Janson: Naber bits and pieces

Sometimes you just need to wonder about stuff--like, how come the Nabers are such a cipher in our family lore? I think mom knew who was who and how they connected, but we didn't think to ask, I suppose. And then, mom's grandma pretended that she couldn't understand English, so perhaps she flew under the local radar back then. Maybe they were just quiet people? Or, more likely, when Gerhard's second wife* left Iowa, she and her kids were lost to the relatives there. Settling in Buckman c. 1900 must have been tough, since there were no relatives to rely on for social intros. Daughter Catherine was the only Minnesota connection, but she lived with her family north of Pierz, at least 15 miles from the Naber farm.
Anyway, it only re-occurred to me tonight that single persons mean 'no offspring', so their genealogy stops dead when they do (sorry ☺). Of the kids that moved to Buckman with Elizabeth (Richels) Naber*, two, Elizabeth and John, died with no issue. Catherine & Wm. Bahns had kids, and Gerhard & Julia (Grittner) did, too. Margaret married Anton Janson and luckily became my grandma, but Elizabeth and John and their half sister (a nun) are only grave markers and obits now. By the time we came along, only grandma's brother Gerhard was still living. He lived in Crow Wing county until 1962. Wonder why we never connected. Or did we--and I just don't remember?

Elizabeth Naber 1873-1910

Miss Nabor of Buckman Dead

After Several Years of Suffering with Chronic Bright's Disease–Buried in Buckman Monday

Miss Elizabeth Nabor, of Buckman, died Friday morning at four o'clock, of Brights' disease, at the age of 38 years. She had been ailing for several years, but was able to be about and attend to household duties until Monday last week, when her condition became more serious.

The alarming symptoms increased until Friday morning, when, well prepared with the last sacraments, she passed away.

Miss Nabor was born in Petersburg, Iowa, January sixteenth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three. She leaves a mother, two brothers, John and Gerhard, two sisters Katherine and Margareth, two step-brothers, Herman and Henry, and two step-sisters Mary now Mrs. John Schlichte,

and Sister Raphael O.S.F.

The funeral services were held in the St. Michael's church in Buckman and she was laid to rest in St. Michael's cemetery.

Pierz Journal, April 20, 1911

We have John's grave marker at St Michael's in Buckman, but no obit or even a funeral card. He was born in 1874 and died in 1922, at 48. What kind of life did he or his sister have? Who were they?

I'd like to know someday.

So, here's an article about a wedding from the 30 April 1899 issue of the Dubuque Herald. The bride's family was probably related, and most likely Elizabeth and her children attended:

Dubuque County News.

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Notable wedding at New Vienna Tuesday morning.

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Cascade ___ Ballists have organized for the season--Improvements being made by the Great Western at Dyersville--Other news of interest to Dubuque County residents.

____________

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A notable morning wedding took place in St Boniface Church, New Vienna, Tuesday morning April 25 at 9 o'clock. It was that of Barney Vaske and Miss Mary Naber, both prominent young people of that place. The ceremony was performed by Rev Father Pape (?) in the presence of a large assemblage of relatives and friends. After the ceremony the newly married pair, in company with the invited guests, repaired to the home of the groom's mother, one and one-half miles west of New Vienna, where a grand reception was held. The day was pleasantly spent and much amusement was furnished those present. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Naber, prominent people of New Vienna, and is a young lady who possesses many noble traits of character. She has been a dressmaker in her home town for many years and her friends are many. The groom is a prosperous young farmer who has made his home with his mother for many years.

And just so these pieces are together, here's grandma's sister's obit:

Services Wednesday For Mrs. Bahns

(January, 1954)

Funeral services were held at St. Joseph's church, Pierz, at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning for Mrs. Katherine Bahns, who passed away at St. Gabriel's hosptial at 12:20 a.m., Monday, January 18th. She had been ill for one year and after a stroke, was admitted to the hospital where she died several hours later.

Pallbearers at the rites were Ben Nagel, Alfred Gohl, Joe Gohl, Werner Schamal, Carl Virnig, and Ed Schwinghammer. Interment was made in the Pierz cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers were Mrs. Joe Gohl, Mrs. Ben Nagel, Mrs. Henry Kobilka, Mrs. Werner Schamal, Mrs. Gordon Anderson, and Mrs. Ed Schwinghammer.

Katherine Naber was born at Petersburg, Iowa February 8, 1881 and married William Bahns 51 years ago. They resided on the present Bahns farm northwest of Pierz about 40 years, which is now being operated by her sons, John Bahns. Mr. Bahns passed away in 1932.

Surviving are six children, Mrs. Sigmund Syzyeblewski (Rose), Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Leonard Hoheisel (Regina) and John, Pierz; Mrs. Stanley Sarp (Alvina) and Mrs. Lawrence Cable (Helen), Minneapolis; and Mrs. Bernard Carlson (Angeline), Little Falls.

There are nineteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. One brother, Gerhard Naber, also survives.