Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
RUDOLPH STEURY. It does not take one of a contemplative turn of mind long to determine why those who come from the fine little Republic of Switzerland and settle on American soil always prosper. It is due to many causes, but largely to the fact that they have inherited qualities of grit, determination, industry and economy and partly because they have been reared under laws similar to our own, Thus we find them to be, almost without exception, excellent and law-abiding citizens, loyal to our flag and institutions, and home builders and willing to help better the general public conditions of their locality. One such is Rudolph Steury, a farmer of Wilson township, Greene county.
Mr. Steury was born n Switzerland, November 23, 1851. He is a son of Peter and Barbara Steury, also natives of that country, where they grew to maturity, were educated in the common schools, married and settled on a farm near Interlacken, and there they continued husbandry until 1872, when the family immigrated to the United States. To these parents seven children were born, all surviving but one and living in the United States, namely: Peter resides at Ozark, Christian county, Missouri; John lives in Greene county; Barbara is deceased; Rudolph, of this sketch; Mrs. Maggie Koenig lives in Nebraska; Mrs. Elizabeth Decker, of Springfield; Mrs. Anna Knelle is a resident of Kansas City. These children grew up on the farm and received common school advantages.
Rudolph Steury spent his boyhood days on the farm in Switzerland, where it was necessary for him to work hard most of the year, assisting in supporting the family. During the winter months he attended the common schools of his community and got a limited education. When seventeen years of age he went to the French locality in his native land, known as Canton Wadt, and remained there until he was about twenty years of age, then returned home, but in March, 1871, went to Thun, Switzerland, where he worked until the summer of 1872, when he accompanied the rest of the family to America. They came straight to Greene county, Missouri, and settled on a farm, which is now occupied by our subject. Here the father purchased eighty acres of which he made a good farm and lived comfortably until his death, which occurred in 1904. The mother preceded him to the grave in 1900. Our subject had purchased land adjoining the home place prior to the death of the father, and after that occurred he took over the homestead. He has kept the place well improved and well cultivated, the residence and other buildings properly remodeled land he has a valuable and desirable farm, carrying on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Steury was married March 12, 1878, to Emma Fassnacht, a daughter of Conrad and Christina (Haas) Fassnacht, both now deceased. She was born in Michigan, in the year 1860, and spent the early part of her girlhood in that state. She received her education in the public schools here, having been about eight years old when her parents brought her to Greene county, Missouri, the family locating on a farm, on which the parents spent the rest of their lives. Three children were born to them, namely; Edward, who lives in Campbell township, this county; Emma, wife of our subject; and John who is a resident of Campbell township.
Eight children have been born to our subject and wife, named as follows: Will R., John E., Anna L. is deceased; Mrs. Emma McComis, Minnie M. is at home, Frank is at home, Christina is deceased, and Edward is with his parents.
Mr. Steury is a member of the Lutheran Protestant church, and his wife is a Catholic.
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