Mrs. Raver Expires

Was One of Washington County’s Earliest Settlers

Mrs. William A. Raver, a resident of Washington county for over sixty years, died at her home on South street last Thursday morning after having been sick but a few days. The deceased was born in Christiania, Norway, September 23, 1850, and came to America with her parents when she was but four years of age. The family settled near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and lived at that place until the spring of 1867 when they moved to Nebraska.

On the last day of May, 1868, she was married to William A. Raver after which they located on a farm in this county where they lived up until 1914 when they moved to Blair. The deceased was one of the earliest settlers of York creek and knew all the hardships of early pioneer life and bore them in a cheerful and uncomplaining way. She was a prominent church worker but had been kept from taking an active part in the community affairs for several years on account of her frail health. Mr. Raver died in 1918.

She leaves to mourn her loss, two sons, Charles A. Raver of Edmonton, Canada, and Henry of this city, and one daughter, Miss Anna Raver, at home, and a half brother, Chris Olson of Florida. A nephew, Jackson Raver, who had made his home with the deceased for a number of years, died four years ago.

Funeral services were held from the family home at 3:00 o’clock Sunday afternoon, the Rev. Carl G. Bader, officiating, after which the body was laid to rest in Blair cemetery. A profusion of floral tributes were indicative of the high esteem in which the deceased had been held.

Hulda R. Andersen

103734174 Published in the Pilot January 13, 1926

Hulda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christensen Andersen, who live two miles south of town, died at 11 o’clock yesterday forenoon of flu, having been sick about a week. The funeral service will be held at the farm home at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. H Nielsen officiating. Hulda was born near Blair May 2nd, 1902, so was past 23 years of age. Besides her parents she leaves three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Fred Young, of Decatur, Neb., Mrs. Mrs. Harry Blanton, of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Arthur Gustason, of this city, Edna and Andres, who live at home, and Fred, of Havre, Mont.

#2-Published in the Enterprise March 29, 1928

Caroline “Karen” Olovie Knutson was born in Christiania (now Oslo) Norway September 23, 1850, and passed to the Better Country March 22, 1928, at the age of 77 years, 6 months.

She came to America with her parents when she was four years of age. The family settled near Steven Point, Wisconsin, where they lived until the spring of 1867, when they moved to Nebr.

May 31, 1868, she was married to William A. Raver, and they located on the farm which was their home until 1914 when they moved to Blair, where Mr. Raver died, August 18, 1918.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Raver, Charles, Henry and Anna. Henry and Anna have made their home with their mother, and have given her devoted care during the years of her failing health.

Mr. and Mrs. Raven were among the earliest settlers on York Creek. She knew all the hardships of early pioneer life, and bore them and all other cares in such a sweet, cheerful, uncomplaining way that no one realized the burdens she carried. She loved her home, her family her friends, and made friends of all who knew her.

Mrs. Raver was a member of the Lutheran Church, and although her frail health has for years kept her from much attendance at church, she daily read her Norwegian Bible and other devotional literature, and greatly enjoyed the sermons heard over the radio; while she has been represented with remarkable loyalty and effect iveness in all church activities by her daughter, Anna.

The immediate relatives surviving her are two sons, Dr. Charles A. Raver of Edmonton, Canada, and Henry Raver of Blair; one daughter, Miss Anna Raver, of Blair; and one half-brother, Chris Olson, who lives in Florida at the advanced age of nearly ninety years. One nephew, S. Jackson Raver, who was taken into her home and regarded as a son from the age of three, died four years ago.

Funeral services were held last Sunday, March 24 at the M. E. Church with Rev. Carl Bader officiating. Mr. David Mummert rendered a violin solo and a quartette consisting of Mrs. E. J. Hancock, Mrs. Ethel Mead, Messrs. F. W. Arndt and D. C. Van Deusen furnished vocal numbers.

Interment was made in the Blair Cemetery.

The bereaved family have the sympathy of Many old time friends, neighbors and others who regret her passing.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.

Note: Blair Cemetery listing has: Name Caroline O; Died 22 March 1928; Buried 22 March 1928; Buried Blk 80 Lot 9 Grave 9