 
South 
Dakota in 1913. They 
were the parents of ten children: Albert, Fred (deceased), Alvina, Emma, Arthur, 
Ervin (deceased), Harold, Walter, Edith and Mildred. Mr. Bruening passed away 
October 24, 1951 and Mrs. Bruening, September 26, 1955. 
          
Albert Bruening was born September 15, 
1894 four miles 
east of Alvord. He later attended school in Alvord from 1907 until 1910. He 
served his county in the first World War in 
France 
receiving his 
discharge June 8, 
1919 . He was 
attached to the 88th Division of 
Iowa . He was 
united in marriage to Bertha Hartwig February 11, 
1920 and were the 
parents of two children, one child died in infancy. A son Leland lives near 
Redfield, SD. Mrs. Bruening passed away January 5, 
1930 . On 
June 11, 
1936 he was united 
in marriage to Eleanor Bennett and they are the parents of four children. Mr. 
Bruening was a farmer until his retirement. 
Childress, J. Cletus – born in Coal City, 
Indiana on January 6, 1906 to Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Childress. The family came to 
Lyon County in 1919. He was married to Mildred Cohrt in 1929 and started 
farming. To this union four children were born: George, Lois, Larry and Steve. 
Retired to Rock Rapids in December 1963 where Cletus passed away on June 4, 
1964. George married to Elaine Kroeger, they have five children, David, Randy, 
Ricky, Nancy and Barbara. Lois married Ladean Klein, they have four children, 
Linda, Laurel, Susan and Alan. Larry married Eleanor Roemen, they have five 
children Pamela, Dale, Lynn, Patrick, Julie and Paul. Steven lives in 
California.
Childress, William Sherman – born November 
26, 1884 in Coal City , 
Ind. Effie Fiscus Childress also of 
Coal City , Ind. 
was born February 22, 1885. They were married March 29, 1905. Three 
children were born to this union: Jasper Cletus (deceased), Alta Belle (Mrs. 
Rudolph Hasche), Rock Rapids; and Chester Wallace, Alvord. They came to Lyon 
County in 1919 and farmed at Steen, Minn., Lester, and Alvord. Mr. Childress 
passed away in 1954 and Mrs. Childress makes her home at Valley Manor, Rock 
Valley.
Classen, Hans – born at Frestadt, 
Schleswig-Holstein , 
Germany and came to 
America with his 
parents at the age of nine, settling in 
Davenport , Ia. 
He was married to Annie Jensen March 21, 1885. Mrs. Claussen was 
born at Davenport December 9, 1866. They came to northwest Iowa where they 
farmed in Lyon and Sioux County before moving to Alvord in August 1921 where 
they resided until their death. Mr. Classen passed away in June, 1923. Seven 
children were born to this union: Lena passed away at the age of eight; Clara 
(Mrs. Will Schroeder), Wadena, Minn. (deceased); Alfred, residing in Rock 
Valley; Emma (Mrs. Herman Kock), Inwood; John and Dora, Alvord. Mrs. Claussen 
was united in marriage to August Schemmel in 1930. He passed away in 1932 and 
Mrs. Schemmel passed away May 21, 1943.
Cohrt, Frank E. – born May 7, 1888 at 
Holstein, Iowa and was united in marriage to Pauline Alvina Schemmel on June 7, 
1911. They were the parents of two daughters: Mildred (Mrs. J.C. Childress of 
Rock Rapids) and Ethel (Mrs. Harry Moeller of Alvord). Mr. Cohrt passed away 
March 15, 1958. Mrs. Cohrt passed away November 1968.
Dehn, Adolph – born in Scott County 
September 23, 1863, Adelia Hamann Dehn was also born in Scott County November 1, 
1867. They were united in marriage February 27, 1890 and came to 
Lyon 
County in 1893 by special train with 
15 to 20 other families where their livestock, machinery and furniture were 
unloaded at Lester. They farmed until 1927 when they retired. To this union four 
children were born: Louis, Rock Rapids; Milla (Mrs. John Serck) Watertown, SD, 
Herbert and Alma (Mrs. Herman Grams) Westbrook, Minn. Mr. Dehn was one of the 
promoters to build the Opera House and was also one of the directors of the 
Farmer’s Elevator Ass’n. Mr. Dehn passed away December 23, 1946 and Mrs. Dehn 
September 9, 1956. Louis was united in marriage to Edna Miller and is now 
retired after being in the bank here, county treasurer, and secretary-treasurer 
of First Federal Savings and Loan in Rock Rapids. Herbert (deceased) was married 
to Lillian Stoltenberg and they farmed until they retired to Alvord in 1957. One 
daughter, Mary Ann was born to them.
Dell, Frank, Sr. – born in Clinton County, 
Iowa in 1864 and was married to Freda Wilka of Clayton County, Iowa on Feb. 26, 
1891. They farmed northwest of Alvord until 1922 when they retired in Alvord. 
They had three children: Pearl (Mrs. Bart Lape) Beaver Creek, Minn.; Hazel (Mrs. 
J.D. Chamberlain) Lester, and Frank, Jr. of Alvord.
Dell, Frank, Jr. – born August 2, 1897 and 
was married to Vernie Schumann of Larchwood on November 23, 1921. They farmed 
the home place until retirement in Alvord in 1957. They had four children: 
Daryl, Palo Alto, Calif.; Milo Jean (deceased); Gaylen, Sioux Falls; and 
Patricia (Mrs. Clyde Burke, Luverne, Minn.)
Dickman, Mr. and Mrs. Chris – emigrated 
from Germany to America in 1881, and settled near Big Rock, Iowa. In 1893, they 
moved to Lyon County. For a time, they lived on a farm two and one half miles 
northeast of Alvord. In 1908, they retired from farming and took up residence in 
Lester, Iowa, where they resided until the time of their death. George, the 
eldest of seven children, was born May 22, 1879, and married Amelia Stettnichs 
on February 26, 1908. In 1910, they moved to the farm two and a half miles west 
of Alvord. George died June 29, 1954. Amelia died August 16, 1960. George and 
Amelia were the parents of two children: Alvin was born on December 23, 1909, 
and died September 28, 1945; Erma was born on November 3, 1914. She married Joe 
Vint on November 30, 1946.
Dibbern Family – Max Dibbern and Lena 
Schneede were married at Rock Rapids, Ia. 
on Feb. 22, 1893. They resided on their farm located about a mile 
and a half west of Alvord where Mr. Dibbern engaged in farming and the business 
of buying and selling livestock; until the family moved to 
Rock County , Minn. 
in 1909.
            
Max Dibbern was born in Itzehoe, 
Germany on March 15, 1864, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Dibbern. He came to 
America when he 
was seventeen years old and passed away at 
Luverne , Minn. 
on July 4, 1930.
            
Mrs. Dibbern was the youngest child of 
Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Schneede who came to Alvord in 1888 from Davenport, Ia. where 
Lena was born July 8, 1875.
            
To this union were born four children 
namely William, John (deceased), Albert and Elsie Dibbern 
Rapp.
Doherty, Bernard – born in Clinton County, 
Iowa, May 8, 1890, and came with his family to a farm south of Alvord in 
childhood. He was a member of the town band and also played violin with a group 
for community dances. On February 9, 1916 he married Mary Barron. She was born 
June 16, 1893 in Alvord. They lived on the Wm. Barron farm three and one-half 
miles northeast of town. Mr. Doherty died June 21, 1947. They had three 
children: Celeste of Cortland, N.Y., a music consultant for American Book Co.; 
Philip, employed at Rock Island Arsenal, with his wife and four children live in 
Bettendorf, Iowa; Richard (Dick), employed in the post office at Bloomington, 
Calif.; with his wife and five children reside in Fontana; Mrs. Mary Doherty 
resides in LeMars, Iowa.
Doherty, Patrick – born at 
Boston , Mass. 
on April 1, 1856. He married Mary Ann Ruddy in Clinton County, Iowa 
on September 28, 1881. She was born at Boston in 1862. They came to a farm three 
miles south of Alvord in 1901, north of town in 1907, and into Alvord in 1911. 
They had eight children: John, Susan, Leo, Albert, Bernard, Vincent, Raymond, 
Lester and Nellie. Susan (Josie) worked for Postmaster Frank Waumett in the 
‘20’s. Nellie taught school in the ‘20’s, both in the country and in Alvord. 
Since 1957, the Doherty family has had a reunion every three years at the Hein 
Kosters (Irene Doherty) home in Rock Valley, average attendance about 
106.
Donnelly Family – Henry Donnelly was born 
September 15, 1838 in Eneskillen, Ireland. He came to the United States and 
settled in Chicago, Ill. He was a Civil War veteran. He married Ellen Hagen at 
Gross Point, Ill. December 4, 1859. They later moved to a farm west of Alvord 
and then moved to a farm on the northeast edge of Alvord. Their children were: 
Kathleen, born October 7, 1860; Frank, April 6, 1863; James H., June 10, 1866; 
Mary, July 12, 1874; John Arch, March 28, 1876; Robert, September 15, 1880; and 
Ellen, September 25, 1886. Mrs. Henry Donnelly died December 27, 1911, in 
Alvord. Henry Donnelly died August 28, 1920, at Sioux 
Falls , SD. Frank married Elvin Spethman November 10, 
1891 and moved to one-half mile west and one mile north of Alvord. Their 
children were Leo, deceased; Francis, deceased; Henry, at Brandon, SD; Louise, 
deceased (Mrs. Earl Groth) Ogema, Minn.; George, Garretson, SD; Richard, Sioux 
Falls, SD; Katherine (Mrs. V.B. Nesbee) Tucson, Ariz.
Duffy, Joseph - born in Clinton, Iowa, on 
May 9, 1871. He married Mary McMullen in Rock Valley on January 7, 1891. She was 
born in Clinton, Iowa, on February 22, 1871. They had nine children: Beatrice 
(Mrs. Wm. Murphy, Woodburn, Ore); Cecelia (Mrs. Henry Friedrichsen, Los 
Angeles); Mary (Mrs. Robert Sullivan of Alvord); Lillian (Mrs. John Weisensee of 
Sioux Falls, SD, deceased); Joseph (Anchorage, Alaska); Edwin (El Monte, CA); 
Victor (Woodburn, Ore.); Matthew (DeWitt, IA) and Virginia (deceased).  The Duffy’s came to Alvord in 1891 where 
they both taught school.
Eisentrager, George – Mr. and Mrs. George 
Eisentrager and Arthur came to Alvord about 1900 where he purchased a harness 
shop and owned this until the middle twenties. Ernest and Eva were born in 
Alvord. Arthur passed away in 1913. Mr. Eisentrager passed away in 1913. Mr. 
Eisentrager passed away in 1940 and Mrs. Eisentrager passed away in 1951. E.W. 
Eisentrager resides in Alvord where he is employed by the Valley State Bank 
since he began working there in 1919. Eva, Mrs. C.J. Fitzgerald resides in 
George.
            
Children of E.W. Eisentragers are 
Elaine, James and Doris. Elaine Eisentrager Schnepf was born in Alvord in 1927. 
She married Kenneth Schnepf in 1950. Lived in Decatur, Ind., 1950-1963 and now 
lives on a farm near Alvord. There are five children: Suzanne, 17; Scott, 16; 
Kevin, 12; Timothy 11; and Chris, 10. She is presently teaching kindergarten in 
the West Lyon Community School.
            
James A. Eisentrager was born in Alvord 
in 1929. Presently is associate professor of art, University of Nebraska, 
Lincoln. Exhibited paintings in Europe and throughout the 
rest of the United States, 1961-1967. Married Dorene Gustafson of 
Albert 
City , 1957. They have four children: 
Thor James, 10; Evan Thomas, 8; Sten Ernst, 6; and Gretchen Dorene, 3; In the 
fall of 1968 he will be on a leave of absence in 
England 
.
            
Doris E. Eisentrager Herdliska was born 
in Alvord in 1932, and is now teaching second grade in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
Married Merle Herdliska August 18, 1962.
Erdman, John – born February 9, 1864 in 
Germany. He came to the United States when he was 18 years old. He married Miss 
Catherine Pick of New Vienna, Iowa in 1893. They had nine children who are as 
follows: Margaret (Mrs. Henry Kroeger); Gertrude (Mrs. James Brown); Anthony; 
Cecelia; Louis; Arthur; Agatha (Mrs. C.C. Weiland); Helen (Mrs. Wm. Schwaller); 
Florence (Mrs. Albert Kroger). Mr. Erdman was the town blacksmith from the year 
1926 until his death in 1939.
Fields, Jacob F. – born in Clinton County, 
Iowa on May 13, 1858. He was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Penfold 
December 30, 1880. Mrs. Fields was born in Illinois October 31, 1861. In 1886 
they came to Logan township 
northwest of Alvord where they farmed and spent the remainder of their lives in 
retirement. They were the parents of six children: Ord (married Anna De Bates 
and is now deceased); Mabel (married to Otto Baden, she is now deceased); Irl 
(married to Constance Swenson, are now retired from farming and living in 
Jasper, Minn.); Roy (married Myrtle Halstenson, retired in Rock Rapids after 
farming and is working for the state); Grace (married to Arthur E. Anderson 
farmed the Fields farm where they are now retired).
Fitzgerald C.F. – Mr. and Mrs. C.F. 
Fitzgerald came to Alvord with their family about 1916 where he edited and 
published the Alvord Register newspaper until the time of his death in August, 
1931. Mrs. Fitzgerald passed away in August, 1958. To this union the following 
children were born: Henrietta (Mrs. P.B. Liming); Alice (Mrs. E.W. Eisentrager); 
the late C.J. Fitzgerald (editor of the Lyon County News at George until June, 
1962); H.F. Fitzgerald (editor of the Alvord Register from 1931 to 1963); and 
E.C. Fitzgerald mechanical superintendent of the Lyon County Reporter, Rock 
Rapids.
Fitzgerald, Claude E. – was united in 
marriage to Kate Kahl in Doon, November, 1906. They moved to Alvord where he 
edited the Alvord Register some years and later was a rural mail carrier. Six 
children were born to them in Alvord: Bernice (Mrs. Franklyn Huizenga) 
Inglewood, Calif.; Blanche (Mrs. Samuel Davenport) Falls Church, Virginia; Hal 
(Culver City, Calif.); Charles (Van Nuys, Calif.); Margaret (Mrs. Jerome Lange) 
Eau Claire, Wisc.; and Joseph of Los Angeles. Mr. Fitzgerald preceded his wife 
in death in California where they had resided for many years.
Flanery, Edward – born in Sandy Hook, Ky. 
June 24, 1873 and died near Humboldt , 
SD , march 28, 1928, in a car-train crash. He 
was a Deputy U.S. Marshall at that time. He was united in marriage to Katie M. 
Wiesensee February 11, 1896. They lived three miles north of Alvord and also in 
Alvord. He taught school and farmed. They moved to Sioux Falls in March, 1921. 
Mrs. Flanery was born March 11, 1880 at Holstein, IA. She died in Sioux Falls 
Feb. 11, 1956 on their wedding anniversary. She was a seamstress, making 
draperies for stages in theatres and schools. They were the parents of ten 
children, seven boys and three girls: William, Boulder, Colo.; George 
(deceased); Edward, Sioux Falls; Minnie (Mrs. Francis Lass, deceased); Marcela 
(Mrs. Perry Bowersox) Sioux Falls; John, Cincinnati, Ohio; Leon, Buena Park, 
Calif.; Paul, Winterset, IA; and Mary Ann (deceased).
Frembgen, Leo – born in 
Wisconsin May 4, 1850, he married 
Teresa Brandt, who was born in 1862. The family consisted of seven girls and two 
boys. They operated the hotel for several years prior to 1906 and again from 
1908 to 1914; Mrs. Frembgen continuing the business with the aid of her family 
after her husband’s death, August 12, 1908. Retiring from business Mrs. Frembgen 
lived in Alvord until her death in 1943. Several remaining members of the family 
now live in California.
Friedrichsen, George – born June 20, 1900 
at Montrose, SD. He has been postmaster at Alvord since 1942. He married 
Hidegarde Ahrens August 30, 1928. She was born September 25, 1903 at Alvord. 
They are the parents of one child, Dona Mae. She married Rev. Durwood L. 
Buchheim August 2, 1953 and they live in Waterloo, IA. They have four children: 
Mark, Martin, James and Sara Ann.
Fridrichsen, Thomas – born April 5, 1887 
at Rock Valley, Iowa. He was engaged in painting at Alvord, married Tena 
Schemmel February 17, 1920, started farming in 1923, retired to Alvord in 1948, 
passed away November 6, 1954. Tena passed away February 15, 
1985.
Gilman, Emil – Pastor Emil Gilman came 
from Wynatt, Mich., to Alvord, Iowa, in 1887. This was his first parish. He was 
also assisting the Peace Lutheran congregation six miles south of Rock Valley at 
this time. He was pastor in Alvord until 1903. During that time four children 
were born to Pastor and Mrs. Gilman. The eldest being Emma, who now resides in 
Akron , Iowa 
. Agatha, who passed away in 1918; Louise, who is living in Charles 
City, Iowa; and Emil who is now living in Los 
Angeles , California . During this 
time the parsonage was connected directly to the church, part of which is the 
Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord today. Pastor Gilman retired in 1936 after 
nearly 40 years of service.
Goldschmit, Jacob – born in Luxemburg 
December 21, 1870, came to America at age 14 and to Alvord about 1891. He 
married Susan Bechler in 1898. She was born in Luxemburg in 1874 and came to 
America when she was three years of age. They were parents of nine children: 
Theodore, Joseph, Edward, Matilda (McDonald), Mary (Doyle), Anne (Coulson), 
Josephine (Greene) and Frances (Pinggaard) all of the Lake Prestin, Erwin, 
Badger and DeSmet area in South Dakota. The other son William lives in Long 
Beach, California. While in Alvord Mr. Goldschmit followed the carpenter trade 
working with this brother Theodore building many of the homes and business 
places. He played a clarinet, was a member of the first band, also played for 
dances in the community. They moved from Alvord to a farm near Lake Preston, SD 
in 1910. Mr. Goldschmit died in 1913 and Mrs. Goldschmit in 
1960.
Goldschmit, Theodore – born November 2, 
1863 in Luxembourg, settled in Toledo, Ohio, when he first came to the United 
States, coming to Alvord in 1891. On January 17, 1893 he married Anna Schmit in 
Remsen, Iowa. She was born February 14, 1873 in Luxembourg. Shortly after their 
marriage Mr. Goldschmit brought his bride to Alvord and settled in the new home 
he had just build in the west part of town. With his brother Jake he owned and 
operated a millwork shop on Main Street 
which they opened in 1891 and continued for a number of years. 
During his years in Alvord Mr. Goldschmit constructed many of the homes and 
business buildings as well as the school, churches and parsonages. He and Mrs. 
Goldschmit were pioneer members of Sacred Heart parish. He served on the city 
council for many years, resigning in 1946 when he moved to California. They had 
nine children: Jake, John, Mary, Virginia, Clarence, Josephine, Lucille, Martin 
and Loretta. Mr. Goldschmit died February 18, 1949; Mrs. Goldschmit November 7, 
1958.
Groth, Carsten – born January 5, 1862 in 
Heidi, Germany. He was united in marriage to Jennie Somme, June 10, 1891. Seven 
children were born to this union. Their occupation was farming and settled one 
and one-half miles west of Alvord. Mr. Groth passed away May 9, 1942. June 11, 
1893 the first business meeting of the Lutheran church in Alvord was held. The 
Constitution was adopted and signed by the charter members and Mr. Groth was one 
of the members and he also served as a deacon.
Gust, Albert – born in 
Freeport , Ill. 
, April 25, 1875. He was united in marriage to Anna Schmidt of Hull, 
February 24, 1897. Mrs. Gust was born in Germany. Two children were born to this 
union: Ernest, born February 25, 1898, now lives in Loveland, Colo.; and a 
daughter, Mrs. Albert Schaffer, born January 10, 1903, now lives at Elkton, SD. 
They lived on various farms in the Alvord vicinity from 1899 to 1908, when they 
moved to Bushnell, SD. Mr. Gust passed away June 13, 1936 and Mrs. Gust passed 
away November 14, 1965.
Hamann, Herman L. – son of Mr. and Mrs. 
John Hamann was born November 11, 1874 at Walcott, IA. He was united in marriage 
to Sophie Kappelman February 23, 1900. Mrs. Hamann was born October 16, 1880. In 
1908 they purchased a farm two miles north of Alvord and lived there until they 
retired to Alvord in 1933. Three sons were born to this union: Gustav H. born 
December 24, 1901 and passed away July 26, 1926; John F. was born January 29, 
1904; and Louis H. born April 30, 1906. Mr. Hamann was a long time director of 
the Farmer’s Elevator and also served as Secretary-Treasurer of Rural Telephone 
lines 4 and 12. He passed away April 26, 1944. Mrs. Hamann continues to make her 
home in Alvord.
            
John F. Hamann was united in marriage 
to Caroline Watke August 17, 1932. They are the parents of two children: Eldon 
of Larchwood; and Iva (Mrs. Merritt Peterson) of Minneapolis; and are farming 
three miles north of Alvord.
            
Louie H. farms two miles north of 
Alvord and on August 24, 1932 was united in marriage to Amanda Burmeister of 
Luverne, Minn. They are the parents of three daughters; Martha (Mrs. Terry 
Moser) of Lester; Velma (Mrs. Gary Rowles) of Mankato, Minn.; and Angela (Mrs. 
Wm. Zimmerman) of Peoria, Ill. Mr. Hamann is a charter member of the Gun Club 
and served as its first president.
Hamann, John J. – born at Holstein, 
Germany, on March 1, 1851. At age 15 he crossed the ocean and located in Scott 
County. He was united in marriage to Anna C. Shaffer on February 12, 1894. He 
was employed as a laborer and later engaged in farming. He came to Lyon County 
in 1890. They were the parents of five children: Herman L.; Henry C.; Gustav W.; 
Alvina; and Celia. He was the director of the Fair Association of Sioux county 
and vice president of the Farmers Elevator company of 
Rock 
Valley . He was also a trustee of the 
Mutual Fire Association of Sioux and Lyon county. He 
served as road superintendent. He was associated in religious matters with the 
Lutheran church. He was a member of the Inwood Lodge IOOF and went through all 
the chairs of Alvord, Iowa, which lodge he joined later. He retired from farming 
and came to Alvord in 1914. He built a new home here. John was active in town 
affairs and became mayor of Alvord. During this time he did much street 
improvement with his old horse and slip scraper. Mrs. Hamann passed away March 
14, 1928. Mr. Hamann March 2, 1929.
Hagedorn, August – born in Germany 
December 6, 1863. Louise Berg Hagedorn was also born in Germany June 23, 1870. 
Mr. Hagedorn came to America in 1883 and came to Lyon County in 1890. He was 
united in marriage to Louise Berg February 26, 1896 and the couple farmed east 
of Alvord until they moved to Alvord in 1929. Three children were born to this 
union: Jack, Rock Rapids; Leona (Mrs. Alfred Ahders), Inwood; and Tena, Alvord. 
Mr. Hagedorn passed away November 11, 1947 and Mrs. Hagedorn January 13, 
1954.
Hansen, Julius – born in Rock County, 
Minn. on December 23, 1884. He married Emma Johnson on March 16, 1901. She was 
also born in Rock County on July 11, 1887. They lived on a farm four miles north 
of Alvord until they retired in 1946. Mr. Hansen operated a threshing rig every 
fall of his faming life. They were the parents of four children: Milton, Lester; 
Marcella (Mrs. John Newborg) of Alvord; Melva Jean (Mrs. Otto Moser) deceased; 
and Nadine (Mrs. Ceel Van den Bring) Alvord, who lives on the Hansen farm. Mr. 
Hansen passed away May 19, 1968. His daughter, Mrs. Moser passed away June 1, 
1968.
Hartung, Arthur Edward – born January 8, 
1884, he married Sybilla Bohlig who was born in 
Germany July 21, 
1889. They came to Alvord from Nebraska 
in 1932 and farmed three miles east of town until 1937 when they 
retired and moved to Rock Rapids. There were four children: Charlotte and Arthur 
Jr., deceased; Margaret (Mrs. Leo Witt) of Rock Rapids; and William of 
Rochester, NY. Mrs. Hartung died in 1962; Mr. Hartung in 
1965.
Hasselmann, Ernst Kai – born in 
Germany in 1864. 
After coming to America 
he worked as a farm laborer and later bought a farm 
northeast of Alvord. He was united in marriage to Laura Jansen who was born in 
1866. Three children were born to this union: Emma (Mrs. J.C. Langfeldt) 
Austin , Texas 
; Paul, Rock Rapids; and Karl Friedrich, 
Houston , Texas 
. Mr. Hasselmann worked as a gardener in 
Germany and was 
known here for his beautiful flower gardens on the farm. Mr. Hasselmann passed 
away in 1944 and Mrs. Hasselmann preceded him in death in 1932. Mr. and Mrs. 
J.C. Langfeldt were the parents of four daughters. Mr. Langefeldt passed away in 
1957. Paul was united in marriage to Bertha Arp and to this union three children 
were born: Leona (Mrs. Ray Garrett); Leonard and Ruth (Mrs. Grant Moen). Mrs. 
Hasselmann passed away in 1941. Later he married Lowene Rutherford and they are 
the parents of two daughters: Janet and Laurine. Karl after he left Alvord 
attended college where he received a degree in geology and has since been 
credited with the first drill for oil in the Gulf of 
Mexico and has since been in the petroleum field. He was united in 
marriage to Marjorie Meyer, the couple have no children. They reside in 
Houston , Texas 
.
Healy, John – born in 
County Cork , 
Ireland in 1841. He married 
Barbara Kaufman. She was born at Sheboygan , 
Wisconsin in 1851. They came to Alvord in 
1905. They had six children: Thomas, Peter, Nick, Mary, Emma and 
Dan.
Heerde, Hans – born at 
Sarzbuettle , 
Germany November 26, 1846k 
Catherina Peters Heerde was born at Warfen , 
Germany , April 29, 1849. 
They came to Davenport in 
Scott 
County and were united in marriage 
April 11, 1872. Twelve children were born to this union with six surviving: 
Margareth (Mrs. Fred Heyden) died in 1941; Kathy (Mrs. Henry Holtz) died in 
1932; Julius died in 1965; Bertha (Mrs. Johannes Schemmel); Charlie died in 
1968; and Ella (Mrs. Rudolph Bauer). Mr. and Mrs. Heerde came to the Heerde 
family in the spring of 1900 and moved to Alvord in 1912 where they lived until 
their deaths. Mr. Heerde passed away in 1922 and Mrs. Heerde farm and was united 
in marriage to Helena Grassman November 8, 1911. Five children were born to 
them: Willie, Milford ; Rosie (Mrs. 
Henry Sonjus) Alvord; Julius, Milford 
; Erma (Mrs. Louis Naatjes deceased); and Kenneth, Alvord. They 
remained on the Heerde farm until they retired to Inwood in 1945. Rosie was 
united in marriage to Henry Sonjus February 21, 1937. They moved into Alvord in 
1956 where he does general building and farms the Heerde farm. David Naathes, 
son of Mrs. Louis Naatjes (deceased) makes his home at present with the Sonius. 
Kenneth was united in marriage to Jackie Schlumbohm January 15, 1958 and they 
are the parents of three children, Jeff, Beth and Todd. Mr. Heerde is employed 
at Peterson’s Lumber yard in Rock Rapids.
Hein, John – born January 10, 1869 in 
Dixon County , Ill. 
Here he spent his early boyhood and at the age of 14 he moved with 
his parents to Ida Grove, IA. He was united in marriage to Alvena Mundt October 
20, 1902, and moved to Alvord where he lived until he passed away March 31, 
1938. They were they parents of three children: Henrietta, Nellie and Edwin. 
Edwin was born October 22, 1905. He was united in marriage to Helen Thielvoldt 
in 1936. One son, Lawrence, was born to the October 6, 1939.
Hesebeck, John – born in 
Germany February 
18, 1857 and in 1900 married Emma Dethlefs who was born December 31, 1871 in 
Germany . Two 
children were born to this union: a son, Arno; and a daughter, Lulu. Mr. 
Hesebeck farmed in Lyon 
County before his marriage and then 
entered into partnership with Pete Stein in the John Deere Implement business in 
Alvord until his death February 7, 1917. Arno , was born 
January 25, 1902 and is living now in Rock Rapids. Lulu was born January 13, 
1906, and was married to Lester Crouse, September 20, 1924 and are farming her 
parents farm. Two children were born to this union: Phyllis (Mrs. Robert Rydell) 
of Rock Rapids; and Eugene of Montgomery, Ill.
Heyden, F.G. – came to 
Lyon 
County from 
Davenport in 
Scott 
County where he was born in 1869. He 
was united in marriage to Margareth Heerde December 25, 1889 in 
Scott 
County . Mrs. Heyden was born March 
27, 1868. Their occupation was farming. They were the parents of six children: 
Lillie (Mrs. Robert Wilke, deceased); Ferd, Alvord; Freda (Mrs. John Mundt) 
Kider, SD; Leonard (deceased); Charlie, Rock Rapids; and Stella (Mrs. Henry 
Petersen) Lake Benton, Minn. The couple celebrated their 
golden wedding anniversary in 1939. Mr. Heyden passed away in 1945 and Mrs. 
Heyden preceded him in 1941.
Holthaus, Barney – born in 
Festina , IA 
in 1855. He married Elizabeth Frerich in 1885 at Festina. They had 
five children: Joe (deceased); Frederika (known as Catherine, Mrs. Ed Hartigan) 
Omaha , Nebr. 
; Victoria (deceased); Alma (Mrs. Joe Gaynor) 
Fort Dodge , IA; and Evalyn (Mrs. 
Elmer F. Page) Gary, Indiana . 
Alma and Evalyn were born in Alvord and Alma 
taught school here in 1916 and 1917. He operated a lumber yard, 
machine shop and elevator. Will and Joe Frerich were employed by Barney. They 
moved to Ashton in 1896 and Barney died there in 1900. 
Elizabeth died at 
Gary , Indiana 
in 1936.
Jacobsen, Christian H. – born August 6, 
1850 at Riessebye, Schleswig-Holstein , 
Germany . He married 
Dorothea Jessen September 23, 1873. She was born June 5, 1846 at Gumelz, 
Ulsnisngeln, Schleswig-Holstein , 
Germany . They came to 
America in 1883 
and to Lyon 
County in 1896 settling on their farm 
four miles southwest of Alvord. This is the farm where Milo Hanzen now lives. 
Their children were: Kathryn (Mrs. Chris Schmidt); Johannes; Mary; Dora (Mrs. 
Herman Reimers); Peter, Nicklaus and Emma (Mrs. John Kappelmann). Mrs. Jacobsen 
died March 25, 1916. There were two houses on their farm and in the fall of 1916 
Mr. Jacobsen moved one of them into Alvord where he resided for a time. This is 
the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Bradley. In 1920 Mr. Jacobsen 
built a new home and lived in it until his death January 23, 1927. It is the 
place now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Von Der Lieth. Emma Jacobsen Kappelmann 
was the mother of Herman Kappelmann now residing in Alvord.
Jacobsen, Willie – born on August 19, 
1896. He married Anna Serck who was born on October 5, 1901. They came to Alvord 
in 1941 and lived here until 1953 when they moved to South 
Bend , Indiana . Willie operated a 
trucking service here and also the county road patrol. He died on July 30, 1962. 
They had six children: Mildred; Erwin; Lyle (deceased); Glenn; Mila; and Joan, 
all of whom have left Alvord.
Jahr, Rev. Erwin H. – was born at 
Primghar , Iowa 
April 24, 1889. He attended 
Wartburg 
College at Waverly and Wartburg 
Seminary, Dubuque and was ordained 
in the Lutheran ministry in 1911. From 1911 to 1929 he served Christ Lutheran 
church at Alvord. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Kroger of Alvord in 1913; 
to this union two daughters were born: Esther (Mrs. Arthur Johnson) 
Portland , 
Ore. ; and Virginia (Mrs. Arne 
Strand) Seattle , Wash. 
Rev. Jahr passed away at Cornelius , 
Wash. October 4, 1954.
Jensen, Henry – born December 18, 
1862 in Scott County, Iowa. His wife Allie was born September 5, 1860 in 
Germany . They 
were married February 6, 1887 and were the parents of three children: Raws; 
Clay; and Eva. In 1897 they bought a farm near Alvord and farmed approximately 
until 1912 and a few years later started a cream station. Mr. Jensen passed away 
in April 1935 and Mrs. Jensen September 5, 1960.
Johnson, Henry (Hine) G. – born 
September 15, 1888. He married Augusta Wagner on October 5, 1910. She was born 
April 23, 1890. They had five children: Elsie (who married Herman Loges, later 
remarried John E. Meyer of Boyden , 
IA ); Louie; Emma (deceased); and Luella 
(Mrs. Chas. Heyden). The Johnsons farmed north of Alvord in 1911. Mrs. Johnson 
once saw a large rat run out of Ralph Trzynka’s butcher shop. She killed it with 
a hoe and was rewarded with a ring of fresh metwurst.
Junge, Henry, Sr. – born in the 
village of 
Cadenberge in the 
province of 
Hanover , 
Germany , 
February 13, 1866 to Henry Junge and his wife, Gesina Winters Junge. In 1882 
when he was 16 years old he came to 
America and to 
Davenport where he worked in a stone 
quarry crushing rock with hand tools. He came to northwest 
Iowa in a horse drawn wagon and 
about 1894 acquired a farm between Alvord and Larchwood. In 1896 he was united 
in marriage to Catherine Schmidt, two children were born to this union: John in 
Missouri ; and Mrs. Minnie 
Wandersee who lives in Minnesota . 
Mrs. Junge passed away in 1910. In 1911 he was united in marriage to Louise 
Schultz. She was born in Kaiserlanten , 
Germany January 14, 1894. 
To this union the following children were born: Henry W., 
Sioux City ; William, 
Sioux City ; Fritz, Pipestone; Annie 
(Mrs. John Towne) Alvord; Louise, (Mrs. Jake Kuper) Ellsworth, Minn.; and Maire 
(Mrs. Clifford Fitchner) Muscatine, IA. Mr. Junge retired and moved to Alvord in 
1950 and passed away October 16, 1952, Mrs. Junge is residing in 
Alvord.
Kappelmann, Herman C. – born at 
Sedam , 
Germany on May 28, 1853. In 
1896 he and his wife Marie (Hasselbrack) came to 
America . Marie 
was born at Affinghausen , 
Hanover , 
Germany on May 25, 1856. 
One daughter Anna came here in 1894. They were the parents of ten children: 
Anna; Sophie; John; Henry; Mary; Margaret; Henrietta; Fred; 
Lena ; and Freida. They settled just northeast of Alvord 
where the government grain bins were. They first year he worked for Ferdinand 
Stettnichs and the next year he farmed southwest of Alvord. Later the family 
moved to South Dakota but Sophie 
stayed in Alvord working for the Schemmel’s and sewing for others. Sophie 
married Herman L. Hamann February 23, 1900. At the present time she resides in 
Alvord and is the oldest resident.
Kappelmann, Herman – Mr. and Mrs. 
Herman Kappelmann came to the Alvord community from 
Germany in 1896; 
in 1899 they moved to Garretson, SD. Their son John Kappelmann returned to 
Alvord in 1902 and worked for wages. Notes from his diary in 1896 to 1898 
include the following entries: He received $3 per month for spring field work 
and $6 per month during harvest. Oats sold at 10cents per bushel; barley 14cents 
per bushel and shelled corn 6cents per bushel. He picked corn (by hand) in deep 
snow for 1cent per bushel, had no overshoes but used gunny sacks over his shoes 
for protection. On January 16, 1907 he married Emma Jacobsen and started farming 
three miles west of Alvord. They were parents of three children: Herman, Frieda 
(Mrs. Lawrence Griebel) deceased and Louie. In 1913 he bought a farm 1 ½ miles 
northeast of Alvord. In 1818 he built a new house, the old one was moved into 
Alvord and is presently occupied by the Maynard Bos family. Mrs. Kappelmann died 
March 1, 1923. In 1927 Mr. Kappelmann married Mina Jessen at 
Luverne , Minn. 
In 1934 he bought a farm northeast of Pipestone and moved there. His 
son Herman moved onto the Alvord farm, where he remained until the place was 
sold to Thiessen Bros. in 1940, and Herman also moved to the Pipestone vicinity. 
John Kappelmann died January 23, 1961; Mrs. Kappelmann died January 23, 1961; 
Mrs. Kappelmann October 9, 1962. Herman and family returned to Alvord in 1948, 
and bought a house in the south part of town where they have since 
resided.
Kelly, James – One of the earliest 
settles of the Alvord Community was Mr. James Henry Kelly. He and his brother, 
Patrick Kelly, came to Lyon 
County in the spring of 1885 from 
Indiana . The building site for 
his small homestead was located on the area somewhere between what is now the 
Lutheran and Catholic Cemeteries. The town of 
Alvord , or Park, as it was first 
called, had been plotted and soon afterwards the building of the town began. On 
November 15, 1887, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Marie Donahue and moved 
to a farm about two miles east of the new town. The Kelly family consisted of 
four children: Blanch and Everett , 
now deceased; Frank who lives on the home place; and Ralph, who with his family 
lives a mile and a half north. The children of Ralph and Minnie Kelly are: Mary 
Therese, who is married to Wm. Smith, an architect employed by the City Planning 
Commission of Boston, Mass. They have three children: Maria Louise, 6, Sean, 4, 
and Rebecca Rachel, 2; The other Kelly children are James, Jr., high school 
instructor in Central Lyon, Rock Rapids, and who also farms the home place; Dan 
is the youngest and is a graduate student at the University of Texas, 
Austin.
Kelly, John – a well known farmer of 
the community was born on the family farm two miles east of Alvord, May 26, 
1886. On March 3, 1919, he married Mary Waters in Immaculate Conception church, 
Petersville , Iowa 
, and have continued through the years to make their home on the 
same place. They have two children: Vernon 
, who married Betty McCoy of Emmetsburg in 1946 and farmed in this 
area until this spring when they moved to 
Sac 
City with their four sons. One son 
Joe is in the U.S. 
army. Madonna married Bernard Hall May 25, 1948 and with 
their nine children reside on a farm near Elk 
Point , SD. 
Kelly, Joseph A. – a son of Patrick 
and Jane Kelly was born on the family farm east of Alvord July 15, 1888. He 
married Josephine Frembgen December 26, 1922. She was born in 
Nebraska July 27, 1889. They 
farmed east of Alvord until Joe’s health failed, then moved to 
Casper , Wyoming 
, for a short time. Since the change in climate produced little 
benefit they returned here. Joe, a World War I veteran, died May 27, 1942. After 
his death Josie operated the local telephone exchange until her death December 
28, 1943. They had one daughter Lois Mae (Mrs. Gerrit Van Beek) of 
Wyoming , 
Michigan .
Kelly, Patrick – born April 27, 1856 
in New Haven , Conn. 
He moved with his family to 
Indiana in 1858, coming to 
Iowa in 1869, locating first in 
Benton 
County then in 
Cherokee 
County . On January 2, 1884 he 
married Jane Barron in Benton 
County . She was born near 
Freeport , Ill. 
, in 1861 and came to Iowa 
in 1868. In the spring of 1885 the Kellys came to 
Lyon county settling on the farm in 
Doon township two miles east of Alvord, which he had 
purchased and broke ground on the previous fall. They worked and improved this 
farm until they retired in 1919, and moved to Rock Rapids. Of their eight 
children, five are deceased: Charles, Joe, Clarence, Mae (Mrs. James Spain) and 
Agnes. Lucille resides in Rock Rapids, Florence 
presently in a nursing home, and John retired on the family farm. 
When the village of 
Alvord was started Pat Kelly bought 
the first lot in the town, which he later traded. He served in various township 
offices and was a member of the county board of supervisors six years. Mrs. 
Kelly died August 8, 1928; Mrs. Kelly May 10, 1938.
Kiel , Hans – 
born September 16, 1887 near Perkins , 
Iowa . He was united in marriage to Sadie 
Burggraaf of Rock 
Valley , February 28, 1912. Mrs. Kiel 
was born at Pella , IA 
, April 20, 1892 and passed away February 26, 1937 at the age of 45. 
They were the parents of five children: Steve, Kent City, Mich.; Anna was 
married to Dick Klarenbeek in 1940. Four children were born to this union: 
Leonard, Sally, Wilhelmina and Richard. The family lived in the Alvord vicinity. 
Mrs. Klarenbeek passed away May 10, 1964 at the age of 47. Hermina was united in 
marriage to Edward Van Whye, have one child, and live in the 
Hull area. Jeannie was united in 
marriage to Lane Klarenbeek, Jr. in 1946, and they are the parents of three 
children: Wanda, Larry and Stanley. They are farming in the Alvord vicinity. 
Arie was united in marriage to Gertrude De Vries in 1950 and are the parents of 
six children: Ardis, Barbara, Charlene, Laurine, Julie and Russell. The family 
live in Alvord and Mr. Kiel is employed at Gage’s at Lester.
Klarenbeek, Lane – born June 14, 1893 
in the Netherlands 
. He came to this country in 1912. He married Willemina 
Rozeboom at Alvord on May 25, 1916. She was also born in the 
Netherlands on 
November 1, 1899 and came to America 
in 1913. They farmed in the Alvord community all but the 
last 12 years of their married life. Mrs. Klarenbeek died July 30, 1960, and Mr. 
Klarenbeek died on October 19, 1966. They were the parents of 11 children: Ray 
of near Inwood, married Dora Fluit January 24, 1940. They have two children: 
Wilma and Carol; Dick of Alvord married Anna Kiel August 30, 1940. They have for 
children: Leonard, Sally, Wilhelmina and Richard. Anna passed away in 1964; 
Gertrude married Wm. Koedam February 20, 1946. They have six children: Merle, 
Vernon , Shirley, Wesly, Gloria and 
Kenneth. They live in the Alvord community; Lane, Jr. married Jennie Kiel 
December 6, 1946. They have three children: Wanda, Larry and Stanley. They live 
near Alvord; Jeannie married Keizer of Hull, Iowa on February 5, 1946. They have 
six children: James , 
Leon , Gerald, Wesly, Glen 
and Carla; Willemina married John Den Besten January 14, 1947. They have two 
children: Linda and Harlan. They live near Rock 
Valley , IA ; Anna married James 
Wielenga of Boyden, October 17, 1952. They have five children: James, Leroy, 
Marlene, David and Lisa; Gerrit of Boyden married Geneva Van Beek February 26, 
1958. They have four children: Donna, Barbara, Pamela and Thresa; Clarance of 
Hull married Mary Ann Kooima April 4, 1959. They have two children: Duayne and 
Douglas.
Kock, Christopher – born February 16, 
1869 near Davenport , 
Iowa . He was united in marriage to Bertha 
Miller February 20, 1895. That same year March 1st the moved to 
Lyon county on a farm northeast of Alvord. In 1924 they 
retired and moved to Lester , 
IA. Mr. Kock passed away March 14, 1952. Mrs. 
Kock passed away November 1954. They were the parents of three children: 
Harvey born November 14, 1897, and 
married Minnie Schemmel January 17, 1924. They farmed north of Alvord until the 
spring of 1932 and then moved to Elkton , 
South Dakota , where they retired. 
Harvey passed away July 5, 1962. 
They have five children: Donald, Loren, Lois, Shirley and Virgil. Loren Kock 
moved to Alvord in Dec. 1959 and is employed at the Alvord Produce. Loren and 
Delores are the parents of three children: Vickie, Lorie and Jeff. Harold Kock 
was born January 8, 1898. He married Harriet Morgan November 24, 1925. They 
farmed north of Alvord and then moved to Valley Springs, SD. He was employed 
with John Morrell and Company of Sioux Falls 
for 17 years. He is now retired and lives in Valley Springs. They 
have three children: Duane, Roger and Patricia. William was born May 5, 1900. He 
married Hilda Schemmel June 9, 1926. They farmed in Lyon 
county until 1940 and then moved near Luverne , 
Minn. , and farmed there four years. In 1945 
they moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa . 
There he was employed until August 1949, then moved to Alvord and went into 
business known as the Alvord Produce.
Koll, George – born at 
Hardwick , Minn. 
, in 1897 to Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Koll. His father was born in 
Germany and came 
to the United States 
when he was 15 years old. Mrs. Koll was born in 
Ohio . They were married at 
Oberlein , Kan. 
, and came to Minnesota 
in 1890 by covered wagon. Eight children were born to this union, 
George being the fourth eldest. He was married to Martha Rath February 12, 1919 
and moved to the Alvord vicinity in 1922 where they farmed until 1946 when they 
moved into Alvord. Mr. Koll worked on dirt construction work for 20 years 
retiring in 1966. He has been mayor of Alvord for six years now serving his 
fourth term. Mr. and Mrs. Koll are the parents of five children: Marvyl (Mrs. 
Norval Kahl) Inwood; Howard; Aimee (Mrs. Harold Schlumbohm) both of Rock Rapids; 
Darryl, Pipestone; and Beverly (Mrs. Vernon Schmidt) 
Willmar , 
Minn. 
Kramer, Jacob – born at 
Worthington , Iowa 
, in 1843. He married Elizabeth Cremer of Cascade, 
Iowa , in 1884. He bought a 
section of farm land southeast of Alvord for $8.00 per acre. In 1888 they moved 
to this farm. They had nine children: Nick; George; Pete, John; Mat; Mary; 
Elizabeth ; Ann and Susan. John 
Kramer married Anna Kelly in 1903. Mrs. Kramer had come to Alvord territory in 
1889 and lived in a log cabin on a farm three miles south of what is now Alvord. 
The Kramers lived on the original homestead and had four children: Gladys (Mrs. 
Joe Ripperda) Rock Valley , 
Iowa ; 
Vernon , 
Denver , Colorado 
; Agnes (Mrs. Tom McCarty) of Alvord 
, Iowa ; and Clifford of Alvord. Mrs. Kramer 
died in 1967. Clifford Kramer married Euphemia Warborg on June 24, 1937. They 
had six children: Gerald, Sioux Falls , 
SD ; Dennis, Sioux 
Falls , SD ; William, deceased; 
Joseph, Alvord; Kathleen in College in Sioux 
City , and Nancy 
, Alvord. Gerald and his family lived for a time in the old family 
home, being the fifth generation of Kramers to do so.
Kramer, Peter – born October 22, 
1874. He was married to Emma Taashaler in Rock  Valley , 
IA on May 30, 1900. They bought the north 
half of the family farm from his father and continued to live there until his 
death on October 31, 1943. They had six children: Valerian (deceased); Frances 
(deceased); Raymond, at home; Paul, Larchwood , 
Iowa ; Urban at home; and Alverna (deceased). 
There are three children of Jacob Kramer still living. They are Nick, 98 years 
old of Minot , ND 
; John, 92 years old of Rock Valley 
, Iowa ; and Mary Kramer Wagner, 88 years old 
of Sioux Falls , SD. 
Kreber, Eugene – born in 
Alsace-Lorraine , 
France May 30, 1881. He 
came to Tama county with his parents and later to Lyon 
county. He was united in marriage to Mary Sieck and five children were born to 
this union: Mary (Mrs. Lou Mundt, deceased); Anna (Mrs. Steve Woolway, 
deceased); Louise (Mrs. Fred Kroger) Puyallup 
, Wash ; Harry 
(deceased); and Ed of Ashton. Their occupation was farming. Mr. Kreber passed 
away January 29, 1942 and Mrs. Kreber May 12, 1938. Their daughter, Anna was a 
registered nurse and served in France 
during World War I.
Kreber, Leo – who conducted one of 
the first blacksmith and machine shops in Alvord was born in 
France . After 
coming to America 
he lived for a time in Remsen where he married Frances 
Daldropp. They were parents of six children: Margaret, John, Joe, William, 
Genevieve and Lenore. In 1907 they moved to a farm southwest of Alvord and after 
several years to a farm near Flandreau, SD. Margaret who was an accomplished 
seamstress soon returned to Alvord, practiced her trade for a time and later 
clerked in Meyer store. She married Lou Bramstedt (deceased); is now living in 
LeMars.
Kroeger, Claus – born March 16, 1844 
in Kiel , 
Germany . He married 
Johanna Steenoher in Davenport , 
IA. Johanna was born April 1, 1851 in 
Germany . They 
moved to Lyon County March 1, 1888 where they farmed two and one half miles east 
of Alvord. They broke the soil for the first time and also built the house and 
barn that are there now. They had six children: Louis (deceased); Clara (Mrs. 
John Berg-deceased); Herman (deceased); Henry (deceased) and Jon (Ellsworth, 
Wisc.). Mrs. Kroger died in 1902 and Mr. Kroeger died January 24, 
1925.
Kroeger, Louis H. – born in Scott 
County September 20, 1871. He came to Lyon county from 
Davenport in 1893 and was united in 
marriage to Laura Paustian November 22, 1894. To this union three children were 
born: Edwin C. and Gilbert T., Alvord; and Elsie (Mrs. Wm. Weber) 
Moline , Ill. 
Mrs. Kroeger passed away August 5, 1907 and Mr. Kroeger passed away 
July 27, 1941. The farm is still being farmed by Ed Kroeger who was born October 
11, 1895. He was united in marriage to Hilda Stoltenberg in 1928 and are the 
parents of two daughters Elaine (Mrs. George Childress) Rock Rapids; and Melva 
Jean (Mrs. Eugene Kohnen) Sioux City 
. The Childress’ have five children. Gilbert farms and makes his home 
in Alvord.
Kroger, Henry H. – born in the 
village of Vitzdorf on the island of Fehmann in the Baltic Sea September 12, 
1866. In 1883 he came to Scott county and to Lyon county 
in 1888 and bought a farm northwest of Alvord. He sent for his parents Mr. and 
Mrs. Jochim Kroger and brothers and sisters, started them farming and giving the 
farm to them. He bought another farm and started to build and break sod again. 
He was united in marriage to Dorothea Nessler December 10, 1890 and four sons 
and one daughter were born to them: Fred J. (deceased); Edward H., 
Puyallup , Wash. 
; John P. (deceased); Mrs. Kathryn Jahr, Portland, Ore. One son died 
in infancy. They retired from farming in 1915 and moved to Alvord. Mr. Kroger 
built the garage building in Alvord now owned by the Farmers Elevator Co. and 
housing the town fire houses. He was active in community affairs serving on the 
school board, town council, served as mayor and largely through his efforts the 
present Lutheran parsonage was built in 1912. Mrs. Kroger passed away August 18, 
1930 and Mr. Kroger August 25, 1945.
Langfeldt, John – lived with his 
parents on Section 22 in Cleveland 
township. On the afternoon of January 12, on his way home from school 
he was caught in the terrible blizzard of 1888. He wasn’t found until the next 
morning, alive, but with both hands and feet frozen. Dr. G.C. Wallace of Rock 
Rapids performed the amputation at the John Klahn farm home, with Mrs. Klahn and 
Mrs. John Reimers assisting the doctor, with the instruments being boiled in a 
wash boiler. His hooks which were his hands would be removed at meal time and a 
special knife and fork would be inserted for eating. He was 12 years of age at 
the time. He grew to manhood and worked as a farm laborer and later went to 
California with his brother where 
he lived until he passed away. This case was written up in the Medial Journal as 
this was the only case in medical history where both hands and feet were 
amputated and the person lived.
Langfelt, Fritz – born in Scott 
County, Iowa March 20, 1884. He married Emma Delfs on February 14, 1917. She was 
born in Germany 
on October 15, 1890. They had five children: William 
(Alvord), Harold (Alvord); Dorothy ( Sioux 
Falls ); Freddie (Alvord) and Betty (Rock Rapids – Mrs. 
Harold Hasche). They have five children; Harold Langfeldt was married to 
Marguerite Hutt on March 20, 1964. They, together with William, live on the home 
place. Freddie Langfeldt, was married to Theresa Schuttoffel in 1951. They have 
four children: Gary, Joan, Bonnie and Brenda.
Lape, Al – moved to Alvord from the 
Larchwood-Inwood area in 1933 with five children: Dorothy (Mrs. Henry Bahrenfuss 
of Doon ); Emma (Mrs. Harold Nagel); Cleo (Mrs. Herman 
Reit Jr. of California ); and 
Junior. On October 8, 1938, at the age of eight years Junior was run over by the 
town grader near the Lutheran church and was killed instantly. Jerry was born 
February 27, 1940. Al Lape died November 4, 1946. Mrs. Lape ran the telephone 
office from 1944 until 1960.
Levens, Thomas E. – Thomas Edward 
Levens of Alvord and Mary Corcoran of Larchwood were married in St. Mary’s 
church at Larchwood by Father McCormick April 3, 1894. They came to Alvord to 
make their home and were members of 
Sacred 
Heart Church 
. Mr. Levens taught in rural schools ($30 per month) and was a 
carpenter by trade. He served as mayor of Alvord and was city clerk for several 
years. Their family consisted of four daughters and three sons: Rilla (Mrs. Cloy 
McKeegan) of Rock 
Valley ; Genevieve (Mrs. Wm. A. 
Reilly) of Rock Valley; Olive, Philadelphia, PA; Edward – deceased, 1954, a 
World War II veteran, buried in National Cemetery at San Diego, Calif.; Theresa, 
Dubuque, Iowa; John (deceased, 1960); Lawrence – Philadelphia, PA (a World War 
II veteran); Mr. Levens died April 10, 1945 and Mrs. Levens June 13, 
1943.
McCarty, John – born in 1858 in 
Princeville , Ill. 
He married Ellen Dolin, and in 1891 moved to a farm he bought 
northwest of Alvord. They had six children: Irvie, (who married Ida Gary), they 
had two children; John and Edna. He died in 1946; Mabel (who died in infancy); 
Nellie (Mrs. George Weisensee) lived north of Alvord until in 1936 they moved to 
a farm near Lennox , SD. They had one daughter, Dorothy; 
Lulu, passed away at the age of 17; Edna (Sister Mary Benica) Chicago, 
Ill. ; Catherine (Mrs. Wm. Bruer 
of Larchwood , IA 
). They had six children: Ella Marie; Mildred (Sister Mary Eldred); 
Robert; Eileen; Donald and Betty. Mrs. McCarty died in 1897. Mr. McCarty 
remarried in 1898 to Emma Jorgensen at Alvord. To this union were born seven 
children: George, who lives on the home place, married Anna Van Beek. They had 
four children: Connie, George Jr., Jim and Jeannie; Ray, who lives northwest of 
Alvord, married Nell Van Beek. They have one daughter Sharon; Paul died in 
infancy; Ruth (Mrs. Nick Kelley of Sioux Falls 
). They had three daughters: Patricia, Sheila and Colleen; Tom, who 
lives northwest of Alvord, married Agnes Kramer. They had six children: Thomas 
J.; Marlene; John; Paul; Judy and Michael; Olive (Mrs. Ed Adams of 
Chicago , Ill. 
). They have five children: Thomas; Gloria; Susan; Patricia and Mary 
Frances (who died soon after birth); Alice (Mrs. David Wagner of 
Spencer , Iowa 
). They have one son, Dennis. John McCarty died in 1933, and his 
wife, Emma died in 1964.
McCarty, Thomas J. – born April 1, 
1932 at Alvord. He married Martha Frembgen at 
Rock 
Valley on February 4, 1956. She was 
born at Rock 
Valley on January 4, 1936. They have 
six children: Mark; William; Debra; Joseph; Barbara and Colleen. They lived in 
Alvord for a time when Tom worked as a mechanic in 
Lester , IA. 
They now reside on a farm northeast of Alvord where is he working as 
a mechanic in Rock Rapids.
McDermott, John – born in 
Ireland , wife 
Katherine born in County Down , 
Ireland in 1826. Mrs. 
McDermott was widowed before she moved to Alvord in 1884. They had four 
children: Hugh; James; Joseph; and Mary (who married George Weisensee). After 
Mr. Weisensee died, she married Grant Beck. They farmed four miles northwest of 
town.
McMullen, Edward - born in 
County Cork , 
Ireland , in 1833. He 
married Siscelia Lanaghan in 
Ireland on 
February 16, 1852. She was also born in Ireland in 1830. They came to a farm 
southwest of Alvord about 1890 and later moved 
into Alvord. They were the parents of nine children: Catherine 
(Mrs. John Doherty); Daniel; Anna; Edward; Margaret (Mrs. 
John Spain); Rose (Mrs. James Kineen); 
Matthew; Mary (Mrs. Joseph Duffy); and Cecelia (Mrs. John Mann). Mr. McMullen died September 4, 1900 and Mrs. 
McMullen died September 30, 
1897.
Meyer, Henry – born at 
Denison , IA 
on February 5, 1873. He came to 
Lyon 
County in 1895 and worked in a 
general store at Inwood before buying a store in Alvord the same year. He was 
married to Matilda Everson on December 30, 1896 at Inwood. They had two 
children: Dr. Herbert Meyer, who practiced medicine in 
Sioux Falls before his death in 
1933; and Esther, who married Edwin Ahrens June 27, 1929 at Alvord. Henry Meyer 
died in 1948 and Mrs. Henry Meyer died in 1923.
Meyer, Claus – The C. Meyer & Co. 
store was purchased in the year 1895 by Claus Meyer who moved to Alvord from 
Denison , IA 
, in that year. This was continued as a partnership with his son, 
Henry, and his son-in-law, Gus Lorenzen, for a number of years. It was then sold 
to his son, Henry and Gus Lorenzen. In about the year 1908 Henry Meyer purchased 
the interest of Gus Lorenzen who moved to 
Pendelton , Ore. 
, where his widow still resides. In January 1924, the store and 
nearby buildings were destroyed by fire. The business was carried on in several 
other locations until his death in 1948. Henry Meyer operated a store in Alvord 
for a total of 53 years.
Peter H. Meyer Senior was born in 
Holstein , 
Germany , March 11, 1844. 
At the age of 15, Mr. Meyers started for 
Australia 
attracted by word of the gold discovery. After 120 days on 
ship board he reached that country where he spent ten years in the gold fields. 
Then he returned to Germany 
and took part in the Franco-Prussian War. In 1872 he came 
to America . He 
was married to Bertha Klitzke on February 1, 1876 at 
Davenport . In 1885 he came to 
Lyon 
County and settled on a farm four 
miles east of Alvord. Their daughter Ella was born in the morning when the 
blizzard of January 12, 1888 struck. He died January 9, 1934, and Mrs. Meyers 
passed away April 14, 1935. They had twelve children: Metta (Mrs. Leonard Berg) 
deceased; Peter Jr., (deceased); Anna (Mrs. Henry Evers, deceased); Emma (Mrs. 
Bill Evers) living in Montana; Bertha (Mrs. Emil Klitzke) deceased; Louise (Mrs. 
Oliver Lasby) living in Denver, Colo.; Ella (Mrs. Carl Hasche) in California; 
Carl in California; John in Oregon; Marie (Mrs. Bill Bennett) of Flandreau, SD; 
Louis in Minnesota and Albert died in infancy.
Moeller, Hans – born February 17, 
1855 at Schleswig-Holstein , 
Germany and was united in 
marriage to Christine Hartwigsen in 1887. Three children were born to this 
union: William; Lizzie Johnson and Mary Schlumbohm. Mrs. Moeller passed away in 
1893. In 1895 Mr. Moeller was united in marriage to Christine Lange. Eight 
children were born to this union: Katherine; Anna Serck; Hans; Emma (Mrs. Harry 
Serck); Charley; Wilma (Mrs. George Bramstedt); Harry; and Dora Preiksat. Their 
occupation was farming and Mr. Moeller did secretary work for an insurance 
company. He passed away in 1926.
Mundt, George – born February 27, 
1875 at Davenport , IA. 
Alma Stoefen Mundt was born December 8, 1880. They were married in 
1900 and were the parents of three children. Mr. Mundt was a merchant and 
undertaker in Alvord. He passed away November 2, 1946. Mrs. Mundt has her home 
in Alvord.
Mundt, Henry – was born in 
Germany December 
22, 1832 and was united in marriage to Henrietta Ehlers who was born in 
Germany January 
12, 1839. They came to Lyon county near Alvord in 1888. 
The following children were born to this union: Henry Jr.; William; Bertha; 
Alvina; Claus; George; Ed; Gustav; and Lou. Their occupation was farming. Mr. 
Mundt passed away September 6, 1912 and Mrs. Mundt August 20, 1913. William 
Mundt, son of Henry, was united in marriage to Ida Stofferahn at 
Holstein , IA 
in 1888 and came to Lyon 
County in 1898. The following 
children were born to them: Minnie, Mrs. Henry Schacht (deceased); John 
(deceased); Adaila (deceased); Ida (Mrs. John Bull, deceased); Dora (Mrs. Ferd 
Heyden); Matilda (Mrs. Harry Hamann, deceased); William Jr.; Charles; Anne (Mrs. 
Lou Kroger); Emma (Mrs. Ben Irvine); Edna (Mrs. Clarence Buls); Leona (Mrs. 
Terry Senior); and Helen (Mrs. Harry Newborg). Claus Mundt, son of Henry was 
born in Germany 
October 18, 1868 and was united in marriage to Dora 
Schemmel February 26, 1896. Mrs. Mundt was born in Scott county in 1875. They 
settled in Lyon county where they farmed. The following 
children were born to this union: Gus, Alvord; Albert, Hartley; Alma (Mrs. Fred 
Stoltenberg) Hills; Elsie (Mrs. Ben Slob) Garretson, SD; Harold and Raymond, 
both of Sioux Falls . Mr. Mundt died 
in 1925, Mrs. Mundt in 1920. Gus Mundt, son of Claus, was born February 14, 1898 
at Alvord and was unite din marriage to Cora Slob of Doon 
January 25, 1928. Mrs. Mundt was born March 6, 1900. Their occupation was 
farming near Alvord. One son, Dwaine, of Inwood was born to this 
union.
Nagel, Harold – was born December 4, 
1905 on a farm five miles east of Alvord. He moved to Alvord in 1906 and has 
lived here ever since. He married Vera Schacht and they had two children: Neil 
and Carlyn (Mrs. Ronald Jarm). She died on April 28, 1942. He married Emma Lape 
on October 20, 1943 in Alvord. She was born in Larchwood August 31, 1923 and had 
moved to Alvord in 1933. They had three children: Kenneth, Lynn and Kathy. 
Harold trucked from 1924 until December 1966.
Nagel, John – was born June 5, 1866 
in Holstein , 
Germany . At the age of 14 
he came to America 
and settled in Ida Grove. In 1885 he moved to a farm five 
miles east of Alvord. He married Anna Schemmel on May 29, 1900. She was the 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Schemmel and was born at 
Davenport on October 29, 1875. They 
had two children: a girl who died in infancy and Harold. In 1906 they moved into 
Alvord where Mr. Nagel died November 4, 1934 and Mrs. Nagel died September 21, 
1944.
Nagel, Otto – Otto Nagel and Julia 
Ann Arp who were born and raised in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, were married 
January 20, 1893 and they came to a farm near Alvord in 1895. About 1909 they 
moved into Alvord where Mr. Nagel was in the saloon business for a time and 
later operated a restaurant. They left Alvord in 1913, moving to 
Wisner , Nebraska 
, where Mr. Nagel was in the implement business. They had two 
daughters: Mabel born in Davenport 
and now deceased; Lena (Mrs. Robert Brazda) 
born on the farm in Lyon 
County , now in 
Wisner , Nebraska 
.
Nagel, Michael, Sr. – was born in 
Germany in 1824, 
Mrs. Nagel the former Maggie Frank, was also born in 
Germany in 1831. 
When they came to this country they settled on a farm southeast of what is now 
Alvord in 1883. They are buried in the Doon cemetery. 
They were the parents of Michael, Jr. Michael Nagel, Jr. was born at Detmarshew, 
Germany on September 27, 1855. He married Dora Scklimme on Sept. 26, 1880 and 
moved to a farm southeast of what is now Alvord in 1884. He died on March 4, 
1929 and Mrs. Nagel died on September 11, 1951. They had 10 children: William 
(deceased, married Hulda Frerich); Matilda (Mrs. Carl Watke, of Rock Rapids); 
Henry (married Neola Feuerhelm); Louie (deceased); Herman (married Anna Jensen); 
Hugo (Alvord, married Ella Schemmel, and have three children); Lottie (Mrs. 
Edward Bruhn, deceased); Carl (Doon, Iowa, married Madalen Laackmann); Albert 
(married Gasiena Van Gorkom); and Alma (Mrs. Floyd Lehman of Doon, 
Iowa).
Nagel, W.F. – was born in 
Malm Ditmarahen , 
Germany , on June 22, 1868. 
He married Augusta Kroeger on February 13, 1895. They lived on a farm east of 
Alvord for 47 years. He died in 1946 and Mrs. Nagel died in 1954. They had five 
children: Harry ( Larchwood , 
Iowa ); Martha (Mrs. Herbert E. Puck of 
Davenport , Iowa 
); Raymond (Dell Rapids, SD); Ann (Mrs. John Lottman of Alvord, 
living on the Nagel farm which has been in the family for 73 years); and Vera 
(Mrs. Rudolph Schemmel of Davenport, Iowa).
Newborg, Isaac – was born in 
Norway on July 
11, 1867. He came to a farm five miles northwest of Alvord in 1891. He married 
Johanne Larson on September 21, 1898. He died in 1959, and Mrs. Newborg died in 
1942. They had five children: Harry (Alvord); Celia (deceased – Mrs. Ivan Kelly 
of Denver ); John (Alvord, living on 
the Newborg farm); George ( Sioux Falls , 
SD ); and Dalbert (Alvord). Harry Newborg 
married Helen Mundt on September 22, 1931. They have two sons; Shirley 
( Texas ); and Robert Newborg 
married Janet Schemmel on February 14, 1960. They have five children: Vicki; 
Merle; Byron; Joel; and Michaele. John Newborg married Marcella Hansen on March 
16, 1942. They have one son, Douglas (U.S. Army in 
Germany ). 
Dalbert Newborg married Kathryn Eihausen on July 17, 1942. They have three 
children: Warren (Alvord); Bruce ( Sioux Falls 
); and Kae (at home). Warren Newborg married RoxAnn Hamann. They have 
one daughter, April.
Nieland, Robert E. – a son of Henry 
C. and Cecelia Dagen Nieland was born on 
Sioux 
County , June 21, 1884. He and his 
family farmed in the Alvord area. After his marriage to Edith May Peery in 1908 
they lived with the Peer’s and continued to farm the same place until it was 
sold to Mr. Langefeldt. In the spring of 1930 the Nielands with their three 
daughters moved to Jeffers , 
Minn. , where one daughter, Mrs. Harold Marsh 
still resides. Mrs. Nieland died in January 1945; and Robert Nieland in August 
1965.
O’Connor, Maurice – born August 13, 
1856, in Dingle 
County , 
Kerry , 
Ireland . He married Mary 
Coyne on February 7, 1879. Seven children were born to this union: Michael, 
deceased; John, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; Joseph, Rock Rapids; Leo, Iowa 
City; William, Cedar Rapids; and Clem, deceased. Maurice O’Connor left 
Ireland at age 
17 as a stowaway on a ship bound for the United 
States . He immediately settled on a farm at 
Eagle Center , Iowa 
. His family moved to Lyon county in 1886 
residing on a farm south of Alvord. Moved to the town of 
Alvord in 1925. Maurice died in 1939 
and his wife Mary passed away in 1926.
O’Connor, Leo – Leo and Loretta 
Spain, deceased in 1946, were married November 25, 1913 at Alvord. The couple 
resided in Rock Valley , 
Iowa , from 1913 to 1916. Purchased a barber 
shop in Alvord in 1916 and lived continuously in Alvord until 1942 when the 
family moved to Iowa City , 
Iowa . The children were Teresa, Mrs. Harold 
Reynolds of Iowa City ; and twins 
Madeline, Mrs. Bernard Erdman, Cedar Rapids 
, and Margaret, Mrs. Richard Corcoran, Iowa 
City . Leo O’Connor was married to Margaret Dolzal in 
1951 and they reside in Iowa City , 
Iowa .
Oldenburg, William – born September 
18, 1863. Passed away July 13, 1937. His parents were German immigrant farmers 
and settled in Scott county, Iowa 
, on a farm near Davenport 
. He graduated in 1883 as a competent accountant. He married Meta 
Kuelper, February 19, 1891. Passed away January 24, 1956. For three years they 
lived on a farm in Scott county and here their two oldest children were born. 
Stella Oldenburg Schnepf born February 14, 1892, and Malinda Oldenburg Wohlers 
born November 6, 1893. Malinda passed away May 27, 1942. William Oldenburg 
became interested in northwest Iowa 
and bought a half section of land in 
Logan 
Township and moved his family in the 
spring of 1894. On November 27, 1895, Esther Oldenborg Schnepf was born. William 
became quite a community leader serving on school board, township board of 
trustees, and Director of the Farmers Elevator in Lester. He served as county 
representative in the state legislature 1916 to 1917. April 20, 1900, a won 
Wilberg was born and passed away April 10, 1966. On September 25, 1903, a 
daughter, Amanda Oldenburg Schemmel was born.   
Page, William Porter – born in 
Platteville , Wis. 
, on November 13, 1868. He moved to Alvord in 1893 and opened a drug 
store, which he operated for 47 years. On June 2, 1899, he married Capitola 
Boggess at Alvord. In the year 1940, because of ill health, he sold out the 
stock of his drug store and moved to Aberdeen 
, and in 1941 to Watertown 
, where he made his home with his daughter until his death on July 
22, 1948.
Peery, James M. – born in 
Indiana November 16, 1853. On 
January 31, 1877 he married Sarah Baysinger at 
Independence , Iowa 
. She was born in Illinois 
December 6, 1854. They lived in Blackhawk county, 
Iowa until they moved to Alvord 
about 1887. Their farm one and one half miles east and one and one half north of 
town is now owned and operated by Langfeldts. “Roe” Perry as he was known was a 
successful farmer and stock raiser specializing in purebred Shorthorn cattle and 
Poland China hogs. Every two or three years he would have a large tent put up on 
the farm and hold an auction sale which drew buyers from miles around. The 
Peery’s had six children, four girls and two boys, all are deceased. Mr. Peery 
died May 29, 1920; Mrs. Peery August 17, 1922.
Peters, Fred – born in 
Germany 
September 6, 1870. Agnes Bornholdt Peters was born in Scott 
county December 1, 1880. They were united in marriage January 8, 1902 and farmed 
near Inwood before moving to Alvord in 1913, where they operated a restaurant, 
pool hall, movie theatre and bowling alley. They were the parents of four 
children: Margaret (Mrs. Andy Knock, Melvin , 
Ia. ), Clara (Mrs. Ed Serck); Elsie (Mrs. 
H.W. Schlotfeldt) both of Alvord; and Chris, 
Puyallup , Wash. Mr. Peters passed 
away in March, 1949 and Mrs. Peters in January 1938.
Peters, Henry – born October 31, 1889 
in Holstein , 
Germany . Berta Harbeck 
Peters was born in Holstein , 
Germany June 9, 1899. The 
couple were married in Germany 
January 27, 1911 and came to the 
United States in 
1922. Three children were born to this union: Myrtle (Mrs. Lester Bettinga) 
Waverly, Ia. , and they have four 
sons; Mary Ann (Mrs. Howard Werner) Portland 
, Ore. ; and Robert, 
Sioux Falls , and his wife Mary Lou 
have a daughter and three sons. They farmed until 1948 and moved to Alvord. He 
served on the town council until his death, May 18, 1955. Mrs. Peters makes her 
home in Alvord.
Ranschau, Marvin – born at 
Rock 
Valley on May 1, 1931. He married 
Clara Mae Van Beek on December 10, 1951. She was born at 
Rock 
Valley on October 24, 1933. They have 
six children: Janice, Carla, Pamela, Annette, Kathryn, and Michael. They live on 
a farm which is a half mile south and a half mile west of 
Alvord.
Rath, James – came to 
America from 
Germany at the 
age of six. Mrs. Rath was also born in 
Germany and came 
here when she was 16. They were married in 
Scott 
County in 1887 and moved to a farm 
northeast of Alvord where they lived until 1915 when they retired and moved to 
Rock Rapids. Nine children were born to this union: Louis of Wessington Springs, 
SD; Minnie (deceased); Rudolph (deceased); Louise, of Rock Rapids; Albert of 
Rock Rapids; Ann of Pipestone; Clara of Kalispell, 
Mont. ; Martha (Mrs. George Koll) 
Alvord; and George of Pipestone.
Reimers, John – born in 
Hollingstedt , 
Germany May 6, 1881. On 
October 23, 1907 he was united in marriage to Theresa Locht of 
Turning , 
Germany . They were the 
parents of one daughter, Gertrude, Mrs. Ferd Kahl. Mr. Reimers occupation was a 
carpenter and contractor in Alvord. He passed away November 3, 1942 and Mrs. 
Reimers August 16, 1964. As a carpenter and contractor he helped in the 
construction and development of a city square block, building new homes in the 
western part of Alvord. Gertrude Reimers Kahl graduated in 1927 and attended 
Cedar Falls and Morningside colleges 
and taught school eight years in the Alvord vicinity and was united in marriage 
to Ferd G. Kahl in 1936. Mr. and Mrs. Kahl farmed a number of years and are now 
living in Steen , Minn. 
, where they operated a grocery store.
Reimers, John H. – born in 
Germany in 1849 
and came to the United States 
in May, 1868 and settled in Scott county, 
Iowa . In 1874 he was united in 
marriage to Caroline Clasen and four children were born to this union: Otto; 
Meta (Meiburg); Mary (Hasche); and Clara (Shenberger). 
Mr. Reimers located in Lyon 
County in 1885 buying farms in 
Cleveland , 
Doon and Garfield 
townships. Mr. Reimers helped to organize the first bank in Alvord. 
Otto Reimers helped to organize the first elevator in Alvord. Clara Reimers 
Scheneberger was born in 1887 on the home place. John H. Reimers died November 
18, 1932. Mrs. John H. Reimers died December 13, 1924.
Reimers, Otto J. – Otto J. Reimers 
and Ella Rohde were married at the Hans Rohde farm in 
Richland township, February 22, 1905 
and farmed in Doon township until 1920 when they farmed 
nearer Rock Rapids. After being admitted to the bar in 1929 Otto Reimers and his 
wife moved to Rock Rapids where he practiced as an attorney. One daughter was 
born to them, Elva, Mrs. Kenneth Wallace. Mrs. Reimers passed away June 13, 1952 
and Mr. Reimers May 18, 1967.
Ripperda, Joe – married Gladys Kramer 
December 28, 1926 and lived on the Reiley Homestead southwest of Alvord 40 
years. Their family are: Madonna (Mrs. Don Plueger of 
Rock 
Valley ); Francis (married Jean 
Fieldsmith) home in Forth Worth, Texas 
, presently with the United States Army in 
Vietnam ; Mary 
Ann (Mrs. Carl Selken) of Larchwood; George, at home with parents in Rock 
Valley; Larry (married Marilyn Maurer) lives in Worthington, Minn.; Donna Lee 
(deceased); Daniel (married Karen Spiedel) they live in Sioux Falls; Mr. and 
Mrs. Ripperda moved to Rock Valley in 1966.
Roeman, John – born at 
Larchwood , Iowa 
on April 21, 1907. He married Loretta Schettler at Larchwood on 
January 14, 1931. She was born in Wilmont , 
Minn. on November 9, 1907. They moved to 
Alvord in March of 1936 where they farmed southeast of town. They had six 
children: Marvin (Rock Rapids, IA); Bernadine (Mrs. Roger Schlotfeldt of 
Alvord); Eleanor (Mrs. Larry Childress of Rock Rapids); Evelyn (Mrs. Wm. Ver 
Mulm of Harrisburg, SD); Ronald (died August 1, 1955); and Roger (U.S. Air 
Force). John Roeman died on July 11, 1965. Mrs. Roeman moved to Rock Rapids in 
January of 1968.
Roeman, Marvin – born at 
Lester , Iowa 
, on May 14, 1932. He married Mary Frembgen at 
Rock 
Valley on May 14, 1955. She was born 
at Rock 
Valley on January 4, 1936. They have 
seven children: Randall; Kathleen; Kenneth; Gregory; Karen; Brian and John. They 
lived in Alvord for a time when Marvin farmed with his father until they moved 
to a farm northeast of Alvord where they now reside.
Rogers, Edward – moved to a farm near 
Alvord from Elkader , 
Iowa in 1893. His wife was the former Adele 
Hutchinson. They had thirteen children: Mike (deceased); Edward (deceased); Anna 
(deceased); Sister Mary Lucy; Ernest (deceased); Roy (deceased); Frank 
(deceased); James (deceased); Nora (Cangoya, Calif.); Stella (Phoenix, Ariz.); 
and Theodore, Doon, Iowa. They lost two children in their youth in a diphtheria 
epidemic.
Rogers, Theodore – married Marie 
Kersbergen at Alvord on August 9, 1915. They had one daughter, Muriel, Mrs. Carl 
Stapenhorst, of Sheldon. They have one daughter. Mrs. Rogers died in 1936. He 
married Fern Freese in March 18, 1947.
Rohde, Hans J. – came to a farm five 
miles southwest of Alvord in 1895, moved to Alvord in 1908. He died in 1920 and 
Mrs. Rohde died in 1919. They had seven children: Julius ( 
Sioux City ); Paulina (Mrs. Nicholas Kroger, 
deceased); Adela (Mrs. Ferdinand Stoefen, deceased); Ella (Mrs. Otto Reimers, 
deceased); Alvena (Mrs. Herman Ingwerson of Sioux 
Falls ); Amanda (Mrs. Frederick W. Jansen of Long Beach, 
Calif.); and Hildegarde (Mrs. Arthur Holberg of Sioux City).
Roskam, Anthony – born May 27, 1885 
in Ede , 
Holland came to 
America in 1912 
and settled in Lyon county where he farmed. He was united 
in marriage to Sophia Rozenboom July 7, 1915. Eleven children were born to this 
union: Dick of Rock Rapids; Henrietta (Mrs. Tony Van Hill) lives in Alvord where 
they farm and Mr. Van Hill is employed at the Farmer’s Co-op Elevator. They are 
the parents of three children, Gilbert, Kenneth and Shirley. Gertrude (Mrs. John 
Kuiper) of Hudstonville , 
Mich. ; Gertie (Mrs. Lou Dumond) Rock Rapids; 
Gerrit, Sioux 
Center ; Elizabeth (Mrs. John Van de 
Weide) Sioux Center; Anthony, Jr. of Des Moines; Leonard, Hawarden; Cornie, 
Hospers; Sophie (Mrs. John Zomer) Doon; and Hilda (Mrs. Jake Van Voorst) Lester. 
Mr. Roskam passed away August 16, 1965 as the result of a car accident. Mrs. 
Roskam is living in Rock 
Valley . Her father, Derk Rosenboom 
who makes his home with her is 95 years of age.
Rosenboom, Derk – born December 6, 
1872 in Ede , 
Holland and came to 
America in 1913. 
He was united in marriage to Gertrui Rosenboom on March 4, 1893. They moved to 
Lyon county in 1915 where their occupation was farming. 
Six children were born to this union: Lane (deceased); William (deceased); 
Gerrit, who farms south of Alvord; Wilhelmina (Mrs. Lane Klarenbeek) deceased; 
Sophia (Mrs. Anthony Roskam) Rock 
Valley ; and Elizabeth (Mrs. Gerrit 
Van den Top) living in Rock Valley. Mrs. Rosenboom passed away April 15, 1945 
and a few years later Mr. Rosenboom was married to Mrs. Ann Franken and they 
lived in Sioux 
Center until her death April 10, 
1962.
Saeger, Bernardt August Wilhelm – was 
born November 9, 1891 to Mr. and Mrs. Julius Saeger of 
Hull . He was the youngest of 12 
children. He attended the public school and the German school at 
Hull and attended 
Concordia 
College in St. 
Paul , Minn. for two years and 
then moved to Canada 
. He later returned to 
Hull and married Maybelle C. Mackie 
and the couple had one daughter, Lavonne June. In 1924, Mr. Saeger moved to 
Alvord and entered the café business. He was active in civic and church affairs 
and a member of the Christ Lutheran Brotherhood and the Alvord Commercial Club. 
He passed away April 26, 1957 with burial at the Hull Lutheran cemetery. June 
and her husband Lloyd Drysdale are both deceased. They had one daughter Jayne 
Barger of Walnut, Ca.
            
Ben’s nephew, Edwin Saeger of Rock 
Rapids has contributed some history on Ben. When the Saeger’s moved to Alvord 
they lived in a two story house in the southwestern part of town right near the 
water tower. He was a great baseball player and was called another Babe Ruth. At 
one time the café was in the former Farmer’s and Merchants Savings bank located 
on the east side of the street. Later they moved across the street, to the west 
side. Edwin remembers Ben telling him that when Lawrence Welk and his band came 
to Alvord to play for the dances that they would eat at his café. An indelible 
memory that he has of his uncle Ben is seeing him with his white apron and 
little white chefs cap on his head. He would sit down on a chair to visit and 
place his feet on another chair. Light his cigar and visit. Always interested in 
farming activities, crops and livestock. Then a customer would come in for a 
sandwich and a cup of coffee. After serving the customer he would sit down again 
and relight his cigar for a continued visit.
Schemmel, Albert – born December 14, 
1900 on a farm one and one-half miles east of Alvord. In 1921 he enrolled in an 
auto mechanics school at Sioux City , 
Iowa , which he attended for two years. After 
graduation he returned to Alvord and was employed by Harry Nagel as a mechanic. 
A partnership in the garage was formed between Mr. Nagel and Al in 1923 and the 
Nagel-Schemmel Garage was operated under this partnership until 133 when it was 
dissolved. He continued alone until 1944 when he moved the business to a new 
location. He has successfully operated the garage in the same location until the 
present date. On October 28, 1925 he was united in marriage to Amanda Oldenburg. 
Two sons were born to this marriage: Ronald, June 25, 1931 and Larry, April 28, 
1941.
Schemmel, August J. – born February 
3, 186r in Germany 
and was united in marriage to Mary Jensen March 8, 1888. 
Five children were born to this union: John A. (deceased); Louise (Mrs. John 
Groth, deceased); Ann Kroeger, Castro Valley , 
Calif. ; Lena (Mrs. 
Bill Rowland) Inwood; Edna (Mrs. Emil Roloff, deceased). Their occupation was 
farming and lived on a farm in Richland 
township until retiring to Alvord. Mr. Schemmel passed away in 1929 
and Mrs. Schemmel in 1932. In the early 1890’s Mr. Schemmel had a windmill on 
top of the barn to shell corn and would elevate it on the haymow floor for 
cattle feeding was mostly done in barns. John A. Schemmel was born December 31, 
1891 in Richland township and was 
united in marriage to Mathilda Bosler in 1914 and four children were born to 
this union, Helen (Mrs. Arndt Buckneberg), deceased; Eleanor (Mrs. Bill Jacobs) 
Inwood; Lois, Sioux Falls; and Rev. Ervin Schemmel, Sumner, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. 
Schemmel farmed and also had a dairy farm in Alvord. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jacobs 
now live on the Schemmel farm. Mr. Schemmel passed away in 
1954.
Schemmel, August E. Jr. – born in 
Germany on 
November 13, 1866 at the age of two came with his folks to Scott County, Iowa. 
In 1885 they migrated to Lyon County , 
Iowa . On February 18, 1890 he married Mary 
Catherine Schneede who was born at Davenport , 
Iowa January 7, 1869. To this union five 
children were born: Pauline married to Frank Cohrt (deceased); Tena married to 
Thomas Friedrichsen (deceased); Rose (deceased); Amanda (deceased); and Rudolph 
married to Opal Jungersen. Mr. Schemmel passed away July 6, 1943 and Mrs. 
Schemmel December 29, 1944.
Schemmel, August, Sr. – Mr. and Mrs. 
August Schemmel Sr. came to Lyon County in 1885 and settled on the farm east of 
Alvord coming from Scott County. Their children were August, Jr.; Gustav; 
Bernardt; Dora (Mrs. Claus Mundt); Emma (Mrs. August Berg) all deceased. Gustav 
was married to Mary Hasse in 1893, three children were born to this union: Ella 
(Mrs. Hugo Nagel; Herman; and Lou. Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Nagel were married in 1917 
and were the parents of three daughters: Francene (Mrs. Bill Rohr, deceased); 
LuVane (Mrs. Vernon Schacht); and Jean, Mrs. Dwaine Mundt; Herman (deceased) was 
married to Irene Reit in 1939 and they were the parents of three children: 
Douglas is married to Harriet Marra and are the parents of four children: 
Bradley, Russell, Susan, Kurt. Janet (Mrs. Robert Newborg) they are the parents 
of five children: Vicki, Merle, Brian, Joel and Michael and Galen at home. Lou 
and Bernice Simmons Schemmel were married in 1928 and are living in Burbank, 
Calif. They are the parents of two children: Rannie and 
Jackie.
Schemmel, Bernhardt – born December 
7, 1972 on a farm in Scott county, Iowa 
. He moved to Lyon county as a small boy with 
his family and settled on a farm one and one-half miles east of Alvord. He was 
united in marriage to Emma Watke on November 24, 1897. Bernardt remained on the 
home place and farmed it until his death on June 7, 1914. His wife, Emma, with 
the help of her children continued to work the farm until 1941 when she moved to 
Alvord. She resided there until her death on June 22, 1967. Five children were 
born to this marriage: Walter, September 3, 1899; Albert, December 14, 1900; 
Minnie, October 30, 1902; Hilda, December 12, 1904; and Leone, July 28, 1907. 
All are living.
Schemmel, Fritz – born in 
Germany November 
22, 1842. He was united in marriage in 1873 to Dorothea Arp who was born 
February 3, 1855. Eight children were born to this union: Annie (Mrs. John 
Nagel); Fred; Adelia (Mrs. Henry Bramstedt); Clara (Mrs. Fred Wilke); August; 
Tillie (Mrs. Henry Scherff); Dora (Mrs. John Holmstrom); and Henry. Their 
occupation was farming and farmed in the Alvord vicinity for 27 years when they 
retired and moved to Alvord in 1919. Mr. Schemmel passed away July 6, 1924, and 
Mrs. Schemmel November 1, 1934.
Schemmel, Henry – married Margaret 
Peters on June 18, 1892. They farmed southwest of Alvord until 1905 when they 
moved into Alvord and bought a house on south Main 
Street . They had four children: Emma, Fred, Marcus 
and Henry, Jr. The family moved to Little Rock 
in 1919.
Scherff, John, Jr. – born January 13, 
1877, in Hanover , 
Germany . He came to 
America with his 
parents in 1882. He married Magda Laackmann February 27, 1908. They moved to a 
farm four and one-half miles northeast of Alvord 
, Iowa , which was owned by the late John 
Reimers. In 1912 they bought the Rufus Ames place where he lived the rest of his 
life. He died November 1, 1938 and his wife died February 24, 1964. Three 
children were born to this union: Walter born November 27, 1908, still resides 
on the Scherff home place; Lillie born January 12, 1912, he married Elmer Watke 
June 4, 1939 and now resides two and one-half miles south of Alvord; Harry born 
October 20, 1919, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946, 
and now resides on the Scherff farm place, farming it with his 
brother.
Schreuers, Lawrence – married Peggy 
Allen. They farm on the northeast corner of Alvord. They had five children: 
William (deceased); Douglas ( Wayne 
State College, Nebraska 
); Sheila; Judy; and Daniel, all at home.
Schnee, Alphonse – born at Alvord on 
June 9, 1892. He married Maria Gansener of Ahston on July 17, 1916. They had 11 
children. He is now retired from the real estate business and lives in 
Sioux City , Iowa 
.
Schnee, Joseph Henry – born in 
Mineral Point , Wis. 
, on November 21, 1865. He married Susann Eulberg in Alvord in 1891. 
He built the Alvord Hotel and livery stable and ran it for a number of years and 
also was weightmaster, fire chief, marshall, deputy sheriff, and the first mayor 
of Alvord. The Schnees had six children. Mr. Schnee died on November 21, 
1947.
Schneede, Hans J. – was born in 
Germany May 23, 
1837. He came to Davenport at the 
age of 28 where he married Katherine Steen also a native of 
Germany born 
July 8, 1942. In the spring of 1888 they came to Lyon county Iowa with their 
five children: Henry, Mary, Anna, John and Lena . The 
Schneede farm included what is now the west part of Alvord extending from 
Seefeldt Avenue west 
including both cemeteries, their first house was located on what is 
now the Schneede burial lot. Henry (deceased), Mary (Mrs. August E. Schemme, 
deceased), Anna (Mrs. H.D. Hansen, deceased), John (deceased), 
Lena (Mrs. Max Dibbern) now living in Luverne. Mr. 
Schneede passed away March 7, 1920 and Mrs. Schneede on September 12, 1912. Mrs. 
Schneede is buried where her house stood on cemetery (Lutheran) 
grounds.
Schlotfeldt, H.W. – born near Rock 
Rapids on November 19, 1900. He married Elsie Peters on June 29, 1920. They had 
nine children: Gale, South Bend , 
Ind. ; Dale, 
Milwaukee , Wis. 
; Roger, Alvord; Glenn, Los Angeles 
, Calif. ; Loren, San 
Diego , Calif. ; James, 
Washington, D.C.; Larry, Alvord; Paul, Alvord; and Judy, South Bend, 
Ind.
Schlotfeldt, Roger – born on May 18, 
1933 at Alvord. He married Bernadine Roemen at Alvord on May 24, 1956. She was 
born at Lester , Iowa 
on September 30, 1934. They live on the Roemen home place where 
Roger farms and also works for the Iowa Beef Packers at 
Luverne , Minn. 
They are the parents of six children: Gerald, Mark, Bruce, Carol, 
Bradley and Thomas.
Schlumbohm, Herman F. – born April 1, 
1887 at Hawarden , Ia. 
Maria Christina Moeller was born November 17, 1890 at 
Rock 
Valley . They were married January 
12, 1920 and seven children were born to this union: Richard, Alvord; Evelyn 
(Mrs. Otto Schlotfeldt) Garvin , 
Minn. ; Viola (Mrs. Wallace Childress) 
Alvord; Harold, Rock Rapids; Fern (Mrs. Walter Nelson) 
Sioux Falls ; Betty Lou (Mrs. Leo 
Peterson) Inwood; and Wallace (Haysville, Kans.). They came to 
Lyon 
County in 1919 and their occupation 
was farming and they are now retired and living in Inwood.
Schmahl, Eldon F. – born April 1, 
1926 at Watertown , SD. 
He married Emily Harlene Albertus on September 14, 1952 at Alvord. 
She was born in Sioux Falls , 
SD , on February 16, 1932. They have three 
children: Billy, Dicky and Robby. They now reside at 
Aberdeen , SD 
where Eldon is employed by the Consumer’s Marketing Service, 
U.S.D.A.
Serck, Henry – born in 
Fehman , 
Germany in 1865 and came to 
the United States 
in 1885. Elise Sieck Serck was born in 
Afte , 
Germany in 1876 and came to 
the United States 
in 1887 and they were married in 1893. Five children were 
born to this union: Bernard in 1894; Harry in 1897; Edward in 1898, who married 
Clara Peters in August 1923. Two children were born to this union: Lois in 1928 
and Vern in 1935. Ed was manager of the local Farmer’s Elevator for 31 years 
when he retired in 1966. Anna (Mrs. Wm. Jacobsen) was born in 1908. The Sercks 
moved to Alvord in 1918. Mr. Serck passed away in 1925 and Mrs. Serck in 
1965.
Serck, 
Vernon – born at Alvord June 27, 
1935. He married Arlene Andresen on April 12, 1955. She was born at Alvord on 
March 30, 1936. They are the parents of four sons: Eugene, Steven, David and 
Gregory. They live on the Andresen farm northwest of Alvord.
Smith, James H. – born in 
Clinton County , Iowa 
on December 12, 1860. He was married to Jennie O’Meara on February 
8, 1891. Jeannie O’Meara was born on October 3, 1870 and died January 15, 1933. 
To this union were born eight children: four died in infancy, three others in 
early childhood. Only one child survived to manhood, Vincent was born in January 
21, 1939. James Vincent was born in July of 1907 and died January 21, 1964. He 
married Ada Haas in January of 1936. They had seven children of whom three boys 
died in infancy. The living children are: Robert, married to Carol Stettnicks; 
William, married to Mary Therese Kelly; Mrs. Richard Benzkofer (Peggy); and 
James Charles. James married Joanne Schuurman in June of 1966. They have one 
daughter, Melinda Sue. They now reside on the Smith homestead near 
Alvord.
Spain 
, John – John Spain and Margaret McMullen were both born 
near Clinton , Iowa 
. They were married in February of 1887 in 
Clinton 
County . They came to a farm 
southwest of Alvord in 1891 with their two children, Jim (deceased) and Loretta 
(Mrs. Leo O’Connor, deceased). After coming to the Alvord community seven 
additional children were born. These include Irene (who died in childhood); 
Agnes (Mrs. Lester Doherty of Sioux Falls 
); John ( Waterloo , 
Iowa ); Matt ( 
Omaha , Neb. 
); Bill ( Long Beach , 
Calif. ); Dan (deceased); and 
Teresa (who also died in childhood). Mrs. 
Spain died at 
Alvord in 1930 and Mr. Spain 
died in 1950. They had nine children, eleven grandchildren, 
thirty-eight great grandchildren and two 
great-great-grandchildren.
Stettnichs, August – son of Ferdinand 
and Wilhelmina Oldenburg Stettnichs of Alvord, married Dorothea Wacker February 
10, 1909. They resided on a farm southeast of Alvord for most of their lives. To 
them were born eight children: Arnold 
, Harry, Earl, Vernon , 
Evelyn, Loren, Loreen and Marvin. August Stettnichs was born October 17, 1883 
and passed away April 19, 1933. His wife Dorthea was born February 2, 1888 and 
passed away September 5, 1944. Arnold, the eldest son, was born March 2, 1910. 
He married Agnas Gary June 4, 1934. They are the parents of six children: 
Merlyn, Leland, Lyle, Douglas, Arla Kaye and Evelyn. They now reside in Rock 
Rapids. Harry was born March 6, 1912. He married Martha La Freng on Sept. 6, 
1934. They are the parents of four children: Sharlene, Carol, Virgil and 
Stanley. They reside on a farm near Larchwood. Earl was born September 23, 1915. 
He married Elsie Bramstedt on January 23, 1947. They are the parents of one 
daughter, Elnora. They have farmed northwest of Alvord for the past fifteen 
years. Earl died on May 26, 1968. Vernon 
was born June 18, 1918. He married Erma Rohr on August 21, 1947. They 
have two sons: Vernon Jr. and Donald. They reside in Alvord, where 
Vernon is engaged in carpenter work. 
Evelyn was born March 8, 1921. She married Arthur Weststeyn on November 15, 
1940. They have three children: Delores, Robert and Carol. They now live near 
Ripon , Calif. 
The twins, Loren and Loreen, were born August 19, 1923. Loreen 
married Donald Bryan Jr., on August 3, 1958. They have three daughters: Cheryl, 
Mary and Dori. Both Loren and Loreen reside in Rock Rapids. Marvin, the 
youngest, was born August 28, 1925. He married Delaine Kracht on December 31, 
1947. They have three children: Jeffrey, Diane and Rodney. They reside in Rock 
Rapids.
Stettnichs, Ferdinand – born October 
13, 1857 in Germany 
. He came to 
America in 1868 
and settled in Scott county. He married Wilhelmina Oldenburg August 23, 1879 and 
lived near Crystal in 
Tama 
County . The family moved to 
Lyon 
County in 1894 and settled a mile 
northeast of Alvord, where they lived until January 1910, when they retired from 
farming and moved to Alvord. Ferdinand died November 2, 1926. Wilhelmina was 
born June 29, 1860 and died June 29, 1936. The Stettnichs were the parents of 
five children: Amela (Mrs. George Dickman); Laura (Mrs. Barney Watke); August; 
Caroline (Mrs. Herman Thielvoldt); and Freddie (all 
deceased).
Stettnichs, Freddie – born July 20, 
1886 at Crystle , IA. 
He farmed the Stettnichs farm before moving to Alvord in 1914. He 
served in an infantry division during World War I. He was in the cement block 
business for a number of years. He married Tillie Bramstedt on March 25, 1937. 
He was mayor, on the town council and a fireman as long as his health permitted. 
He died March 19, 1965.
Stoltenberg, Wm. – born at 
Walcott , IA 
, June 19, 1870. He was united in marriage to Marie Lecette Harms 
December 2, 1893. Mrs. Stoltenberg was born at 
Borstel-Holstein , 
Germany April 16, 1872. 
They farmed at Lostein , 
IA , Huron, SD, and at Alvord. In 1937 they 
retired to Alvord and were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding in 1943. 
Eight children were born to this union: Asmus, Fritz, Lillion, Linda, Edna, 
Hilda, Viola and Luella. Asmus (deceased) was married to Elsie Kroeger and they 
were the parents of a son, Glen. Fritz (deceased) was married to Alma Mundt and 
they were the parents of six children: Daryel, La Vane, Dale, Delbert, Delmer, 
Dea. Lillian was married to Ernest Paulsen (both are deceased) and they had 
three children: Francis, Wendell and Wanda Mae. Edna was married to Fritz Wenzel 
(deceased). They were the parents of seven children: Don, Delores, Wallace, 
Robert, Charles, Janet and Douglas. Hilda, Mrs. Edwin Kroeger, are the parents 
of two daughters: Elaine and Melva Jean. Viola, Mrs. Bill Moser, they have two 
sons: Wm. And Howard. Luella, Mrs. Leonard Bosler, they have three sons: 
Kenneth, Jim and Wayne. Mr. Stoltenberg passed away in 1952 and Mrs. Stoltenberg 
in 1944.
Sueverkruebbe, Herman – was born 
April 1861 in Germany 
to John and Katherine Sueverkruebbe. He was a year old when 
he came to the United States 
and grew to manhood near 
Davenport , IA. 
He came to Alvord in 1906 and made his home with his sister and 
family where he was a farm laborer. He was united in marriage to Ella Mundt, 
November 26, 1913. She was born near Alvord and to this union nine children were 
born: Lloyd (deceased) married to Blanch McPhearson; Helen married to August 
Carstens (deceased); Esther married to Henry Horn (deceased); Leona married to 
Wm. Everly (deceased); Herman (deceased) married Minda Korenberg; Raymond 
married Viola Engersoll. Clay married Gloria Schemmel; Gloria married to Wilmer 
Hall (deceased) and Robert married June Brooks. Herman passed away January 2, 
18937 and Ella passed away May 27, 1976.
Suhreptz, John – born June 2, 1863 in 
Austria and 
migrated to the U.S. 
in 1881. In 1903 he was married to Cecelia Crowley Gunter 
and in 1906 they moved to Lyon 
County to the farm two and one-half 
miles south and one mile west of Alvord. Their children were Clarence, deceased; 
Erwin, living on the home place; Adeline married to John Vint living in 
California . In 1935 Mr. Suhreptz 
retired to Alvord. He die don December 12, 1949.
Sullivan, Martin – born in 
Highland , Wis. 
, on December 15, 1858. He married Ellen Barth in 
Rock 
Valley on January 16, 1886. She was 
born in Shullsburg , Wis. 
, on October 13, 1863. They had six children: John (Alvord); Anna 
(Alvord); Clara (Alvord); Stella (deceased); Frank (deceased); and Robert 
(Alvord). They moved to a farm adjoining Alvord on the south in 1900. All the 
living children are still living on the same land. John is probably the oldest 
farmer near Alvord still working on the land. Clara, a registered nurse, worked 
for the same Doctor and his son for 51 years in 
Aberdeen , SD. 
Sullivan, Robert – married Mary Duffy 
in Alvord on January 30, 1918. They had four children: Mary Rita (Mrs. P.G. 
Lewandowski) Sturgis , SD 
; Joseph, Sioux Falls ; 
Ellen, deceased; and Robert Jr., Alvord.
Sullivan, Robert, Jr. - married 
Phyllis Frembgen in Rock 
Valley on April 22, 1952. They have 
children: Thomas, James, Susan, Laura and John. They live on the home place 
where Bob farms.
Thielvoldt, Herman – born June 27, 
1884 in Wisch, Germany and came to America in 1900 and settled in Scott county 
where he worked on farm until 1906 when he came to Lyon county. In 1910 he 
married Caroline Stettnichs and started farming on the Stettnichs’ homestead 
northeast of Alvord. Four children were born to this union: Erwin was born 
November 22, 1911 and was united in marriage to Joan Tiedeman September 30, 1940 
and on August 21, 1943, his death came instantly when he was struck by lightning 
while baling straw; Helen was born September 25, 1915 and she married Edwin Hein 
in 1936. They have one son Laurence born October 6, 1939. Glen married Elsie 
Ranschau December 14, 1946. To this union four children were born: Dennis, 
December 23, 1947; Dean and Jean, October 20, 1949; and Alan, March 2, 1956; 
William was born February 27, 1919. He was killed in a car accident on September 
7, 1941.
Thompson, Dallas – born June 8, 1882 
at Decatur , Ill. 
, and was married to Elizabeth Levins on June 14, 1905 at 
Sacred 
Heart Church 
in Alvord. Elizabeth was 
born August 1, 1881 at Galena , Ill. 
They came to Alvord in 1913. Dallas 
was a barber and Elizabeth a teacher. They had six children: LaVohne, 
Grace, Myva, Corryne, Bernard John and Adrian. 
Dallas died in 1935 and 
Elizabeth in 1958. Elizabeth Levins, 
at the age of 13, read the Declaration of Independence at a Fourth of July 
celebration in Alvord, 1894.
Towne, John – born at 
Silver Lake , IA 
in 1896. He was orphaned at the age of six and lived at the Beloit 
Children’s Home, Beloit , 
IA until he was 12 ears old when he started 
to make his own living. He married Annie Junge in 1935 and two children were 
born to this union: John E. Towne, Jr., and Karen Stettnichs. Mr. Towne is 
retired now after ten years as a school janitor at the local 
school.
Vint, Joe – born April 4, 1911 at 
Kinsman, Ill. In 1916, he moved 
with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Vint, Sr., and five brothers to 
Lyon county. He was united in marriage to Erma Dickman on 
November 30, 1946. A daughter, Mary Jo, was born to this union on February 1, 
1950. The Vint family moved to the Dickman farm west of Alvord August 1956 where 
they made their home until moving to Alvord in October 1965.
Von Der Lieth, Mrs. Henry – Marie 
Schultz was born in Kaiserslanter , 
Germany , to Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry Schultz. She came to America 
in 1913 and made her home with her sister, Mrs. Wm. 
Barenfus until she was united in marriage to Henry Von Der Leith. Six children 
were born to this union: John, Charlie, William, Henry, Jr., Patricia, and 
Betty. The Von Der Lieth’s operated a butcher shop in Alvord from 1918 to 1929. 
Mrs. Von Der Lieth passed away when she was 49 years old.
Watke, Barnie – born June 10, 1879 at 
Krokau , 
Germany . He was married to 
Laura Stettnicks on February 24, 1904. They farmed one mile north and one mile 
west of Doon , Iowa 
. This is where they spent most of their life. His wife died 
November 11, 1942 and he died September 1, 1967. Six children were born to this 
union: Harry, the oldest, was born December 17, 1904, and was killed by 
lightning on April 15, 1924. Caroline was born January 10, 1908. She married 
John Hamann August 17, 1932 and resides three and one-half miles north of 
Alvord; Elmer was born June 8, 1909. He married Lillie Scherff June 4, 1939. 
They moved to a farm two and one-half miles south of Alvord, which he bought 
seven years later in May 1946 from the John Groth Estate. Three daughters were 
born to this union. Excelda was born June 2, 1940. Lorietta was born February 
27, 1945 and died in infancy. Gwendolyn was born September 1, 1948. Louie, 
Barnie’s second son, was born November 11, 1910 and married Viola Hanson, 
September 20, 1939 and now resides at Doon , 
Iowa . Lillian was born April 4, 1920 and 
married Edward Bramstedt February 4, 1947. Lois was born March 17, 1923 and 
married Harold Engman February 21, 1951 and resides at 
Omaha , Nebraska 
.
Watke, Carol – born March 5, 1882 in 
Krokau , 
Germany . Mathilda Nagel 
Watke was born November 2, 1882. The couple were united in marriage February 27, 
1907 and settled in Lyon 
County where they farmed. Three 
children were born to this union: Albert, 
Brandon , SD 
; Linda (Mrs. E.C. Schlotfeldt) and Viola (Mrs. E.C. Fitzgerald) 
both of Rock Rapids. Mr. Watke passed away December 23, 1966. Mrs. Watke makes 
her home with her daughters in Rock Rapids.
Watke, Hans – born March 20, 1849 in 
Germany . He 
married Adel Mundt in Germany 
. In 1896 he came to 
America with his 
family. They settled on a farm northeast of Alvord and farmed for 11 years 
before retiring to Alvord in 1907. He passed away July 21, 1926. His wife died 
December 23, 1931. Six children were born to this union. Emil, the eldest, was 
born in 1874. He came to America 
in 1894 with his brother Barnie two years prior to his 
parents. He died at Davenport , 
Iowa , in the Spring of 1939. He never 
married. Emma was born February 4, 1877. She was married to Bernard Schemmel 
November 24, 1897 and they resided on a farm near Alvord. She died June 22, 
1967. Barnie was born June 10, 1879 in Krokau , 
Germany . He was married to 
Laura Stettnicks on February 24, 1907. They resided on a farm north of 
Alvord , Iowa 
. He died December 23, 1966. Mina was born February 3, 1885, and 
passed on at the age of 13, March 14, 1898. Richard was born July 17, 1889. He 
served in the army in World War I for six months in 1919. He still resides in 
Alvord.
Waumett, Frank J. – born in 1871 at 
Owatonna , Minn. 
, and was united in marriage to Emelia Gasner at 
Owatonna October 21, 1896. Mr. 
Waumett’s occupation was a school teacher in Steel county, 
Minn. and later a grocer in 
Meriden , Minn. 
, before coming to Alvord in 1900 where he bought the Umhofer store 
in which the post office was at this time. Later he sold the store and continued 
to be postmaster until his retirement. Five children were born to this union: 
Lucille (Mrs. W.P. Garrison, Long Beach , 
Calif. ); Luella (Mrs. Luella McCarthy, 
Seal Beach , Calif. 
); Florence (Mrs. Chris 
Nelson, Long Beach , 
Calif. ); 
Chester ( 
Owatonna , Minn. ); and 
Vernon ( 
Cleveland , NC ). Mr. 
Waumett passed away in 1956 at Long Beach 
and Mrs. Waumett in 1958 also at Long 
Beach , Calif. 
Wiesensee, George, Sr. – married Mary 
McDermott and lived on a farm three miles north of Alvord. Their house was the 
first house in this territory to have running water which was piped in from a 
supply tank located inside the barn. They had five children: George, Jr. 
( Lennox , SD 
); Katie (Mrs. Ed Flanery, deceased); Minnie (Mrs. Dan Healy, 
deceased); Annie (Mrs. Ed. Doherty, Kansas City, MO); and John (Sioux Falls, 
SD).
Weisensee, John - married Lillian 
Duffy on November 10, 1915. They lived on a farm three miles north of Alvord on 
which John built the buildings. They had nine children: Kenneth (deceased); 
Eileen (Mrs. Jerry Slotsky, Sioux City, IA); John (Wichita Falls, Texas); Mary 
Rose (Mrs. Robert Carpenter, Salem , 
OR , deceased); Lillian (Mrs. Dick Anderson, 
Sioux Falls, SD); George (Sioux Falls, SD); Juanita (Mrs. Adrian Roland, La 
Marque, TX); Jeanne Anne (Mrs. Francis Reiser, Sublimity, OR); and 
Lawrence ( 
Canton , SD). The Weisensees now reside in Sioux 
Falls . Mrs. Weisensee died in April of 
1968.
Weisensee, George, Jr. – married 
Nellie McCarty at Larchwood , 
IA on October 7, 1914. They had one daughter, 
Dorothy (Mrs. Obel Lund) Lennox , SD. The Weisensees 
started farming two and one-half miles north of Alvord. They presently live on 
their farm near Lennox .
Wenzel, Charles – born in 
Langasalsa , 
Germany , February 14, 1862 
and came to the United States 
to Sioux 
County where he was employed a number 
of years. Ida Lemke Wenzel was born in Clayton county, 
Iowa , October 24, 1868 and they 
were united in marriage March 14, 1888. Six children were born to this union: 
one child died in infancy; Wm. (deceased); Fritz (deceased); Tillie (Mrs. John 
Groth, deceased); Kate (Mrs. John Witt); Tony; Mrs. Wayne Emery. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wenzel farmed for a time and after moving to Alvord Mr. Wenzel operated a 
service station, delivered mail and operated a scale office. Mr. Wenzel passed 
away in 1952 and Mrs. Wenzel in 1951. In 1948 they were privileged to celebrate 
their 60th wedding anniversary.
Strahmann, Wilhelm H. – and his wife, 
Margaret Backhop Strahmann lived in Alvord for several years at least 3 years 
from 1896 to 1899. There were six children in the family and two of the children 
were born in Alvord, Lillie E. Strahmann Brown, born April 25, 1896 and Wm. H. 
Strahmann born November 4, 1898. Other children in the family were 
Meta , Ella and John and another daughter Dora was born 
after they returned to farming near Paullina. While in Alvord Mr. Strahmann ran 
a saloon and his wife ran a hotel. This business later belonged to Fred 
Peters.
Wilke, Robert – born August 22, 1881 
in Wendisch Priborn , 
Germany . In infancy his 
parents immigrated to America 
moving to Scott County, Iowa. Some ten years later they 
moved to Lyon county were his parents purchased a farm 
four miles west of Alvord. He was united in marriage to Lillie Heyden December 
21, 1910. In 1913 he joined the Lutheran church by the rite of confirmation. 
They were the parents of six children: Amanda, Eleanor, Helen, Marcella, Vera 
and Wayne.
Winter, Fred – born June 3, 1884 in 
Meade County , Kansas 
. He married Margaret Jensen on August 29, 1906 in 
Canton , SD. She was born February 
26, 1884 at Bettendorf , 
Iowa . For a time he was a decorator on the 
Mitchell 
Corn Palace 
till he came to Alvord in 1912. His first occupation here was 
driving the livery wagon for John Berg. Later he worked with A.W. Ripley as a 
well digger. After this he worked for Henry Meyer hauling cream, a job he 
continued until two years before his death on July 14, 1958. Mrs. Winter died on 
October 12, 1960. They were the parents of 11 children, all of whom survived. 
They are: William (Rock Valley, IA); Leroy (Ash Creek, 
Minn. ); Leona (Mrs. Ashton of 
Larchwood); Ernest ( Battle Creek, 
IA); Wilma (Mrs. Harston of Center Point, IA); Lyle Ballinger, Tex.); Marcella 
(Mrs. Jerde of Hayti, SD); Aileen (Mrs. Harvey Heyden of Canton, SD); Margaret 
(Mrs. Klosterboer of Luverne, Minn.); Lorraine (Mrs. Jens of Waubay, SD); and 
June (Mrs. Melvin Kahl of Rock Valley, IA).
Witt, John – born in Scott county 
December 16, 1890. Katie Wenzel was born November 17, 1894 at Larchwood. They 
were united in marriage February 11, 1914 and farmed until 1926 when they moved 
to Alvord. Four children were born to this union: Harold, Helen, Hilda and 
Herbert. Mr. Witt was janitor at the local school for 16 years and served on the 
town council for 12 years. Mr. and Mrs. Witt celebrated their golden wedding 
anniversary in 1964.
 Alvord, Iowa 1893-1993 
Centennial
Transcribed by Karyn Berg 
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