Source: National Archives

Benjamin “Ben” Louis Klahn was born May 14, 1888 in Bennington, Nebraska to William and Minnie Klahn.

On October 12, 1918, Private Benjamin Klahn sailed from New York City on the Ceramic. He was in Company B, 109th Training Headquarters, Military Police.

In 1920, the US Census LOOKED like the spelling was Klahre, but wasn’t. It was an incorrect transcription. At the time of the 1920 US Census, Benjamin and his family were living on Washington Street in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. The 1920 US Census lists: William Klahn, 75, head, immigrated 1883, naturalized 1906, b. Berlin, Germany

Minnie Klahn, 61, wife, immigrated 1861, b. Holstein, Germany

(Note: that area went back and forth between Denmark and Germany, but she spoke German)

Henry Klahn, 44, son, single, laborer alfalfa mill, b. NE

Benjamin Klahn, 32, son, single, farm laborer, b. NE

When the United States joined World War II December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), there was a draft registration of all men, young and old. On April 27, 1942, Benjamin was working for Carl Jensen, KC, MO on a River Project at Plattsmouth, Cass County, NE. Benjamin was 53, and this brown-eyed, brown haired man walked into the Plattsmouth draft office to register. He told the clerk that he had been born in Bennington, Nebraska, had no telephone, resided in Fort Calhoun, and that Herman Klahn of Fort Calhoun (note, not Henry, who would have been his older brother) would always know his address. The clerk noted that Benjamin had a ruddy complexion, was 5’8” and weighted 160 lbs. The clerk also wrote down that Benjamin was missing the little finger of his left hand.

His last residence was Fort Calhoun, Nebraska

~~~Material from the National Archives and courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Find A Grave Memorial# 18175786