Since the exact death date was not given, the date of a newspaper article was used. Published in The Enterprise, April 30, 1915

4 newspaper articles

# 1 - - from The Enterprise, April 30, 1915

ANOTHER SUDDEN DEATH

GEORGE D. RATHMANN, A NEBR. PIONEER PASSES AWAY

HE CAME TO NEBRASKA IN 1862

WAS A CLOSE FRIEND OF M. MATTHIESEN WHO DIED TWO WEEKS AGO; THEIR DEATHS VERY SIMILAR

The community was shocked yesterday when it was learned that George D. Rathmann, a highly respected pioneer citizen had passed away very suddenly at the home of his son, G. A. Rathmann, on east Lincoln street.

While not in the best of health, he was able to be around town and on Thursday was in the alley back of his home watching some carpenters at work, when he must have had a fainting spell, for J. F. Burcham saw him in a reclining position on the embankment and went to his assistance. Mr. Rathmann complained of feeling dizzy and faint and was taken to the home of his son, G. A., where Mrs. Rathmann and a neighbor administered to him the necessary restoratives and phoned for a physician. In the meantime he was assisted to a couch, where he expired almost instantly. The body was afterwards removed to his own home, only a few steps from that of his son, where it was prepared for burial.

George D. Rathmann was born in Holstein, Germany, May 10, 1828 and would have been 87 years of age on next May tenth. He was married to Miss Marie Reese, and came to Nebraska in 1862, living first in Omaha, and for many years in Douglas and Washington counties. He removed to Blair about twenty-three years ago, and, since the death of his wife, in 1913, has lived alone, taking his meals at the home of his son. Mr. Rathmann was a man of unusual intelligence, and spent many hours each day with his books and kept abreast of all current events. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom survive. They are Mrs. Claus Mencke; August; Mrs. Peter Soll; Henry, who lives at Scribner; Mrs. Mary Anderson; Chris; Gus F.; and John, now a resident of Oregon.

Mr. Rathmann was a close friend of M. Matthiesen, who died two weeks ago and he had remarked recently, that he would “go” in the same manner and his words were almost a prophesy.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 P.M., in Germania hall, the Germania Verein having charge of the obsequies. Interment will be made in the Blair cemetery.

# 2 - - from The Tribune, May 5, 1915

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE

The sudden death of George D. Rathmann on last Thursday came as a surprise and shock to his large circle of friends in this city and county.

He had not been in robust health but as well as could be expected of a man of his advanced age and had been able to be around town up to the day of his death.

In the forenoon he was noticed sitting on the cement steps butting on the alley just back of the home of his son, G. A. Rathmann, and just across the alley from this office. Apparently he was watching the carpenters at work on this building, but it is now thought that he had fainted and was partially unconscious. Mr. J. F. Burcham, one of the carpenters at work, noticed him and went over and assisted him to his feet and he thought he was alright as he said he could get to the house which he did. In the talk with Mr. Burcham, he made the statement that he would go like his old friend, M. Matthiesen, who died a short time since.

He lived only a few minutes after reaching the house and before a physician could reach him.

Mr. Rathmann was a man who was respected by those who knew him and his manner of life was an example that we would all do well to follow. Always attending strictly to his own affairs, kindness and honesty, his watchword, his life was of a quiet peaceful nature that made him many friends.

George D. Rathmann was born in Holstein, Germany, May 10, 1828, and would have been 87 years of age on next May tenth. He was married to Miss Marie Reese, and came to Nebrasska in 1862, living first in Omaha, and for many years in Douglas and Washington counties. He removed to Blair about twenty-three years ago, and, since the death of his wife, in 1913, has lived alone, taking his meals at the home of his son.

The funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Germania hall, the German Verein having charge of the ceremonies. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

# 3 - - Blair Democrat, May 6, 1915

AGED AND RESPECTED CITIZEN DIES AFTER SHORT ILLNESS

G. D. Rathmann died very suddenly last Thursday and the funeral was held from Germania hall Sunday afternoon. Mr. Rathmann was born in Schleswig-Holstein May 10, 1828, and came to America in 1862 with his wife and three children. They spent four years in Omaha where Mr. Rathmann helped equip the first U.P. shops. Later they moved to a farm south of town and came to Blair in 1883. Eight children are left as follows, his wife having died nearly two years ago: Mrs. Claus Mencke; August; Mrs. Peter Soll; Chris; Mrs. Mary Anderson and Gus, of this city; Henry of Scribner and John of Oregon. Mr. Rathmann was highly respected and the regard the people had for him was attested by the large crowd that attended the funeral services.

# 4 - - from The Pilot, May 12, 1915

George D. Rathmann died very suddenly last Thursday morning of heart trouble. He had been ailing for a week or so but was able to be around and had worked in the garden for a while that morning. He went into the kitchen at the home of his son, Gus, and told Mrs. Rathmann he wasn’t feeling well. He sat down on a chair by the table and when an attack of heart trouble came on, Mrs. Rathmann sent for Dr. Langstaff. By the time the doctor arrived, about ten minutes, he was breathing his last few breaths. The funeral was held at Germania hall at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon and was conducted by Jacob Hauck of Omaha, who had conducted Mrs. Rathmann’s funeral at the same place about a year and a half before. At that time Mr. Rathmann had marked several passages in a book for Mr. Hauck to read at the funeral of both his wife and himself, which Mr. Hauck read. The funeral was largely attended, showing something of the high esteem Mr. Rathmann was held by his friends and neighbors. Deceased was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, May 10th, 1828 and would therefore have been 87 had he lived to the 10th of this month. He was married there to Miss Marie Christina Rease in 1856 and with their three children, Tina, August and Sophia, they came to America in 1862, settling first at Omaha, where Mr. Rathmann worked in the Union Pacific shops, he having learned his trade as a machinist in Germany. He helped set up the first machines used in the shops and worked there for a number of years. He later settled on a farm near Ft. Calhoun, moving to this city in 1883. He conducted a blacksmith shop here until he was too feeble to work at it any longer. His wife died Dec. 3rd, 1913, and since that time he has made his home with his son, G. A. He is survived by eight children, Mrs. Claus Mencke; August; Mrs. Peter Soll; Chris; Mrs. Mary Anderson and G. A., all of this city ; Henry of Scribner and John, who recently moved to Oregon. The following were from out-of-town to attend the funeral: Mrs. Louise Seabolm and Miss Edith Rathmann of Grand Island; Mr. and Mrs. Will Mencke of Florence; Mrs. John Mencke of Scottsbluff, Neb.; Mrs. Chas. A. Olson of Crofton; and Mrs. Elmer Wilds of Fremont. There were also many friends present from Kennard, Herman and Ft. Calhoun. The pallbearers were: Peter Siert, John Schmahling, Nels Truhlsen, H. L. Struve, Victor Wolff and Jacob Rahlfs, all brother members of the Germania Verein.