Steppe Stories

I visited Busenbach, Germany in 2002.  It is in the Schwarzwald or Black Forest.  Absolutely gorgeous area.  We drove through the town, up the hills, walked cemeteries.  I did take pictures, but that was pre-digital so I need some time getting them out.  There was a beautiful cherry grove at the top of the town near the cemetery, that was the highlight of our visit.  Until then, here is someone else's Busenbach/Steppe pictures and information:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kmiller/busenpa.html

William Steppe lived at 1530 Jackson St, La Crosse, WI from about 1888 until 1920. He ran the saloon in the back yard from about 1900 until maybe 1910.  After 1920 until death lived at 812 Caledonia with Bertha and William Kolefsky.

Henry and Rose Steppe lived at 512 N 7th St, La Crosse, WI from 1922-at least 1930.   It is now a parking lot at the technical college.

La Crosse Tribune – 13 Nov 1911
PERITONITIS IS CAUSE OF DEATH
Caroline Steppe, the 11 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Steppe, 1530 jackson street, died at 7:50 o’clock last night of peritonitis after an illness of but two days. She was born in La Crosse and has lived here all her life. The funeral will be held on Wednesday morning from the residence at 8:30 and from the Holy Trinity church at 9 o’cloock, with Rev. Father Riester officiating. Burial will take place in the Catholic cemetery. Fessler & Dahl have charge of the funeral arrangements.

La Crosse Tribune – 17 Dec 1918
MRS. MARY STEPPE
Mrs. Mary Steppe, 61 years old, died at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Death resulted from a complication of diseases after an illness of two months. Mrs. Steppe was born September 8, 1857, in Dobern, Austria. She has been a resident of La Crosse for thirty-five years, coming to America in 1872. Her husband survives. Funeral services are to be held at 8:30 Friday morning from the residence, 1530 Jackson street, and at 9 o’clock from the Holy Trinity Catholic church. Rev. Joseph Reisterer will officiate. Interment will be made at the Catholic cemetery.

La Crosse Tribune – 18 Dec 1918
FUNERAL OF MRS. STEPPE
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Steppe, who died yesterday morning at 1:45, will be held Friday morning at the Holy Trinity church, with Rev. Father Riesterer officiating. Mrs. Steppe leaves her husband and six children. They are Mrs. William Kolessky, Mrs. Peter Schumacher, Mrs. Ernest Lieser and Henry Steppe of La Crosse; Mrs. Herman Schumacher, of Norwalk, and Carl Steppe in the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Meade, Maryland. All of the children with the exception of Mrs. Herman Schumacher, whose family is ill with influenza, will be here for the funeral.

La Crosse Tribune – 21 Oct 1929
WILLIAM STEPPE
William Steppe, age 81 years, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Peter Schumacher, 1211 Park Avenue, early Monday morning after a lingering illness. He was born in Baden, Germany, May 3, 1848, and has resided in La Crosse over 50 years. Mr. Steppe was the first toll collector on the Mississippi river bridge. He is survived by two sons, Henry and Carl of La Crosse, four daughters, Mrs. William Kolifsky, of La Crosse, Mrs. Peter Schumacher, of La Crosse, Mrs. Herman Shumaher, of Cashton, and Mrs. Ernest Leaser, of St. Paul, also 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 8:45 from the home and 9 a.m. from Holy Trinity church, the Rev. Father Joseph Reisterer will officiate. Interment will be made in the Catholic cemetery. The rosary will be said Wednesday evening at 7:30 at the home.

Possibly related:

                            

Also found in that church's records (St. Peters): Xavier STEPPE and Maria KREINEN or KREINER: Children: Philia, Nicolaus and Catherine. 

Name Boniface means "Keeper of an Inn."

Also, John STEPPE and Karoline Fischer, child Karolina.

 Have been trying to connect this family to mine:

Johannes STEPPE, born 30 Mar 1800, wed Euphrosina Lauinger, daughter of Anna Maria Neumaier and the deceased Johannes Lauinger, citizen and farmers of Schvllbronn.   Children:
Joseph, 1826, Katharina 1827, Bonifazius, 1829, Maria Thekla, 1830, Maria -Magdalena 1837, Maria-Magdalena 1839

STEPPE, Bonifass, born in Busenbach 8 June 1829, died 25 Febr 1869 in Philadelphia

Emigrated 1855 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arrived 1856 ((from Index to Records of Aliens' Declarations of Intent, Vol 10: Letter S, page 289.)

His parents were Johann STEPPE (son of Georg, b 30 Mar 1800 d. 19 Dec. 1844) and Euphrosine LAUINGER, (daughter of Johann, born 15 Nov. 1799). His parents married 21 Febr 1825.

Bonifass emigrated 1855 accompanied by his sisters and brother who are named:

1)    Maria Thekla STEPPE

2)    Maria Magdalena STEPPE

3)    Karl STEPPE

According to a Certificate of Baptism from St. Peters Cemetery, 1019 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19123:

Emma STEPPE, a child of Bonifacius STEPPE of Bussenbach, Baden and Elizabeth [-----?------], born in Phildelphia, Pennsylvania 23 January, 1859, by the Rev P. Majeus; sponsor Catharina BOEF.

Sources: Parish birth record of  Joannes Georgius and Magdalena at St. Catherine, 1860, Cumberland Maryland census.

                    

Busenbach Marriage Records
Steppe Bartholo. u. Eble M. Walburg 1869 267 2
Steppe Augustin u. Schwab Marg. 1870 270 2
Steppe Jakob u. Kohler M.A. 1873 278 3
Steppe Rudolf u. Fein Monika 1873 281 9
Steppe Josepf u. Kohler Justina 1878 296 1
Steppe Augustin u. Bloedt Othilia? 1880 302 2
Steppe Franz Anton u. Bunzelmann? M. Luise 1862 231
Steppe Franz Anton U. Kunz maria Eva 1863 235
Steppe Gustav u. Burgard Engelberta 1866 251
Steppe Florian u. B...d.. Katharina 1866 252
Steppe Carl u. H?etschinger Othelia 1868 261
Steppe Karl - maria Anna Becker P.6?
Steppe Jos. + Wagner M. Anna 16
Steppe Joh. + Lauringer ...fissina? 77
Steppe Frz. Ign. + Mueller Gertrud 120
Steppe Anton + Anderer kath. 123