Katherina Seifert Debus Diaries

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-570

Scope and Contents

The Katherina Seifert Debus papers consist of a photocopied diary kept by Katherina. The diary was written entirely in German from 1890 to 1914. The document was translated into English for inclusion in the publication In the Beginning, Hebron, North Dakota, 1876-1912 written by Jane Berg and Kathy Elmer. The Department holds this book in its North Dakota Book Collection. The diary was loaned for duplication by Walter G. Klick of Hebron, on April 21, 1980.

Dates

created: 1890-1914
Other: Date acquired: 05/13/1980

Creator

Debus, Katherina Seifert (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

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Katherina Seifert was born on March 7, 1857 in Baden, Germany. She married Rev. August Debus in August 1881, in Three Oaks, Michigan. Rev. Debus was born in 1854, in Lahr, Germany. In 1881, they moved to Indiana, where Rev. Debus served a congregation in Urbana and Wabash. In 1886, he answered a call in Hebron, North Dakota. They lived in Hebron for thirty seven years and were very active in both church and local affairs. Katherina acted as organist for the church from 1886 to 1910, while also teaching local girls the fundamentals of music, sewing and handicrafts. In addition to his responsibilities as pastor, Rev. Debus also taught in the German school for at least four months a year, from 1886 to 1910. As part of his German religious education, Rev. Debus also acquired medical training and contributed these skills to the Hebron community. In 1923, Rev. Debus retired, and he and Katherina moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Rev. Debus died on January 12, 1928, in Fort Lauderdale. Katherina Seifert Debus died on April 21, 1928, also in Fort Lauderdale.

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