Pottebaum,Bernard A. 1864-1929 & Katherine Friedmann Family

POTTEBAUM, FRIEDMANN, HAARMANN, GUDENKAUF

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/27/2024 at 12:57:30

Pottebaum, Bernard A. 1864 – 1929 & Catherine Friedmann Family

This family story was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s Catholic Church book 1883-1983 page 200. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes have been added.

Bernard (Barney) Pottebaum was born August 28, 1864 near New Vienna, Iowa, the oldest of six children born to Johan and Elizabeth (Haarman) Pottebaum. He came to Sioux County as a young man and worked as a hired hand for George Friedmann. He bought eighty acres in Nassau township from Peter Ginsback in 1886

On January 25, 1887, he married Catherine Friedmann, the oldest of thirteen children born to John and Ann (Gutenkauf) Friedmann of Luxemburg, Iowa. The couple made their home on the farm south of Alton and resided there the rest of their lives.

They became the parents of thirteen children: Anna, Frank, John, Therese, Wilhelm, Mary, Anton, Aloysius, Leo, Rose Henry Hilda, and Martin.

Purchasing additional land from the Sioux Falls and Sioux City Railroad and some from Fred Odenbett, he acquired a home farm of four hundred acres as well as a section of land near Litchville, North Dakota. He raised wheat, corn, oats and alfalfa. Well known as a progressive farmer, in 1890 his steam engine for threshing grain was the first for miles around. In 1901, a new Buick automobile was added to what the Alton newspaper described as ‘a splendidly equipped place’.

Mr. Pottebaum was a member of the board of trustees of Nassau township for thirty years and served as game warden for the township. For many years he served as president of the Farmers Mutual Co-op and a president of the Alton Savings Bank. He was also active in church activities, serving on the parish finance committee and on the building committee for the present St. Mary’s church. He belonged to the St. Joseph Society, and Mrs. Pottebaum sang in the parish choir.

Catherine Pottebaum died April 19, 1922 with all of her family present. Bernard died on April 25, 1929. Both are buried in the parish cemetery at Alton.
(end of the family story in the St. Mary’s church book)

RESEARCH Notes – From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees submitted by other than this submitter.

Bernard Augustin Pottebaum was born 28 Aug 1884 at New Vienna, Dubuque, Iowa and died 25 Apr 1929 Alton, Sioux, Iowa. He was the son of Johann Wilhelm Joseph ‘John’ Pottebaum 1829- died 1874 New Vienna IA, and Elisabeth Haarmann 1834-1880. He married Katherine Friedmann 25 Jan 1887 at Luxemburg, Dubuque, Iowa.

Katherine Friedmann was born 15 Nov 1866 Luxemburg, Dubuque, IA and died 19 Apr 1922 Alton Sioux IA. Her parents were John J. Friedmann 1839-1909 and Anna Maria Elisabeth Gudenkauf 1845-1920. Bernard and Katherine were the parents of thirteen children.

CHILDREN – Found in local obituaries and from ancestry.com births, marriages and deaths,

1. Anna Maria Pottebaum born 26 Apr 1888 Luxemburg, Dubuque, IA and died 7 Dec 1970 Orange City Sioux IA. She married Felix Nicholas Streff 1884- 1970. Their children were: Clarence Bernard Streff 1912-1987, Stella Catherine Streff 1913-2009, Vincent Martin Streff 1915-2003, Callista Mary Streff 1916-2006. Robert Anthony Streff 1917-1990, Esther Ann Streff 1920-1920, Clifford Aloysius Streff 1921-1994, Raymond Joseph Streff 1924-2007, Irvin Lawrence Streff 1925-1985, Francis Felix Streff 1928-1989, Charlene Hildegarde Streff 1930-2007, Charles Vincent Streff 1933-1934. See Anna’s obit on this web page.

2. Frank John Pottebaum born 11 Apr 1890 Alton Iowa died 11 May 1982 Sioux City Iowa. He was not married. See his obit on this web page.

3. John Michael Pottebaum born 4 Feb 1892 Alton IA died 27 Jan 1978 Orange City IA. He married Susan Margaret Mousel 1892-1973. Their children were: Marcene Margaret Pottebaum 1918-1980, FerdinandJohn Pottebaum 1919 - 1997, Bernard Francis Pottebaum 1920 – 2001, Mildred Anna Pottebaum 1921-2005, Irma Theresa Pottebaum 1923, Armelia Mary Pottebaum 1924-2014, John Aloysius Pottebaum 1927-1976, Cecil William Pottebaum 1930-2001, Richard Martin Pottebaum 1934-2000, Carol Jean Pottebaum 1935-2013. See John’s obit on this web page.

4. Theresia Katherine Pottebaum (Sister M. Leola) born 2 Dec 1893 Alton Sioux Iowa died 21 Mar 1979 Beaverton, Washington, Oregon.

5. William Bernard Pottebaum born 29 Sep 1895 Alton Iowa died 6 Oct 1980 Marcus Iowa. He married Olivia Appolonia Minten 1893-1996. Their children were – Verna Magdalen Pottebaum 1918-1996, LeVern Mathias Pottebaum 1920-1991, Melvin Sylvester Pottebaum 1924-1984, Lorraine Sylvia Pottebaum 1925-1990, Dorothy Rose Pottebaum 1927-2014, Louis Peter Pottebaum 1930-1993, Wilma Pottebaum Loutsch, and Agnes Pottebaum Konz. See William’s obit on this web page.

6. Maria ‘Mary’ Johanna Pottebaum born 1 Jun 1898 Alton Iowa died 11 Mar 1975 Hospers IA. She married Nicholas Aloysius Portz 1895-1973. They had children: Bernard Nicholas Portz 1927 – 2001, Herbert J. Portz 1928-2014, Lorna Mae Portz 1940-2015. Children listed in mother’s obit were - Bernard and Herbert, of Hospers; five daughters, Mrs. Ray (Elvira) Youngers of Sheldon, Mrs. Nic (Flora) Hansen of Alton, Mrs. Everett (Charlotte) Von Arb of Lake Wilson, Minnesota and Mrs. George (Cordella) Hansen of Jeffers, Minnesota and Miss Lorna Mae of Hospers. See Maria’s obit on this web page.

7. Anton John Pottebaum born 16 Mar 1900 Alton Sioux Iowa died 10 Jun 1989 LeMars Iowa. He married Anna Verena Pick 1900-1982. Their children were seven sons - Ivan of Granville, Eugene of Alvord, Howard, Anthony Jr. and Orville, all of Alton, Ike of Le Mars and Arlin of Hospers; six daughters, Mrs. Milo (Tarsella) Probst and Mrs. Ray Florence Thole, both of Alton, Mrs. Herb (Berdella) Schueller of Primghar, Mrs. Ambrose (Bernice) Block of Hospers, Mrs. Art (Mary Ann) Walker of Springfield, Va., and Mrs. Kenneth (Donna Rae) Krogman of Ashton. See Anton’s obit on this web page.

8. Aloysius Jacob Pottebaum born 31 Dec 1901 Alton Iowa died 2 Dec 1992 Orange City Iowa. He married Colletta Mary Budden 1910-1980. ‘Their children were - two sons and their wives, Roger and Mary Ann Pottebaum and Al Jr. and Margie Pottebaum, all of Alton; two daughters and their husbands, Norma and John Krantz, Granville, and Janice and Gary Kneip, Le Mars; daughter-in-law, Mrs. John (Helen) Jansen of Alton. See Al and Colletta’s obits on this web page.

9. Leo Francis Pottebaum born 8 Aug 1903 Alton Iowa died 12 Apr 1998 Marcus Iowa. He married Hildegarde Augusta Knipper 1908-1991. They had no children. See Hilda’s obit on this web page.

10. Rosa Anna Pottebaum born 29 Jul 1905 Alton Iowa died 6 Mar 1986 Sioux City IA, She married Sylvester Henry Minten 1898-1975. Their children were - four sons, Paul and Lloyd, both of Alton, Marvin of Parker, Colorado, and Harold of Gaithersburg, Maryland; six daughters, Mrs. James (Esther) MacClure of Hornick, Mrs. G.W. (Rosemary) O’Gara of Dakota City, Mrs. Vernon (Edith) Staab and Mrs. Lyle (Ethel) Heidesch, both of Remsen, Mrs. Fred (Helen) Shockey of Winnebago, Illinois and Mrs. James (Carol) Schemmel of Shawnee, Kansas. See Rose’s obit on this web page.

11. Henry John Pottebaum born 18 Apr 1907 Nassau Sioux Iowa died 22 Dec 1959 Flandreau SD. He married Callista M. Ludwig 1910-1994. Their children were – Marjorie Mae Pottebaum 1933-1935, James John Pottebaum 1934-1998, Ellen Kathleen Pottebaum 1939-1970, and two others not namedin the ancestry.com report

12. Hildegarde Theresia Pottebaum born 19 Jun 1909 Nassau Twp. Sioux county IA. Died 14 Aug 1977 Kansas City, Jackson, MO. She married Jacob Matthew Haupert 1902-2014. Their children were- three sons, Dale of Atlantic, Dennis of Memphis, Tenn., and Gerald of Sergeant Bluff; five daughters, Miss Elaine and Miss Lorraine, both of Orange City, Mrs. Frank (Ardella) Colabello Jr., of Omaha, Mrs. Ronald (Judy) Green of Aurora, Colo., and Miss Jean of Apple Valley, Minn.; two brothers, Nick of Remsen and Lawrence of Pipestone, Minn.; four sisters, Mrs. Mike (Margaret) Caspar of Rock Valley, Mrs. William (Cecelia) Stallman of Independence, Mo.; Mrs. Ray(Carlinda) Portz of Pipestone and Mrs. Frank (Severna) Spieler of Granville. See Jacob’s obit on this web page.

13. Martin William Pottebaum born 10 Nov 1910 Nassau Twp. Sioux county Iowa died 5 Jan 1999 Remsen, Iowa. He married Evelyn Adelheide Galles 1915-2002. Their children were Darlene Ann Pottebaum 1936-2018, Cyril Arnold Pottebaum 1939-2014, Ronald Marvin Pottebaum 1942-2019, Janice Kay Pottebaum 1944-2000, Suzanne Marie Pottebaum 1951-1953 and several others not named in the ancestry.com family report. Children as listed in Martin’s obituary in the Le Mars Daily Sentinal of Jan 7, 1999. Eight Daughters – Shirley Mrs. Joe Stoll of Primghar, Darlenne Mrs. John Dickes, Doris Mrs Ron Gettner, and Janice McGinnis all of Sioux City, Clarice Mrs. Daniel Groff, Betty Mrs. Ron Heidesch and Julie Pottebaum all of Remsen; Joyce Mrs. Mike Sunclades of Bellevue NE; and six sons – Cyril and Leslie of Arvada, CO, Ron and Judy of Prerson, Ken and Lisa of Jefferson Sd., Mike and Pam, Marty and Kandy all of sioux city, and Mary and Lynda of Bronson.

OBITUARY of Bernard Pottebaum
From the Alton Democrat, May 3, 1929:
PROMINENT ALTON FARMER GONE BEYOND
B. A. Pottebaum Dies Thursday Last – Held Many Offices – Successful Farmer
Bernard A. Pottebaum, for many years one of the most widely known and popular Nassau township farmers, died last Thursday at his home four and one-half miles south of Alton. A little more than a year ago he suffered a paralytic stroke and from this he never fully recovered although he improved and came to town occasionally. A short time ago, however, he began sinking and the end was not unexpected although coming as a shock to his host of friends.
Mr. Pottebaum was 64 years of age at the time of his death. He was born at Luxemburg, Iowa, August 28, 1864, coming to Sioux county in 1886. His marriage to Miss Catherine Friedman occurred January 25, 1887 at Luxemburg. Thirteen children were born to them, all of whom survive their parents. Mrs. Pottebaum died seven years ago.
For thirty years he was a member of the Nassau township board of trustees. When his wife became ill he wished to retire but was re-elected in spite of himself, serving until the close of 1924. His judgment was so well thought of by his fellows that for many years he was president of the Farmers Mutual Co-Operative Co., at Alton, and also an officer of the Alton Savings bank, at one time president, and at the time of his death vice-president of that institution. He could easily have had other elective office if he had been so minded for Mr. Pottebaum was popular and respected among all who knew him.
He was a progressive farmer and his farm east of Carnes is a splendidly equipped place. He was an active farmer as long as his health lasted and to the day of his death remained on the farm with his son Al and daughter, Miss Hilda. During his lifetime he saw that all of his children were independent on farms of their own, although his splendid family demonstrated that their early training had fitted them well to make their own way through life’s battles.
The Democrat feels that it is expressing the sentiment of the whole community in stating that Alton has lost a very valuable citizen whose death caused a deep feeling of loss in the hearts of all who knew Mr. Pottebaum. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the children who feel his loss so keenly. The children are as follows:
Mrs. Felix Streff, Frank, John, William, Anton, Al., Leo, Henry, Martin, Hilda and Mrs. Sylvester Minten, all of Alton; Mrs. Nick Portz of Hospers; Sister Mary Leola of Dubuque. He is also survived by three brothers and one sister, as follows: Herman, Norwood, Ohio; John, Luxemburg, Iowa; William, Orient, S.D.; Sister Mary Eulalia, Remsen, Iowa.
Mr. Pottebaum lived for 42 years on the farm, the same place on which he located when coming to the county in ’86, and the place on which he died. He was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic church, belonging to the St. Joseph society.
Funeral services were held Monday morning at that church, conducted by the Reverend Peter Friedmann of near Dubuque, a brother-in-law of the deceased. Solemn requiem mass was sung, six other priests being present in the sanctuary, as follows: Reverends Charles Goetzinger of Ionia, who delivered the sermon; Herman Schleier of Remsen; Henry Rolfes of Oyens; Henry Pick of Templeton; Peter Mattes of Remsen; M. A. Schemel of Alton.
Among those present from away were two of the brothers, John Pottebaum of Luxemburg, Iowa, and William of Orient, S.D.; also George and Emma Pottebaum of Orient; Mrs. Henry Pottebaum of Luxemburg; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ginsbach and George Breucher of Dell Rapids, S.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bebeim of Sioux City; and a great host of other friends from nearby parishes.

OBITUARY of Katherine Mrs. Bernard Pottebaum
Alton Democrat of May 6, 1922
Mrs. B. A. Pottebaum before her marriage in 1887, was Miss Katharine Friedman, and was born at Luxemberg, Iowa the thirteenth and oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. John Friedmann, and Mrs. Pottebaum was also the mother of a fine family of thirteen, all of whom are living. Two of her brothers entered the service of the church, Rev. John R. Friedmann of Lamotte and Rev. P. J. Friedman of Sabuia. They assisted in the requiem high mass at their sister’s funeral at Alton April 21st and the six eldest sons were pall bearers. One daughter, Sister Leola is in the convent in Dubuque. The rest of the children all being residents of the Alton vicinity.

This picture of the family was taken from the Alton St. Mary’s church book page 200.

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