Harry Seltz, 69, born in the old “ghost town” of DeSoto near Fort Calhoun, and a resident of that vicinity all his life, died Tuesday night in an Omaha hospital after a long illness. He was an uncle of Seymour Smith, Omaha city attorney.

He was a son of Charles Seltz, who founded a store in DeSoto, going there instead of to Omaha because it was then a larger and more promising place.

Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth, three daughters, Mrs. Grant Lage and Mrs. Ernest Kruse of Fort Calhoun, and Mrs. David Mumert of Blair; three sisters and a brother.

The funeral will be this afternoon at 2 at the family home.

#2-15 Oct., 1936 - The Enterprise

HARRY SELTZ PIONEER OF DE SOTO DIES

Born and Reared in De Soto. A real Farmer and Good Citizen

SCHOOL HEAD 31 YRS.

Harry Seltz, well known in the county and state, passed away at Immanuel hospital in Omaha at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. He had been taken to the hospital five weeks ago last Sunday where he submitted to an operation for ulcers of the stomach.

This succeeded a long spell in the hospital as the result of a broken hip from which he was recovering, and just able to walk with the aid of crutches. He was suddenly stricken with the stomach trouble, and was rushed to the hospital, but was unable to regain his health after the operation.

Harry Seltz was born in De Soto December 11, 18667. He was a territorial pioneer, as were his parents before him, and his stock of knowledge of the early day happenings was unlimited.

He was a real farmer and loved the farm and his entire life was given over to this work. He was a purebred stock breeder and his cattle and hogs found ready sale, as did also his purebred seed corn. His reputation for honesty in his dealings made all farmers have faith in his output.

He also took an active part in the affairs of his community and while not a member of any church, he was always one of the strong backers of the local Sunday School. He was also interested in school affairs, and served for thirty one years as treasurer of his school district.

On December 15, 1896 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hamlet of Omaha, and to them three daughters were born: Mrs. Grant Lage and Mrs. Ernest Kruse of Fort Calhoun and Mrs. D. Z. Mummert, Jr. of Blair; these and the wife are left to mourn his death. He also leaves a brother, Will Seltz of Fort Calhoun and three sisters: Mrs. Nettie Thoelcke and Mrs. Victoria Smith of Omaha and Miss Minnie Seltz of Norfolk who join with the family in their great sorrow. He was a member of the Masonic order and lived the part.

Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from the home at De Soto with Rev. Robert Prentice of Fort Calhoun officiating, and interment will be made in the Fort Calhoun cemetery.

Note: Born 11 Dec 1866; died 13 Oct 1936; buried Fort Calhoun Cemetery Sec M Blk 97 Gr 1.

Find a grave #18176572

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