Rufus Claar, who has been anything but well the past winter died at his home Tuesday evening of pneumonia. About ten days ago he contracted a severe cold which tenaciously hung to him and less than a week ago he was unable to be around and his case appeared critical from the start. Mr. Claar was born near Jordan, Ohio, March 31, 1848, and came west to Iowa while yet a young man in his teens. Later he moved to Nebraska where he has since resided. Twenty-two years ago last December he married Miss Alma H. Stewart. Four children were born to them, three of whom are still living, Mabel, Rufus and Stewart. He leaves besides the immediate family two sisters and five brothers, besides many friends and acquaintances mourn his loss. Mr. Claar has been a good citizen of Washington county for many years and by thrifty habits has accumulated considerable property. He has been a life long member of the Christian church and a firm believer and supporter of the same. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 o’clock at the Christian church.

Note on Find a Grave Memorial # 74547454, it is stated that he was born 31 March 1848 in Jackson County, Ohio; died 4 May 1902 at Blair and buried in the Blair Cemetery. He was the son of Samuel and Lydia (Stropes) Claar. There is a photo of him on the site.

#2-Published in the Blair Courier March 6, 1902

Rufus Claar died at 8 o’clock Tuesday evening of pneumonia after but nine days’ illness. This was the very day on which his public sale was held after which he was expecting to quit active work and “take a little rest” as he said. He lacks 27 days of being 54 years old and it seems sad indeed that the end should come on the very day he had fixed from retiring from his farm work. Elder A. D. Finch will conduct the funeral services at the Christian Church at 2 o’clock this afternoon, and the W. O. W., of which order he was a member and carried a policy for $1000, will have charge of the services at the grave. Mr. Claar was born near Jackson, Ohio, on March 31, 1848, and while yet a boy moved with his parents to Iowa, coming to this state some years later. He was married to Miss Alma H. Stewart, December 31, 1879, and four children were born to them, three of whom are living, Mabel I., Rufus S. and Stewart B. He has five brother and two sisters living, of whom Mrs. C. M. Weed of Kennard, is one. Mr. Claar united with the Christian Church early in life and was a firm believer in that faith. He was “diligent in business: and leaves his family in very comfortable circumstances.

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