Christian Stephan Wein

     Christian Stephan Wein was born on 28 October 1859 at Botenheim, Oberamt Brackenheim, Neckarkreis, Württemberg.¹ He was the son of Christian Gottlieb Wein and Christine Beilharr.¹ Christian Stephan Wein married, at age 28, Emma Linck, age 19, daughter of Erhard Linck and Ursula Hengstler, on Sunday, 1 April 1888 at Butler, Day County, South Dakota.¹ Christian Stephan Wein died on 25 March 1939 at Butler, Day County, South Dakota, at age 79 years, 4 months and 25 days.¹
     The anniversary announcement for Christian Stephan Wein and Emma Linck was published sometime in April 1938 in the local paper, printed in Butler, Day County, South Dakota. This announcement stated:

     FOR FIFTY YEARS LIVING IN WEDDED BLISS - NOTHING IN LIFE THEY FOUND AMISS
They Came To The County Years Ago - And Joyous Life Was Their's To Know

     More than 150 friends, neighbors and relatives called at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Wein of Butler on Friday afternoon, to extend their congratulations of their fiftieth wedding anniversary at an informal open house, at which all were served a light lunch.

     Mr. Wein is a retired farmer, having moved to Butler from the old homestead in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Wein were both born in Germany. Mrs. Wein came to America from Balingen, Wurttemburg in June, 1885. She spent 1½ years in New York, coming to Dakota Territory in 1886. Mr. Wein came to America from Botenheim, Wurttemburg, in December, 1883. He spent one year in Columbus, Ohio coming west to Dakota Territory in the year 1883. Mr. Wein was a member of the German Army 4th Infantry, Registry No 122-3rd Co. of Ludvigburg. Clips from the Bristol Independent of 50 years ago, carries word of the happy Easter Sunday marriage of Christ Wein and Emma Link. Rev. Hartke of Big Stone City officiated. The wedding occurred at the home of August Petrich, Sr., now deceased.

     The land office in the early days was located Watertown, and by oxen Mr. Wein made the trip to file his first citizenship papers and file a claim on his homestead, in the year 1885. Three years later, 1888, the couple began home keeping two miles north of what is now the town of Butler.

     This highly esteemed couple are the parents of eight children, all of whom are living and who were all born on the old homestead. Those living in or near Butler are Mrs. Rosa Schmidt, Henry C., Eddie, Mrs. Rex Batie, Ida, and Adolph, who is living on the old homestead. William of Seattle, Washington, and Julius of Whiting, Ind. were unable to be present on this happy occasion.

     Among old friends who were here to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Wein and who were present at their wedding 50 years ago were Sam Buhler of Webster, Jacob Buhler and Mrs. John Vehe of Bristol, and Will Buhler of Butler.

     The rooms were beautifully decorated with gold and white streamers and flowers.

     Mr. and Mrs. Wein entertained their children and grand children at a three course dinner at noon. A three tier wedding cake graced the center of the table.

     At 8 o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Wein were guests of their sons and daughters at a reception in the Evangelical church basement in Butler.¹ His obituary was published sometime in March 1939 in the Reporter and Farmer, printed in Webster, Day County, South Dakota. His obituary stated:

     Funeral services were held Tuesday at Butler Evangelical church for Christian Stephan Wein, of Butler, who passed away at the age of 79 years, four months and 25 days.

     Pall bearers were: Sam Buhler, August Petrich, G. P. Essington, Frank Bohn, Frank Buhler and Ed Buhler. Honorary pall bearers were: Herman Bohn, Jacob Buhler, William Buhler, Charles Deuschle, L. J. Espeland and E. D. Richards. Interment was made at Prairie Mound cemetery at Butler.

     Rev. C. M. Bergland officiated at the ceremony and a men's quartet consisting of Marvin Luckow, Iver Berg, L. Schroyer and Reuben Ihrke furnished the music.

     Christian Stephan Wein was born on October 28, 1859 in Brackenheim of Botenheim (Botenheim), Wurttemberg, Germany. He came to the United States in 1883 and was at Columbus, Ohio for about 1½ years when he then came to Dakota Territory in 1885.

     On April 1, 1888 he was united in marriage to Emma Link of Bristol and following their marriage, they lived on a homestead 1½ miles north of Butler, until 1917 when they moved to Butler.

     The deceased was a retired farmer and belonged to the Evangelical Church of Butler. He was also a member of the town board for many years and a charter member of the Methodist church of Butler. He was a respected pioneer and was always cheerful, hardworking, never complaining of his illness.

     The cause of his death was complications of old age. He had been in poor health for about 2½ years. He is survived by his widow, three daughters, and five sons; Rosa, Mrs. Schmidt of Butler; William of Seattle, Wash; Henry of Garden City; Edward of Webster; Julius of Whiting, Indiana; Esther, Mrs. Rex Batie of Butler; Ida of Butler, and Adolph of Butler, one brother Gottfried of Germany and one sister [Maria], Mrs. William Hermann also of Germany, besides a host of friends and other relatives.¹