Christopher Steffensmeier and Anna Holtkamp were married on April 17, 1888. They are related through the Wellman side of the family.

Christopher Steffensmeier was born on September 4th, 1863 in Lee County, Iowa. His parents were Stephan and Agnes Sporkman Steffensmeier. Both Stephan and Agnes were immigrants from Prussia. They had eight children and were farmers near St. Paul.

Anna Holtkamp was born April 26, 1867 in Lee County, Iowa. Her parents were Barney and Catherine Hutchons Holtkamp. Barney was from Hanover and Catherine was from Prussia. Barney and Catherine had 12 children. They too had a farm near St. Paul.

Christopher and Anna were married on April 17, 1888 in St. Paul, Iowa. I found their names recorded in the county record book. I split the two pages to make it a little easier to read. It is interesting that the text recognition captured his last name as Hettenbaugh. I knew their wedding date and so was browsing the book looking for it.

I also found a newspaper clipping from a local paper, but there is nothing to tell me which paper. The description of the groom and bride and the dancing sounds like it was quite the event!

Christopher and Anna Steffensmeier had 7 children. They lost one son at about 10 years of age and a daughter in infancy. They too, like their parents, farmed near St. Paul. I found a couple of pictures. This one of Anna and Christopher is from around 1890.

I found this family photo of them with their 5 surviving children. I would guess it is from around 1910.

Anna died on March 17, 1916. I wrote about her in this post also.