NOTE: Several entries are partial clippings with incomplete information. I will attempt to find the entire obituary and update when possible.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 4, 1932
KORTE--Death of Mrs. Korte -- Mrs. Christina Korte, 76, member of a pioneer Nebraska family, a resident of Colfax and Platte counties during the past 59 years, died at her home, 2202 Twentieth street, at 11:45 p.m. Sunday. She had been suffering with diabetes and complications during the last two years, her condition becoming critical two weeks ago, when she became bedfast. A native of Germany she was born on Feb. 4, 1855, in the province of Mechlenberg-Schwerin. In 1873 she migrated to the United States with her parents, the last Mr. and Mrs. John Barner and located on a farm in Colfax county near Schuyler. Her marriage to William Korte was solemnized at the Evangelical Lutheran church on Loseke creek on Sept. 24, 1880, Rev. Ernst A. Frese officiating at the ceremony. They established their home on a farm 12 miles northwest of Schuyler in the Bissel neighborhood, where Mr. Korte's death occurred in 1896. In 1911, Mrs. Korte left the farm and moved into Columbus, where she has since resided. She is survived by two sons and six daughters: Adolph Korte, Carl W. Korte, Mrs. Johannes Behrens, Mrs. J. P. Hunteman, Miss Rose Korte, Mrs. Alfred Plugge and Mrs. Adolph Hoge, jr., all of Columbus, and Mrs. William F. Loseke, of Monroe. Another daughter, Mrs. George Loseke, died in 1910. There are 24 grandchildren and 12 great grand-children. Mrs. Korte, a devout member of the Lutheran faith, was a charter member of St. John's church, 15 miles northeast of Columbus, and also of Trinity Lutheran church here. The body will lie in state at the Gass Funeral home until Tuesday evening, when it will be removed to the Korte residence. A brief prayer service will be held at the home at 1 p.m. Wednesday preceding services at Trinity Lutheran church at 1:30 o'clock. Rev. Herman Goede, the pastor, will officiate there, and will also have charge of the rites at Calvary cemetery near St. John's church, where burial will be made beside the body of Mr. Korte.KUSEK--Mother Dies - Mrs. Joe Kusek, of Ord, mother of John and Adam Kusek of Columbus, died at her home there at 10 a.m. today, according to word received by her sons. Mrs. Kusek, who was 69 years of age, had been ill with cancer for the past six months and had been bedfast most of that time. Funeral services will be held at Ord at 10 a.m. Thursday. John and Adam Kusek will go to Ord Tuesday and remain until after the funeral. Mrs. Kusek is survived by her husband, five sons and five daughters, Mike, Andrew and Joe, of Elyria; John and Adam of Columbus; Mrs. John Michalak, Omaha; Mrs. Henry Flakus, Mission, S.D.; Mrs. John Zulkoski, Mrs. James Iwanski, Elyria; and Mrs. Joe Knopek, Comstock.
LUEDTKE--MRS. ANNA LUEDTKE, FORMER WELL KNOWN CRESTON WOMAN, DIES
Succumbs at Rochester, Minn., Following Second Operation; Funeral at Creston Next Thursday
Creston, Jan. 4 (Special to The Telegram) - Mrs. Anna Luetke, of Belle Plaine, Ia., former prominent Creston woman, died shortly after noon yesterday at Rochester, Minn., where she has been critically ill since an operation performed 10 days ago. Although Mrs. Luedtke had been in failing health the past two years, she had not been confined to her bed until the latter part of November when she went to Rochester to undergo an operation. Ten days ago she underwent the second operation from which she could not rally.
A member of one of the prominent pioneer families of this community, Anna Graham, daughter of Edward T. and Laura B. Graham was born in this community and grew to womanhood here. She was married to Herman Luedtke in June, 1907. They established their home in Creston and were active in the business and social life of the town. Three children were born to them--Lois, Ilene and Milan, all of whom survive. Mr. Luedtke died in 1918 during the flu epidemic.
Mr. Luedtke was president of the Citizens State bank at the time of his death, and Mrs. Luedtke served as vice-president of that institution until five years ago when she disposed of her holdings and moved with her family to Belle Plaine, Ia. She purchased stock in a bank there and together with her son, Milan, has been active in the management of its affairs. Mrs. Luedke was a member of the Woman's club, the Kensington and the Guild of the Presbyterian church while residing in Creston. She displayed a keen interest in all community affairs and served at one time as a member of the school board.
Besides her three children she is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Clarence Galbraith, of Beemer; Mrs E.H. Farnsley, of Creston, and Mrs. S.E. Ewing, of Lincoln, and three brothers, James and Marshall, of Lander, Wyo., and Elmer Graham, of Creston.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at Belle Plaine and Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian church here with burial in the Creston cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 6, 1932
LINVINGSTON--Leon Livingston Dies - Leon Livingston, 2-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Livingston, died at the family home on Twenty-seventh avenue and Sixth street at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday. The babe had been in delicate health since his birth on Dec. 14, 1929. Funeral services will be held at the home at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and burial will be made in the Columbus cemetery. Rev. W.H. Talmage will officiate.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 7 (?), 1932
BOROWIAK--Mrs. Martin Borowiak Dies – Following a lengthy illness, Mrs. Martin Borowiak, 63, who resides on route 5, south of the city, passed away at 11 a.m. yesterday at St. Mary’s hospital, where she had been removed to Wednesday night when her condition became serious. As Celia Korus, she was born on Nov. 30, 1898, near Platte Center, where she lived with her parents on a farm, until her marriage to Martin Borowiak on May 2, 1923. Since her marriage she has been living on route 5, south of the city. Besides her husband she is survived by one daughter, Elaine, 7, and one son, Bernard, 3; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Korus of Platte Center; three sisters, Mrs. Charles Kaipust, and Miss Mary Korus, of Platte Center, and Ven. Sr. M. Clarinda, in the Dominican convent at Faribault, Minn., and two brothers, Andrew and Frank Korus of Platte Center. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m,. Monday in St. Anthony’s church with Rev. Fr. Casimir, pastor, officiating. The body was taken to the W.J. Wass residence at 1604 Seventh street, this afternoon, where it will lie in state until the time of the funeral. Burial will be made in the Catholic cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 8 (?), 1932
BOYD--Death of Mrs. Samuel Boyd – Friends here have received word of the death of Mrs. Samuel Body, 77, pioneer resident of the Creston community, which occurred at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday at her hone in Omaha. She had been in failing health during the past year. Funeral service will be held in Omaha at 2 ... Thursday. She is survived by ...
The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 11, 1932
BRIARD--... NEAR CRESTON, DIES - Succumbs to Sudden Heart Attack While Seated in Chair at Home; Ill Two Years.
Creston, Jan. 11 – (Special to the Telegram) – D.R. Briard, 67, resident of Creston for nearly a quarter of a century, died suddenly at his home here at 9:30 a.m. today. Death resulted from a heart attack. He had been in failing health the past two years, suffering from hardening of the hardening of the arteries (sic). Mrs. Briard had gone to a neighbor’s to get som ...
The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 23, 1932
BURT--Mrs. Burt Dies – Mrs. Margaret E. Burt, 79, mother of the late Mrs. J.S. Bosserman died at St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Lincoln at 4:40 p.m. yesterday. She was born in Ohio, came to Nebraska in 1872 and was one of the first students attending the University of Nebraska. She was a sister of John Gillespie, who was instrumental in locating the capitol in Lincoln. Three sons survive. Mr. Burt was well known here, having frequently vis ...
The Columbus Daily Telegram, February 11 (?), 1932
BECKWITH--F. J. Beckwith Dies – Franklin J. Beckwith, former well known Platte county farmer, who had been making his home in recent years with his sons Walter and Clarence, at Huston, Ida., passed away there Saturday, Feb. 6. Word of his death was received here today in a brief letter to The Telegram from his daughter, Mrs. Pete Munter, of Marsing, Ida. Mr. Beckwith farmed for many years in vicinity of Silver Creek and then for seven or eight years resided in Oconee while he farmed a a piece of land about a mile west of the village. He was an ardent democrat and took an active part in the county council of the party during his residence in Platte county, serving as delegate to the county conventions and as a precinct committeeman. Mrs. Beckwith died in 1914 while they were living at Oconee; and about two years later, Mr. Beckwith left there, going first to Brown county where he spent several years; then to San Antonio, Tex., where his son Bert, resides, and later to Idaho. He was past 80 years of age at the time of his death. He leaves four sons and four daughters and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, February 12, 1932
BRAUN--REV. J.B. BRAUN, 89, PASSES AWAY; WAS MINISTER 53 YEARS. - Served as Pastor of Gruetli Reformed Church 34 years; Funeral Sunday
Rev. John Baptiste Braun, 89, former president of the Nebraska Classis of the German Reformed church, who devoted more that 53 years to the active missionary in that denomination and served for 34 years, prior to his retirement in 1923, as pastor of the Gruetli and Duncan congregations, passed away at his home, 1052 Twenty-first avenue, at 6:30 p.m. yesterday.
His death was due to complications incident to his advanced age. His health had been failing gradually during the last year. About five weeks ago he had a slight stroke but, after a day or two was again able to be up and about the house again until last week Thursday when he suffered a relapse that confined him to his bed and rendered his condition critical.
Born in Gengenheim, Baden, Germany, Nov 21, 1842, he was not yeat 14 years old when both of his parents died. An orphan, without financial means, but a brilliant student with an intense desire for knowledge, he worked his way through school and secured a splendid education. He became an accomplished linguist and was able to speak eight or nine languages.
After attending a theological school in Germany, he served for a time as a professor in the St. Chrishoma Theological school in Switzerland and later was graduated from an advanced course in the Geneva theological school. For a time he was assistant pastor of a Reformed church in Geneva. He wanted to take up missionary work in Africa, but there was no opening in that field in his church at that time, so in July, 1870, he came to America, to take the pastorate of a German Reformed church at Geiert, a rural settlement in Iowa.
On Sept. 23, 1870 at Prairie du Chien, Ia., he was formally ordained as a minster and on the same day was married to Miss Renee Nicolet. They had been sweethearts in Switzerland and had agreed upon his departure for America, that she would join him in the new country in about two months. When she started for America she traveled from Geneva to Paris on the last train that was run on that line during the Franco-Prussian war. French soldiers tore up the rails behind the train, fearing the Germans ... a German citizen at that time and his bride was a Swiss citizen of French parentage. They both became naturalized citizens of the United States a few years later.
After spending a year or more in Iowa, Rev. and Mrs. Braun went to Cleveland, O. where he served for a time as head of the Calvin Theological Institute. They then went to Huron, O. where he was pastor of the Reformed church and also served neighboring congregations.
In 1878 they came to Nebraska, Rev. Braun accepting a pastorate in Saunders county, where the village of Malmo is now located. After eight years there, they went to the Pacific coast and in the next three years he held pastorates successively at Portland, Albany, Ore., and Stockton, Cal.
Returning to Nebraska in the fall of 1809 [sic], he became pastor of the German Reformed chuch at Gruetli where he was destined to remain for the next 24 years, serving also at the same time, the Reformed congregation in Duncan, until he retired from the active ministry because of his advanced age in 1923, when he and Mrs. Braun, who had been his faithful helpmeet, not only in the home but in his church work throughout more than half a century, came to Columbus to make their home. In the active years of his ministry in Nebraska, Rev. Braun was president of the Nebraska Classis, the state organization of the German Reformed church, for approximately 25 years.
His was a life consecrated to the service of his God and his fellowmen, and he gave no thought to acquisition of material wealth. Never did he and Mrs. Braun permit considerations of personal comfort or convenience to interfere with this unselfish and devoted service. Many were the hardships that they endured with a smile, and more than once did Rev. Braun risk death itself in going about from one country charge to another during the early years of his ministry, first on foot and later, when their frugal savings permitted him to buy a horse, on horseback. For his first year of ministry in Iowa he received the munificent salary of $75, and out of that they paid their rent for the little congregation could not afford a parsonage. Several times while riding through the woods at night to serve rural congregations in Ohio he was thrown off and injured when his horse became frightened and ran away. One evening while crossing the end of Lake Erie afoot and alone in the winter to conduct a rural bible class he stepped into an airhole in the ice. An expert swimmer, he took off his clothes in the water, tossed them onto the ice and finally succeeded in climbing out to safety. Almost overcome from fatigue and exposure, he reached home at 4 a.m.
Beloved by the members of their congregations at Gruetli and Duncan, where they had served the community through the lean years of the early '90s when of crops there were scarcely any and the pastor’s salary consisted chiefly of voluntary gifts of vegetable and fruit which the farmers grew in their gardens and shared with their pastor and his family. Rev. and Mrs. Braun were tendered a big reception at the Gruetli church in September, 1920 in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary and his golden jubilee as a minister. Rev. Braun had been at Gruetli so many years that there were several families there for whom he had performed the marriage ceremonies for members of two generations and baptized and confirmed the members of the third generation. Nearly 450 members of the two congregations attended the reception and as a token of their esteem they presented Rev. and Mrs. Braun a purse of nearly $1,000.
Rev. Braun is survived by Mrs. Braun; two sons, Seth Braun, of Columbus, and Gideon Braun, residing 2 1/2 miles east of the city, and one grandchild, Ellen Elaine Braun. Two daughters passed away in childhood and one son, Samuel, died at the age of 23, in Hoskins, Neb.
Funeral services will be held in the Evangelical Protestant church of which Rev. J.H. Steger is pastor, at 2 p.m. Sunday. It is expected that a number of pastors of German Reformed churches in various parts of the state will be here to attend the rites and some of them will participate in the service. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, February 15, 1932
BRAUN--FUNERAL OF REV. J.B. BRAUN, 89, HELD HERE SUNDAY AFTERNOON - Evangelical Protestant Church Filled to Capacity by Friends Attending Last Rites
Funeral services for Rev. J.B. Braun, 89, whose death occurred at his home here Thursday evening and who was the last of the old pioneer ministers of the German Reformed denomination, not only in Nebraska, but also in the United States, were held at the Evangelical Protestant church at 2 p.m. yesterday, following a brief prayer service at the family home at 1:30 p.m.
Four ministers took part in the service. Rev. R. Birk, pastor of the German Reformed church at Sutton, a close personal friend of Rev. Braun for many years, conducted the service at the home and gave
Photo
REV. J. B. BRAUN
an eloquent address at the church. Rev. J.H. Steger, pastor of the Evangelical Protestant, gave the opening address at the church. Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the Federated church, gave a brief address, and Rev. C. Wm. Deglow who succeeded Rev. Braun as pastor of the Gruetli and Duncan congregations of the German Reformed church when the veteran pastor retired from the active ministry in 1923, conducted the altar service. Rev. H. H. Goede, pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, was also in attendence.
Several ministers of the Nebraska Classis of the German Reformed church residing at other points in ...
... by yesterday's snowstorm.
Members of the Evangelical Protestant choir sang several hymns.
Rev. Dumin, of Norfolk, president of the Nebraska Classis, sent a message shortly before the service that he had been taken severely ill and could not come. In his absence, Rev. Birk, on behalf of the Classis, expressed appreciation to the Evangelical Protestant congregation and Rev. Steger, through whose courtesy the funeral service was held in the church; to the choir, for providing the music, and to all others, who in sending flowers or in other manner had evidenced their kindness and sympathies.
Both the main auditorium and the parlor in the basement of the church were filled to capacity by the several hundred friends who gathered to attend the last rites. In anticipation of a large attendance, an amplifier had been installed so that the service could be heard by those in the church parlor as well as in the auditorium.
Among those in attendance were practically all of the members of the Gruetli and Duncan German Reformed church congregations of which Rev. Braun had served as pastor for 24 years prior to his retirement from the active ministry and the pallbearers were chosen from among the older members of these two congregations. They were Herman Ernst, sr., Sam Ernst and Mike Blaser, of Duncan; Arnold Lemp and George Tiaden, of Gruetli; John Blaser, sr. of Monroe; Hector Blaser and Otto Ernst of Columbus.
Burial was made in Columbus cemetery, where the burial service was conducted by Rev. Birk.
Rev. Braun who, as previously stated was the last of the pioneer ministers of the German Reformed church in this country, began his active ministry in the United States in 1870, and his service in Nebraska dates back to 1878. During the 34 years that he served as pastor at Gruetli and Duncan prior to his retirement in 1923, he officiated at 55 wedding, 60 funerals, 219 confirmations and 304 christenings of members of the two congregations. It was during his pastorate in 1917 that the new church building at Gruetli was erected, replacing the old one which had served the congregation there for many years. The Gruetli congregation was formed in 1869, one of the first German Reformed congregations in this part of the country. The venerable Nick Blaser, of Columbus, now 91 years old, is the only remaining charter member, and is believed to be the oldest member of the denomination in Nebraska.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, March 4, 1932
BEHRENS--David Behrens Dies – David Behrens 74, passed away at 6:30 p.m. yesterday at St. Mary’s Hospital, where he had been receiving medical treatment for two weeks. Death resulted from heart trouble and complication incident to advanced age. Prior to going to the hospital he had made his home at the county farm since Jan. 2, 1929. His health began to fail in December, and although not bedfast he was in a weakened condition. Before entering the county farm, he made his home in Creston. He is survived by a nephew Johanson Behrens, who lives north of the city. The body is at the McKown Funeral home. Definite funeral arrangements have not been completed.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, March 22, 1932
BARRELL [BURRELL: See headstone] JOHN BARRELL, CIVIL WAR VETERAN, PASSES AWAY AT AGE OF 87 - Had Lived in Columbus More Than 60 Years; Funeral to be Held Thursday, 2:30 p.m.
John Barrell, 87, veteran of the civil war and a resident of Columbus more that 60 years, passed away at 5 p.m. yesterday at his home, 1604 Eleventh street, following an illness of two years duration. He had been bedfast only the last week, but had been in feeble health for several years. Death was due to a complication of diseases incident to extreme age.
Born on Sept 11, 1844 near Milwaukee, Wis., Mr. Barrell came here a few years after being mustered out of the army at the end of the civil war. He had enlisted on Feb. 16, 1864 in Milwaukee, and had received his discharge on July 12, 1865.
In 1869 he came to Columbus from Wisconsin to make his home. Some years later, in the early 80’s while employed as a fireman and electrician in the Schroeder mill, it is said, he turned the switch which lighted the first electric light system in Columbus, the mill having installed the first light system which was purchased and enlarged about 10 years later by the H.J. Heinz Electric company.
For nearly 19 years, prior to about 1900, Mr. Barrell was employed as stationary engineer at the city waterworks plant where he had charge of the machinery. He then retired from active business endeavor and during the last three decades has been living quietly in retirement at his home on east Eleventh street.
Thoughout these later years he enjoyed daily walks whenever his health would permit and found much pleasure in daily chats with his old-time friends. He was for a great many years a member of Baker post No. 9, G.A.R., and now that he has passed away, Captain L.H. North is the only remaining member of the post, though there are also two other civil war veterans in Columbus – Dr. D.T. Martyn, sr. who was a member of a Grand Army post in Illinois but has never transferred his membership to the local post, and Sam Bell, sr., who is a veteran of the confederate army.
On June 6, 1895, Mr. Barrell was united in marriage to Miss Eldora Wiseman, of Columbus, who survives him. He leaves also one son by a former marriage, Clyde Barrel, of Zeigler, Ill., and a sister, Mrs. Diantha Wilkins of Cameron, Wis., neither of whom will be able to be here for the funeral.
The funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Gass chapel, and full military services will be held at the grave. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery. The body will lie in state at the Gass funeral home tomorrow and until the hour of the funeral Thursday.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, March 23, 1932br> GEO. L. LOOMIS, 82, DIES IN FREMONT
Dean of Sixth Judicial District Attorneys in Ill Health for Over Year
HELD IMPORTANT POSTS
Fremont, Mar. 23 (UP) - George L. Loomis, 82, dean of attorneys of the sixth judicial district of Nebraska, died here last night. He had been in failing health for more than a year.
Mr. Loomis, senior member of the firm of Loomis & Loomis, had been engaged in the practice of law here for 56 years. For 20 years he had served as president of the Dodge County Bar association.
The pioneer attorney's interests had been widely diversified. He was prominent in educational, political and club work in Fremont and held many important positions in various organization during his lifetime.
He was past state regent of the Sons of the American Revolution and past grand master of the Nebraska Odd Fellows.
For 28 years Loomis served as a director for Doane college, at Crete. He was a member of the Fremont board of education for 11 years and a former moderator of the Congregational church in Nebraska.
He represented this district during two terms in the house of representatives.
For seven years, during the administration of Woodrow Wilson, he served as collector of interest revenue, with headquarters at Omaha. He was chairman of the Nebraska democratic delegation to the Baltimore convention which nominated Wilson for president. At one time he was candidate for supreme court judge. He was one of the founders of the Commercial Law League of America.
Mr. Loomis was born at Harmoney, N.Y., Nov 28, 1849.
Surviving are his widow and six children: Floyd Loomis of Portland, Ore., Mrs. Fred Laird, of Fremont; Bayard Loomis, of Omaha, Zela H. Loomis, of Columbus, and Howard and Wayne Loomis, of Fremont.
Funeral services were tentatively arranged for 2 p.m. Friday at the First Congregational church with burial in Fremont.
---Z.H. Loomis, managing editor of the Columbus Daily Telegram, received word late last night of his father's death, and left, with Mrs. Loomis and their son, Laird, this morning for Fremont to remain until after funeral services have been held.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, March 29, 1932
KRAUSE--Miss Bertha Krause Dies - Miss Bertha Krause, 65, who had been an invalid for the last 40 years, passed away at 5:15 a.m. today at her home, 959 Twenty-second avenue. Her death resulted from a severe attack of heart disease with which she was stricken Sunday evening. Despite her affliction which rendered her bedfast for nearly four decades, she was always cheerful and enjoyed her many friends who called at her home frequently to visit with her. Exceptionally skillful at needlework, she devoted much of her time to making exquisite pieces of embroidery and other fancy-work. Prior to her invalidity, she was an active member of the Congregational church and through all the years has retained her membership, affiliating with the Federated church after the federation of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. Miss Krause was born on Nov. 12, 1866, in Mayville, Wis., and came to Columbus with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Krause, when she was eight years of age. Both her parents preceded her in death. Though alone at home after the death of her mother eight yeras ago, she continued to occupy the family residence, employing a housekeeper to take care of her. She is survived by two brothers, P.A. Krause, of Albion, and G.R. Krause, of Dell Rapids, S.D.; nine nephews and two nieces. She was a cousin of Joseph and Robert Krause and Mrs. Martin Albers of Columbus. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the home, Rev. Walter H. Riley, pastor of the Federated church, officiating. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery. Members of the Krause family requested today that friends do not send flowers.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, April 11, 1932
LACEY--Miss Bessie Lacey Dies - Miss Bessie Lacey, 80, who has been ill since Christmas day, passed away at her home 3320 Fifteenth street, at 10 a.m. today. Her death resulted from a complication of diseases incident to her advanced age. Miss Lacey had been in failing health for the last few years, and had been bedfast several weeks. During her last illness she was in Columbus hospital for about 10 days, returning to her home last Tuesday. Born in Cambridge, N.Y., on Mar. 10, 1842, Miss Lacey came to Nebraska when 20 years of age with her uncle, Joe Murdock, who went to Nance county, where he homesteaded. After a year there with her uncle and his family, Miss Lacey came to Columbus to make her home. Prior to 16 years ago, she ... (remainder not copied)
The Monroe News, April 21, 1932
STILLINGER--Mary Jane Harris, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Wiley Harris, was born in Boone County, September 3, 1877. She was united in marriage to Robert W. Stillinger in Monroe Nov. 11, 1897. They made their home on their farm near Boone for several years. They later made their home in Boone, Albion, St. Edward and Monroe, where Mr. Stillinger engaged in banking and the mercantile business. They resided in Oakland, Nebr., the last several years. Mrs. Stillinger is survived by her husband and two sons, Robert and Fred, of Monroe; three grandchildren, two brothers, Fred C., of Monroe, and Thomas H., of Boone; four sisters, Mrs. E.D. Jenkinson, Mrs. Elmer Noreen and Mrs Gorden Hill of Monroe, and Mrs. George Cumings, of St. Edward. Mrs. Stillinger was a devoted and faithful wife and mother. She was unusually kind and gentle, winning and holding as friends all who knew her. She united with the Presbyterian Church in St. Edward in early womanhood and transferred her membership to the Monroe Union Church where she retained membership until her death. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, 1 o'clock at the home of her sister, Mrs. Elmer Noreen, and 2 o'clock at the Monroe Union Church. Rev. H.E. Kramer was in charge. Burial was made in the St. Edward cemetery. Among those here from out of town to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Vick Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Nygreen, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Anderson, Mrs. Emil Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Noreen, Mrs. John Hammer, Bonnie Gustofson, and Harry Gustofson from Newman Grove; Mr. and Mrs. George Parrott, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parrott, and Mr. and Mrs Jack Stillinger from Albion.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 7, 1932
KUTA--Mrs. John Kuta Dies -- Mrs. John Kuta, 66, 3021 Seventh street, passed away at 4:50 p.m. yesterday at her home, following a two and a half months' illness, suffering from liver and gall-bladder trouble. She was bedfast most of the time during her last illness. As Katherine Stureck, she was born in Poland, in 1866, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stureck. At the age of 16 years she came to this country with her parents, coming directly to Columbus, where they established their home. When she was 20 years of age she was united in marriage to John Mimick, who died on July 3, 1914. To them were born nine sons--Peter, Mike, John, Frank, Thomas, Charles, Louis, Leo and Adam, all living in Columbus. In October 1915, she was married to John Kuta, of Columbus, who survives her. Mrs. Kuta was a devout member of the Catholic faith, and was a member of the Ladies Aid society of St. Anthony's church. Besides her husband, she is survived by her own sons; five step sons, Joe Mimick, of Columbus, Frank Kuta, John Kuta and Charles Kuta, of Columbus, and Andrew Kuta, of Tarnov; three step daughters, Mrs. Charles Sampeck and Mrs. Fred Hoffman, of Columbus, and Mrs. Jack Goff, of Cleveland, O.; one brother, John Stureck, of Columbus and four half-brothers, Charles Stureck, of Omaha, Joseph Stureck, of Elgin, Henry Stureck, of San Francisco, Calif., and Thomas Stureck, of Chicago. Funeral services will be held at 8 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony's Catholic church, with Rev. Fr. Casimir, pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in the Catholic cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 12, 1932
KOZIOL--INFECTION RESULTING FROM WOUND CAUSES DEATH TARNOV WOMAN -- Mrs. Katie Koziol, 76, Dies Following Two Weeks Illness; Funeral Friday
Tarnov, May 12 (Special to The Telegram)--Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at St. Michael's church here for the late Mrs. Katie Koziol, 76, who died at 7:40 Wednesday evening at her home here following a two week's illness. Burial will be made in the parish cemetery.
Death was caused by an infection resulting from a wound received when her hand was cut by a pitchfork while she was cleaning the chicken house on her farm two weeks ago.
Mary Piprecha, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Piprecha, was born in Poland where she grew to womanhood. Shortly after her marriage to Mr. Koziol, they came to this country to reside. Mr. Koziol died nine years ago. Two daughters, Mrs. Mary Gaver, of Omaha, and Mrs. Jacob Nosal, of Tarnov, and one son, Joe B. Koziol, of Tarnov, survive. A brother, Walter Piprecha, of Sioux City, and 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild, also survive.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 13, 1932
LIEBIG--Platte Center Girl Dies - Little Rita Ann Liebig, seven-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Liebig, _____ (not able to read due to date stamp) miles southeast of Platte Center, died at 10:40 p.m. yesterday at the family home. Her death was due to pneumonia, resulting from a severe cold she contracted last Friday. Born on Feb. 27, 1925, Rita Ann spent her entire life at the home of her parents, near Platte Center. She was attending the Catholic parochial school in Platte Center and was preparing for her first communion, which she was to receive on May 28. She was a member of the Guardian Angel society. Besides her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Joseph and Edward. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Michaels' Catholic church, with Rev. Fr. Leo Meinzer, pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in the parish cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 17, 1932
BLASER--Dies in Omaha – Mrs. Fred Blaser, 53, formerly of Columbus, passed away at 5 a.m. today at her home, 5338 North Twenty-fifth Street in Omaha, following a few days illness. She was taken ill last Friday, and although her condition was not regarded as serious, she was confined to her bed, because of a former illness. Her death was due to a heart attack. Last October, Mrs. Blaser underwent a serious operation for gall-bladder trouble, but had convalesced from that nicely and was apparently in the best of health, until she was taken ill last week. As Miss Elizabeth Schupbach, she was born Aug. 2, 1878, in Columbus, the daughter of the late David Schupbach, former mayor of Columbus, and Mrs. Schupbach, pioneer residents of this community. After she had finished her schooling, she began teaching school in the country, and later taught in the city schools, teaching in all, for a period of 12 years. She was then married on Aug. 2, 1909, in Columbus, to Fred Blaser, of Omaha. Following their marriage they went to Denver to live, where Mr. Blaser was engag . . . [remainder not copied]LANGLEY--Buried in Omaha - The body of Merle Clifford Langley, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Langley, of Warner, Utah, former Columbus residents, who died there May 12, was buried in Omaha yesterday morning. The funeral services were held at 9 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic church and burial was made in Holy Sepulcher cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 18, 1932
BLASER--HECTOR BLASER, SR., FORMER SUPERVISOR, DIES OF PNEUMONIA - Death Comes to Prominent Pioneer After an Illness of 10 Days - HAD LIVED IN PLATTE COUNTY FOR 63 YEARS
Hector Blaser, sr., 70, prominent pioneer farmer of Platte county and former chairman of the board of supervisors of which he was a member for 12 years, passed away at 9:30 a.m. today at his home, 654 Eighteenth avenue. His death was due to pneumonia and to heart trouble which had developed as a complication.
He was taken ill about 10 days ago and was bedfast the last week. A man of robust physique, he had enjoyed excellent health until last winter when he experienced a brief siege of influenza. Though he did not consider it serious and was soon up and about as usual, he never fully recovered from its effects.
Arrangements for the funeral have not been definitely made, pending word from relatives residing at Ellensburg, Wash., but it will be held at the Evangelical Protestant church, with Rev. J.H. Steger, pastor, officiating, probably on either Saturday or Sunday. The definite announcement will be made tomorrow. The body will lie in state at the Gass funeral home Thursday and Friday.
Lived Here 63 Years
Born in Aarwangen, Canton Berne, Switzerland, Feb. 3, 1862, Mr. Blaser livd in Platte county 63 years, having been a member of one of the early pioneer families of Swiss settlement at Gruetli.
He came to the United States with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Blaser, in 1867. They located first at Aurora, Ill., and then in the spring of 1869, came to Columbus, his father homesteading 105 acres of land along the south side of the Loup river 4 1/2 miles northwest of Duncan. There he grew to young manhood and there he continued to live until he retired from active farming and moved into Columbus 12 years ago.
At the death of his father in 1886, he took over the management of the farm, of which he later became the owner. He was the only son in a family of one boy and five girls.
On Sept. 13, 1888, he married Miss Ida Marti, a native of Switzerland. Their parents had been neighbors in the old country and her parents having died in the meantime, she had come to Gruetli with the Nick Blaser, sr., family when they had returned here from a visit to their former home in Switzerland in 1887.
Having achieved financial independence and increased their land holdings in that vicinity to 325 acres through years of industrious work on the farm and careful management, they moved into the city on Mar. 1, 1920. During their long residence on the farm, Mr. Blaser served for many years as a member of the school board in District 37.
Elected Supervisor
A life-long democrat, active in party circles in the county, Mr. Blaser was elected a member of the county board of supervisors from Dist. 6 & 7 in 1916 and served continuously in that capacity until January, 1931, with the exception of two years following the only defeat he ever experienced in a political race – in the republican landslide in the fall of 1920. He was chairman of the board in 1927 and 1928.
During his long and honorable career in public life he served his district and county to the best of his ability and devoted many days – holiday and Sundays – to work in the line of duty for which he did not receive remuneration.
Authority on Rivers
During his boyhood years along the Loup, Mr. Blaser bcame an expert swimmer and boatman and at one time in the early years when the old Loup bridge near Columbus was put out of commission by a flood, he operated a ferry temporarily. He came to know the characteristics of the Loup and Platte rivers as well as any other man in the territory and in later years was regarded as an authority on the subject.
While he was farming as a young man with his father, he and his father engaged, also, in bridge building and housemoving on a small scale as a sideline to fill in otherwise idle time on the farm, and they built and repaired many small bridges in Platte and adjoining counties. After retiring from the county board he did some independent contracting along this line and also in construction of rip-rapping along the rivers that he knew so well. Otherwise, he divided (his time) between his garden at home and his farm. Incidentally, he built bridges in Pawnee park f__ the park board a few years ago.
For many years while farming, Mr. Blaser operated a sawmill __ the Loup river. He bought and sold the same mill several times, finally discontinuing it about __ years ago. He also owned ___ the first steam threshing maching in Platte county and operated __ an outfit for many years, ___ing threshing jobs each y___ quite an extensive territory. __ a skilled mechanic, always ___ his own repair work and ___ smithing and it was said ___ that he never encountered a ___ job that he couldn't fix.
Talented Musician
Though perhaps many of his aquaintances of later years ___ know it, his friends of the ___ years knew him, also, as a talented musician. In his boyhood, he learned to play the violin" ___" without lessons, and for many ___ he and his "fiddle" were ___ sights at country dances in the Gruetli neighborhood. He was a lover of music, and played also the cornet, bass viol and harmonica. For some years he was cornetist in the Duncan Swiss band.
Throughout the years before he came to Columbus he was a devout member of the Gruetli Reformed church of which his father was one of the founders, and after he moved into the city he became an active member of the Evangelical Protestant church.
Modest and unassuming, ___ly man whose word was ___ as a bond, possessed of an_____ religious faith, he was also an inherent optimist, always seeing the bright side of life and _____ greeting his friends and acquaintances with a smile. ____ Hector Blaser.
Surviving member of his immediate family are Mrs. Blaser, their four sons and one daughter--Mrs. Chalres Schmimd, __ grade; John and Hector, ___ Gruetli; Sam, of Belgrade, and R. Blaser, of Columbus. ___ Otto, passed away in 19___. He leaves also one sisters, Mrs. ___ Ernst, of Schyler, and ____ children.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 23, 1932
BLASER--THRONG ATTENDS LAST RITES IN MEMORY OF HECTOR BLASER, SR. - Funeral of Prominent Pioneer held at Ev. Protestant Church, With Burial in Gruetli Cemetery
The funeral of Hector Blaser, sr., 70, prominent Platte county pioneer and former chairman of the county board of supervisors, whose death last Wednesday resulted from pneumonia and heart trouble was held Sunday afternoon, with services at the Evangelical Protestant church at 2 p.m., preceded by a prayer service at the family home, 654 Eighteenth avenue, at 1:30 p.m. Rev J.H. Steger, pastor of the
Photo
HECTOR BLASER, Sr.
church, of which Mr. Blaser had been an active member since moving to Columbus from the Gruetli neighborhood 12 years ago, conducted the services.
Hundreds of relatives and friends including many of his old-time neighbors of the Gruetli vicinity and most of the county officials gathered to attend the last rites. Seats were arranged on the east side of the church for accommodation of the large number who could not be seated in the building, and an amplifier was installed so that they could hear the services. The unusually large attendance, estimated at nearly 1,000 and the wealth of floral tributes evidenced the high esteem in which Mr. Blaser in which Mr. Blaser was held in the community where he had resided for 63 years.
The Evangelical Protestant church choir sang during the service at the church and the Swiss Maennerchor society sang two hymns during the burial service which was held in the Gruetli cemetery northwest of Duncan, where the body was borne to sepulture by Supervisor Walter Loseke, chairman of the county board; Former Supervisor Walter Matzen, County Clerk Carl Hoge, Chas. Deland, Chas. Louis, Jacob Glur, Carl Glur and Ralph Drake.
Among the relatives who were here from points outside the county to attend the services were his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Blaser, and their daughter, Doris, of Belgrade; his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Schmid and their sons, Clarence and Sam, of Belgrade; his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Ernst, of Schuyler; his brother-in-law, Basil Wyman, of Silver Creek; a niece, Mrs. Bertha Marti, of Tacoma, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Tschudin, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Tschudin and their families of Belgrade; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wyman, Mr. and Mrs. John Wyman and Mr. and Mrs. John Imhoff and their families of Silver Creek; Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ernst, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Ernst and their families and Mrs. Julia DeBower, of Schuyler.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, May 21, 1932
BRIARD--Mrs. Arthur H. Briard Dies – Following an illness of the last two months’ duration, Mrs. Arthur H. Briard, 46, passed away at 4:30 p.m. yesterday at St. Mary’s hospital. Her death was due to cancer. At the time Mrs. Briard entered the hospital here two months ago, she was living with her husband and children on a farm near Creston. About five weeks ago Mr. Briard and the children moved to Columbus in order that they might be near her, taking an apartment at 2122 Ninth street. As Miss Elizabeth Eckert she was born June 24, 1885 in Decatur, Ill., where she spent the early years of her life. At 18 years of age she was united in marriage to Robert Houser, from whom she was separated 12 years ago. At that time Mrs. Briard was living in Norfolk, and it was there that she met Mr. Briard, to whom she was married in Council Bluffs, Ia., on Mar. 24, 1925. Before moving to Creston last September, Mr. and Mrs. Briard made their home in Norfolk. Besides her husband she is survived by two children Robert and Beverly Houser; two step-sons, Earl M. Briard of Norfolk and Lee D. Briard, of Lodge Pole, Neb., and her father John Eckert, of Pontiac, Mich. Definite funeral arrangements have not been completed pending word from her father. The body will lie in state at the Gass Funeral home until the time of the funeral, which will be announced Monday.
The Monroe News, June 2, 1932
DUBRAVA-EISENMANN--Miss Dorothy Eisenmann, daughter of Mr. W.J. Eisenmann, and Lowell DuBrava, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed DuBrava, both of Monore, were united in marriage last Saturday afternoon, May 28, 1932, at York, Nebr., at the Methodist Church parsonage. Rev. Wm Keve performed the ceremony. They were attended by Miss Esther DuBrava, sister of the groom, and Leland Jerberg of Genoa. Mrs. DuBrava and Miss Martha Ernst of Columbus also witnessed the ceremony. The bride has made many friends here, having lived in this community for some time. She was a graduate from the Columbus High School with the class of '16. The groom has grown to manhood here. He attended the Monroe schools, and for the past few years has assisted his father with the farming. Mr. and Mrs. DuBrava will make their home with his parents for the present where he will continue to work the farm.GERTSCH--Paul Gertsch, son of Christian and Pauline (Meunig) Gertsch, was born in Glarus, Switzerland, October 12, 1852, and passed to his reward at home in Anaheim, California, at 5 A.M. May 25th at the age of 79 years, 7 months and 13 days. He has suffered a general decline in health for about three months and death came gently during his sleep. Mr. Gertsch was one of the few remaining Platte county pioneers who helped conquer the virgin prairie. He came to America with a number of others from his native village and settled in Columbus. He found work shortly after his arrival and was so pleased with the new home that he advised his parents to join him. They did this in the following year bringing his three brothers with them. By frugal living and great industry he was able by 1877 to purchase the first tract of the large land holding known as Willow Grove farm. Mr. Gertsch was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Von Bergen, January 18, 1878. They established their home on his farm in Okay, where they lived until her death February 15, 1913. On this farm their twelve children were born, ten of whom survive, four sons, Carl W. of Arriba, Colo., Walter A. and Paul E. of Monroe, Helmuth A. of Hollywood, California, and six daughters, Mrs. Gustav Schoembs of Colinga, California, Miss Alma Gertsch of California, Mrs. Joachim Brandt of Monroe, Mrs Henry Weber of Clay Center, Mrs Niel Nielson and Mrs Homer Farrand of Hollywood. Two children are deceased; Warner, who died in infancy, and Miss Elinor who died in 1918. In 1915, he retired from the farm and made his home in Columbus. Later he spent his winters in California. On April 22, 1922, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Hunger of Anaheim, Calif. where they established their home. Mrs. Gertsch survives him, as do two brothers, Sam Gertsch of Anaheim Calif., and Rev. Albert Gertsch of Hickman, Nebraska and sixteen grandchildren. Funeral services were held in Anaheim which were attended by the members of the family living there as well as a large number of friends who formerly lived in Nebraska. Mrs. Gertsch was physically unable to return to Nebraska for the funeral. His daughter, Miss Alma, accompanied the body home. The body was brought here to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Brandt, northwest of Monroe, and funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Okay New Hope Church. Rev J.C. Jannon of Lincoln had charge and was assisted by Rev. H.E. Kramer of Monroe. Burial was made in the New Hope cemetery beside the mother of his children and among the friends with whom he lived and labored to make his community all that it is today. Among the relatives here from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Gertsch and daughter, Adeline, and Miss Kruse of Hickman, Nebr., Carl Gersch of Arriba, Colo., Rev. and Mrs. Henry Weber of Clay Center, Nebr., and Mrs John Von Bergen of York, Neb.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 2, 1932
BLASER--TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF HECTOR BLASER - City Council Adopts Resolution on Death of Former Supervisor
Tribute to the memory of Hector Blaser, sr., former Platte county supervisor whose death occurred recently, was paid by the city council in adoption of a resolution of condolence at the regular meeting at the city hall Wednesday evening.
The resolution, prepared by City Attorney Joseph L. Jiranek at the request of the council and introduced by Councilman Stephen Douglass, read as follows:
Whereas, the silent hand of death has taken from our midst our fellow citizen and public servant whose word was as good as a bond, Hector Blaser, sr.,
"Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that it be but a just tribute to his memory to say that in regretting his apparently untimely removal from this earthly sphere we mourn the loss of one who was worthy of our highest respect and esteem.
"Be It Further Resolved, that we sincerely condole with the family of the deceased for the sad affliction with which Divine Providence has deemed meet to enshroud them and extend to them in this their hour of sorrow and trial our heartfelt sympathy.
"Be It Further Resolved, that this resolution be spread upon the records of said city and a copy thereof be placed in the possession of the family of the deceased."
The Monroe News, June 16, 1932
SMITH--James R. Smith, prominent farmer and Platte county pioneer, passed away at his home two and one-half miles northeast of Monroe, Thursday, June 9, 1932, at 9:15 a.m., at the age of 69 years, 7 months, and 14 days. Death was due to liver trouble and complications from which he had suffered a long time. James R. Smith, a son of James R. and Martha Jones Smith, was born in Pre-Emption, Illinois, Octoer 25, 1862. He came to Nebraska with his people in 1880, locating near Monroe. On November 11, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Olive Baker. They established their home on his farm, where they have lived ever since. Four children were born to this marriage, Helen, who died January 24, 1908, Harold of Long Beach, California, Kenneth and Miss Hazel at home. He also leaves to mourn his departure his wife, two brothers, George and Bert, and three sisters, Miss Anna L. Smith of Monroe, Mrs. Hattie Dickson of Rock Island, Illinois, and Mrs. Jennie Schoonmaker of Buhl, Idaho. Quiet and genial, honest and upright, Mr. Smith numbered as his friends all with whome he came in contact. He will be greatly missed from the community where he had made his home for so many years. He was a member of the Protestant Espicopal Church and later became a member of the Union Church of Monroe. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon, 1:30 at the home and Church, conducted by Rev. C.E. Ruch of Genoa. Internment was made in the New Hope cemtery to Okay. The pallbearers were H.A. Jackson, Fred Harris, Clarence Terry, Chas. Terry, Ed Jenkinson, and Neal Hollingshead. Wm. Reese, Mrs. Wm. Hill, Mrs. Grace Gerrard, Lewis Johnson, with Mrs. Chas. Lightner at the piano, furnished the music. Miss Lois Lightner, Miss Gwendolyn Kelly and Miss Corinne Hollingshead took charge of the flowers. Those from a distance here to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Axen and Miss Anna K. Smith of Central City, Frank Smith of Fremont, Mr and Mrs. J.H. Hollinghead of Ord, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Sallach of Albion, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Mohler and family of Spalding, Mr. and Mrs. James Sallach, Mr and Mrs. Ora Sallach of Albion, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Reynoldson of St Edward, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Terry of Havens, Mrs. Frank Gilmore of Columbus.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 18, 1932
BLASER--TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF HECTOR BLASER - Supervisors Adopt Resolution of Condolence; Adjourn to Meet July 11
Members of the county board of supervisors in session at the courthouse this forenoon, adopted the following resolution in tribute to the memory of former Supervisor Hector Blaser:
"Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty to remove from our midst by death, our esteemed and former co-worker, Honorable Hector Blaser, who for many years was a devoted and respected member of this board, therefore,
"Be it resolved, that in the death of Honorable Hector Blaser we offer his bereaved family, over whom sorrow has hung her sable mantle, our heartfelt condolence, and pray that Infinite Goodness may bring speedy relief to the burdened hearts and inspire them with consolations that hope in futurity and faith in God, give even in the shadow of the tomb.
"Be it further resolved, by the board of supervisors of Platte county, Nebraska, that we recognize the loss the people of Platte county have sustained, and that in testimony of the esteem in which Honorable Hector Blaser was held by this board, a page of our proceedings be set apart and this resolution be spread thereon in full and a copy of the same be forwarded to his family."
...
The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 18, 1932
BAUMANN--Dies in Wisconsin — Word has been received here by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Gass that Oscar Baumann, 47, secretary-cashier of the People’s Savings bank, in Sheboygan, Wis., died Friday evening, June 10 following an operation for ruptured appendix, which he underwent a week prior to his death. Mr. Baumann spent his early years in Sheboygan, where he was born on Dec 14, 1884. During the 15 years he was employed as traveling salesman for the Sheboygan Chair company, and later the Northern Furniture company, Mr. Baumann had Columbus as part of his territory, during which time he became quite well known here. He returned to Sheboygan two years ago, and when the People’s Savings bank was re-organized in January he was made secretary-treasurer, where he served most efficiently. Mr. Baumann was married on Nov. 25, 1931, to Miss Eugenie Brandl, of Sheboygan, who survives him. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baumann, a sister, Mrs. Ed Zeitler, and two brothers, Richard S. Baumann and Adolph G. Baumann, all of Sheboygan. Funeral services were held there at 10 a.m. Tuesday, and burial was made in Calvary cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 21, 1932
KENYON--Dies In Lincoln -- Word was received here today by Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Moore, that Frank Kenyon, 73, of Lincoln, died at his home there yesterday morning, following a year's illness. Mr. Kenyon prior to 15 years ago, was a cnductor on the Burlington railroad. At that time he made his home here for a period of four or five years, while he was the conductor on the freight train between here and Lincoln. Funeral services will be held [remainder not copied]
The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 27, 1932
BIRNER--FORMER COLUMBUS WOMAN VICTIM OF BURNS, AUTO BLAST - Mrs. Birner, Chicago, Fatally Injured in Explosion of Ditched Car
Mrs. I. L. Birner, 38, of Chicago formerly Miss Josephine Roesch, of Columbus, died Saturday in a Sioux City, Ia., hospital from severe gasoline burns sustained in an automobile accident near Sloan, Ia., Friday noon. The car in which she and her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Roesch, were returning to their home in Chicago, following a visit here and in Omaha, turned over into a ditch.
Before her death, Mrs. Birner, the driver, said a tire blew out and she lost control. Unhurt in the spill, she escorted her mother, Mrs. Roesch, to safety and returned to get some luggage when the explosion occurred, resulting in fatal burns about her face, legs and arms. She died at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph’s hospital in Sioux City. Mrs. Roesch, who suffered a dislocated shoulder was confined to the hospital for only a short time.
Mrs. Birner and her mother, Mrs. Roesch, who had been here visiting for a short time with their brother and son, Tony Roesch, were to join Mr. Birner in Sioux City, who was to accompany them to Chicago.
Born in Columbus Sept. 17, 1893, Mrs. Birner spent her entire life here until 10 years ago, when she was united in marriage to Ira L. Birner of New York, at David City, on Nov. 6, 1922. At that time they moved to Chicago, where they have resided since. Mr. Birner is employed as an architectural engineer for the Celotex company in Chicago.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her mother and her one brother, Tony Roesch, of Columbus.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Gass Funeral chapel. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery. The body arrived on train No. 19, at 2:55 p.m. today from Sioux City, Mr. Birner and Mrs. Roesch, accompanying the body here.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, July 11, 1932
KUNTZELMAN--FORMER COLUMBUS BOY DIES OF RARE DISEASE AT VETERANS HOSPITAL -- Rex Kuntzelman, Born 35 Years Ago in This City, Is Buried at Albion
Albion Argus: Funeral services in charge of the Manderson Lehr Post of the American Legion were held for Rex Kuntzelman at the Episcopal church on Wednesday morning, July 6, and burial was made in Rose Hill cemetery.
Mr. Kuntzelman died at the Veterans' Hospital at Lincoln at 5:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon following a long illness which baffled physicians. The cause of death was given as malignant pemphigus, a rare disease, little known in this country, where only three cases have been recorded. Serum used in the treatment of this disease is secured in Germany.
Mr. Kuntzelman's illness dates from February. His illness brought on a mouth infection and he was taken to the Veterans' hospital on April 29 where many doctors were called into consultation to prescribe treatment. He bore his sufferings in silence and seemed cheerful when members of his family visited him the day before his death.
Rex was a son of Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Kuntzelman of Albion and was well known over the country. He was born May 3, 1897 at Columbus and attended school there before coming with his parents to Boone county. The family lived for many years on the Bonanza and after his marriage to Miss Margaret L. Hayes here on May 9, 1921 continued farming in that locality until 1930 when they moved to Midland precinct. He is survived by his wife and three children, Agnes 10, James 7, and Paul 2 1/2 years; his parents, brother Gay Kuntzelman, and three sisters, Mrs. Arthur Coakes and Mrs. Harry Hinze of Akron and Mrs. Orvall Walker of Best, Neb.
Rex was a member of Manderson Lehr Post of the Legion. He enlisted in the navy on July 10, 1918 at the age of 21. He served his country at the Great Lakes training station and was transferred to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where he was made company commander. He was relieved from active duty in May, 1919 and honorably disharged from service in 1921.
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Among the Columbus people to attend the funeral for Rex Kuntzelman in Albion last week were Mr. and Mrs. George Ifland, Charles Ifland, Captain and Mrs. Luther North, Mrs. C.D. Evans, sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Motto Mowery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, July 15, 1932
CALTO--M. C. Calto, Resident of This City Over 40 Years, Succumbs - Pioneer Merchant, 71, and Bookkeeper for Columbus Beverage Company Stricken
Matthew C. Calto, 71, 1922 Eleventh street, resident of Columbus for over four decades, passed away quietly at 9 a.m. today at St. Mary's hospital after a short illness. Mr. Calto was stricken with an acute attack of gallbladder trouble Saturday evening at his home, and was removed to the hospital Monday afternoon. An operation was performed yesterday morning in effort to save his life, but due to his advanced age and the nature of the illness he could not rally.
Born Apr. 8, 1861, near Milwaukee, Wis., Mr. Calto grew to manhood and received his education in that locality. At the age of 14, Mr. Calto had the misfortune of losing his left arm, while working for his brother in a planing mill near Milwaukee. Handicapped as he was, his parents sent him to St. Francis' Business college in Milwaukee, and later to the Spencerian school in Milwaukee. After he had completed his business training, he worked for a short time, and they came to Madison, Neb. to visit his sister, Mrs. Emily Lemmer. A little later, he came to Columbus and obtained a position as bookkeeper for the Schroeder foundry and mill.
Five years later he started a wholesale grocery business with Henry W. Abts, and after 23 years of success in that field, he sold his interest to Mr. Abts, and retired from active business for a few years. Then he entered the employ of George Rambour, sr., as bookkeeper at the Columbus Beverage company, where he worked until he was taken ill, performing his duties with such scrupulous care as to win the highest confidence of the Columbus Beverage company.
On Nov. 15, 1890, just before he went into business with Mr. Abts, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Conway, of New Market, N.H., whom he had met while working in Milwaukee. The wedding took place in New Market, and then Mr. Calto and his bride came to Columbus to make their home. To this union were born six children—one daughter, Mrs. Percy Slater, of Fullerton; two sons, Matt J. Calto, of Chicago, and Henry J. Calto, of Columbus, and three others who died in fancy [sic].
Always a member of the Catholic faith, Mr. Calto was a member of the Knights of Columbus lodge, and was also a member of the Columbus Maennerchor society, until they disbanded a number of years ago. Besides his three children who are living he is survived by three brothers, Tony Calto, of San Diego, P. A. Calto, of Chicago, and Nick Calto, of Chicago. Definite funeral arrangements have not been completed pending word from Mrs. Slater, who is vacationing in Wisconsin, and from Matt J. Calto, of Chicago. His wife preceded him in death June 20, 1924.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, July 25, 1932
KLUCK--FRED F. KLUCK, 57, OF RICHLAND, SUCCUMBS AFTER LONG ILLNESS - Native of Colfax County, He Was Active in Communitiy Life, Political and Fraternal Circles
Richland, July 25--(Special to The Telegram)--Fred F. Kluck, 57, prominent Colfax county farmer, died at 2:25 p.m. today at his home two miles north and a quarter east of Richland, following a lingering illness. He had been ill since a year ago last May, though he had been bedfast only the last four weeks.
Mr. Kluck was born June 9, 1875, on a farm adjoining the one on which he has made his home in recent years. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Kluck, who were numbered among the pioneer residents of this community. His father died six years ago in Columbus, and his mother, Mrs. Rose Kluck, is now residing in Columbus. She was at his bedside with the family when death came this afternoon.
On Nov. 13, 1899, Mr. Kluck married Miss Emma Stibal, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stibal. They established their home on his farm immediately east of the old Kluck family homestead, where they have resided continuously throughout the ensuing years.
Mr. Kluck was an active member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church on Shell Creek, in Platte county. He also took an active interest in the social, fraternal and political life of the community. He was for many years director of school district No. 23 in Colfax county, served two terms as county assessor of Colfax county, and was precinct assessor prior to a year ago when he resigned on account of his failing health. He was a delegate to every democratic convention in the county in recent years and to several state conventions. Fraternally, he held membership in the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges at Schuyler, the A.O.U.W. at Richland, and the Elks lodge at Columbus.
Besides his wife and his mother, he leaves three sons, Milton and Leon, residing on farms in this vicinity, and Fred, jr., at home. A daughter, Mrs. Harry Chronister, of Schuyler, died Feb. 13, 1931. He is survived also by three sisters, Mrs. Herman Freisch, of Sullivan, Wis., Mrs. Minnie C. Hanssen, of Denver, and Mrs. Fred Schlosser, of Merna, Ill.; five brothers, David, Arthur, Earl, Franz and Samuel, residing on farms near Richland, and four grandchildren.
Arrangements for the funeral services had not been made this afternoon, pending word from the relatives residing at a distance. His sister, Mrs. Hanssen, of Denver, has been here the last two weeks and will remain until after the funeral.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, July 26, 1932
BLASER--Mrs. John Blaser Dies – Mrs. John Blaser, 61, of Monroe, member of one of the pioneer families of the Gruetli neighborhood and a resident of Platte county all her life, passed away last evening in a hospital at Rochester, Minn., following an operation yesterday morning, according to word received by relatives here. She had been in failing health for the last five years, suffering from a chronic affliction. About two weeks ago her condition became worse and a week ago she went to Rochester in company with Mrs. George Tiaden, to receive treatment at the Mayo clinic. Mr. Blaser and their son, Quentin, went there Sunday to be with her during the operation, and were at her bedside when death came. As Mary Lemp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Lemp, she was born June 30, 1871, in the Gruetli community, where she spent her entire life until last year when she and her husband moved to Monroe. She attended the rural school in district 37 and then, in May, 1893 was married to John Blaser. They established their home on a farm which Mr. Blaser purchased and lived there continuously until a year ago when they retired from active farming on account of the condition of Mrs. Blaser’s health and moved to a new home which they built a half mile east of Monroe. Two daughters and one son were born to them, Mrs. John Kummer and Mrs. Fred Balmer and Quentin Blaser, all of Gruetli. The latter farms the old home place. Mrs. George Tiaden and her brother, Herman Lemp, cousins of Mrs. Blaser have made their home with the Blaser family since childhood. Mrs. Blaser was an active member of the Gruetli Reformed church and in former years attended the Gruetli Ladies’ Aid society and the Swiss ladies society of Columbus. In recent years, however, she was forced to resign from these organizations because of her failing health. Beside her husband, two daughters and son, she is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ernst Rupp, of Columbus, Mrs. Louis Hurner, of Carlton, Ore., and two brothers, Albert Lemp of Columbus and Arnold Lemp of Gruetli, and seven grandchildren. The body will be brought to the Gass funeral home here this evening. Funeral services will be held at the Gruetli Reformed church but the day and hour have not yet been determined.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, August 1, 1932
LUBKER--Former Resident Dies - Word of the death of his uncle, William Lubker, 70, ___ Kimball ____, this morning was ____ in a message today to Assistant Postmaster Lee Rollin. The message gave no details concerning funeral arrangements. Mr. Lubker went to Kimball from Columbus to make his home last December. A few days before Christmas he suffered a stroke of paralysis and had been helpless until the time of his death. For over 25 years he had been badly crippled from the effects of rheumatism, but despite his affliction which necessitated the use of crutches in walking, he made his laborious way about town calling on customers and soliciting orders for hosiery. Mr. Lubker came as a babe with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick H. Lubker, and five brothers and sisters from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, to America, landing first in Canada, but later crossing the border to the United States, and to Platte county in 182. Mr. Lubker made Columbus his home most of the time since 1884, settling here permanently about 1905 when rheumatism, from which he was unable to find effective relief, left him in a crippled condition. However, he bore his affliction without complaint and for years made his own way in spite of his suffering. Surviving brothers are Fred L. Lubker, of Bridgewater, S.D.; John Lubker, of Grand Junction, Colo.; Daniel Lubker, of Michell, S.D.; and a sister, Mrs. Mary Terrell, who resides in the state of Washington.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, August 6, 1932
KRETZ--Injuries Prove Fatal - Henry T. Kretz, 63, Genoa carpenter, died at 2:30 a.m. today at Columbus hospital, from injuries sustained when the car he was driving was struck by Union Pacific motor train No. 522 on a private crossing one and a quarter miles east of Genoa about 10:30 a.m. yesterday. He suffered severe injuries about the head and a compound fracture of one arm, and was unconscious when the motor crew picked him up. He was taken aboard the motor back to Genoa for emergency medical attention by a Genoa physician who they accompanied him on the motor to Columbus where he was placed under the care of company physicians at the hospital. He did not regain consciousness. The body was removed to Genoa early today, where funeral services will be held early next week. Mr. Kretz had been a resident of Genoa the last 34 years. He is survived by Mrs. Kretz; three sons, Lloyd, of Fullerton, Walter, of Genoa, and John, of Omaha, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Bruce and Mrs. Paul Wheeler, of Genoa. All of the family, with exception of John Kretz, of Omaha, came here shortly after the accident and were with him at the time of his death.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, August 22, 1932
LOEBER--Sister Killed In Crash - Lloyd Swain, former advertising manager of the Daily Telegram who has been one of the publishers of the La Jolla, Cal. Journal in recent years, was called to Lincoln last week by the tragic death of his sister, Mrs. Addison J. Loeber, 1944 E street, Lincoln, in an automobile accident Friday night of the week before. Mrs. Loeber was returning to Lincoln about 8 o'clock that evening with the George Holland family from a visit in Beatrice. Driving over the crest of a hill, Mr. Holland crashed into a truck belonging to an Oklahoma carnival company, which had halted in the line of traffic, without lights or other warning, while repairs were made on a tire. Beams used in erecting a carnival ferris wheel were projecting from the truck and sheared the engine of Mr. Holland's auto from the frame, h__ing it into the front seat of the car. Mrs. Loeber was killed instantly and Mr. Holland suffered sev__ injuries, while others in the car escaped with slight bruises. Mr. Swain has been at the Loeber home in Lincoln since his arrival __ Monday, visiting his mother, Mrs. Emma J. Swain. County Judge __ I. Speice expects to drive to Lincoln tomorrow afternoon to bring Mr. Swain to Columbus for an overnight visit before his scheduled return to California Thursday.
Plainview News, August 25, 1932
ENGEL--Ida Marie Engel was born in Denmark on March 11, 1860 to Nicholas and Marie Engel. She died after a short illness at the home of her son, George Engel, on Monday, Aug. 22, 1932. She was 72 years, 5 months and 11 days old.
She settled in McDonough county, Illinois with her parents when she was a small child. She married Christian N. Engel on March 25, 1882 at Cacomb, Ill. They moved to Durant, Ia. following the ceremony and made their home there until 1890 when they moved to Platte county, locating near Creston until 1900. They then moved to Pierce county, five miles northeast of Plainview, which had been the deceased's home for 32 years with the exception of a few years in Plainview.
Mrs. Engel was the mother of five children: Mrs. Chas. Schroeder of Hebron, George of Plainview, Harry of Merriam, Kan.; Mabel Ruth who died in infancy; and Mrs. Byron Straub of Plainview. Mr. Engel passed away Nov. 18, 1925.
In addition to the four children named above, survivors include seven grandchildren; two brothers (Tony and Julius Engel of Creston); four sisters (Mrs. Heyrn Wacker of Claremore, Okla., Mrs. George Wacker of Plainview; Mrs. Rosa Hook of Bunker Hill, Ill.; Mrs. Fred Firday of Des Moines, Iowa). One brother and two sisters preceded her in death.
Burial was made in the cemetery north of town. --[Abstract of obituary submitted by Katie Kratovil]
The Columbus Daily Telegram, August 29, 1932
LAUGHLIN--Returns From Funeral - Leon L. Laughlin returned the latter part of last week from Spring Valley, Minn., where he attended the funeral services of his mother, Mrs. Alta L. Laughlin, 82, former Columbus resident, who passed away there Aug. 18. The funeral services were held at 2 p.m. at her home in Spring Valley, with Rev. J.F. Sounders of the Congregational church officiating. Interment was made in the cemetery there. Mrs. Laughin, as Alta Lucina Gage, was born in Painsville, O., Apr. 10, 1850, and moved to Spring Valley at the age of 13. On Dec. 5, 1866, she was united in marriage to Peter Laughlin, and after their marriage they came to Columbus, where they lived for 25 years. Mr. Laughlin was an employe of the Union Pacific railroad. In 1904 they returned to Spring Valley, where Mr. Laughlin passed away eight years ago. She is survived by three sons, Leon L., of Columbus, Archie, of Gridley, Ill., and Rollo, present address unknown, and three daughters, Mrs. Eva McConnell, of Buckingham, Colo., Mrs. Lottie Datesman, of Montpelier, Ida, and Mrs. Ruth Horsman, of Spring Valley.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, September 5, 1932
LENTZ--Andrew J. Lentz Dies - following an illness of five years' duration, Andrew J. Lentz, 65, passed away at noon today at his home, 2522 Fourteen street. His death was due to hardening of the arteries. Mr. Lentz was bedfast since Friday. He was born on Jan. 25, 1867 at Leon, Ia., the son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Lentz. He spent his boyhood days there and after his parents had passed away, at the age of 19 years he went to Ulysses, Neb., to make his home with a brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Rinesmith. From that time until 1896, when he went to Smith Center, Kan., he worked on various farms in the southern part of Nebraska, and also in Kansas. At Smith Center, he made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Effie Buntin, to whom he was united in marriage on June 1, 1898. They lived near Smith Center on a farm until 1905, when they moved to a farm near Shelby, Neb., where they farmed until 1913. At that time they moved to Columbus, and Mr. Lentz entered the employ of Henry W. Alpers as painter and paper hanger. He worked for Alpers for a period of 15 years, then he was forced to retired because of ill health. Since that time he had not been able to work. He is survived by his widow; four daughters, Mrs. Eunice Hurner, of Monroe; Mrs. Lee Nauenburg, of Stapleton; Mrs. Bernard Drake, of Kansas City, Mo., and Miss Arlene Lentz at home; six grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Joe Rinesmith, of Los Molinos, Calif., and one brother, Israel Lentz, of Des Moines, Ia. Mrs. Hurner came here this morning; Mrs. Nauenburg will arrive this evening, and Mrs. Drake will arrive here tomorrow noon to remain until after the funeral. The funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the family home, with Rev. G.E. Forssell, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, September 16, 1932
KOENIG--Otto Koenig Dies - Otto Koenig, 43, who has made his home recently with his sister, Mrs. W.C. Ernst, died Wednesday afternoon following a stroke at the home of a brother, Herman Koenig, near Center, Neb., where he had been visiting. He had suffered a light stroke early in August. He had been in impaired health for several months. Funeral services will be held at the Herman Koenig home at 11 a.m. Sunday and burial will be at Niobrara, where his parents are buried. Otto Koenig was born on a farm in Polk county south of Columbus Oct. 12, 1888, and had lived in this part of the state most of his life. Until his health started to fail, he had farmed with a cousin, Lawrence Leiser, in Polk coun ___.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, September 23, 1932
BROCKELSBY--Colfax Pioneer Dies – William T. Brockelsby, 83, prominent resident of Colfax county over half a century, died at 9:30 p.m. yesterday at St. Mary’s hospital, where he had been the past eight weeks. Death resulted from complications incident to his advanced age. Born in Hull, England on Nov. 10, 1849, he came to this country with his parents when he was 18 months old. The trip was made in a sail boat and required nine weeks time. Just as the boat landed in New York city his mother died, and the father proceeded with his family to Marion, Ohio. When he was 14 years old the family moved to St. Elmo, Ill., and it was there that he met and married Miss Eliza Ralston on Aug. 6, 1870. They made their home there for eight years, and then after a brief residence in Champaign, Ill., came to Nebraska in March, 1883, locating on a farm two miles north and one mile west of Richland, which he purchased from the railroad. Twenty years ago the family retired from active farming and moved to Richland, still retaining the farm, which they have rented. Mr. Brockelsby is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. Charles Wertz of Richland, and three sons, Clarence of Richland, Edgar of Sidney, and Roland of Santa Barbara; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Brockelsby observed the 60th anniversary of their marriage at their home in Richland a year ago last August when most of the members of the family were present for the happy event. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Clarence Brockelsby home in Richland and at 3 p.m. at the First Methodist Episcopal church in Schuyler with burial in the Schuyler cemetery. Rev. C.M. Shaub, pastor will conduct the services.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, September 23 (?), 1932
BATTY--Funeral Tomorrow – Funeral services for George Batty, 76, of Hardin, Mont., who died in Hardin at 2 p.m. Saturday, following a three weeks illness, will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Gass Funeral chapel, with Rev. W. H. Talmage, rector of the Episcopal church officiating. The body arrived here at 2:25 p.m. this afternoon on the Union Pacific eastbound train No. 16 and will lie in state at the funeral home until the hour of the services. Miss Hannah Batty, of Hardin, a sister with whom he made his home for the last eight years, accompanied the body here. Prior to eight years ago when he went to Hardin, Mr. Batty lived here with his brother-in-law and sister Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Barnica, now of Big Springs, Neb. Born near Philadelphia, Pa., on Apr 29, 1856, Mr. Batty came to Nebraska with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Batty, when a young man. They homesteaded on a tract of land near Clarks, where they resided for many years. He, too, took up farming near Clarks, and after a number of years, sold his farm and went to the Philippine Islands, where he worked as teamster for the government for one year. Upon his return he joined a prospecting crew, and went to Alaska, where he remained for one year. When he returned he lived with relatives in Omaha for several years, and then came here to live with the Barnicas. He never married. Besides his sister, Miss Hannah, with whom he made his home at Hardin, he is survived by three other sisters, Mrs. Lucy Batty of Hardin, Mont., Mrs. Hannah Rich of Las Vegas, Nev. and Mrs. B.F. Barnica of Big Springs, Neb., and one brother, Joe Batty of Baker, Ore. Mr. and Mrs. Barnica, daughters, Miss Florence and Miss Minnie Barnica, all of Big Springs, drove here last evening. Other relatives arriving today to remain until after the funeral are Mrs. Samuel Batty, Mr and Mrs. Walter Batty, Mr. and Mrs. Seth Batty, and Mrs. Walter Green, all of Cedar Rapids, Neb.; Mrs. Lloyd Rundall and Samuel Batty, of Omaha.
The Columbus Telegram, September 24, 1932
SOKOL--Mrs. Mary Sokol Dies--Following an illness of two days, Mrs. Mary Sokol, 63, residing two and a half miles northeast of Duncan, passed away at 1:15 a.m. today at her home. Her death resulted from a stroke of apoplexy, which she suffered Wednesday morning. As Miss Mary Zoucha, she was born at Tarnov, Poland, on Aug. 15, 1869,where she grew to womanhood. She came to this country at the age of 22 years, with her husband, Joseph Govern. They came directly to Columbus, and lived on a farm four miles east of the city for four years. They then moved to Columbus, where Mr. Govern entered the employ of the Union Pacific railroad. To them were born six children--three daughters, Mrs. Lloyd Drum, Mrs. C.E. Schutte, and Mrs. Tom Kula, all of Columbus, and three sons, Charles Govern, of Winslow, Ariz., Paul Govern, of Ogden, Utah, and Joe Govern, who resided with his mother. Mr. Govern passed away on Oct. 17, 1914. Mrs. Govern continued to reside here until July 11, 1919, when she was married to John B. Sokol, and they made their home on his farm, northeast of Duncan. Mr. Sokol died there on Jan. 6, 1930. Mrs. Sokol was a devout member of the Catholic faith, and during her residence here attended the Catholic church regularly. When she resided near Duncan, she became a member of St. Stanislaus' church. Besides her three daughters and three sons, she is survived by nine grand children and one great grandchild. The body will lie in state at the McKown Funeral home until 1 p.m. tomorrow, when it will be removed to the family home near Duncan. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Stanislaus' church in Duncan, with Rev. F. Mack officiating. Burial will be made in the Duncan cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, September 28, 1932
BROWNER--
FUNERAL OF WILLIAM BROWNER TO BE HELD AT 9 A.M. SATURDAY - Was member of Pioneer Columbus Family; Body to Arrive From Los Angeles, Thursday
The funeral of William F. Browner, of Omaha, member of a pioneer Columbus family, who died of pneumonia at 10 a.m. Friday in Los Angeles, Calif., will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Bonaventure’s church. Rev. Fr. Salvator, pastor, will officiate at the requiem mass and burial will be made in the parish cemetery. The body will arrive at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on Union Pacific train No. 8, and will be taken to the Gass Funeral home where it will lie in state until 3 p.m. Friday when it will be removed to the J.M. Curry home, 1922 Fifteenth street.
Mrs. Albert H. Gehner, sister of Mr. Browner, and Mrs. D.A. McDonald, both of St. Louis, Mo., who went to Los Angeles when informed of Mr. Browner’s illness, will accompany the body here.
Though it had been known that Mr. Browner had been afflicted with a heart malady since suffering a severe attack of influenza about two and a half years ago, word of his death came as a distinct shock to relatives and friends here. He left Omaha in June on an extended trip to Denver and through the Pacific northwest that terminated in Los Angeles in August, and according to word received here within the last few weeks was enjoying comparatively good health at that time.
Born in Columbus, he was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Browner, pioneers of Columbus. His father was among the earliest settlers to locate here, coming here in 1856. In childhood, William moved with his parents to the Browner farm two and a half miles northeast of the city, where he grew to manhood. He received his early education in the Columbus schools and later attended Fremont normal at Fremont.
For several years he was associated with his brother, James C. Browner in farming and stock raising. During this time he became interested in thoroughbred horses, and in 1906, he and his brother rented their farm and moved into Columbus and started the Browner Livery Co. In 1915 they dissolved partnership, J.C. Browner becoming sole owner of the business.
The following few years he spent in southern Texas and California, returning to Columbus in 1918 to operate a poultry farm on the Browner island, northwest of the city. A year later he moved to Albion where he became associated with Dr. Matt Score, in the veterinarian business. In the spring of 1930 he was forced to retire from active work on account of impaired health, and moved to Omaha. That fall he went to St. Louis, where he received medical treatment at a hospital for several months, returning to Omaha again last May.
A man of pleasing personality and disposition he was always kind and charitable, and was an ardent lover of nature and sports.
He is survived by two sisters and a brother-–Mrs. Gehner of St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Katherine Drinnin and James C. Browner, and a half brother, John M. Curry, all of Columbus.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, October 6, 1932
KULA--Duncan Man Dies - Stanislaus Kula, 61, resident of Duncan, passed away at 2:30 a.m. today at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Jarecki, where he had made his home for more than a year. He had been ailing for the last year and was rendered bedfast until death when he suffered a stroke of apoplexy last Saturday. A native of Poland, he came to this country at the age of 17 years. He went to Polk county, where he was employed on various farms for a period of 17 years. In 1905 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna Foreman, and they made their home on her farm, two miles east of Duncan. Mrs. Kula passed away in January, 1928, and since that time Mr. Kula has made his home with friends in Duncan. He was a member of St. Stanislaus' Catholic church at Duncan. There are no known survivors. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Stanislaus' church, Duncan, with Rev. Fr. Mack, pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in the parish cemetery. The body will lie in state at the Gass Funeral home until 4 p.m. tomorrow, when it will be removed to the Jarecki home in Duncan, where it will be until the hour of the funeral.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, October 8, 1932
BOYLE--Mother Dies – Mrs. P.C. Boyle, mother of Mrs. H.C. Groeteke, of Columbus, passed away at her home in Fremont yesterday, according to word received by Dr. Groeteke from Mrs. Groeteke who has been in constant attendance at her mother’s bedside the last seven weeks. The doctor will go to Fremont tomorrow and remain until after the funeral which will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic church there. Mrs. Boyle, who was 69 years old, had been a well known resident of Dodge county for many years. As Mary Ann Mealey, she was born in Queenstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, Oct. 15, 1863. She came to the United States in 1880 to make her home with her aunt, Mrs. Dennis Killeen, at North Bend, and her marriage to Mr. Boyle took place on Oct. 24, 1886. They farmed in Dodge county until 1915, when they moved to Fremont. Mrs. Boyle had been ill for the last two months. She is survived by her husband, four sons and four daughters–-John Boyle of West Point; Dr. W.H. Boyle, Schuyler, Dr. J.L. Boyle, Omaha; Harold Boyle, Fremont; Mrs. Groeteke, Columbus; Mrs. L.C. Feichtinger, Snyder; Mrs. C.L. Dambach, Los Angeles, and Mrs. Agnes Sterner, Fremont, all of whom were at her bedside this week. She also leaves one brother, William Mealey, of Centralia, Wash.LOHR--Mrs. Mary Ellen Lohr Dies - Within two hours after she had been stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage, Mrs. Mary Ellen Lohr, 61, resident of Columbus and vicinity for many years, passed away at 10 p.m. yesterday at her home, 1704 Eleventh street. She had experienced several similar strokes during the last five years, but had recovered each time so that she was able to be up and around and do her housework. As Mary Ellen Knight, she was born in Iowa, Aug 25, 1871, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Knight. In March, 1900, she was united in marriage to Thomas Jefferson Lohr, at Columbus, and for two years they resided here, later moving to Creston. In 1917 they returned to Columbus to make their home, and it was here that Mr. Lohr passed away July 26, 1919. To them were born five daughters, Mrs. Cora Ernst, of Omaha, Mrs. Marvin Price, and Miss Laverna, of Columbus, Mrs. Maurice Houdersheldt, of Shelby, and Mrs. Edward Staroscik, of Silver Creek, and two sons, William A., and Albert H., both of Columbus. Mrs. Lohr is also survived by two brothers, James Knight, of Creston, and Leonard Knight of Farnnam, and four sisters, Mrs. Joe O'Neill of Grand Island, Mrs. Carl Long, of Madison, Mrs. C.M. Mader and Mrs. H.L. Haskins, of Plainview. The body will lie in state at the Gass Funeral home until Monday afternoon when funeral services will be held at the First Baptist church at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. G.E. Forssell, the pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, October 11, 1932
LOSEKE--Following a brief illness, Gerhard Loseke, sr., 80, a resident of Platte county for 74 years, and long a prominent citizen of Bismark township, passed away at 8 a.m. today at his home on the Meridian highway, about one quarter of a mile north of the city. He was taken ill last Wednesday, but until Friday noon was able to be around the house and do the necessary outdoor chores. He was bedfast from Friday afternoon until his death which was due to uremic poisoning.
Born on May 6, 1852, in Oldenburg, Germany, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Loseke, who were also natives of Oldenburg, he came to America with his parents, his two brothers, Henry and Herman Loseke, and his sister, Mrs. Anna Ahrens, all of whom preceded him in death. The family came as far west as Iowa City, Ia., by railroad, and from there drove across country to Platte county, settling on a farm 12 miles northeast of the city in Bismark township on Loseke creek, which was named after the family.
At the age of 17 years, he began farming for himself, and his parents made their home with him until they passed away. He worked hard and long were his hours, like other early pioneers of this community. His holdings increased gradually, and from time to time he was able to purchase more land until he owned over 1,000 acres, which has since been divided among his children. He was one of the most successful farmers of the county, not only in the growing of grains, but also in the raising of stock. He was among the first in the county to begin shipping stock to the markets.
On July 11, 1873, Mr. Loseke was united in marriage to Miss Elise Mueller, also a member of a pioneer family. To Mr. and Mrs. Loseke were born 11 children, three of whom have preceded him in death. The living children are Mrs. Charles Wurdeman, Mrs. Adolph Frese, Mrs. William Luckey, Edward G., George, E. Gerhard and Emil Loseke, all of Columbus, and Ernst Loseke, of Omaha. Mrs. Loseke passed away June 2, 1893.
In 1913, Mr. Loseke was married again, this time to Miss Emma Hanstadt, of Bonduel, Wis. They lived on the farm until 1915, when they moved into Columbus, where they lived until 1917, and then moved to the place north of Columbus, where Mr. Loseke lived until his death.
Always a devout member of the Lutheran faith, Mr. Loseke was a member of the Christ Lutheran church, 14 miles northeast of the city, to which he gave the plot of ground for the edifice. Later, upon moving closer to Columbus, Mr. Loseke affiliated with the Trinity Lutheran church, and was very active and devout in his worship there.
In his political views Mr. Loseke was a republican, although he never took an active part in politics. He was a broad-minded, progressive citizen, and was always interested in county development. It is believed that Mr. Loseke had lived in Platte county longer than any other resident.
Besides his widow and children, he is survived by 36 grand children and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m.. Friday at the family home, on the Meridian highway, and at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran church, with Rev. H. Goede pastor, officiating. Burial will be made in the Shell Creek cemetery, nine miles northeast of the city. The body will lie in state at the Gass Funeral home until Friday morning, when it will be taken to the home.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, November 2, 1932
KYLE--JOHN B. KYLE, 81, SUCCUMBS AFTER A LONG ILLNESS
Platte County Pioneer and Former Supervisor Passes Away at 10:35 A.M.
Stricken with heart disease, with which he had been afflicted for several years, John Bowman Kyle, 81, well known pioneer of Platte county, and former member of the county board of supervisors, passed away at 10:35 a.m. today at his home at 2220 Fifteenth street. He had been in failing health the last three years, and his health had declined the more rapidly since last spring when he suffered a heart attack that confined him to his bed for a period of 10 days.
During the last 10 days he was bedfast much of the time, and last evening he lapsed into unconsciousness.
Mr. Kyle was born on Whit Sunday eve in 1851, at Bunninadden, County Sligo, Ireland, and although the day is a moveable feast-day in the Catholic church, he always observed Whit Sunday as his birthday anniversary.
Coming to America in 1871, he located in Omaha where he resided for three years and where, in 1871, he married Miss Ellen Durcan, of Omaha, who was also a native of County Sligo. Soon after arriving in Omaha, he became timekeeper for the Union Pacific on a bridge crew erecting a bridge near Papillion.
In 1873, Mr. Kyle purchased the homestead rights of Edward Sheehan on his homestead in Loup township, south of Monroe, and he and Mrs. Kyle established their home on the farm, but, while farming, he continued in the employ of the Union Pacific for some years, first as time-keeper and later as a supervisor of a bridge crew. He was with the crew that built the railroad bridge over the Loup river between Oconee and Duncan when the Union Pacific branch line that now terminates in Columbus was first built in 1880 with Duncan as its main-line terminal.
Shortly after that, however, he gave up that line of work and devoted his entire attention to farming. Gradually he acquired more land and in 1883 he purchased the John Jaisli farm, directly south of his homestead, and moved onto it, farming both places. Mrs. Kyle passed away on Dec. 12, 1901, but Mr. Kyle and their daughter, Miss Marie Kyle, continued to live on the farm until 1911 when, having acquired ample financial independence, they established their home in Columbus.
Mr. Kyle was a staunch democrat and for many years he was active in the party councils, first in Loup township and later in Columbus, and was a delegate to many of the city, county and state conventions. While residing on his farm, he served as township clerk and also township treasurer in the early days, and as justice of the peace in 1908 and 1909.
After moving into Columbus, he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors from Dist. 6 & 7 for the two-year term beginning in 1915. Later, just by way of having something to do occasionally, rather than for the nominal remuneration, he served for several years as probation officer for the county court when the late John Gibbon was county judge.
Mr. Kyle was a member of St. Bonaventure's church and a member of the Holy Name society of the church.
He is survived by his one daughter, Miss Marie Kyle, of Columbus; one brother, James Bowman, of Mygara, County Sligo, Ireland, and by two nieces in Columbus, Misses Winnie and Nell Bowman.
Funeral arrangements had not been completed today, but will be announced tomorrow. One of Mr. Kyle's last requests was that no flowers be sent to his funeral, expressing the thought that, if his friends wished to do something in his memory, he would prefer that they have masses offered for him at the church.KRIVOHLAVEK--BOY, 8, KILLED WHEN STRUCK BY CAR ON HIGHWAY - Louis Charles Krivohlavek, Schuyler, Hit on Way To School
Louis Charles Krivohlavek, 8, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Krivohlavek, living north of Schuyler, was killed almost instantly when, in crossing the highway to go to school, he was struck by a car occupied by Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Rector of Columbus on highway No. 15 about two miles north of Schuyler about 9 a.m. today.
Mrs. Otto Krivohlavek, an aunt of the boy, had taken him and two of her own children, Dorothy, 11, and Otto, jr., 9, to school in a car. She had stopped along the east side of the highway, headed north, to let the children out. Otto, jr., had crossed the highway to the west side, where the school is located, ahead of Louis Charles, and Dorothy was still in the car with her mother.
Mr. Rector slowed down his car when he saw the older boy crossing the highway ahead of him and then, seeing no other children, had released his brakes and started to pick up speed. As he neared the car, the younger boy darted out in to the highway, possibly 10 feet in front of his car, and he was unable to slow up in time to avoid hitting the youngster, he said. The left fender and headlight of the car apparently struck the boy, he added.
The child's skull was crushed and one leg broken and death was apparently instantaneous. Mr. Rector summoned a physician from Schuyler and the boy was taken to a Schuyler mortuary.
An inquest will be held in Schuyler Thursday morning, according to notice received from there this afternoon.
Besides his parents, the victim is survived by a brother, Frank, jr., 15, who attends school in Schuyler.
Funeral arrangements were to be made this afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Rector were returning home from Wayne, where the latter had been visiting the past week with their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Heleberg. Mr. Rector drove to Wayne after her Tuesday evening.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, November 3, 1932
KRIVOHLAVEK--Inquest Held - That the accident in which Louis Charles Krivohlavec, 8-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Krivohlavek, living north of Schuyler, was killed Wednesday forenoon was unavoidable was the finding of a coroner's jury in an inquest held at Schuyler this forenoon. The boy was killed when he was struck by a car occupied by Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Rector of Columbus on the highway two miles north of Schuyler. The youngster had been taken to school in an auto by his aunt, Mrs. Otto Krivohlavek who had stopped the car along [remainder not copied]
The Columbus Daily Telegram, December 1, 1932
LEVINE--ABNER LEVINE ASPHYXIATED BY MONOXIDE GAS
Well Known Columbus Business Man Found Dead in Car in Garage
HAD APPARENTLY BEEN REPAIRING AUTOMOBILE
Abner Levine, 47, senior member of Levine Bros., prominent Columbus business firm, was found dead in his car, a victim of carbon monoxide gas, in the double garage at the rear of the building which his firm owns and formerly occupied at 2513 Eleventh street about 5:35 p.m. yesterday.
He had apparently been overcome by the exhaust fumes from the engine as he got into the car either to make some adjustment or shut off the ignition switch after making some repairs on the car, it is believed, for the tire jack and lug-wrench were lying on the floor of the garage and other tools from the kit were spread out on the running board when his brother, Isadore Levine, found him slumped over in the front seat with the door of the car open.
Isadore at once summoned Chester Landenberger manager of the Bovey & Son store next door, and then,, while Landenberger worked over the body in effort to restore respiration, telephoned for Drs. James and Meyer. The physicians arrived in a few minutes and though death had evidently occurred before the body was found, they labored for an hour with artificial respiration and fresh oxygen supply in vain effort to resuscitate him. The body was then removed to the Gass funeral home.
County Attorney Luckey said that no inquest would be held. His investigation satisfied him that death was accidental, and he signed the death certificate to that effect.
Had Been Working on Car
Mr. Levine had been at the garage, where both his own and the firm's car were kept, for at least an hour before his body was found and had been doing some work on the car during that time.
He had not been feeling well yesterday morning and had remained at home, not going down to the store, his brothers said today. Feeling much better after 3 p.m., he went down to the Moersen barber shop on Eleventh street to get a shave. He left the shop shortly after 4 p.m. and went over to the garage, greeting several of his friends en route. Mrs. Charles Vifquain, who lives on the second floor of a building across the alley and to the west end of the block, from which she could see the garage, told members of the family last night that during the hour before 5:30 p.m. she had seen the car standing backed out of the garage, and he was working around it. At intervals she had seen the lights turned on and off, noticing it the last time shortly before 5:30. The car had been run back into the garage and its lights turned off, but the garage light was burning when Isadore arrived.
Thinking that Mr. Levine would go to the store after leaving the barber shop, Mrs. Levine called the store after 4 p.m. to ask him to bring home a loaf of bread. Shortly before 5:30 p.m. she called again and Isadore, thinking Abner might be visiting at the Bordy & Herman store on Eleventh street, went over to locate him and deliver the message. Emil Herman, Abner's brother-in-law, told him he had seen Abner pass the store an hour or more before walking toward the garage.
As his brothers reconstruct his movements, they believe he went over to the garage either to take the car out for a ride or to make some repairs, as his sons, Joe and Ben, students at the university, who had had the car down at Lincoln for two months prior to Thanksgiving day had said that the brakes wouldn't work and the lights had been giving trouble. They believe that after backing the car out and working on it awhile, he decided to run it back into the garage and leave it there for the winter, as the car was not in good repair and he was accustomed to using the firm's car more often than his own. After running it back into the garage, he had drained the alcohol and water solution out of the radiator onto the floor. They believe that he got into the car and started the motor to let it run a few moments to make sure that all the water was drained out of the block and while doing so the motor had "died" and he had been overcome by the gas before he could shut off the switch. The small door on the north side of the garage was open a few inches and the large door on the east side was nearly, though not entirely closed and was not latched, Isadore said, when he arrived. The large door,, especially, they said, swings shut very easily and they believe it did so without him noticing it a few moments before he was overcome by the gas.
Lived Here 25 Years
As a member of the Levine Bros. firm, Mr. Levine had been prominently identified with Columbus business circles for the last quarter century. Born in Bialasock, Russia, now a part of Poland, Jan. 10, 1885, he came to America with his parents in 1898, the family locating in Chicago.
In June, 1907, his father, the late N.H. Levine, and his brother J.M. Levine, came to Columbus, the father establishing the Chicago store here. Abner, who had been employed in a clothing store in Chicago, joined them here in August of the same year. The following year, Abner and his brother-in-law, A. Svislowsky, bought the store from the senior Mr. Levine, and operated it until 1919 when his brothers, Jacob M., Isadore and Solomon, became members of the firm, buying Mr. Svislowsky's interest. They have since operated under the firm name of Levine Bros. Last February they moved the store from their Eleventh street building into the former Galley building on Thirteenth street.
On Feb. 4, 1912, Mr. Levine was married in Chicago to Miss Anna Herman, his childhood sweetheart, and they established their home here at 2209 Tenth street. Besides his widow, their two sons and his three brothers residing here, he leaves one sister, Mrs. A. Svislowsky, of Columbus, and a brother, I.L. Levine, residing in Detroit.
Endowed with a cheerful, kindly personality, with always a pleasant, friendly greeting for everyone he met, he was held in high regard by all who know him. He was a devout member of the orthodox Jewish faith.
The body will be taken to Chicago by Mrs. Levine and their two sons, Joe and Ben, and his brothers, J.M. and Isadore Levine, on Union Pacific train No. 8 at 6:10 p.m. Arriving there they will be met by Mrs. Levine's brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heller, of 5055 North Lawndale, Chicago, who are making arrangements for the funeral services which will be held in accord with the Jewish ritual at a chapel there tomorrow. Burial will be made in the Jewish cemetery at Waldheim, a Chicago suburb.
The Levine Bros. store was closed today and will not be reopened until Saturday morning.
As a tribute to the memory of Mr. Levine, Columbus merchants at the chamber of commerce meeting today noon voted to close their stores from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, December 2, 1932
LEVINE--Stores Closed in Tribute - Business general in Columbus was suspended for 30 minutes this forenoon when retail business houses were closed from 9:30 to 10 a.m., in tribute to the memory of Abner Levine, prominent Columbus business man, senior member of the Levine Brothers firm, whose death resulted from carbon monoxide gas in his garage late Wednesday afternoon. The body of Mr. Levine was taken to Chicago for burial in a Jewish cemetery at Walheim, a suburb of Chicago, leaving Columbus Thursday evening. Mrs. Levine, two sons, Joe and Ben, and Mr. Levine's brothers, J.M. and Isadore, accompanied the body. The funeral was to be held some time today. About 100 business men, members of the chamber of commerce, and other friends of the Levine family were at the train when the group left for Chicago last evening.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, December 7, 1932
LONG--Mrs. G.L. Long Dies - Following a lingering illness of two and one half years' duration, Mrs. G.L. Long, 53, succumbed at 9:45 p.m. yesterday at her home, 3603 Thirteenth street, her death being due to a chronic illness which had rendered her bedfast the last five months. Mrs Long had resided in Columbus for the last 14 years, coming here in January, 1918, with her family, from Palisade, Neb., where she had resided during the greater part of her early life. As Miss Maud Mable Marquissee, she was born on Oct. 1, 1879, at Oelwein, Ia., and when about five years old, moved with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.O. Marquissee, to Alda, Neb., where they lived for a short time. The family then moved to Palisade, where she attended school and was graduated from the Palisade high school. Following her graduation, she became a teacher in the rural schools of Hitchcock county for a period of five years. On Apr. 20, 1904, she was united in marriage to George L. Long, and they made their home there until 1918, when the family moved to Columbus. Mr. Long, who was traveling at that time, was transferred here. During her residence in Columbus, Mrs. Long affiliated with the Baptist church, in which she became an active member. She also was a member of the ladies aid society of the church. Besides Mr. Long, she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Ada Weiss, of Maywood, Ill., who arrived here Friday, Mrs. Lois Sund, of Omaha, who has been here caring for her mother, and Miss Grace Long, of Columbus; four sons, Newell, Alvin, Vincent and Vern Long, all of Columbus; three sisters, Mrs. William Hahn, of Hanlet, Neb., Mrs. Arch McKillip, of Hayes Center, and Miss Alice Marquissee, of Trenton; one brother, Roy Marquissee, of Stratton, and two grandchildren, Betty Marie Weiss, of Maywood, Ill., and Alitta Mable Long, of Columbus. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Gass Funeral chapel, with Rev. G.E. Forssell, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. Burial will be made in Columbus. The body will lie in state at the funeral home until the hour of the funeral.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, December 9, 1932
BLASER--DIES AT AGE OF 91 - Resident of County Over 50 Years Built Many Early-Day Bridges
Nicholas Blaser, resident of Platte county for over half a century, who lacked only a few months of attaining his 92nd birthday anniversary, died at 5:30 a.m. today at his home, 2121 Eighth street, following a critical illness from uremic poisoning of only four days. He
Photo
NICHOLAS BLASER
had suffered somewhat from this ailment for the past two years, but was bedfast only since Monday.
Mr. Blaser was a native of Switzerland, born in Aarwangen, Canton Bern, Mar. 25, 1841. At the tender age of 5 years he gained his first experience in handling a row boat upon the Aar river, which flowed beside his native city, and by the time he was 10 years old had become an expert in all kinds of river work and lore. Among the most interesting incidents of his boyhood were the intervals when he helped in assembling the logs that had been hewn in the forests around Aarwangen and in forming the rafts that were to be floated down the river to the lumber mills. Of this work he was very fond, although it left him little time for ...
At the age of 16 he was sent to the city of Bern to work on a ferry boat, but remained at this post only two months, when, because of the hours, he resigned and resolved to serve a three year apprenticeship as a carpenter and mason, in the meantime putting in his required few weeks each year with the Swiss army. While gaining his knowledge from master masons and carpenters of the trade he had chosen, he was located at Basel, in northern Switzerland, his wages at the beginning averaging around 30 cents a day, with slight increases from time to time as he grew more proficient.
As a journeyman carpenter and mason, he spent two years from 1860 to 1862 traveling in France, England and Germany, earning his way at his trade as he visited various portions of Europe. A great portion of this period was spent in France. He was in London, but did not care for the British metropolis and remained only a short time. With little more money than would pay the expense of his journeyings, he often went whole days without food.
A complete account of his travels is contained in a diary which Mr. Blaser wrote during his later years in a book which contained in the front part the visas required in moving from one European country or city to another. The book, now yellow with age, is now a precious possession of the surviving members of his family. Its pages tell how Mr. Blaser became a stowaway on a vessel sailing from London to Hamburg; how he gave his watch to the ship’s captain and of its redemption upon reaching their destination; and a host of other colorful details of those roving years of young manhood.
Family Reaches Columbus
In 1863, at Aarwangan, Mr. Blaser was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Ernst, who preceded him in death on Apr. 13 1914. The couple lived in Switzerland until 1867, when, with their two sons, Nick, jr. who passed away in 1916 and Louis, they sailed for America. The family went directly to St. Joseph, Mo., and there took a Missouri river steamer to Omaha. During that journey they were forced to remain at an inn along the way for two weeks because of ice on the river, arriving in Omaha in early spring.
Mr. and Mrs. Blaser, their two sons, and two men by the names of John Jaisli and John Friedli hired a wagon and team of mules that spring to take them to Columbus, which they had determined would be their final destination. But when they reached the Elkhorn River, the bridge had been washed out and they had to return to Omaha. Later Mr. Blaser and Mr. Friedli set out on foot for Columbus. Mrs. Blaser and the children to follow when the railroad tracks, which had also been washed out in several places, had been repaired. The two men waded across the Elkhorn on the submerged railway tracks, and before reaching Columbus were forced to ford the icy waters of Union creek.
After Mr. Blaser had been joined by his wife and two sons, they remained in Columbus for about six months. It was then decided to retrace their trail to Aurora, Ill., where they resided for two years, Mr. Blaser working at his trade as a carpenter and in contracting. The next year they returned to Columbus to take up a homestead of 80 acres in Loup township, adding to their holdings by later purchases of land that was selling for $4 to $6 an acre. The family lived on the farm until 1890, when they moved to Columbus and Mr. Blaser again took up his trade as a carpenter and contractor. It was during these early years that Mr. Blaser devoted most of his energies to the building of many bridges in Platte and in all of the adjoining counties, retiring from active work several years ago.
Funeral Service Sunday
Mr. Blaser was a democrat in his political views, and served as one of the first supervisors of Loup township, filling the position of assessor at one time during those early years. He was a charter member of the Evangelical Protestant church here, which when organized was known as the German Reform church. He was an honorary member of both the Swiss Maennerchor and the Swiss society.
Even at his advanced age, Nicholas Blaser was able to keep himself in good physical condition with daily chores about his home, chopping wood and other mild exercise. Asked upon one of his frequent visits to The Telegram office what he considered the secret of his surprising good health, although nearing a century mark in years, he replied that he believed it was the daily activity in which he engaged and in the fact that milk was one of the principal items of his diet. He said he smoked only once – and became so sick after his first cigar that he never tried another. The fact that he had led a vigorous life from earliest boyhood probably accounted in some degree for his rugged constitution, which averted the usual infirmities of a man of his years.
Mr. Blaser is survived by six sons – Louis Blaser, of Butler township; John Blaser, of Loup township; Frank Blaser, of Columbus township; Michael Blaser, of Butler township, Henry Blaser, living near Duncan, and Paul Blaser, of Butler township – one daughter, Mrs. Fred Oppliger, of Butler township; 35 grand children and 35 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Fred Blaser, of Omaha.
Funeral services are to be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Evangelical Protestant church in Columbus, with Rev. J.H. Steger in charge of the German service and Rev. C.W. Deglow, of Duncan in charge of the English service. Burial will be made in Columbus cemetery. The body will lie in state at the Gass Funeral Home all day Saturday.
The Columbus Daily Telegram, December 10, 1932
BOYLE--Father Dies – Dr. H.C. Groeteke received word this afternoon from Mrs. Groeteke that her father P.C. Boyle, 76, of Fremont passed away at his home there at 2 p.m. today. He had been bedfast for the last eight months. He was preceded in death by Mrs. Boyle who passed away on Oct. 7, 1932. He is survived by four sons, William H. Boyle, of Schuyler, John Boyle, of West Point, J.L. Boyle of Lindsay, and Harold Boyle of Fremont; four daughters Mrs. Groteke [sic] of Columbus [remainder not copied]LOWERY--Herbert Lowery Dies - Herbert Lowery, 42, who resided with his mother, Mrs. Mary Lowery, at 2809 Seventh street, passed away at 9:30 a.m. today at St. Mary's hospital, where he had been receiving medical treatment since Nov. 22. His death was due to tuberculosis, from which he had been suffering for several months. Born on Oct. 7, 1890 in Norfolk, Neb., he came here at an early age with his parents, lived here until 1925. From here he went to Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, where he was employed in the coal mines. It was while working in the mines that he contracted tuberculosis, and when his health failed to such extent that he could not work there any longer he returned to Columbus five months ago. He is survived by his wife, and one son, who reside at Cadiz, O.; his mother, Mrs. Mary Lowery, of Columbus; five brothers, Milton and Ralph Lowery, of Columbus, Frank Lowery, of Omaha, Bruce Lowery, of Chicago, and Dr. Theodore Lowery, of Kansas City, Mo.; and Miss Freida Lowery of Evanston, Ill. The funeral services will be announced later, pending word from distant relatives.