Von Steen, Johannes Heinrich (1852-1921)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1921 Oct 13 p. 7
Birth date: 1852

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Bethel College Monthly obituary: 1921 Sep 15 p. 3

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The Mennonite obituary: 1921 Oct 6 p. 7
Birth date: 1852 May 15
text of obituary:

John H. von Stern was born near the city of Danzig, capital of the Prussian province of the same name, and the date of his nativity was May 15, 1852. He is the son of John H. and Johanna (Zimmermann) von Steen, who were born and reared in that same province, where the father followed the vocation of farming until 1875, when he came with his family to America. He and his wife were zealous members of the Mennonite church, the tenets of which deprecate all activities of military service, and his principal reason for leaving his native country was to avoid, in consonance with his religious views and firm personal convictions, conscription, of himself and his sons for service in the German army.

The subject of this review received in his native city excellent educational advantages, besides which he passed four years in the cities of London and Liverpool, with the primary object of familiarizing himself with the English language and business methods. He accompained[sic] his parents to America when he was twenty-five years of age, and he has resided continously[sic] at Beatrice since 1877. Here he was employed 18 months in the lumber yard of LePoidevin Brothers, and in 1879 he engaged independently in the retail lumber business on part of the grounds where the Burlinggton[sic] Railroad station now stands. Energy, integrity, faithfulness, and broad vision insured cumulative success to the ambitious young man, and that he has wrought earnestly and well needs no further voucher than his status today as having been one of the most substantial men of affairs in this section of the state of his adoption. While thus promoting his individual advancement Bro. von Steen had at all stages been mindful of his civic responsibilities and stood forth as a liberal and public-spirited naturalized American citizen, his course in all of the relations of life having been such that he gained and retained the inviolable confidence and good will of his fellow men.

Bro. von Steen was a man of admirable and pronounced initative[sic] and constructive ability and was the primary factor in the developing of one of the largest and most important industrial and commercial enterprises of Gage county and he was one of the most valued and influential citizens and business men of Beatrice, where he held the office of President and treasurer of the John H. von Steen Co. from the time of its incorporation.

The political allegiance of Bro. von Steen had been given to the Prohibition party, but he was primarily and essentially a business man and has had no ambition for political activity or preferment. He was reared in the faith of the Mennonite church and has been an earnest and active member of the same from his early youth. He was one of the influential representatives of this denomination, and for many years a valued teacher in the Sunday School of the Mennonite Church in Beatrice.

In 1882 Bro. von Steen wedded Miss Mary McKibbin, who was born at Fishlake, Indiana, and whose death occured[sic] in 1893, she having been a devout member of the Mennonite Church. He is surived[sic] by two daughters-Edith, who completed her education in Bethel College, at Newton, Kans., and who is now the wife of Professor D. H. Richert, a member of the faculty of that institution; and Ada, who is the wife of Dr. Louis E. Penner, a representative physician and surgeon engaged in practice at Beattrice[sic].

In 1895 Mr. von Steen contracted a second marriage when Mrs. Katie (Ruth) Hirschler became his wife. They had just completed their 26th wedding aniversary[sic] when it pleased Divine Providence to call Brother von Steen to his final home, at 12:30 A. M., September 23, 1921, his age being 60 years 4 months and 8 days.

A short funeral service was held at the city church, conducted by H. D. Penner, in English, who based his words of comfort on the text Rev. 14: 13.— Another short service was held at the country church, where Rev J. K. Penner spoke in German on the text Rev. 21:5.