Claus Wulf Early Settler Died Tuesday

Succumbs After Four Weeks of Illness. Prominent Ex-Farmer

After four weeks of illness which confined him to bed Claus Wulf, an early settler in the county, passed away Tuesday morning, March 23.

Deceased was born in Germany and came to this county in 1876 coming directly to Washington county where he has since made his home.

On November 21, 1879 he was married to Miss Dorothy Goedeker and they immediately started farming in the Orum vicinity and continued in that work until twenty-seven years ago when they retired and moved to Blair where they have spent their declining years in well earned comfort.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wulf five children were born three sons, George, Will and Hans and two daughters, Mrs. Gottlieb Stork and Mrs. Harry Larsen, all of this city. Twenty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also have come to make their lives more full and happy and these beside the wife grieve deeply their great loss.

Mr. Wulf had during his long residence here formed many acquaintances and made many close friendships, and he will be greatly missed by these old friends of a lifetime.

The funeral services are to be held this Thursday afternoon at one o’clock from the home and later at the Methodist church with Rev. Bryant Howe officiating, and interment is to be made in the Blair cemetery.

#2-The following information is on Find A Grave # 93855660

Biography: (credit to Diane Wulf Krueger).

Claus Wulf was born in Schleswig-Holstein (Spannan, Jaimstedt) Germany on August 9, 1857. He emigrated to America in July 1876 to escape conscription in the German army, settling in Washington County. He was a shoemaker by trade. Claus Wulf bought a homestead near Orum, Nebraska, a small village about 7 miles west of Blair, near Lincoln School (formerly known as Berlin School prior to WWI and the anti-German sentiment).

He married Dorothea Goedeker of Blair, Nebraska, a native of Germany, November 21, 1879 at the Brown Creek Church, near Arlington, Nebraska. They lived on the farm for nearly 30 years. Five children were born, and grew to adulthood there. At the time of his death he had twenty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In 1910 they retired from farming and moved to 708 West Front Street in Blair, Nebraska. Claus died March 23, 1937 at his home. Funeral services were held at the Wulf home and at the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Bryant Howe, officiated. Burial was made at the Blair cemetery.

Claus Wulf had a twin sister, Margaretha, who died in 1931. She married John Kuhr.

Older grandchildren remembered "Grandpa Wulf" as easy going. He enjoyed life,loved his pipe and an occasional cigar. He enjoyed growing potatoes in his small garden plot after moving to Blair. His favorite pasttime while living in Blair, was sitting in his rocking chair near the east window and watching outside activities. With his hand in his pocket and smoking his pipe, Grandpa Wulf loved watching people work.

Dorothea Goedeker was born in Schleswig, Germany, March 30, 1864. She emigrated to America at the age of 14 with her parents, coming to Blair, Nebraska by crossing the Missouri River on a railroad train ferry (no bridge). She was a lover of plants, and all of her grandchildren loved her.

Dorothea died November 7, 1950. Burial also at the Blair cemetery.

#3 Printed in the March 25, 1937 Pilot Tribune

Claus Wulf, 79, is Buried Today

Retired Orum Farmer Died at His Home in Blair Early Tuesday

An illness of a month proved fatal early Tuesday morning to Claus Wulf, 79, well-known county resident for more than 60 years. Mr. Wulf, a retired farmer who once lived in the Orum vicinity, died at his home at 708 West Front street in Blair.

Twin brother of the late Mrs. John Kuhr Sr., of Blair, who died July 21, 1931, Mr. Wulf was born in Spanan, Jaimstedt, Germany August 9, 1857. He came to America in July, 1876, settling in Washington county. He was married to Miss Dora Goedeker of Blair, a native of Germany, November 21, 1879 at the Brown Creek church near Arlington.

Twenty-seven years ago, in 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Wulf retired from farming, since which time they have lived in Blair.

Surviving Mr. Wulf are his wife; three sons, George Wulf of Arlington, William and Hane Wulf of Orum; two daughters, Mrs. Emma Stork of Orum and Mrs. Harry Larsen of Kennard. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Another grandchild, Mrs. Myrtle Stork Hansen, died in 1931, the year following her marriage.

Funeral services for Mr. Wulf are being held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Wulf residence, at 2 o'clock at the Methodist Episcopal church, the Rev. Bryant Howe officiating. Burial will be in Blair cemetery.

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

FindaGrave # 93855660