Donatus Seger 1828-1909

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Photo courtesy of Paul Seger, Atkinson NE

Born: 26 Sep 1828, Friesenheim, Baden, GERMANY
Died: 27 Oct 1909, Atkinson, Holt Co, Nebraska, USA
Buried: Atkinson (St Joseph's Cem), Holt Co, Nebraska, USA
Cause of Death: Old Age

PARENTS
Father: Leopold SEGER (1798-Aft 1864)
Mother: Eleonora GLASER (1792-1867)

SPOUSE
Margareta SONTAG, born ca 1830 at Luxumburg, died 28 Oct 1894 at Atkinson, Holt Co, Nebraska, buried at St Joseph's Cemetery, Atkinson, Holt Co, Nebraska

Married: 1855, Chicago, Cook Co, Illinois, USA

CHILDREN

1. John "Leopold" SEGER (31 Oct 1856-20 Dec 1920)


2. Bernard SEGER (12 Jul 1858-23 Nov 1859)


3. Joseph SEGER (20 Feb 1860-25 Jun 1863)


4. Catherine SEGER (10 Oct 1861-1 Jun 1863)


5. Susan Seger (13 Oct 1863-27 Oct 1863)


6. Johanna "Jennie" SEGER (15 Jan 1865-1939)


7. Nicholas Donatus SEGER (24 Jan 1867-1944)


8. Paul Peter SEGER (21 May 1869-14 Jul 1956)


9. John Henry Seger (31 Aug 1871-1935)


10. Max Joseph SEGER (16 Aug 1873-1947)

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NOTES:
Noted in OSB Friesenheim: mit. d. Eltern {Parents} nach Amerika. Died of old age.

It appears that Donat immigrated to America, married, started a family, then returned to Germany for his parents and nephew. Donat and Margaret's son Bernard died in 1859 and three children died in Chicago in the summer and fall of 1863. Within the next year Donat went back to Germany for his parents and nephew and returned to the US. The only living child at that time was John Leopold, one living child and 4 dead. I wonder about Margaret during those trying times, where she was and how she dealt with such tragedy. (K.Davis)

Boyd County Nebraska GenWeb page-Cemetery Lists
http://www.rootsweb.com/~neboyd/cemname/cemname-s.htm

1. SEGER, DONATUS - born Sept 26,1828 - died Oct 27,1909 - age 81 years 1 month and ? days - married Margaret Sontag - buried St Joseph Cem, Arkinson - had children - Leopold, Donat, Paul, John, Max, Jennie - shares stones with John H, Margaret, Jospehine, N Donatus (obit in file and Seger file)

2. Seger, Margaret Sontag - married Donatus Seger - born 1830 - died Oct 28,1894 - buried St Joseph Cem, Atkinson - shares stones with Donatus, John H, Josephine, N Donatus

Donat Seger arrives in NY - 1853

This is a page from "Germans to America". It lists Donat Seeger (note double "e") arriving in New York on 5 Sep 1853. The ship he sailed on was the "Trumbull" sailing from Harve France to New York. Donat was aged 25, male, farmer, from Baden, destination New York.

An uncle, Josef Seger, and an aunt, Magdalena Seger Braun, had immigrated in the 1840's. Donat settled in Chicago near his uncle Josef.

In Chicago Donat married Margaret Sontag and had five children. Four of these children died as infants or very young.

In 1864 Donat returned to Germany and escorted his parents, Leopold Seger and Eleanora Glaser, along with his nephew, Joseph F. Seger, to his home in Chicago.

After Donat returned to the United States he and Margaret had 5 more children.

About 1870-71 Donat and his family left Chicago and went to Long Grove Lake Co Illinois, in 1878 they moved to Omaha Nebraska and in April 1880 they arrived at Atkinson Nebraska where they took up a homestead. Many of Donat's descendants remain in the Atkinson area.

Donat Seger Family to Atkinson

From: Homestead Fever by Marie Kramer, published by Marie Kramer 1993.
Told by Joe Ziska's daughter, Mary Ziska Krysl.

The Leopold *{see note} Seger family also came in 1880 and settled south of the Elkhorn River five miles west of Atkinson. They had first lived in Chicago where they operated a brewery which burned in the Great Chicago Fire* {see note}. Journeying to Omaha, they built another brewery. When this business also burned (they suspected a rival of arson) they decided to respond.

The family traveled by train to the end of the railroad at West Point and proceeded from there in wagons. After many days, they came to a lone store located near the Elkhorn River, and Leopold sent young Paul to ask the way to Atkinson.

"Sonny, you're here!" responded the storekeeper.

Since the family had lived in Chicago and Omaha, it had not occurred to them that a townsite at the far reaches of the frontier might consist of a single building.

Atkinson did not begin to develop until the railroad came through the following year-1881-after which it mushroomed.

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{NOTES from K.Davis:}
This should read Donat Seger family not Leopold Seger family.

It is family legend that there was a fire at a family owned brewery in Chicago. Also, that after relocating to Omaha they owned another brewery that burned under suspicious circumstances. The legend was that competitors caused the fires and that after the fire in Omaha Donat decided to go to Atkinson and claim a homestead.

There is evidence that Henry John Seger was born 31 Aug 1871 in Long Grove, Lake Co, Illinois. Max Joseph Seger also seems to have been born in Lake Grove, Lake Co on 16 Aug 1873. The Great Chicago Fire was in October 1871, therefore it would seem that the family had left Chicago sometime before the Great Fire.

The Donat Seger Family - from "The Stuart Centennial"

Donatus Seger Family
Stuart Centennial, A One Hundred Year History of Stuart, Nebraska (1884-1984)
This publication and others about the Stuart Nebraska area and people are available for purchase from:The Stuart White Horse Museum

page 333 and 334
On Sept 26,1828, Donatus Seger was born in Friesenheim (Baden) Germany. He married Margaret Sontag (born 1830) of Luxemburg.

They left their homeland to come to America in 1851 settling in Chicago, Illinois. There Donatus and Margaret lived for 28 years. They had 6 children; Leopold (Oct 31,1856), Jennie (1865), Donatus (1867), Paul (May 21, 1869) and John H (Aug 1871). The last child Max, (1873) was born in Long Grove, Ill.

Leopold Seger was born in Chicago, the eldest son of Donatus and Margaret. In 1878 Leopold made a westward trek by covered wagon over the plains of Iowa and Nebraska with his parents, four brothers and one sister. They stopped in Omaha, Nebraska, where they worked in a meat market.

However, in just two years, the Seger family again traveled further west, looking for a place called Atkinson, Nebraska, where land was available for homesteading. Their well used covered wagon was drawn by a team of oxen with one cow being prodded along behind the wagon.

On April 1,1880 they came at last to a few buildings standing grey against the horizon. One son, Paul, was sent to inquire the whereabouts of Atkinson. To their surprise, they had finally arrived at their destination. The long, dusty trip over, the Segers homesteaded about 5 miles west and 1 mile north of the small Atkinson settlement. In just 2 years, 1882, this small town beginning was to become incorporated as a township.

Working hard to prove their homesteader’s deed, the Segers fought to tame the Nebraska soil. Some of the boys even helped friends on neighboring farms.

Margaret Sontag Seger died on Oct 28,1894, and was buried in the Atkinson Cemetery. Donatus then made his home with his son, Donatus, and wife, Josephine. He died Oct 27,1909, and was buried in the St Joseph Catholic Cem, Atkinson, Nebraska. Of him it was said, “He was a man who united sound sense with strong convictions, and a candid, outspoken temper, eminently fitted to mould the rude elements of pioneer society into form and consistency, and aid in raising a high standard of citizenship in our young and growing state.”

Continued:

1. John Leopold Seger - from "The Stuart Centennial"


2. The John "Jack" Seger Family - from "The Stuart Centennial"


3. The William James Seger Family - from "The Stuart Centennial"


4. The Max J Seger Family - from "The Stuart Centennial"

Donat Seger - Naturalized citizen

Naturalization Record, Holt Co Nebraska
14 Dec 1885

United States of America
The State of Nebr
Holt County
Be it remembered, that at a term of the District Court holden in and for said county in O'Neill therein on the 14th day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighty five, was present the Honorable A W Post sole presiding judge, Ed Hershiser sheriff of said county and John McBride, clerk of said court, when the following, among other proceedings, were had, to wit: Donat Seger, a native of Germany and at present residing within said State, appeared in open Court, and made application to be admitted to become a citizen of the United States, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that he had declared on oath, before the Clerk of the Circuit court of Cook County State of Illinois, a court of record having common law jurisdiction, and using a seal, two years at least before his admission, that is was bona-fide his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever, and particularly to the Emperor of Germany of whom he was heretofore a subject and said applicant having declared on oath, before this court, that he will support the Constitution of the United States, and that he doth absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign Prince,Potentate, State or Soverignty whatsoever, and particularly to the Power above named; the Court being satisfied that said applicant has resided within the United States for the term of five years next preceding his admission, without being at any time during the said five years out of the Territory of the United States, and within this State one year at least; and it further appearing to the satisfaction of this Court, that during that time he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same;

Whereup it is ordered by the Court, that the said Donat Seger be and he is hereby admitted to become a citizen of the United States.

In Testimony whereof, I, John McBride clerk of the court aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court, at my office in O'Neill, Nebr in said County, Dec 14th, 1885.

Signed John McBride, Clerk of the District Court

Donat Seger Home - Atkinson Nebraska

Then
and Now
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Photos courtesy of Paul Seger, Atkinson NE
This is the home of Donat Seger and Margaret Sontag Seger located at Atkinson Nebraska. After Donat's death their son John lived in the home until he passed away.

E-Mail dated 5 Jul 2005 from Paul Seger: I think the house was built by Donat. As I recall he died in this home. My dad said that he built the house across the street from my grandfather Paul P Seger. His son was named John. He may have inherited the house. It is still there. As I told you I once owned the house about ten years ago. That is about as much as I know about the house. Paul

Donat Seger - Census Reports

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1860-Federal Census
Illinois, Cook Co, Chicago 9th Ward
Enumerated 31 July 1860
Dwelling #787 Family #992
▪ Donl Segar, age 31, Laborer RE value 1000, Personal value 200, born Baden
▪ Margt Segar, age 27, female, born Luxumbourg
▪ Leopold Segar, age 3, male, born ILL
▪ Joseph Segar, age 3/2., male, born ILL

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1870-Federal Census, Illinois, Cook Co, Chicago 19 Ward
Siegel, Donalt, age 41, male, white, works in /brewery, real estate value 5000, born ILL (note: errors in spelling)
▪ Siegel, Margaret, age 40, female, white, keeps house, born ILL
▪ Siegel, Leopold, age 13, male, white, at school, born ILL
▪ Siegel, Johanna, age 5, female, white, at school, born ILL
▪ Siegel, Donat, age 3, male, white, born ILL
▪ Siegel, Joseph, age 15, male, white, worker in Brewery, born Germany (note: nephew)
▪ Siegel, Paul, age 1, male, white, born Germany

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1880-Federal Census, Nebraska, Holt Co, Atkinson
Roll 750 pg 492D
▪ Donett Sigar, self, married, male, white, age 52, born Germany, farmer, father born Germany, mother born Germany
▪ Margret Sigar, wife, married, female, age 52, born Germany, farmer, father born Germany, mother born Germany
▪ Jennie Sigar, dau, single, female, white, age 15, born Illinois, farmer, father born Germany, mother born Germany
▪ Donett Sigar, son, single, male, white, age 11, born Illinois, farmer, father born Germany, mother born Germany
▪ John Sigar, son, single, male, white, age 8, born Illinois, father born Germany, mother born Germany
▪ Max Sigar, son, single, male, white, age 7, born Illinois, father born Germany, mother born Germany

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1900-Federal Census, Nebraska, Holt Co, Atkinson
▪ Donat listed with Donat, Jr.

Donatus Seger Obituary

Atkinson Graphic, Oct 29, 1909
IN MEMORIAM
Donatus Seger was born in Friesenheim, Baden, Germany Sept 26,1828, died at his home near Atkinson, Nebr Oct 1909, aged 81 years 1 month and 2 days.

Mr Seger came to America in 1851 settling in Chicago, Ill, where he remained for a period of 28 years, going from there to Omaha, Nebr, where he resided nearly two years, coming to Holt County in 1880 and abided here until the time of his death.

He leaves five sons, Leopold, Donat, Paul, John, and Max and one dau, Jennie, now Mrs John Baumann, his partner in life having preceded him to the permanent home in 1894.

All the care and love that skilled physicians and an anxious household could devise and apply for his comfort and assistance were brought into play, but the fiat of Him who rules our incomings and outgoings had been issued and at the early morning hours the sufferer’s spirit took its flight to that home the Christian believes is the fulfillment of the life everlasting.

He was a man who united sound sense with strong convictions, and a candid, outspoken temper, eminently fitted to mould the rude elements of pioneer society into form and consistency, and aid in raising a high standard of citizenship in our young and growing state. How much this community owes him and such as he, it is impossible to estimate, though it would be a grateful task to trace his influence through some of the more direct channels, to hold him up in these degenerate days in his various characters of husband and father, of neighbor and friend, to speak of the sons and dau he has reared to perpetuate his name and emulate his virtues. But it comes not within the scope of this brief article to do so suffice it to say, he lived nobly and died peacefully at the advanced age of 81 years. The stern Reaper found him, as a shock of corn, fully ripe for the harvest.

Not for him be our tears! Rather let us crown his grave with garlands; few of us will live as long or as well, and fewer yet will the Angel of Death greet with such a loving touch.

Funeral services will be held this (Friday) morning at 10 o’clock at St Joseph’s Catholic Church and interment at their cemetery west of town.



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Grave markers at St Josephs Cemetery, Atkinson Nebraska

The Seger Farm - Public Sale

Atkinson Graphic, March 25, 1910

Public Sale
We will sell at public auction, 5 miles northwest of Atkinson and 5 1/5 miles east of Stuart, on Tuesday, March 29, 1910, the following described property:

42 Head of Cattle: Consisting of 20 cows, all good milkers, 7 fresh now balance coming fresh; 6 two year old heifers; 4 yearling heifers; 4 yearling steers; 7 calves coming yearlings; Shorthorn bull, with pedigree.

14 Horses: Mare ? years, weight 1400, in foal; mare 10 years, weight 1300; mare 8 years, weight 800; stallion, 7 years, weight 1400; mare colt coming 3; 2 mare colts coming 2; male coming yearling; colt coming yearling; bay horse, weight 1100; pony mare, 7 years, in foal; mare coming 4 years; horse colt coming 3 years old.

12 head of shoats

Miscellaneous: Header, push sweep, 2 mowers, 12 ft rake, 2 riding listers, corn planter, riding plow, riding cultivator, 2 two-row Badger, cultivators, two-row Swede cultivator nearly new, John Deere one-row disc, endgate seeder, Ideal feed grinder, and power combined with ear corn attachment nearly new, corn sheller, threesection harrow, 3 buggies, 3 wagons, 3 sets work harness, single harness, 2 bob sleds, walking cultivator, riding cultivator, platform scales, two breaking plows, scraper, well boring outfit, 800 bushels corn and other articles too numerous to mention.

Terms: All sums of $10.00 and under cash. On sums over $10.00 a credit of 10 months will be given approval security notes to draw 10 per cent interest.

Sale begins at 10 o’clock

Lunch at noon.

N. D. Seger
Paul Seger
J.R. Jarvis, Auctioneer
P. H. Swingley, Clerk

Donat's nieces and nephews

When Donat first arrived in the United States an uncle, Josef Seger, and an aunt, Magdalena Seger Braun, were residing in the Chicago area, having immigrated in the mid 1840's.

Donat settled near his uncle Joseph, married Margaret Sontag, and started their family.

In 1864 Donat returned to Germany for the purpose of bringing his parents and his 9 year old nephew, Joseph Frank Seger, to Chicago.

Donat's father, Leopold Seger, was a brother to the aunt and uncle mentioned above. Leopold Seger and his wife Eleanora Glaser Seger died at Chicago.

Joseph Frank Seger stayed with the family until they arrived at Omaha Nebraska. When Donat removed his family to Atkinson Nebraska Joseph stayed at Omaha where he married and started his own family.

In the late 1880's another nephew and two nieces immigratedto the United States and settled in the Atkinson area.

Niece Anna Maria Seger married Jacob Kramer and about 1903 immigrated to Alberta province Canada.

Niece Sophie Seger is believed to have first settled in the Atkinson area. When the wife of her brother Joseph Frank Seger died leaving four young sons Sophie went to Omaha to help care for the children. While there she married Joseph Koltenbronn They removed to his home in Montana where their children were born. The family removed to Alberta Prov. Canada before 1920 and then returned to the US before 1930 settling at Sumner Washington where Sophie and Joseph died and are buried.

Donat's nephew, Leopold Albert Seger, settled in the Atkinson/O'Neil area, married, had several children. His wife died. It is family legend that he adopted out the children to a jeweler in New York. It is known that he returned to Friesenheim Germany where he died in 1938.

Leopold Albert Seger (born 1861) and Donat’s son John ‘Leopold’ (born 1865) were close in age and lived in the same area. Information about Leopold Albert is sometimes erroneously applied to Donat's son John 'Leopold'. The existence of Leopold Albert Seger is not well known to the descendents of Donat contributing to the confusion.

More about the nieces, nephews, aunt and uncle of Donat can be accessed via the sidebar entries "Links to the Immigrants"
Karen Ashley-Davis