3 newspaper articles

# 1 - - Published in The Enterprise, October 22, 1915

Dr. William H. Pruner died at his son’s home in Omaha on last Tuesday the 19th, inst., from a complication of diseases, with which he had been afflicted for some time past, and was buried in the Kennard cemetery Thursday, Oct. 21, 1915.

Dr. Pruner was born June 27th, 1855, at Lebanon, Va. At the age of 22 years he enlisted in the V.P.S. at Blacksburg, Va. and served as private secretary to the President of that institution until his graduation. After leaving this school he began the study of medicine under the tutorage of his uncle, Dr. C. C. Oldson, in Va. and subsequently entered Baltimore college of Physicians and Surgery, graduating therefrom and was married to Miss Ella Sue Hawley Oct. 22, 1879. To this union ten children were born, seven of whom are now living.

Dr. Pruner will be greatly missed in this community; he was a friend to everybody and well liked by all. He had ministered to the bodily needs of this community as a practicing physician since 1890. The writer and wife extend their sympathy to the widow and family in their sad bereavement, the loss of a kind and loving husband and father.

Funeral arrangements were not fully completed when the notice of Dr. Pruner’s death was written. Since then I have learned that the funeral services will be held at the family house on Thursday at 2 o’clock P.M. and will be in charge of the Masonic lodge of this place of which he was an honored member since its organization. He was a 32nd degree member of the order and quite active in Masonic circles at home and throughout the state.

# 2 - - Published in The Pilot, October 27, 1915

(picture)

DR. PRUNER LAID TO REST

FUNERAL THURSDAY AFTERNOON WAS LARGEST EVER HELD IN COUNTY. HIGH TRIBUTE TO A WELL SPENT LIFE

The funeral of Dr. William H. Pruner, whose death occurred in Omaha Tuesday afternoon of last week, was held at the family residence in Kennard Thursday afternoon, and was the largest funeral ever held in Kennard, if not in the county. The attendance is estimated at 1,300 souls.

Dr. U. G. Brown, of Omaha, made a short address. Rev. A. J. Warne, of North Bend, a former pastor, read the obituary notice and said a few words of praise for an honored friend. Rev. J. B. Stoner, the present pastor, offered prayer and spoke briefly. The service at the house was in charge of the Knights Templar and at the grave the blue lodge of the Masonic order had charge. The Masonic bodies marched out to the cemetery in a body.

The village schools were closed for the afternoon in memory of the departed, also all business houses during the funeral hour. Practically every inhabitant in the entire village was present, but a small portion being able to gain admittance to the house.

The floral tributes almost filled one half of the large living room. A beautiful piece was sent by the Washington County Medical Association, of which the deceased was an honored member. He was a member of the Knight’s Templar order of Blair; the Masonic lodge of Kennard; the W.O.W. and the M.W.A. Floral pieces were sent by all these lodges, the schools, Sunday school, teachers, church and from dozens of friends.

Many were present from Blair, Fremont, Omaha, Ft. Calhoun, Bennington, and the surrounding country and towns to pay their last tribute of respect to a loved friend and helper. He “lived, not existed,” as Dr. Brown put it. He served the people of this community in sunshine and in storm, responding to the calls of the sick day or night, he never failed to go and do the best he could to relieve pain and suffering.

Deceased was born in Lebanon, Va., June 24th, 1855, and was therefore 60 years, 3 months and 25 days old at the time of his death. He was graduated from the Presbyterian seminary at Blacksburg, Va., acting as private secretary to the president for his tuition. After studying in the office with his uncle, Dr. Alderson, for a time, he entered the Baltimore College of Physicians & Surgeons and was graduated four years later.

He practiced in Virginia for about eight years before coming to this county in February, 1890. He was married at Blacksburg, Va., to Miss Ella Sue Hawley Oct. 22nd, 1879. Of this union, ten children were born, seven of whom are now living: Dr. Wm. Pruner of Omaha; Mrs. Opie Harrison of Cortez, Colo.; Caskie of Chicago; Orin of Kansas City; Mrs. Dr. Anderson, Mrs. Buena Verhs and Gifford, all of Kennard. All were present at the funeral, also one brother, Wiley Pruner, of Leaf River, Ill. He leaves another brother in Virginia.

The active pallbearers were: J. B. Burgess, A. N. Anderson, Elmer Miller, Chas. Weed, E. C. Nelson, C. C. Van Deusen. The honorary bearers were: Tom Gaines, John Nissen, Henry Kempcke, Wm. Bates, D. W. Van Deusen, Sam Demoree, Jas. Maney, Robt. Denton and Frank Miller.

CARD OF THANKS: We wish to thank our dear friends and neighbors for their kind and loving ministrations in our recent sad bereavement. The memory of your thoughtful kindness will be sweet to all of us in the sad days that are to come. MRS. W. H. PRUNER and family.

ODE TO DR. PRUNER

So sleep most faithful brother, In nature’s quiet bed,

‘Til we meet beyond the river, Our dear ones that are dead.

No more to be called away from home; No more they’ll break thy rest,

No more you’ll hear the summons, Of those who are distressed.

We’ll greatly miss the Doctor, In our trying hours of need,

Who always gave a helping hand, Was so kind in act and deed.

How often on those stormy nights, With north winds loudly humming,

Through snow-bound roads, through mud and rain; We heard the Doctor coming.

But now he’s gone to lands more fair, Where the streets are paved with gold,

Where sickness and death shall never come, And friendships never grow cold.

How grateful is that unseen hand, How loving is Thy power,

That gathers up these mortal souls, In that untimely hour.

Oh, blessed rest; oh, welcome guest, For those prepared to go,

Death comes to man, to bird and beast, To all things here below.

- - J. A. McDonald

# 3 - - Omaha News, Oct. 24

250 CHILDREN AT FUNERAL

Fully 3,000 friends of the late Dr. W. H. Pruner Sr., of Kennard, Neb., who died in Omaha Tuesday, attended the funeral at the Pruner home in Kennard Thursday. Among the number were 250 school children, the majority of whom were brought into the world by the physician.

The funeral was the largest ever held in Washington county. It was conducted by Masonic lodges of Kennard, Blair, Arlington and Tekamah and the sermon was preached by the Rev. U. G. Brown, district superintendent of the Methodist church. Schools were dismissed and business houses closed.

Dr. Pruner died at the home of his son, Dr. W. H. Pruner Jr., 5322 North Twenty-fourth street, following a short illness. Besides his wife and son, Dr. Pruner is survived by three daughters, Mrs. G. O. Harrison of Cortez, Colo.; Mrs. Dr. James Anderson of Kennard; and Mrs. John Vehrs of Kennard; and three sons, Caskel, Orin and Gifford, all of Kennard.

William H. Pruner, Sr., Dr. Pilot 3 Nov 1915

It is with great regret that we write of the death of Dr. Pruner, which occurred at Omaha Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Pruner has been in failing health for about three years but until recently did not give up. The funeral will be held tomorrow, Thursday, probably at 2 o’clock. Funeral arrangements not being made yet. A large family of children have grown to manhood and womanhood. Dr. Will Pruner, of Omaha, Mrs. Opie Harrison, of Cortex, Colo., Caskie, of Chicago, Orin, of Kansas City, Mrs. Dr. Anderson, Mrs. Buena Verhs and Gifford, of Kennard, five grandchildren and his wife are left to mourn for him. The whole community will join in sympathy with the family. He will be greatly missed by everyone. He was a member of the school board and of the official board of the Grace M.E. church, also of the Masonic lodge. Prayers were offered for him at Sunday School last Sunday. His class of boys will miss him greatly as he was a favorite teacher with the boys. A full obituary will be given next week.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Note: He is buried in Blk 6 Lt 4 Sp 2; Find A Grave Memorial# 26437010