Died 29 April 1915

Burial in Blair Cemetery

Published in Enterprise on 30 April 1915

ANOTHER SUDDEN DEATH

GEORGE D. RATHMANN, A NEBR. PIONEER PASSES AWAY

HE CAME TO NEBRASKA IN 1862

WAS A CLOSE FRIEND OF M. MATTHIESEN WHO DIED TWO WEEKS AGO- THEIR DEATHS VERY SIMILAR

The community was shocked yesterday when it was learned that George D. Rathmann, a highly respected pioneer citizen had passed away very suddenly at the home of his son, G.A. Rathmann, on east Lincoln street.

While not in the best of health, he was able to be around town and on Thursday was in the alley back of his home watching some carpenters at work, when he must have had a fainting spell, for J.F. Burcham saw him in a reclining position on the embankment and went to his assistance. Mr. Rathmann complained of feeling dizzy and faint and was taken to the home of his son, G.A., where Mrs. Rathmann and a neighbor administered to him the necessary restoratives and phoned for a physician. In the meantime he was assisted to a couch, where he expired almost instantly. The body was afterwards removed to his own home, only a few steps from that of his son, where it was prepared for burial.

George D. Rathmann was born in Holstein, Germany, May 10, 1828, and would have been 87 years on age on next May tenth. He was married to Miss Marie Reese, and came to Nebraska in 1862, living first in Omaha, and for many years in Douglas and Washington counties. He removed to Blair about twenty-three years ago, and, since the death of his wife, in 1913, has lived alone, taking his meals at the home of his son. Mr. Rathmann was a man of unusual intelligence, and spent many hours each day with his books and kept abreast of all current events. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom survive. They are Mrs. Claus Mencke, August, Mrs. Peter Soll, Henry, who lives at Scribner, Mrs. Mary Anderson, Chris, Gus F., and John, now a resident of Oregon.

Mr. Rathmann was a close friend of M. Matthiessen, who died two weeks ago, and he had remarked recently, that he would "go" in the same manner and his words were almost a prophesy.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 P.M., in Germania hall, the Germania Verein having charge of the obsequies. Interment will be made in the Blair cemetery.

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

Find a Grave # 8556353