Notes for Elizabeth STEICHEN

Notes for Elizabeth STEICHEN

RECORDS: Marriage, Death
SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Land of the Pioneers Meade County SD.

Grand father William Komes was born December 1851 at Trier, Gernany. He was the only son of four children. He came to the United States in 1890. The three girls never came to America. William stopped in Appleton, Wisconsin but he didn't like the area because it was too crowded, so he came to the Black Hills where land was free to homesteaders. He drove cattle from Fort Pierre to the Black Hills on foot. William worked for Henry Karrels when he first cme to this country. When they came from the old country, lots of young men worked for Karrels or for Nick Schummer. In many instances, Karrels and Schummer paid their traveling expenses. Land in the old country was owned by big owners and overseers. The taxes and cost of living were high. William owned a few acres of land in Germany. Because he was the only son he was not drafted into the army during the Kaiser's time in Germany. William Komes married Elizabeth Steichen in 1891. He was forty years old when he married her. They rented the place (known as the Raskob place now), for three years. They were hailed out three years in a row. While living on the Raskob ranch William and Elizabeth were blessed with their ony child, a son John, born on November 5, 1892. He was born in the stone house which still stands today. After living on this ranch they moved north and took up a homestead where the home place is now. Farm tools consisted of walking plow, mower and rake. Cattle and horses were turned out on ranges. There were no fences. They sold two year old steers for $10 a head. This price was considered a good one the year of 1900. Grandma Elizabeth was frightened by the Indians. One day when she was all alone she picked up baby John and ran to the neighbors. Their son John didn't get much education, just up to the fifth grade and that usually in the winter months. They sent him to Illinois one winter because there wasn't a school available here. When he was between the age of 14 and 18 years old he helped with, and rode on the annual roundup. Grandpa William died September 27, 1928.

Written by Helen Weyrich

Land of the Pioneers Page 302