Albert Friedrich Wilhelm Grimm (pseudonyms Alfred Ira / E
. J. Freund / E. Stern) was born January 18, 1864, in Petershagen, Pomerania, [Pomorskie, Poland]. In 1870, he immigrated with his parents to the United States, sailing aboard the Reichstag from Hamburg. After landing in New York, the family settled in Wisconsin. In 1881, Albert Grimm entered Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, graduating in 1888. That same year he married Mathilde Auguste Moldenhauer Grimm (14 Apr 1869, Pella, Shawano County, Wisconsin – 9 Nov 1936, Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin). He then accepted a call to serve as Pastor in Oak Grove, Illinois. In 1891 he accepted a call to Peace Lutheran Church, Antigo, Wisconsin.
He published several short stories in German-American periodicals, including Die Abendschule and Die Glocke, and approximately 50 dialogues in English and German for Lutheran youth organizations. Author of Das Collegium Fratrum. Die Geschichte seiner Gruendung, seiner Glieder und seines Wirkens auf den Seminaren zu Fort Wayne, St. Louis, und Springfield, von Confrater Alfred Ira. [Also cited as: Das Collegium Fratrum. Die Geschichte einer Studentenverbindung.]
In 1919, Albert resigned from the ministry to take over his deceased son’s position as manager of the Antigo Publishing Company. Under the pen-name Alfred Ira he wrote novels and short stories; as E. J. Freund he wrote church plays and recitations; and as E. Stern he composed and arranged choral and band music. Grimm’s writings in German and Low German dialect offer a unique depiction of life in the German-immigrant communities of Northern Wisconsin.
Albert Grimm died on 12 March 1922.
Works: Gotthold, eine Erzaehlung aus dem Seelsorgerleben (vol. I, St. Louis, 1897; vol. II, Antigo, 1899), Das Stiefmuetterchen (Antigo, 1898), Seile der Liebe (Antigo, 1900), Des Pastors Nachlass, 2 vols. (1900), Der Missionsplatz, eine Erzaehlung aus der kirchlichen Missionstaetigkeit im Staate Wisconsin (Antigo, 1902), Liebe (Antigo, 1903), Der falsche Prophet (Antigo, 1905), Das Saegemuehldorf (Antigo, 1907), Gotthold I; Gotthold II; Im Zuckerbusch, 2 vols (1909), Aus der alten Kaffeemuehle (1911), Sommerfaeden (1913), Unter dem Apfelbaum; Bilder aus dem Reisepredigerleben (1913), Der Prachtjunge (St. Louis, n.d.), Wenn man’s gut meint (1915), Ehrwuerdiger Nudel (1917), Dodai (1921), Unter uns (1921), Ehrwuerdens-Vereine (1922).
See also: Concordia Historical Institute, Albert Friedrich Wilhelm Grimm Papers: Collection ID-0363
