NOTE: These obits are in no particular order. You must use the index to find a particular individual.
From Saturday’s Daily
M.H. Shoemaker died while visiting in Omaha, yesterday. He was born in Lycoming county, Indiana, March 31st, 1823 and when twenty-four years of age came to this state and settled a few miles from Union, just in the edge of Otoe county and had made his home in Cass and Otoe counties since 1857, or for over sixty-two years. Mr. Shoemaker has farms in both counties of Otoe and Cass, or one large farm consisting of many hundreds of acres where he has lived in peace with the world for much over half a century. He was united in marriage with Miss Alice E. Olds November 16th, 1874. To this union six children were born, three of whom, Kate, Mary and Clara died during childhood. Mr. Shoemaker was a member of the Episcopal church, and a very conscientious Christian gentleman. For years he was a member of the Republican party, but during later years, he on account of his ardent love for the cause of temperance, caused him to unite with the Prohibition party. The body was taken to Union today from Omaha, where he was visiting when the messenger of death arrived. The funeral will occur from the late home on Monday afternoon, at Union, the Rev. A.J. Randall, formerly pastor of the Methodist church of Union, but now having a charge near Lincoln, officiating.
In April 1860 Mr. Shoemaker and three of his neighbors residing south of Union, in Otoe county, Daniel B. Robb, Thomas Lindsey and Amos Weaver, made a trip over land to Pike’s Peak in a wagon with three yoke of cattle, making the trip in forty days, and seeing a good deal of country, the first thing which attracted their attention at the city of Denver, then just a hamlet, was the citizens hanging a man who had just committed a murder. Mr. Shoemaker remained in Colorado for two years, which was a very profitable two years spent, then returned to his home where he has lived since.
The Union Ledger, Friday, January 27, 1911
Judge Sullivan Dead.
Saturday’s Journal
Judge A. N. Sullivan, who suffered a paraletic stroke one week ago last Monday afternoon, died last night about 9:30, after being in an unconscious state for the past four days.
Albert N. Sullivan was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1848, and came to the United States and Cass county almost forty-three years ago, arriving here in July, 1869, being then a young man of about twenty years of age. He was first engaged in school teaching in the rural schools of the county and purchased a farm near Weeping Water, where he resided, following the pursuit of a farmer during the summer and teaching during the winter.
On Jun 12, 1871, the deceased was married to Miss Mary Jean of near Plattsmouth. To this union six children were born, namely: Charles of Omaha; Mrs. Harriet Becker, Mrs. W.B. Eister and Mrs. Ralph Towle of Omaha; Mrs. Asa Snyder of Dallas, S.D., and Miss Gladys of Plattsmouth, all of whom with his widow survive to mourn his death.
Judge Sullivan was a well known attorney in eastern Nebraska, having been elected county judge of this county in November 1877, and re-elected in 1879, serving two terms in this important position.
He left the office of county judge and had an extensive and lucrative law practice, being at [torn page] time associated in business [torn page] E.H. Wooley under the [torn page] of Wooley [torn page] ward for sev [torn page] -nership wit [torn page] now deceased, [torn page].
At the time the Missouri Pacific built its line through Plattsmouth, Judge Sullivan was active in aiding the company in acquiring its right-of-way, and was afterward appointed the company’s local attorney, and aided in the trials of its most important litigations of this county. He was of a gentle and loving disposition, a kind and effectionate [sic] husband and father, and his death will be deeply mourned by a large circle of old friends.
As a lawyer Judge Sullivan was unusually successful in the trial of his cases, and for many years his name appeared on one side or the other of a majority of the cases brought in the courts of this county, and in the many years of his practice he was never fund [sic] unfaithful to a client.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the home, conducted by Rev. W.I. Austin and interment was made in the Eikenbary cemetery. The pall bearers were H.D. Travis, Allen J. Benson, R.B. Windham, D. O. Dwyer, Matthew Gering, and A.L. Tidd, members of the Cass County Bar Association.
The Union Ledger, Friday, February 17, 1911
OBITUARY
WILLIAM H. SUTTON
Born June 14, 1840, in Mercer county, Ohio. Died at 1 o’clock Thursday morning, Feb. 9, 1911, at the home of his son Andrew Sutton, at Kenosha in Rock Bluffs precinct.
The death of William Sutton adds another to the long list of Cass county pioneers that have been called away during the past few years. His health had been failing somewhat for several years but he had no illness of a serious nature until recently when he suffered an attack of pneumonia which resulted in his death a short time afterwards, his old age rendering it impossible for him to withstand the attack. The funeral services were held at the residence of his son Andrew Sutton at 2 o’clock last Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W.A. Taylor of Union, and interment was made in the Kenosha cemetery. The pall bearers were L.B. Brown, A.J. McNatt, Nicholas Klaurens, Charles Creamer, John Yardley and Chris Beil [Bell?].
William Sutton grew to manhood in his native state of Ohio, and was married in that state Feb. 28, 1864, to Harriet Campbell, a sister of the late Thomas L. Campbell. They came to this county in 1878 and located at the old town site of Kenosha, where they resided until Mrs. Sutton’s death 2 years ago. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters, and Mr. Sutton leaves also two sisters, one in Ohio and the other in Michigan. He was one of Cass county’s active farmers, and a gentleman whose reputation as an honorable man and good citizen was above reproach.
Handwritten note on clipping says "Died June 16, 1903"
A Deserved Tribute.
[The death of Raymond Taylor occurred on June 16, and the following letter from his former teacher was handed us for publication.]
Nebraska City, Neb., June 23, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Taylor:
Dear Bereaved Friends-- If my sympathy and constant rememberance can lighten your sorrow, know that you have rarely been absent from my thoughts of late. Dear Raymond, he was such a pur and quiet little child, I always thought so much of him; so good that God did not leave him long in our midst. There always seemed to be a trace of Heaven's own beauty on his face. If this life is all, it is cruel to tear us away from that which we had learned to love so dearly; but we know that this life is not all-- you will see little Raymond again.
Dear parents, in thinking of little Raymond, remember that Jesus came for him as He said He would, and as He will come for us all, and that sad, sweet expression that he always wore will have been made more beautiful in celestial brightness.
I am, in deepest sympathy and love, your friend and Raymond's teacher,
EMMA BACHLER.
The Evening News, Monday, February 11, 1901
AN OLD CITIZEN GONE
Judge Samuel Maxwell Passes Away at Fremont.
Was For Many Years a Resident of Plattsmouth, Being Engaged in the Practice of Law — Did Much For the Old Soldiers, While a Member of Congress — Won Distinction as a Jurist.
A telegram was received in this city at noon today conveying the sad intelligence of the death of Judge Samuel Maxwell, which occurred at his home in Fremont this morning. Calling upon Judge S.M. Chapman, his old friend and law partner of early days. A NEWS reporter learned that he was only in possession of the fact of Judge Maxwell’s sudden death. Said he:
"I expect I have almost, if not quite, his last letter, written Saturday evening, the 9th, in which he said, ’I have called myself sick this week, but expect to get over my sick spell without calling a doctor.’"
Samuel Maxwell came to Plattsmouth from Michigan in the 50s [? Unclear] , lived here from that time until the year 1873, when he was elected one of the three district judges of the state. These judges, at that time, under the first state constitution, constituted the court of last resort — or supreme court of Nebraska. As a member of this court, Mr. Maxwell continued without interruption until 1893, when he was succeeded by Judge Harrison — twenty consecutive years of service.
Judge Maxwell served a number of terms in the territorial legislature of Nebraska: was a member of the legislature which passed Nebraska to statehood and which sent Senators Thayer and Tipton to the United States Senate.
He left his im[illegible] upon the early legislation of the state, and especially in a marked manner upon its judiciary. He was a clear, vigorous and fearless lawyer and judge, and perhaps, the hardest worker our judiciary has known. He was the author of works on "Pleading and Practice," "Code Pleading," and "Justice of the Peace Practice."
His life was one of incessant [illegible] and labor. His last official service was that of member of Congress from the Third congressional district, when he exhibited that industry and conscientious care which distinguished him as a lawyer and judge. The old soldiers of that district are under many and lasting obligations to him. He was steadfast and unwavering in his loyalty and devotion to his friends.
"He was generous to a fault," said Judge Chapman. "I have lost my oldest and best friend."
Particulars in regard to the funeral could not be learned but it is probable that he remains will be shipped to this city for interment in the family lot in the Eikenbary cemetery three miles south of Plattsmouth.
The Evening News, Monday, February 11, 1901
Death of John Copple, sr.
John Copple, sr., an old resident of this county, died Saturday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Asa Colman of Nehawka, says a dispatch from Weeping Water to the State Journal. He had a stroke of paralysis in October, from which he never recovered. Mr. Copple in 1862 came with his family to this county, where he has resided ever since. The funeral will be held tomorrow at noon and the body will be buried at Pleasant View cemetery, five miles northeast, where his wife was buried several years ago. He leaves two sons, George Copple of Lincoln, and John Copple of Wabash, and three daughters, Mrs. William Hudson of Dillon, Mrs. Rectar of this city and Mrs. Asa Colman of Nehawka.
The Evening News, Monday, February 11, 1901
Funeral of Miss Irene Cumings
The funeral of the late Miss Irene Cumings was held at 2 o’clock this afternoon from the residence in the Second ward. Rev. H.B. Burgess of the Episcopal church conducted the services.
A large number of relatives and friends followed the remains to their last resting place in Oak Hill cemetery.
The following members of the class with which Miss Cumings graduated from the High school acted as pall bearers: Misses Louise Smith, Ethel Dutton, Olga Martin, Mary Karvonek, May Baird and Delight Wells.
The Union Ledger, Friday, August 21,
1908
OBITUARY.
________
MRS. LYDIA TODD
Born December 4, 1833, in Lee county, Iowa. Died at 7:30 p. m. Monday, August 17, 1908, at her home in Union, Nebraska.
The death of Mrs. Todd adds another to the long list of pioneers of this vicinity who have been called away within the past few years. Her death was not unexpected, as it has been known for some time that she could not recover. Her health had been gradually failing for several years, and the past few months her decline was quite rapid owing to her age and heart disease along with other ailments. The funeral services were held at the residence Wednesday at 11 o'clock a. m. conducted by Rev. Baird of Plattsmouth, many pioneer friends and neighbors being present to do their last service for the departed. The remains were then taken to the Buck cemetery northwest of here for interment beside her husband, the late L. G. Todd Sr., who died Feb. 24, 1906. The pall bearers were W. C. Ramsey, W. H. Dubois, C. H. Taylor, A. E. Stites, F. H. McCarthy and Reuben Foster jr.
Deceased's maiden name was Lydia
Jones, and she grew from childhood in Lee county, Iowa, where she
was married in 1855 to Levi G. Todd. They came to Cass county and
located near Plattsmouth, and in 1857 moved to the farm in this
precinct where they resided until Dec. 1904 when they purchased a
nice residence and located in this village. Mrs. Todd was a most
estimable lady, and one who was highly esteemed by all her
acquaintances, all of whom regret that she has been called
away.
The Union Ledger, Friday, January 8,
1897
OBITUARY of Homer TODD
DIED.
___________
Little Homer Todd, aged five weeks and one day, was called home to the bright mansions above Thursday, January 7, 1897, at 7 o'clock a. m.If he who has the keys of death and the unseen world sees fit to remove the dear little darlings from the home of their early days, let the remembrance of the story of Christ taking them up in his arms and blessing them, comfort us, and teach us to hope that he who so graciously received these children has not forgotten ours, but that they are sweetly fallen asleep in Him, and will be the everlasting objects of his love and care. The hand that took Homer from his parents, was His who once laid His benediction on the infants head and said: "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." He has set him in the midst of his admiring desciples above. He is now the darling little one of our Heavenly Father's house. The angels who watched his cradle are now rejoicing over his immortal beauty as a lamb safely folded where the spoiler can never come.
Born March 22, 1829, in the state
of New York. Died at 2:30 p. m.
Saturday, February 24, 1906, at his home in Union, Nebraska.
--------------------------------------
The death of Levi G. Todd has taken
from our midst one of the best known pioneer citizens of eastern
Nebraska, a man who endured the hardships incident to the early
settlement of this country and one who played an important part in
its development. He left his home in New York at the age of 21, and
a short time afterwards he located in Iowa, where he taught school
for awhile, coming to Glenwood in August 1853, at which time he
crossed the Missouri river at what is now Plattsmouth. He later
returned to Iowa, but in the spring of 1854 he came back and
pre-empted a tract of land near Plattsmouth. In 1857 he located on
the "old home place" a few miles northwest of this village where he
and his family resided until Dec. 18, 1904, when he purchased a
fine residence property and moved to town. Mr. Todd was married
Feb. 20, 1855, in Lee county, Iowa, to Miss Lydia Jones, who
survives him. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four
are deceased, those living being Lewis C., Harry G., Miss Jessie
B., John P. and Levi G. jr, all residing in this county. Mr. Todd
was an active participant in the political affairs of the county
and state and while never a seeker after political honors he was
often called upon to fill responsible positions, and never was
there a breath of suspicion as to his honor and integrity in
official as well as private life. He was chosen county commissioner
in the year 1860, and in 1862 was elected to the state legislature,
where his advice and opinion were frequently sought on account of
his ability and sound judgment. Mr. Todd's rule in this life was to
be just, honest and liberal in dealing with fellow men, and none
can say that he ever deviated from that rule. The death of this
worthy pioneer takes away one who will long be remembered as a most
honorable citizen, true to every friend and every promise.
Born May 3, 1826, in Berlin, Germany. Died at 5:05 a. m., on Thursday, July 13, 1905, at home one mile southwest of Union.
The death of Nicholas Young takes another of Nebraska's aged pioneers who had resided in this vicinity for almost half a century. The announcement of his death yesterday morning was not in the least unexpected, as it was known several days ago that his condition was very critical and the chances all against his recovery. Two years ago his health began failing, and since then he gradually lost his old-time vigor, until two weeks ago when he was forced to seek his bed to spend his few remaining days of this life. His decline was rapid the past two weeks, but he retained consciousness until 3 o'clock yesterday morning, and two hours later he quietly sank away as if in peaceful slumber, suffering no pain. The funeral services will be held at the residence today (Friday) at 11 o'clock a. m., and interment will be made in the cemetery just west of this village [probably West Union]. The pall bearers will be M. H. Shoemaker, Wm. Stotler, G. F. McNamee, I. N. Applegate, G. N. LaRue and John Klaurens.
The
early life of Nicholas Young was spent in his native country, but
he came to America in 1854 and located in St. Louis, coming to this
neighborhood in 1856, locating first in Otoe county, and later he
pre-empted an 80-acre tract, adding to that by the purchase of 120
acres upon which he ever since made his home. He was married July 5
1860, to Miss Maria Smith, also a native of Germany, and her death
occurred Sept. 3, 1898. Mr. Young was one of the best of the
German-American citizens, having all the admirable characteristics
of that nationality --- industry, honor and strict
integrity. He was one of those kind and sociable old gentlemen who
found much enjoyment in this life and imparted the same spirit to
his associates. His motto was to do right in all things and with
everybody, and we have never heard it said that "Uncle Nicholas"
ever swerved from that rule. The community has lost a most worthy
citizen for whom everybody had the greatest respect. Two sons and
two daughters survive him; Fred W. Young, Mrs. Tillie Hargus, Mrs.
Anna Finkle and Charles E. Young, all of whom are married and
reside in this vicinity.
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