VETERAN JOHN KETCHMARK

The first time we remember seeing John Ketchmark he was hauling wood from the old Stanley farm in Garryowen to Omaha. He afterwards removed to Blair and then bought the Elam Clark place and then moved here, and there are few old men here we will miss so much. We never agreed on religion, politics or business ideas, and we often discussed these matters together, and if he thought the argument was too much against him, instead of getting angry, he would bid us goodbye and when we met again would come up with a smile and handshake to show us that he had nothing against us. We presided at his golden wedding Feb. 28, 1906, and ate dinner with him on his 83rd birthday, April 9, 1909.

We were not well enough to attend the funeral. Rev. Hillman preached in German, assisted by a German choir. A large delegation were present from Omaha and Blair. Pallbearers: Fred H. Frahm, Louis Clasan, Joe Bolin, W. Frahm, Nels Christensen, Geo. Rohwer, Hans Schwager, Victor Wolff. The old veteran was laid away in a beautiful steel self-locking casket, covered with flowers.

John Ketchmark was born in Germany May 9, 1826 He came to America in 1852 and to Nebraska in 1873, and has lived in Ft. Calhoun for twenty six years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and six sons. He served three years in the Franco-Prussian war and was a member of the 22nd Ind. Inf. during the last year of the Civil War.

#2-27 May, 1909 - Blair Democrat - John Ketchmark - Civil War Veteran

DEATH CLAIMS ANOTHER

Another early settler living in Calhoun was called to his eternal rest last Wednesday night when death claimed John Ketchmark, a well known resident of that city.

Mr. Ketchmark was enjoying his usual good health and had been visiting his usual haunts up to Wednesday noon when he was stricken with apoplexy while eating his noon meal. His condition was seen to be critical from the start, and he passed away at his home about one o’clock that night. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at the family home, Rev. Winkleman officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Calhoun cemetery, followed by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and numerous friends who had known and respected the deceased for a long period of years.

Mr. Ketchmark was born in Germany May 9, 1826 and came to America in 1852, settling first in Indiana where he was married to Miss Minnie Stankey, who together with six sons and two daughters and twenty nine grandchildren survive him. Before coming to America Mr. Ketchmark served his native country in the Franco-Prussian war and after arriving here served in the Civil War for a year, having enlisted in an Indiana infantry. He came to Nebraska in 1873 and settled at Calhoun.

Deceased was the possessor of considerable property, owning city property in Calhoun and a half section of land in Colfax county. He also owned property in Blair and for several years made this place his home.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #208054797