Steinke Family

Steinke Family Tree

Steinke

Complied under best of ability by Ernst Steinke 1972. (with additions made by Nadine Steinke- 2003 until present)

Johann Steinke born between 1820-1825, died 1863 (1925 US Census lists he died at age 43)

Married Anna Justine (gravestone reads “A.Gustni”) Hoffmann,

born Nov. 6,1826 in Gembitz,

died 4-1-1904 What Cheer, IA

Buried Indianapolis Cemetery –west of What Cheer, IA

Johann & A.Justine Steinke had 7 children:

1)Gustave Steinke, born at Gembitz

2)Michael Steinke, born & died at Gembitz (W.Prussia)

3)A daughter- died in early youth

4)Albert Steinke-b.around 1850 Putzighauland county of Czarnikau (Czarnkow), Prussian province of Posen.

(Ernst writes-“Putizhauland, district of Scharnikau, State of West Prussia”)

5)Christof Steinke b.August 1854-also born at Putzighauland

6)Gottlieb Johann Steinke-b.1860-also born at Putzighauland (Bromberg, Germany)

7)Frederick William Steinke-b.1862- also born at Putzighauland

Ernst writes that the greater period of family life was probably under the rule of Kingdom of Prussia, within the German Empire.

Johann Steinke passed away when Fredrick was in infancy, 1863. Although one daughter died while an infant, the mother with the help of the sons struggled to survive to raise the youngest and keep the remaining family together.

Gustave & Michael Steinke, two of the oldest sons, were married and fought their own survival, which left Albert, Christof, Gottlieb & Fredrick, with the mother.

Michael Steinke was born and died in Gembitz (W.Prussia). He had 4 children:

1)Auguste Plug

2)Ottilie

3)Emil Steinke- b.11/8/1886 d.6-3-1965 (?died of heart attack)

m.Gertrude

2 daughters, Hedwig & ? (Erika, or Ingelberg)

family in Germany (Gottlieb Steinke corresponded with over the years)

4)Anna (Kraft?)

During closing of WW2, these 4 families took refuge near Hannover

Gottlieb, the 2^nd youngest child, asked the advice of his local Lutheran Pastor of the Free Church Group for a better chance in their economic status. The pastor advised to try and immigrate to a new country, and chose U.S. America. Gottlieb took this advice and considered it with the remaining family.

Albert Steinke was selected to venture across the ocean to the U.S.A. first and he landed here and went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (possibly around 1875) Christof went next (possibly between 1876-1879)and went to Iowa and labored on farms around northwest region of Keokuk County. His correspondence back to his mother and brothers was in favor of the rest of the family to join him over here. Gottlieb was fortunate in saving income as a farm labor . He was given a trifle extra wage cutting wheat with a cradle scythe, and there by earned enough for passage to America. He left his extra earnings to his mother A.Justina and youngest brother Fredrick.

Gottlieb was about the age of 20 when he came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (between 1880-1882) Due to his love and ability in handling horses, he immediately was able to procure a position as streetcar driver (with horses)and conductor. Through his determination he was able to have his mother and youngest brother to join him in America. He also labored in an industrial plant in Milwaukee.

Ernst also writes, “The four youngest sons began immigration to the U.S.A in latter part of 1870’s and the last of the four (Fredrick),with his mother, joined the others in early 1880’s.

Albert Steinke began his career in U.S.A. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He tried Iowa, but didn’t like farming, so went back to Milwaukee. He worked at a variety of jobs. He married Hulda Getzlaff 11-16-1890 at St.Matthews Ev.Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They had no children. Albert passed away in Milwaukee 1-9-1892,and Hulda then married a Henry Roehrdanz. (had 2 sons???)

Christof (or Christorf) Steinke born August 1854 died 1930’s, married Susan Mary Baker of Indianapolis,Iowa born 1/13/1855 and died 12-8-1905, buried at Indianapolis Cemetery, Mahaska, IA. (Daughter of Willis and Letitia Baker) Christof was a farm laborer in Iowa. He farmed west of What Cheer, in around Rose Hill area, also in State of Kansas. After his children grew up and he lost his wife, he then moved to Saskatchewan, Canada. The Chris Steinke family changed their last name to “Sankey” instead of Steinke, when they moved to Canada.

Christorf and Susan had five children:

1)Letta Anna Sankey-b.11-26-1884 Rose Hill,IA d.11-7-1950 Lakewood Cem, Minneapolis, MN age65

2) Lillian D. Sankey b.1887 d. 6-17-1938 Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN

3) Mignon Steinke, buried at Indianapolis Cemetery, Mahaska, IA

4) Albert J. Sankey-b. 1892 d. 1951

5)Clara. (Sankey) Thurston ?? b.8-21-1896 d. April 1984 Death Certificate- Minneapolis, MN

Albert & Clara each had a family of their own.

Albert (died 1951) married Kate and settled in Gladmar, Canada, having three children:

1)Robert Marshall b.6-14-1923 d.Sept.1975(Funeral date 9-8-1975 Gladmar,Saskatchewan)age52

2) Eunice Virginia - b.9-24-1924 @ Gladmar, Canada -d.5-5-1948 @ Gladmar, Canada

3) David- b. abt 1932 d. abt 1986

Clara married Irving Thurston of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They had two children: Gerald & Betty Lou.

Fredrick Steinke remained single, farmed near What Cheer, Iowa, and later retired.

Born 9-27-1862 Germany

Died 12-13-1924 What Cheer, Iowa, buried Indianapolis Cemetery, west of What Cheer, Iowa

Gottlieb Steinke labored on farms near Nassau, now Gibson, Iowa. Then Gottieb returned to Milwaukee and labored in an industrial plant. With his savings he later took and purchased farm machinery and livestock and rented a farm in northwest Keokuk County. (1925 US Census says that he came to the US in abt 1882 and then to settled in Iowa abt 1887). Shortly after he married Rosalie Kietzmann, on June 23, 1889. (Rosalie was born in Buchwerder, or Runau? , Posen.) Gottlieb then purchased a farm in Mahaska County, west of What Cheer, at North Skunk River. Three children were born, Hulda, Rudolf, & Robert. They later moved east of What Cheer to Keokuk County, Van Buren Township in March of 1902. (located 7.5 miles northwest of Sigourney, Iowa) Two more children were born: Harry & Ernst. The parents lived the remaining days of their life on that farm. In Ernst’s notes, he writes the cause of death for Gottlieb Steinke “myocarditis” (which is inflammation of the heart muscle.)

Gottlieb Steinke b.2/6/1860 d. April 11,1947 buriel Highland Cem, near What Cheer, IA

Rosalie Auguste Steinke b.3/3/1869 deceased July 22,1963 buried at Highland Cem.

Hulda Emilie Steinke b.8/12/1890 deceased at farm/home, March 19,1977, buried at Highland

Rudolf Albert Steinke b.4/29/1893 deceased at farm/home on September 1,1971, Highland Cem

Robert William Steinke b.9/6/1895 deceased on Feb.14,1996 in San Antonio, TX, buried at Sixteen

Cemetery ,near Gibson,IA

Harry Edward Steinke b.7/13/1903 died in an accidental death due to a bridge crash on July 13,1918,

buried at Highland Cemetery

Ernst Hugo Frederick Steinke b. 11/7/1913

Hulda and Rudolph both lived and worked on the family farm. Rudolph passed away in 1971.

Hulda passed away in 1977.

Robert Steinke married Minnie Schreiber of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1922. They had 6children.

Four children ,were born near Keenersburg, in Van Buren Township in Keokuk County. They later moved to a farm they purchased south of Gibson, Iowa, in March of 1930, and 2 more children were born.

Harry Steinke died on his 16^th birthday in 1918, as a result of a Steam Engine accident. Brothers Robert, Rudolph and Harry were riding the Steam engine over a wooden bridge west of Sigourney, Iowa, on Hwy 92. Rudolph and Robert were burned from the steam. Harry was hit in the temple by a wood plank and died. The family had prepared a birthday celebration and had prepared to give him a 5 dollar bill, that had been printed at the bank in Sigournery. Then they got the news of the accident. It was a sad day.

Ernst told me that he rode by the accident site, the next day with his mother Rosalie, on the way to the funeral home.

Gottlieb Steinke Family notes

Steinke (Mahaska County) Farm: 80 acres purchased after 1889 when Rosalie and Gottlieb were married.

Three children were born there. Hulda, Robert, and Rudolph. They attended the Mauck Chunk school.

Mauck Chunk, Iowa, was named after Mauck Chunk, Pennsylvania. (Which was later renamed Jim Thorpe). Mauck Chunk, Iowa, was west of the Steinke farm. Go south from Spring Valley corner and take first right. Go west (now a dirt road) down the hill, and back up the hill, is where the town set. On an Iowa Atlas from 1895 it states that the town had a post office.

To go to What Cheer, they needed to cross the North Skunk River. They would go east of the farm, up to the curve in road, and then down through the field to cross. Rosalie didn’t like crossing the river with the horses and buggy. Rosalie thought it was too dangerous. Rosalie also thought it was very important to be able to attend St. Martin Lutheran church east of What Cheer and it was tough to get to town. Ernst told me how his mother Rosalie talked about one dangerous trip to What Cheer. There was a strong rain up north. The river was higher then they thought. The horse wanted to play in the water. Robert Steinke Sr. was little and slipped down into the bottom of the buggy. Rosalie wanted to move after that. (Ernst said that someone built a bridge some time after they moved.) Southeast of the Steinke farm, where the bridge is now, Ernst said they used to have a sawmill also.

Ernst states that while living at the Mahaska farm, Gottlieb Steinke bought the first oat binder in the community.

Gottfried Rose bought the Steinke- Mahaska County 80 acres. The Albert Rose family (brother to Gottfried) lived east of the Steinke farm, which became the Gottfried Rose farm.

Gottlieb and Rosalie Steinke moved to the next Steinke farm in 1902. (east of What Cheer, between What Cheer and Sigourney) They bought 170 acres from Otto Schneider and his wife. He later bought 40 acres to add to it, to make it 210 acres. There was a house there. Harry was born. Gottlieb built a new house in 1913, the same year that Ernst was born. The old house stood on the north side of where the new house was built Gottlieb built a barn and several other buildings.

Ernst and Harry attended the Homer School. It was 1 mile south and ½ mile west of the Steinke farm. Ernst attended until the 8^th grade.

Ernst said that Gottlieb bought his first car around 1917 or so. It was a “Dort”

1927- he bought a “Nash” Sedan.

1970’s- Ernst Steinke sold off Farm land/acres.