Gone to His Reward

One of the Oldest and Most

Respected of Benton Precinct Citizens

Passes Away

After an illness lasting since early last winter, Henry C. Bohlken, one of the oldest and most respected of our west end citizens succumbed to the inevitable and last Sunday crossed over and joined the ever increasing throng gone before.

Mr. Bohlken was one of Nemaha County's oldest inhabitants and for almost fifty years had been living on the farm where he died. He was one of those steady, persevering, even tempered, ever reliable and dependable German Farmers.  Being of rather a retiring disposition, his circle of friends were not as extensive as some. But he was liked and respected by all that knew him.

Henry C. Bohlken was born in Germany, November 26, 1827 and died May 19, 1912, aged 84 years, 5 months and 23 days.

Mr. Bohlken was married twice. The last time forty one years ago to Miss Margaret Schutte, who survives him. He was the father of thirteen children, four by the first marriage and nine by the second. All of whom survive him and were present at the funeral.

They are Mrs. Rena Frerichs of Lorton, Mrs. Henry Siemers, George of Wymore and Ben of South Auburn. The children from the first marriage.

From the second marriage that are John, Mrs. Ed Shurtleif, Mrs. Henry Polsfus, Will,  Mrs. Herman Nordbrock, Mrs. Henry Follrichs, Katherine, Henry and Martin in the order of ages. Mrs. Polsfus lives in Thayer County, Nebraska, and Mrs. Nordbrock in Kearney County, Nebraska, and the others in the old neighborhood. They with the widow remain to mourn his loss. The sympathy of the community is extended to the sorrowing ones.

The funeral conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. H. Dirks was held Wednesday afternoon at the residence. Interment in Stone Church Cemetery.

The Johnson News

Friday

May 24, 1912

Henry C. Bohlken Has Answered Last Call

Pioneer Resident Reached

End of Long Career

Passed Away at His Home Southwest

of this City Last Sunday

Was one Who Contributed Much to this

Community and was highly Respected

Henry C. Bohlken, a pioneer of the county, a man who stood high

in the estimation of his fellowman and whose long life was full of

good works, passed away at his home near the Stone church

south-west of this city last Sunday.

The passing of Mr. Bohlken removes one who had contributed much

in the welfare of this community and has left a legacy of good works

that will keep his memory fresh long after his mortal remains shall

have turned to dust.

Henry C. Bohlken was a native of Germany and was born

November 22, 1827, and hence he was 84 years, 5 months

and 23 days old when the end came.

In 1853 he left the Fatherland, after having grown to manhood and

seen military service there. He set out toward the new world,

bringing with him the sturdy traits of character that were destined

to make him a beloved and respected resident of the country of

his adoption. He located first in Illinois, but in 1858 he came to

Nebraska and located in Nemaha county, where with the

exception of one year, he lived until the time of his death,

occupying the same farm and associating with the same

neighbors but ever making new acquaintances and consequently

new friends - for to know him was to become his friend.

He was married in early manhood and to this marriage four children

were born all of whom are living and they are: Mrs. Rena Frerichs

of Lorton, Nebraska, Mrs. Mary Siemere of Emerson, Nebraska,

Gerd Bohlken of Wymore, Nebraska, and Ben Bohlken who

is a resident of this county. His wife died many years ago and on

October 3, 1871, he was married in this county to Miss

Margarette Senette, who survives him. To this second union

nine children were born and they survive their father to share

the general sorrow that his death has occasioned. The

surviving children by his second wife are; Mrs. Hannah Pobifuss

of Deshler, Nebraska, Mrs. Lena Nordbrock of Hildreth, Nebraska,

and John Bohlken, Mrs. Margaret Shurtleff, William Bohlken,

Mrs. Anna Folrichs, Miss Kate Bohlken, Henry C. Bohlken Jr.,

and Martin Bohlken, all of whom live in this county. In addition

to the members of his immediate family the deceased leaves

thirty-five grand children and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held from the family residence on Wednesday

afternoon and people came from far and near to pay their

respects to the memory of the departed and to show their

sympathy for the family. The services were conducted by

Reverend Dirks, who took as his text the fifth verse of the

fifty-first chapter of Isaiah and paid a splendid tribute to the

Christian character of the departed. Mr. Bohlken had been a

member of the Stone church for many years and was an earnest

supporter of all good works. He contributed of his money and his

influence and his own personal life was an exemplification of

the faith that was in him. After the services the remains were

laid to rest in the Stone church cemetery.

Nemaha County Herald

Friday

May 24, 1912

AGED WOMAN HAS

BEEN SUMMONED

Mrs. Margaretha Bohlken

Called To Death

Aged Resident of Nemaha County Reached End

of Journey of Life Last Sunday and Her

Passing is Mourned By Many

Friends In Community

Mrs. Margaretha Bohlken, an aged and highly respected resident

of this community, passed away at her home southwest of Auburn

last Sunday. Mrs. Bohlken had reached an advanced age and

many of the years of her life had been spent in this community.

Because of her fine Christian character and womanly and

motherly qualities, she had endeared herself to a wide circle of

friends who mourn her passing and who join in extending

to the family their sincere sympathy.

The deceased was born at Schnappin, Oestiriesland, Germany,

October 7, 1848, and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John

H. Schuette. She was baptized on October 21, 1848, in the

Lutheran church at the place of her birth. At an early age she was

confirmed and always took an active interest in the church

during the remainder of her life. She came to America in the

spring of 1871 and lived first in Illinois and later at Nebraska

City. In October 1871 she was married at Nebraska City to

Herman C. Bohlken, a pioneer Nemaha county resident and

moved with her husband to the Bohlken homestead in Benton

precinct, which continued to be her home until she passed

away. Her husband preceded her in death May 19, 1912.

Mrs. Bohlken found her chief interest in the home life, although

she was always ready to minister to the needs of friends and

neighbors. She was a good woman and one whose life was a

splendid influence on those about her.

She was the mother of nine children, eight of whom are living.

One daughter, Mrs. Caroline Nordbrock passed away

July 13, 1923. The surviving children are: John Bohlken, Auburn;

Mrs. Ed Shurtleff, Humboldt; Mrs. Henry Polsfus, Beatrice;

William Bohlken, Auburn; Mrs. Henry Follrichs, Auburn;

Miss Kathrina Bohlken, H. C. Bohlken and Martin Bohlken,

all of Auburn. She is also survived by two step-sons,

Gerd Bohlken of Wymore and Ben Bohlken of Auburn.

There are also nineteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren

and three sisters, two living in Germany, and Mrs. Dick Heden

of Gilead, Nebraska .

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church, conducted by

Rev. Kunzendorff. Many friends and neighbors were present to

pay their respects and following the services the interment was

made in St. John's cemetery.

The Nemaha County Herald

Friday

March 13, 1931