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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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FRANK STEIMLE is another of the many prominent citizens who claim America as their adopted country, for he was born in Baden, Germany, October 26, 1837. Since the year 1856 he has been a resident of this country, and, being a liberal, generous, high-minded gentleman, has gathered around him a large circle of friends and well-wishers. He possesses those qualities of industry and energy so characteristic of the native German, and being public-spirited and strictly honorable he is with reason considered one of the most substantial and responsible citizens of the county in which he now makes his home.

Our subject is the son of Sylfain and Louisa (Spade) Steimle, both of whom were natives of Saxony, Germany. In that country the father followed the occupation of a farmer for many years and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. Both were highly esteemed in the community in which they lived, and both were exemplary members of the Catholic Church, to which they contributed liberally of their means. Their son Frank, the subject of this brief sketch, was the eldest of three living children born to his parents, and was educated in the common schools of his country.

When but nineteen years of age, young Steimle decided that he could better his financial condition by a residence in the United States, and accordingly took passage for America. After setting foot on the soil of this country he went direct to Greene County, Ohio, and was engaged in farming near Dayton until 1866, when he moved to Berrien County, Mich. For many years he has been engaged in tilling the soil in this community, and his life of industry and usefulness and his record for integrity and true-hearted faithfulness in all the relations of life have given him a hold upon the community which all might well desire to share.

Mr. Steimle bought the farm where he now lives in 1889, and his reputation as a farmer is no less than that of a citizen and neighbor. He owns about thirty-six acres seven miles and a-half from St. Joseph and about six miles from Benton Harbor. He has a pleasant rural home, which is presided over by his intelligent and most worthy wife, formerly Miss Emma Baker, whom he married in 1860. She was born in Saxony, Germany, and is a daughter of William Baker, who was a native of that country, but who came to the United States at an early date and settled in Ohio. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steimle: John; Ellen, wife of M. Barger; Amelia, wife of A. Grawl; Mary, wife of Julias Fatke; Louisa, wife of Hammond Knuth; Hannah and Sarah. Mr. Steimle is a member of the Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company. He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first Presidential vote for Douglas.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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