Hans Rolfson, who was buried here last Thursday and whose death was mentioned in these columns last week, was born in Norway March 23, 1853, and was married to Miss Rennaug Olson on February 23, 1878, and in company with his wife started for America April 9, 1878, arriving in Blair some time later where he was given employment as section foreman on the M. & O. railroad. This position he held for nearly twenty years, and about three years ago he moved with his family to Silver Creek, Nebraska where he was given a job as section foreman on the Union Pacific road. He was transferred to a like position on the same road at Gilmore, a small station the other side of South Omaha, the latter part of last year in the hope that he would be nearer his numerous friends and acquaintances in this county. On the ninth day of February, the glands in Mr. Rolfson’s neck began swelling and he was operated on the eleventh, and seemed to be improving from that time, but after a short time blood poisoning set in and for two days before his death on the fourteenth of this month at 3:45 p.m., he was unconscious. Deceased was an exemplary man of good moral habits, liked by everyone who knew him and was considered the best section foreman on the entire Union Pacific railroad, but our statement last week about the company making him a present of $200 over his usual salary was erroneous, so Mrs. Rolfson says. Besides a host of friends to mourn his death, deceased leaves a mother in the old country, two sisters and one brother in this country, a kind and faithful wife, one son, Ollie, who is working in Utah and two daughters, Mrs. Louisa Beckwith of Oconee and Mrs. Mina Stevenson of Crawford, Nebraska. A delegation of sixteen people accompanied the remains from Gilmore to their last resting place in the Blair cemetery. Deceased was a member of the Masonic, Eastern Star and A.O.U.W. lodges and the burial was conducted by the Masons.

#2-20 Mar., 1905 - The Pilot - Hans Rolfson

The remains of Hans Rolfson arrived in Blair this afternoon on the 2:48 and were interred in the Blair cemetery. Mr. Rolfson was a former resident of this place, but several years ago moved to Silver Creek, Neb. where he had a good position as section foreman on the Union Pacific, and later was transferred to Gilmore, a small station the other side of South Omaha. Some time ago the glands in Mr. Rolfson’s neck just under the cheek began to ulcerate for which an operation was had, but after they had began to heal and Mr. Rolfson was able to be up and around, blood poisoning set in which resulted in his death. Mr. Rolfson was considered one of the best section foremen on the Union Pacific system and the high esteem in which the company held him was shown last Christmas when he was made a present of $200 in cash above his regular salary.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #58314588