THE LATE THOMAS N. BORTNER

 

The Nebraska Signal, dated 28 Apr 1923 page 1, Geneva NE

Transcribed by Alyce Madison

 

THE LATE THOMAS N. BORTNER

 

Thomas N. Bortner was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1819.  Miss Anna J. Craig became his wife on the 13th day of February, 1845, being married in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Here his children were born, three of whom have passed away. The others, Naomi Strong of Denver, Col., Col. J.C. Bortner of Geneva, Neb., J.H. Bortner of Pennsylvania, Eva Newbold of Norton county, Kans., and H.J. Bortner of McCook, Nebr., were with him at the time of his death which occurred Sunday evening at 9:45.

Mr. Bortner came to Nebraska in April, 1876 or 1877, locating on a farm two miles west of Geneva.  Here he lived until 1895, when they moved to Nuckolls county.  On February 17, 1893, his faithful helpmeet was called to her reward. Mr. Bortner returned to Geneva in 1900, where he has since made his home with his son, J.C. Bortner.

When Morgan came north in 1863, Ohio and Indiana were very much agitated and many companies of home guards enlisted for ninety days service. In one of these the deceased went out to capture Morgan and his men, returning with him and 364 officers and men to Columbus, O.

When a young man in Pennsylvania, Mr. Bortner united with the Free Baptist church, transferring his membership when he came west and placing it with the church located five miles west and one south of Geneva, where he retained his membership until the disbanding of the society.

His long life is, in part, due to not using tobacco in any form or alcohol for any purpose. His age was 92 years, 1 month and 20 days.

The funeral took place from the Methodist Episcopal church in Geneva at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 and was conducted by Rev. C.L. Myers. The interment was in the Geneva cemetery.

ref: Nebraska Signal, Geneva NE dated 28 Apr 1923 page 1