EARLY SETTLER CALLED TO REST

Gust Mencke, aged 77 years, passed away last Thursday afternoon, July 6th, at his home west of Blair after two long years of patient suffering. He was born in Germany where he grew to manhood, and in 1872 came to America, settling in this county, making his home with his brother, Claus Mencke who resided at that time on the farm where Mr. Mencke passed away.

In 1882 he married Minnie Goedeker, and to them fifteen children were born, nine of whom are still living and with the aged wife grieve deeply his death. They are Mrs. Tom Mathiesen of Walt Hill, Mrs. Jesse Ryan of Herman, Rudolph, Otto, Louis, Eddie, Hans, Jack and George, all of Blair.

All his life the deceased was a farmer and enjoyed his vocation. He was a deep reader and a thinker and many an inspiration has been given the writer by his visits to the office where he would come to visit over the drift of national and world affairs.

Coming to this county at such an early time, he had a wealth of experiences that few men now living enjoyed, and he delighted in telling of those early days when the early history of the county was in its making.

He was a man of kindly disposition and strictly honorable in his dealings, and naturally drew to himself a wide circle of friends who will miss him greatly.

Last year he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary when he and his good wife held open house to their friends at the Woodman hall in this city. The event was indeed a happy one and while his health was not good, yet he greeted his old friends with a smile and a handshake that went straight to the hearts of all. His passing marks the closing of another career of those hardy, brave spirits who helped make this county what it is and many will grieve his going.

The funeral services were held on Sunday, July 9th, from the Methodist church in this city, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

#2 13 July, 1933 - The Pilot-Tribune

RITES SUNDAY FOR GUST MENCKE, 77

PIONEER OF COUNTY IS DEAD AFTER ILLNESS OF TWO YEARS

A Washington county farmer for the past 61 years and a brother of the late Claus Mencke, former sheriff, Gust Mencke died at his farm home five miles west and one mile north of Blair shortly after five o'clock Thursday evening, July 6th, after an illness of more than two years. He would have been 78 years old next fall.

Born in Hanover province, Germany, September 11th, 1855, Mr. Mencke received his early education under a private tutor and in 1872, at the age of 17, he came to America and directly to Washington county to join his brother, Claus, who had preceded him to this country. The latter at that time was owner of the farm on which Gust Mencke died and the 17 year old youth established his residence there, remaining on the farm until his marriage.

On May 27, 1882, he was married to Miss Minnie Goedeker at Blair, and to the union fifteen children were born; nine of whom are still living. The survivors, in addition to the widow, are Mrs. Tom Mathiesen of Walthill, Mrs. Jesse Ryan of Herman, Rudolph, Otto, Louie, Eddie and Hans, all of whom are farmers except Rudolph, and Jack and George, who live at home. Also surviving are 28 grandchildren, two half brothers and two half sisters in Germany, with whom the Mencke family has kept in closer touch for years.

Funeral services were held at two o'clock Sunday afternoon from the Methodist church, with Rev. Thomas J. Reese, pastor of the Blair Baptist church officiating in the absence of Rev. Walter H. Jackson, the Methodist minister. Interment was in the Blair cemetery. The six eldest sons acted as pallbearers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mencke recently suffered attacks of illness and although Mrs. Mencke has recovered fairly well, considering her age, Mr. Mencke failed to respond satisfactorily to treatment. The care given his father by the son, George, has won the admiration of the scores of friends of the Mencke family, the son having never been away from his father more than three hours during the entire two year period he was ailing. For weeks preceding his father's death George had been at his bedside almost constantly.

An interesting fact in connection with Mr. Mencke's connections in Germany is that one of his half brothers and a half sister live in the same house in which Mr. Mencke and his brother Claus, were born. It is hundreds of years old, but a picture of it hanging in the residence of County Attorney Henry Mencke, a nephew of the deceased, shows it to be in an excellent state of repair.

A true pioneer of the county, Mr. Mencke was distinctly a home man, all his interests centering about his farm and his family, He was one of the few persons who could recall first hand the hardships that were faced by early residents of the vicinity west of Blair and an outstanding example of what could be accomplished by thrift, perseverance and industry even in the face of what appeared to be unsurmountable handicaps.

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

FindaGrave #76023136