Individual Details
Elizabeth Holdefer
(15 Oct 1849 - 25 Jun 1944)
Elizabeth Holdefer Rau was a native of the Donnellson area. She was born in Franklin Twp (Donnellson area), one of eleven children. Her father had many talents - merchant, blacksmith, farmer & miller. His farm & store stood at or near the hwy 218 intersection 2 miles north of Donnellson. They were associated with the Zion Evangelical Church (Later St. Paul's) where the sermon, catechism and other services were in German. She married Jacob Rau (also a native German speaker) and raised their children in German - until they went to public school. In later years her English was perfect, but when angry she spoke to her children in German. After marrying Jacob Martin Rau, she moved to Keokuk, Iowa, and lived initially at 1422 Des Moines Street, where her three children (Phoebe, Anna, Henry) were raised. About 1892, her aged father, John Holdefer, left his Donnellson farm (Warren corner) and moved in with Elizabeth. She cared for him until his death April 21, 1904. Her youngest child, Anna, never married and continued to live at home. Sometime later (possibly about 1920), Elizabeth purchased a home at 1303 Blondeau, and lived there with Daughter Anna until her death. Anna continued to live there until her death (about 1951). My father, H. H. Stafford, Jr., rented out the property before selling about 1953. All of these homes were still standing as of May 2010.
Elizabeth continued her close relations with her many siblings around Donnellson, and often took the train to Donnellson to buy fresh family food. When my (Roger S.) father (Herbert S.) was 12 (summer 1917), he started driving his grandmother and mother to Donnellson weekly to buy food and visit. Herbert remembered these early trips fondly - primitive cars on mud roads!
It was said by Charlotte that Elizabeth moved to Keokuk when her child Phoebe was very young (probably 1881), but this may conflict with other information saying Jacob moved to Keokuk in 1869 and started his present business (Saloon) in 1878.
Elizabeth continued her close relations with her many siblings around Donnellson, and often took the train to Donnellson to buy fresh family food. When my (Roger S.) father (Herbert S.) was 12 (summer 1917), he started driving his grandmother and mother to Donnellson weekly to buy food and visit. Herbert remembered these early trips fondly - primitive cars on mud roads!
It was said by Charlotte that Elizabeth moved to Keokuk when her child Phoebe was very young (probably 1881), but this may conflict with other information saying Jacob moved to Keokuk in 1869 and started his present business (Saloon) in 1878.
Events
| Birth | 15 Oct 1849 | Franklin Twp, Lee County IA | |||
| Marriage | 10 May 1877 | Lutheran Church, Keokuk, Rev Graw Minister., Keokuk, IA - Jacob Martin Rau | |||
| Death | 25 Jun 1944 | Keokuk, IA | |||
| Burial | Oakland Cemetary, Keokuk, IA |
Families
| Spouse | Jacob Martin Rau (1844 - 1883) |
| Child | Phoebe Lucia Rau (1881 - 1944) |
| Child | Henry Carl Rau (1878 - 1948) |
| Child | Anna Marie Rau (1879 - 1956) |
| Father | Johannes "John" Holdefer (1815 - 1904) |
| Mother | Anna Mary Weigel (1819 - 1861) |
| Sibling | Jacob Holdefer (1839 - 1917) |
| Sibling | John Holdefer (1842 - 1912) |
| Sibling | Lucinda Holdefer (1844 - 1929) |
| Sibling | George Holdefer (1845 - 1917) |
| Sibling | Mary Holdefer (1847 - 1849) |
| Sibling | Daniel Holdefer (1851 - 1934) |
| Sibling | Phillip Holdefer (1853 - ) |
| Sibling | Carl "Charles" Holdefer (1855 - 1951) |
| Sibling | Heinrich Nikolaus "Henry" Holdefer (1857 - 1930) |
| Sibling | Philippine Caroline "Phoebe" Holdefer (1859 - 1922) |