Steinbach in Todd County, Minnesota
In 1877 Paul moved his family north to Todd County and started over. He was the first settler of Germania Township in Todd County arriving 2 Jun 1877. He lost his oxen soon after moving to Germania. His first neighbor moved in almost one year later on May 27, 1878. John Paul acquired the Land Patent for 160 acres June 20, 1885. It was the NE quarter of Section 8. 132-N Township, Range 34-W 5th PM Meridian, Todd County, MN. Under the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862, any person over 21, who was the head of a family, and either a citizen or an alien who intended to become a citizen, could obtain title to 160 acres of land by living on the land for five years and improving it. Map of Todd County
In a Todd County history written by O. B. DeLaurier he recounts, “Paul Steinbach seems to have been the first to set in action the religious forces in this pioneer community and he was active in promoting the first school. There are now [1879] about 25 families in the town, and the meeting to organize School District No. 59 was held at his house on February 12, 1879. … The following year, 1880, the Town of Germania was organized and in this as in the organization of School District No. 59, Paul Steinbach took an active part.” The school was located about one mile west of his homestead and is still standing. Several Minnesota history sources relate that Paul Steinbach suggested the name "Germania" for the township. They claim he came to America on a ship named Germania. The ship Germania was built in 1869 long after when he arrived in America. He most likely arrived on the ship Danbaurheid August 5, 1846.
John Paul became an US citizen 25 Feb 1885, Long Prairies, MN. |
1880 US Census, June 23 & 24, 1880, Todd County, Germania
Steinbach, Paul, Farmer, age 51, Saxony Minnie, wife, 38, Prussia Minnie, Daughter, 13, Prussia Annie, Daughter, 11, Prussia Tena, Daughter, 3, MN Frank, son, 16, Wisc Freddie, son, 1, MN The early 1880s must have been heartbreaking for John Paul. Four of his children died of diptheria: Ida Clara died May 20, 1882 at ten months; his step-daughter Anna died a month later on June 19, 1882 at age 14; Fredrich Wilhelm died three days later on June 22, 1882 at age 3; and his son Francis died Feb 2, 1884 at age 21. His son John David was murdered on October 24, 1883.
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