The Columbus Daily Telegram, January 24, 1942
DIED
KLUG--Albert Klug, 81, oldest craft shop operator in Columbus both in years and in service, died at 9:30 p.m. Friday at his home at 1569 Twenty-fourth avenue, following an illness of eight days.
    He had been in apparent good health, giving daily attention to his blacksmith shop up to Jan. 15, when he was stricken with apolexy while at work and removed to his home. He remained in a coma most of the time, becoming steadily weaker.
    Rites Monday
    The body was taken to Gass-Bideaux mortuary and will be taken to the Klug home at 10 a.m. Sunday, where it will lie in state to the hour of the funeral.
    Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Klug home and 2:30 at the Trinity Lutheran church with Rev. Herman Goede officiating. Burial will be in Columbus cemetery. No flowers are requested.
    Albert Klug was born in Abtshagen, Pommer, Germany, Sept. 30, 1860, the son of Carl and Johanna Klug, and grew to manhood in his native town.
    Emigrated in '84
    At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, remaining in that trade for nine years.
    When he was 24 years old, in 1884, he emigrated to the United States by himself, coming directly to Columbus, and to the farm of his uncle, John Klug, which was located across the line from north Columbus township in Colfax county.
    There he remained five months, then decided to make practical use of his old country trade, and hired out as a blacksmith to Herman Nadenstade, a smith located on Eleventh street. He worked for Nadenstade for a year.
    Started for Self
    On March 1, 1886, Mr. Klug formed a partnership with the late Louis Held, one-time mayor of Columbus, and opened a blacksmith shop on Eleventh street. The partnership lasted two and a half years.
    In the fall of 1888, Mr. Klug started in business for himself, renting a small building belonging to the elder Frederick Gottschalk and located at what is now 2322 Thirteenth street. He remained in that located four years.
    Bought Site
    In 1892 he bought the lot and building at 2323 Thirteenth street, owned by Mike Abts. The building had been known for a considerable time as the Abts saloon. He turned this building into his blacksmith shop. The north end of the present-day building is still the original "Abts saloon."
    A few years after the beginning of the new century Mr. Klug rented his blacksmith shop and in turn rented a building on Eleventh street as his own smithy.
    Had Operation
    About 1908 he left Eleventh street to rent a frame building at 2301 Thirteenth street, present site of the Nielsen Chevrolet company, and opened an implement shop. In the meantime, in 1909, he rented his Thirteenth street blacksmith shop to John M. Umland, who at that time established his first blacksmith shop in Columbus. Mr. Umland continued at the stand to 1915, when he erected his present machine shop at 2807 Thirteenth street, at which time Mr. Klug closed out his implement business and returned to blacksmith in his own building.
    Mr. Klug worked steadily at his craft from that time on. Seven years ago he was taken seriously ill, submitted to an operation, and was thought to be near death. But after a lay-off of six months he returned to his shop remaining there daily up to Jan. 15.
    Expert Craftsman
    The veteran craftsman, who spent virtually 67 years at his trade, including his years as an apprentice, was what might aptly be described as "the village blacksmith" in the meaning of the term as portrayed by Longfellow in his poem of the same name.
    "Klug's blacksmith shop," was a familiar term to farmers in the Columbus territory for half a century. In the early days Klug established himself an expert horseshoer. Long before the advent of electric welding, Mr. Klug was skilled in the rebuilding of broken metal parts, and his adeptness at the open forge never gave way to modern developments in the repairing and tooling of metals.
    One Man Shop
    When innovations in transportation took away his once lucrative wagon and buggy repair business, Mr. Klug reverted to farm implement repair, and that had been his main business for the past 20 years.
    Through his long life over the bright coals, hammer in hand, the blacksmith developed an iron constitution, and he had often remarked he had "never known a sick day." When business was pressing years ago he employed helpers, but for the past quarter century, he operated strictly a one-man shop-his own boss and workman. Work he could not handle because orders piled up he referred to other shops.
    Wed 54 Years
    Mr. Klug was an artisan of the old school, one of the few remaining in this territory. He was not only one of the oldest active blacksmiths in point of service, but likewise in age in Nebraska. Mr. Klug married Miss Mary Klug [sic], daughter of John Held, one of the founders of Columbus and a Columbus township settler of the 50's, on Oct. 13, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Klug celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Oct. 13, 1937.
    Consistent Reader
    Surviving are his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Martha Stubblefield, who made her home in recent years with her parents; one grandson, First Lt. Jack O'Sullivan of Ft. Lewis, Wash., and three brothers, Carl Klug, and Herman Klug of Columbus and Frank in Germany, and one sister, Johanna Ahrens also in Germany. Two daughters, Mrs. Clara O'Sullivan and Mrs. Hattie Malone, preceded his death.
    Mr. Klug divided his life between his home and his shop and took little active interest in civic affairs, although he was a consistent reader and remained well-informed in affairs of state to his death. He was a devout church member, in late years of the Trinity Lutheran church, and earlier of the German Reformed church, of which he was a board secretary for 10 years. He was also identified with Thusnelda lodge, Sons of Herman.

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The Columbus Daily Telegram, March 16, 1942
DIED
MICHAELSON--Funeral service for Peter Michaelson, 79, former Columbus and Grand Prairie township farmer, who died yesterday at his home in Norfolk, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Lutheran church in Norfolk, with Rev. Theodore Harms, former pastor of St. John's Lutheran church northwest of here, officiating.
    The body will be brought here for burial in Columbus cemetery at 4 p.m. The casket will be opened at the grave.
    Mr. Michaelson made his home in Norfolk the past 12 years, and prior to that time resided for 25 years in Columbus. Before that time he farmed in Grand Prairie township.
    Surviving are 11 children, Chris Michaelson of Palmer, S. A. Michaelson of Wahoo, John Michaelson of Central City, and Ernest Michaelson of Norfolk, and Mrs. Adolph Krumland, Mrs. Hanna Behrens, Mrs. Henry S. Cattau, jr., and Mrs. John Spitz, all of Columbus, Mrs. Herman Kuch of St. Libory, Mrs. Herman Schmidt of Archer, and Mr. Henry Schmidt of Grand Island. A daughter, Mrs. Maurice Spitz, died April 20, 1937.

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The Columbus Daily Telegram, June 25, 1942
DIED
KUSH--Funeral For Thomas Kush, 101, Saturday
    Had Been Ill Only Short Time; Here Since 1874, Born in Poland
    Funeral services for Thomas Kush, sr., 101, who died at 12:40 p.m. yesterday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Frank J. Kuta, 2710 Sixth street, will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Bonaventure's church. Rev. John Joseph
    Brogger, pastor, will officiate, and burial will be in Duncan cemetery. The body is lying in state at the Gahan Funeral home and this evening at 8:30 friends of the family will recite the rosary.
    Infirmities due to advanced age resulted in his death. Although in failing health for some time, he was bedfast only three days.
    To U. S. In 1874
    Born in Pilsno, Poland, Dec. 28, 1840, he remained in his native land until 1874, when he came to the United States. Coming here from the east, he settled in Columbus and found employment on the section of the Union Pacific railroad, which had been built through from Omaha to Ogden, Utah, in 1869. It was while working here he met Miss Katherine Barnas, to whom he was married in 1884.
    Until 1887 he remained in the employ of the railroad, and at that time, having saved enough money to buy a farm, he located in the Pilsno community in Polk county, 15 miles southwest of Columbus.
    Retired in 1919
    Mrs. Kush died April 5, 1905, and Mr. Kush remained on the farm with his sons and daughters, until they were all established in homes of their own. Retiring in 1919, he went to live with a daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Czuba, who were then living in Fullerton. In 1925 he came to Columbus with them, and since that time has lived at various times with three daughters, Mrs. Czuba and Mrs. Kuta, both of Columbus, and Mrs. Walter Morys of Clarks.
    He is survived by three sons, Joe Kush of St. Paul, Louis Kush of Columbus and Thomas Kush of Omaha; seven daughters; Mrs. Pauline Morys of Clarks, Mrs. Josie Prorack of Fullerton, Mrs. Agnes Czapla, Mrs. Mary Czapla, Mrs. Vera Kuta and Mrs. Kathryn Czuba, all of Columbus, and Miss Victoria Kush of Omaha; 50 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.--[submitted by Marge Galus Sandlier--no relationship to deceased]

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The Columbus Telegram, June ??, 1942
DIED
KUSH--Funeral services for Thomas Kush, sr., 101, who died at 12:40 p.m. Thursday at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Kuta, 2710 Sixth street, were held at 9 a.m. today at St. Bonaventure's church. Rev. John Joseph Brogger, pastor, officiated and burial was in Duncan cemetery.
    Pallbearers were six grandsons, Loney Kuta, Clifford Czapla, R. J. Kuta, Loney Czapla, Joe Kush and Raymond Czapla.
    Out-of-town relatives and friends attending were Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Czuba of Sidney, Joe Kus of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Kush, Mrs. Anna Galus, Mrs. Victoria Hall and son, all of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Prorack and family, Joe and Mike Prorack, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Vetek and family, all of Fullerton.
    John Micek and children, Jack Micek, Andrew Micek, Frank Micek, all of Pilsno, Mrs. and Mrs. Tom Kush, Frank Kush, all of Monroe, Mrs. and Mrs. Adolph Czapla, Mrs. and Mrs. Adolph Morys of Clarks, Mr. and Mrs. John Murcek. Mrs. Bud Meyer and Miss Adline Prorack, both of Grand Island.--[submitted by Marge Galus Sandlier--no relationship to deceased]

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The Columbus Daily Telegram, July 17, 1942
DIED
BORCHERS--John H. Borchers, 81, Dies; Funeral Will be Monday
    John Henry Borchers, 81, well-known retired farmer, and resident of the county since 1890, died at 10:30 a.m. today at his home nine miles northwest of Platte Center.
    Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Gass-Bideaux mortuary, and at 2 p.m. at Grand Prairie Lutheran church. Rev. M. G. Moore will officiate, and burial will be in the Grand Prairie cemetery. The body will be taken to the family home at 5 p.m. tomorrow where it will lie in state at the mortuary.
    Born in Oldenburg, Germany, Jan. 29, 1861, he attended school and grew to manhood. From 1882 until 1885 he served in the German army, and in July, 1886, came to the United States. Settling in Defiance, Ia, he worked as a farmhand, and in 1890 came to Columbus. The following year he was married to Gesena Mindrup, and after their marriage they farmed northwest of Platte Center. Mrs. Borchers died June 15, 1929.
    He is survived by 11 children: Mrs. Anthony Hassebrook, Mrs. Elizabeth Rieken and Mrs. Martha Siebler, all of Platte Center; Fred of Genoa, Walter of Omaha; Pvt. Edward H., of Camp Barkely, Tex., John and Theodore of Monroe and George, Helen and Marie, all at home; a brother, George of Columbus, and 18 grandchildren. Three children preceded him in death.

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The Columbus Daily Telegram, July 21, 1942
DIED
BORCHERS--Rites Monday for John H. Borchers
    Funeral services for John Henry Borchers, 81, well-known retired farmer and resident of the county since 1980, who died Friday at his home nine miles northwest of Platte Center, were held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the family home, and at 2 p.m. at Grand Prairie Lutheran church.
    Rev. M. G. Moore, pastor, preached the English sermon, and Rev. Herman H. Goede, pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, the German. The church choir sand "It is Well with My Soul," and "Abide With Me." Rudolph Fittje sang "Jesus Still Leads On."
    Pallbearers were Herman, Ben and Gerhart Janssen, Rev. John Borchers, John Borchers, jr., and Dick Bruhn. C. L. Martensen, E. J. Nutzman, Ernest Fisher, John Hassebrook, Leopold Sieber and Dick Tonges were honorary pallbearers. Burial was in Grand Prairie cemetery.
    Attending the service from out-of-town were Pvt. Ed H. Borchers of Camp Barkely, Tex., John H. Borchers of Riverton, Mr. And Mrs. John Mindrup, jr., of Wayne, Elmer Bergean and family of Genoa, John Mindrup and Nick Kamm and family, all of Platte Center, Herman Mindrup of Monroe, J. R. Williams and daughter, Irene, and Miss Jennie Evans, all of Lincoln, and Carl Martensen and family of Pierce.
    From Columbus were George Borchers, Mrs. Mary Black, Rev. John Borchers, Emil Olsen and family, Dick Bruhn and family, Mrs. Art Faye and Herman Rieken.

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The Columbus Daily Telegram, November [abt. 2], 1942
DIED
RATTERMAN--Death Comes To Former County Judge - John G. Ratterman, 89, Dies Unexpectedly; Funeral Wednesday
    John G. Ratterman, 89, 1671 Twenty-eight avenue, former Platte county judge and long-time public office holder, merchant and school teacher, died at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at his home.
    Mr. Ratterman had been in relatively good health recently, managing to make trips downtown frequently. He had eaten dinner with the family earlier, and was carrying on a converation when he was stricken, death coming apparently at once. About two years ago he was gravely ill for several weeks and appeared near death at that time, but rallied.
    Rites Wednesday.
    Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Bonaventure's church, Rev. J.J. Brogger, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
    Body was taken to the Gahan Funeral home and will be brought to the Ratterman home at 3 p.m. Tuesday, where it will lie in state until the hour of the service. Members of the Holy Name society, Knights of Columbus and friends of the family will say the rosary at the Ratterman home at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
    Studied Organ.
    He was born in Cincinnati, O., April 4, 1853. At the age of 2 he moved with his parents to Guttenberg, Ia., where he attended and was graduated from a Catholic school. At the age of 20 he attended a teachers' normal college at Milwaukee, where he took a special course in organ music.
    After three years of college he was called to a parochial school at Menominee, near Hartington, where he both taught and played the church organ. Then followed about 13 years teaching, part of which was in rural Platte county schools.
    In Hardware.
    In 1890, in company with his brother-in-law, I.W. Zavadil, Mr. Ratterman entered the hardware business in Wahoo, and later in Humphrey.
    Mr. Ratterman was a candidate for county judge in 1895 but failed of election. In 1901, however, he was successful in his try for the same Platte county position, beginning a judgeship which lasted 16 years. He gave up the office Jan. 6, 1917.
    About 1908 he was elected to the Columbus city board of education, a position which he held for 10 years, during four of which he was secretary of the board. Following his terms in the county judge's office he was precinct assessor in Columbus for eight years, and in 1930, was elected justice of the peace for Columbus. He held this position for 10 years, eventually retiring from active public service in 1940, at the age of 87.
    Wed Twice.
    Mr. Ratterman married Miss Mary Kuchta at Yankton, S.D., and to the union were born six children, Mrs. Mae White, San Diego, Calif., Mrs. Vern Evans, Council Bluffs, Ia., Miss Lucy Ratterman, Columbus, and Frank J. Ratterman, Omaha, and two children preceded him in death, Mrs. George H. Bender, on August 19, 1940, and John G. Ratterman, jr., in 1922, the latter as a result of disease contracted while serving in World War I. On May 25, 1909, he married Miss Catherine Cain at O'Neill, who, with his four children, 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, survives.
    Death of Mr. Ratterman brings to a close a long life of community activity. He was one of the charter members of Columbus council No. 938, Knights of Columbus, in 1905 and continued honorary membership to his death. In addition, he was a long time member of the Columbus Fourth Degree assembly of the Knights of Columbus, of which he was faithful navigator at his death. He was a devout member of St. Bonaventure's church, and organized the choir at St. Joseph's chapel (now the Legion-Auxiliary hall) when the building was used as a "downtown chapel" of St. Bonaventure's parish some year [sic] ago.
    Democrat.
    From his background of teaching school in his young manhood, Mr. Ratterman acquired a valuable acquaintanceship which served him well when he entered public life at the turn of the century.
    Staunch democrat throughout his life, Mr. Ratterman served for several years as county chairman of the democratic central committee, and during the campaigns of William Jennings Bryan for president, he served as state president of the Bryan-for-President clubs. He was a meticulous saver of news clippings, and his library contains many valuable accounts of doings in the local community since his coming here.

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The Daily Telegram, November 25, 1942
DIED
ROBERTS--Anna Roberts of Platte Center is Dead of Stroke
    Miss Anna Roberts, 70, life-long resident of Platte Center, was found dead at her home about 6:30 p.m. yesterday. Death was apparently due to a stroke, the attending physician said. Town officials and neighbors made the discovery after a telephone call to Miss Roberts by a sister-in-law, Mrs. Nora Roberts, brought no response. Death was believed to have taken place some 24 hours earlier.
    The body was brought to the Bideaux Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are pending.
    Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Roberts, pioneer residents of the county, she was born on a farm east of Platte Center. She received her schooling in the rural and parochial schools of Platte Center. The greater part of her life was spent in caring for her aged parents. She was a devout member of St. Joseph's Catholic church.
    Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Kate Scanlon of Omaha, and Mrs. Sarah Corregan of Cordova, S.D., and three brothers; Ed of Washington, Dan of Denver, and John of Omaha. Her parents and three brothers have preceded her in death.