John Strate

John Frederick William Ludolf Strate was born at Lieme, Lippe Detmold, Germany, January 7, 1822.  He died near Hoskins, Wayne county, Neb., April 10, 1910, at  12 m. aged 88 years, 3 months and 3 days.  His death was caused by old age and pneumonia.

For some years the deceased had been feeble and ailing as the consequences of old age, but for six days only was he confined to his bed, when death relieved him from all earthly pain and woe.

Mr. Strate came to this country from Germany, in company with his wife, the 15th day of May 1870, making their home from the first in this vicinity.  In the old country Mr. Strate was a brick maker by trade, but took a homestead in this country and devoted himself to farming ever after.  He was one fo the early settlers of his neighborhood and, consequently, endured all the hardships of pioneer life.  The first years of his sojourning in this country were unusually trying, hail and drouth visiting  and destroying to a great extent the promising fields of grain.

The deceased brother was one of the founders and main stays of the Reformed congregation, three miles southwest of Hoskins, and for some years an officer of that church.  He remained a faithful member of the same to the end, although in late years he was not able to attend services and take an active part in the affairs of the congregation on account of failing health and strength.

Mr. Frederick Strate was joined in holy matrimony with his surviving wife, Augustge Sophia, whose maiden names was Dreves, February 4, 1866, in Germany.  This union was blessed with nine children, seven sons and two daughters, three of who have preceded their father in death, two sons and one daughter, one of the sons having died in the old country.  Those who are left to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father are: his bereaved widow, fives sons, Frederick, jr., Simon, Carl, Ernest and William, and one daughter, Mrs. Sophia Knebel, all of whom are living in this vicinity.  Besides theses there are four daughters-in-law, one son-in-law and eleven grandchildren, also more distant relatives and many friends.  May their loss be his gain.

Funeral services were held at the Reformed church near Hoskins on Wednesday afternoon, April 13, after which interment was made at the cemetery of said congregation, Rev. Emil F. Franz, officiating.   Source:  The Norfolk Weekly News-Journal, Friday, April 22, 1910, page 6.