J. A. Unthank, whose death was reported in the last issue of The Pilot, was one of the oldest settlers in Washington county and pre-empted land here. In 1872 he moved to Arlington where he built the first grain house and bought the first grain. He was twice elected from this county to the state legislature and has always been known for his sterling qualities, his life covering a period of over 83 years, has been one of usefulness and is closely identified with the early history of the state, county and his hometown, Arlington, where he owned considerable property.

#2-September 12, 1902- Arlington Herald- John Allen Unthank

Calmly and peacefully the spirit of John A. Unthank took its departure from this world on Friday afternoon, Sept. 5, after a short illness of less than twenty-four hours, caused by a stroke of apoplexy. He had retired the evening before as usual and had been in bed only a short time when his wife noticed that he was breathing rather heavily. Having had two attacks previous to this, and knowing what it meant, she attempted to arouse him, at the same time calling for help and sending for a physician. All efforts to restore consciousness proved of no avail, and he remained so to the last.

Deceased was born in Preble County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1819, thus bringing his life to the ripe old age of 82 years, 9 months and 17 days. He was married to his now surviving widow, Jane Curtis, Nov. 25, 1841. There were born to them three boys and four girls, two of the children being born in Nebraska. The surviving children are Mrs. Marietta Hammer of Red Bluffs, Calif., who was present at the funeral. Mrs. Anna Jane, wife of W.S. Cook and Mrs. Hanns Fink and Oliver Unthank, all residing at Arlington.

In his youth Mr. Unthank learned the trade of a harness maker but after his marriage embarked in the mercantile business, establishing himself at Toledo, Ohio. From there he moved to Nora, Ill. After remaining there for two years he concluded to come west. Purchasing an ox team he started on his journey, arriving in the spring of 1858. Leaving his family at that place he struck out in search of land, coming as far west as Arlington, then know as Bell Creek. Falling in with some others in search of land, he laid claim to and purchased 160 acres now forming a part of the half section in his name at the present time, about one and one-half miles southeast of Arlington. In the fall of 1858 he returned to his family in Omaha. It was then that he was elected representative to the territorial government of Nebraska, the capital being at Omaha. Having lived for some time after his marriage at Fountain City, Ind., along the lines of the underground road for the freeing of slaves, and being in sympathy with the movement, he was an ardent anti-slavery man, a burning question in the formation of this territory as a state.

Owing to his wife’s poor health, he abandoned farming for a time, removing to Denver in 1868, renting his farm and making a livelihood by trading with Indians, who were very numerous in those days. Not finding the climate congenial, he returned with his family to his Nebraska farm, running the gauntlet of Indians who were killing and burning everything that year excepting the larger bodies of travelers or emigrants.

Mr. Unthank continued to farm his land for a number of years, until a railroad had been built through the country in 1869 when he began buying and handling grain. He continued in this business for ten or twelve years when he sold out to his son Oliver in 1882. Since that time he has been a citizen of Arlington. He, however, continued to buy and sell land and engaged in various enterprises, putting up a large hotel at one time, besides several dwelling houses. Mr. Unthank during his life had accumulated quite an amount of property, though unfortunate at times, his hotel having burnt at a time when there was no insurance on the building. At the time of his death he was the owner of a fine half section of land lying a mile or two outside of town, one or two business blocks and residence properties in Arlington, besides being a stockholder in the Arlington State Bank.

Mr. Unthank was widely known and most highly respected by all his acquaintances. He was consistent and upright in all his business transactions and no word of complaint was ever heard against him. He was greatly attached to his invalid wife, taking care of her all these years and making her life as comfortable as circumstances would permit. Arlington indeed has lost in him a true and noble citizen. The funeral obsequies were conducted by Mrs. Jennie Hagen Brown of Fort Worth, Texas, at the Congregational Church, in this city, after which the remains were taken in charge by the Masonic Lodge of which order he was a most highly honored member, and laid to rest in the Arlington cemetery with the customary rites of the order.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #9069740