Other Events:

• Occupation: repairman

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I03432@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4592@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Buried:
Wurdeman, Thomas E. age 86, of Bloomington. Restorer of Mechanical Music Machines. Preceded in death by wife, Ardyce; parents, Oswald and Edna Wurdeman and brother, Chuck Wurdeman. Survived by sons, Mark Wurdeman and wife, Barbara; and Scott Wurdeman and wife, Debbie; daughter, Linda Tanaka and husband, Ron; grandchildren, Emily, Kristen, Jena, Laura, Kari and Dani; great-grandchildren, Kate, Cora, Jackson, Owen and Blake; brother, Don Wurdeman and wife, Phyllis; sister-in-law, Marilyn Wurdeman; special friend, Jan Kolve; nieces and nephews. Funeral service Friday, (March 11) at 11:00 AM at Lutheran Church of the Redemption, 927 E. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington. Interment Pleasant View Memorial Gardens. Visitation Thursday from 4:00-7:00 PM at Morris Nilsen Chapel, 6527 Portland Ave.S, Richfield, & 1 hour prior to service at church. Morris Nilsen Chapel 612-869-3226 morrisnilsen.com

Thomas married Shimanski, Ardyce Marilyn 26 Jun 1954, ?. Ardyce (daughter of Shimanski, Louis and Sandman, Helen) was born 16 Sep 1933, ?; died 26 Jun 1995, ?; was buried , Burnsville, MN.. [Group Sheet]

1. Living
2. Living
3. Living

Other Events:

• Occupation: repairman

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
From THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR, April 21, 1972-

HE MAKES THE MUSIC GO AROUND AND AROUND

We could have a ball on the Nicollet Mall dancing to Ozzie Wurdeman's violin-piano. You put a nickel in it, look through the glass cover and you'll see and hear a violin play "The Merry Widow" waltz to piano accompaniment.

The violin-piano machine Wurdeman owns is about as rare as he is. Wurdeman 69, 4400 30th Av. S. is one of the few experts around who make a living repairing and restoring antique music machines. In his garage he works on 19-century violin-pianos, band organs, calliopes, player pianos, theater organs and music boxes.

I should point out that the neighbors don't mind hearing the music and the youngsters there just love it.

Wurdeman learned his trade as a youth when his father was the area distributor for the Mills Violin Piano machine. For almost 20 years Wurdeman has spent summers in Virginia City, Mont., working on a splendid collection of old music machines. The collection was put together by Charles Bovey, a former Minneapolitan, who was active in restoring the historic town.

Wurdeman said the music machines had their heyday from about 1900 until 1930 when the amplified phonograph became popular. The "Violano Virtuoso" machine was introduced in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair. In 1912 at the San Diego Exposition, the machine was designated as one of eight "greatest inventions" of the era.

"Every candy store, soda fountain, restaurant and saloon had some kind of a music machine in those days," Wurdeman recalled. "I hate to think of it now, but when they went out of style, Dad and I broke up about 250 of them and hauled them to a dump. Nobody wanted them then. I wish I had them now. Everybody wants one."

Wurdeman not only can fix the machinery inside the boxes, but he also has a machine that cuts music rolls. He can duplicate old rolls of tunes. He can also add new music. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," for example, is a 1970 hit that is ideal for a music machine, Wurdeman said.

Electric player pianos, violin-pianos and organs were indoor instruments. "Band organs and calliopes are for outdoors," Wurdeman said. "Older calliopes were powered by steam engines. A few of them are still to be heard at the circus museum in Baraboo, Wis. But you can hear a good band organ on the merry-go-round at Excelsior Amusement Park."

At Virginia City - and nearby Nevada City, Mont., another ghost town restored by Bovey - tourists can buy a recording of music from the antique machines Wurdeman has restored.

Wurdeman showed me one hand-cranked music machine. It was about the size of a small hi-fi set. "There weren't to many electric machines operating until about 1910," Wurdeman said, "and those would be in downtown areas. At Excelsior Park in the old days the band organ used to be operated from the streetcar current."

Wurdeman doesn't plan to retire , but he also won't do as much traveling to repair machines throughout the country. He has trained his son to do the intricate work, however, and a grandson is also interested.

Since Wurdeman began his repair work, it has become obvious that people have learned to live with more noise. In the 1930's, the only place he could find space for a shop was on a bridge over busy railroad tracks. In those days, people couldn't tolerate the shrill sounds that resulted when Wurdeman tuned his band organs and calliopes. Today, life is so noisy that those sounds are barely noticeable. To me, it's a cheerful sound. That's why I think it would be great to install a music machine on the Mall.

All we have to do is find one. Wurdeman is available to keep it in tune.[ColfaxDeutschlandPlatte.FBK.FTW]

From THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR, April 21, 1972-

HE MAKES THE MUSIC GO AROUND AND AROUND

We could have a ball on the Nicollet Mall dancing to Ozzie Wurdeman's violin-piano. You put a nickel in it, look through the glass cover and you'll see and hear a violin play "The Merry Widow" waltz to piano accompaniment.

The violin-piano machine Wurdeman owns is about as rare as he is. Wurdeman 69, 4400 30th Av. S. is one of the few experts around who make a living repairing and restoring antique music machines. In his garage he works on 19-century violin-pianos, band organs, calliopes, player pianos, theater organs and music boxes.

I should point out that the neighbors don't mind hearing the music and the youngsters there just love it.

Wurdeman learned his trade as a youth when his father was the area distributor for the Mills Violin Piano machine. For almost 20 years Wurdeman has spent summers in Virginia City, Mont., working on a splendid collection of old music machines. The collection was put together by Charles Bovey, a former Minneapolitan, who was active in restoring the historic town.

Wurdeman said the music machines had their heyday from about 1900 until 1930 when the amplified phonograph became popular. The "Violano Virtuoso" machine was introduced in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair. In 1912 at the San Diego Exposition, the machine was designated as one of eight "greatest inventions" of the era.

"Every candy store, soda fountain, restaurant and saloon had some kind of a music machine in those days," Wurdeman recalled. "I hate to think of it now, but when they went out of style, Dad and I broke up about 250 of them and hauled them to a dump. Nobody wanted them then. I wish I had them now. Everybody wants one."

Wurdeman not only can fix the machinery inside the boxes, but he also has a machine that cuts music rolls. He can duplicate old rolls of tunes. He can also add new music. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," for example, is a 1970 hit that is ideal for a music machine, Wurdeman said.

Electric player pianos, violin-pianos and organs were indoor instruments. "Band organs and calliopes are for outdoors," Wurdeman said. "Older calliopes were powered by steam engines. A few of them are still to be heard at the circus museum in Baraboo, Wis. But you can hear a good band organ on the merry-go-round at Excelsior Amusement Park."

At Virginia City - and nearby Nevada City, Mont., another ghost town restored by Bovey - tourists can buy a recording of music from the antique machines Wurdeman has restored.

Wurdeman showed me one hand-cranked music machine. It was about the size of a small hi-fi set. "There weren't to many electric machines operating until about 1910," Wurdeman said, "and those would be in downtown areas. At Excelsior Park in the old days the band organ used to be operated from the streetcar current."

Wurdeman doesn't plan to retire , but he also won't do as much traveling to repair machines throughout the country. He has trained his son to do the intricate work, however, and a grandson is also interested.

Since Wurdeman began his repair work, it has become obvious that people have learned to live with more noise. In the 1930's, the only place he could find space for a shop was on a bridge over busy railroad tracks. In those days, people couldn't tolerate the shrill sounds that resulted when Wurdeman tuned his band organs and calliopes. Today, life is so noisy that those sounds are barely noticeable. To me, it's a cheerful sound. That's why I think it would be great to install a music machine on the Mall.

All we have to do is find one. Wurdeman is available to keep it in tune.
Original individual @I03303@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4547@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Oswald married Johnson, Edna Josephine Annette 24 Jan 1928, ?. Edna was born 18 Feb 1897, ?; died 12 Apr 1996, Eden Prairie, MN.; was buried 16 Apr 1996, Lakewood Cemetery; Minneapolis, MN.. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: beautician

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Oswald and Edna are both buried at Lakewood Cemetary in Minneapolis
Original individual @I03431@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I1912@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Ed was a cashier at the Maple Valley State Bank in Leigh,NE. and a vice-president of First National Bank of Columbus, NE.

From THE LEIGH WORLD, September 27,1946-

Ed Wurdeman died suddenly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to his relatives here. He left home for his office in good spirits. At ten o'clock he returned home and spoke of not feelingwell. Within half an hour he passed away.

Funeral services were held at Trinity First Lutheran Church with interment at Lakewood Cemetery.

Mr. Wurdeman was born April 6,1875, in Sherman Township, Platte County, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wurdeman, early settlers in the neighborhood southwest of Leigh. He had reached the ageof 71 years. He was married to Marie Rabeler, February 28,1898, and six children were born.

During the years they lived at Leigh, Mr. Wurdeman was cashier at Maple Valley State Bank. They left Leigh to locate in Minneapolis in 1921. Mr. Wurdeman's last visit to Leigh was in April of this year when he was accompanied by Mrs. Wurdeman and their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dubbe.

Survivors are his wife, two sons, Lt. Robert M. and Oswald, and two daughters, Mrs. Dubbe and Mrs. Loren Cahlender, all of Minneapolis. There are ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Alma Feye, of Columbus, and two brothers, Charles, Columbus, and Frank, Creston, all of whom drove to Minneapolis for the funeral.

Facts about this person:

Burial
Lakewood Cemetery; Minneapolis, MN.
Ed was a cashier at the Maple Valley State Bank in Leigh,NE. and a vice-president of First National Bank of Columbus, NE.

From THE LEIGH WORLD, September 27,1946-

Ed Wurdeman died suddenly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to his relatives here. He left home for his office in good spirits. At ten o'clock he returned home and spoke of not feeling well. Within half an hour he passed away.

Funeral services were held at Trinity First Lutheran Church with interment at Lakewood Cemetery.

Mr. Wurdeman was born April 6,1875, in Sherman Township, Platte County, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wurdeman, early settlers in the neighborhood southwest of Leigh. He had reached the age of 71 years. He was married to Marie Rabeler, February 28,1898, and six children were born.

During the years they lived at Leigh, Mr. Wurdeman was cashier at Maple Valley State Bank. They left Leigh to locate in Minneapolis in 1921. Mr. Wurdeman's last visit to Leigh was in April of this year when he was accompanied by Mrs. Wurdeman and their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dubbe.

Survivors are his wife, two sons, Lt. Robert M. and Oswald, and two daughters, Mrs. Dubbe and Mrs. Loren Cahlender, all of Minneapolis. There are ten grandchildren and one great-grandson. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Alma Feye, of Columbus, and two brothers, Charles, Columbus, and Frank, Creston, all of whom drove to Minneapolis for the funeral.[Wurdeman.FTW]

[ColfaxDeutschlandPlatte.FBK.FTW]

Ed was a cashier at the Maple Valley State Bank in Leigh,NE. and a vice-president of First National Bank of Columbus, NE.

From THE LEIGH WORLD, September 27,1946-

Ed Wurdeman died suddenly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, according to his relatives here. He left home for his office in good spirits. At ten o'clock he returned home and spoke of not feeling well. Within half an hour he passed away.

Funeral services were held at Trinity First Lutheran Church with interment at Lakewood Cemetery.

Mr. Wurdeman was born April 6,1875, in Sherman Township, Platte County, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wurdeman, early settlers in the neighborhood southwest of Leigh. He had reached the age of 71 years. He was married to Marie Rabeler, February 28,1898, and six children were born.

During the years they lived at Leigh, Mr. Wurdeman was cashier at Maple Valley State Bank. They left Leigh to locate in Minneapolis in 1921. Mr. Wurdeman's last visit to Leigh was in April of this year when he was accompanied by Mrs. Wurdeman and their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Dubbe.

Survivors are his wife, two sons, Lt. Robert M. and Oswald, and two daughters, Mrs. Dubbe and Mrs. Loren Cahlender, all of Minneapolis. There are ten grandchildren and one great-grandson. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Alma Feye, of Columbus, and two brothers, Charles, Columbus, and Frank, Creston, all of whom drove to Minneapolis for the funeral.[Wurdeman.FTW]

Original individual @I01135@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4401@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Edward married Rabeler, Marie Dorothea Wilhelmina 22 Feb 1898, Zion Lutheran Church; Leigh, NE.. Marie (daughter of Rabeler, Peter Friedrich and Putensen, Anna Margaretha) was born 27 May 1876, Hanover, GER.; died 10 Jan 1977, Columbia Heights, MN; was buried 13 Jan 1977, Lakewood Cemetery; Minneapolis, MN.. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: housewife
• Confirmation: 30 Mar 1894, Bismark, Platte County, Nebraska; Evangelical Lutheran Christus Kirsche, Pastor H. Fisher

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I3063@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@) merged with @I03301@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@)

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
John Henry emigrated to Chicago, IL. and then to Nebraska. Bob Wurdeman indicates that he came to the US in 1860 and to Platte County in 1869.

From the COLUMBUS TELEGRAM, Friday , August 3,1919:

J. H. Wurdeman, whose unfortunate death occurred last Friday morning was a veteran of the Civil War, a pioneer in Sherman Township, and at one time the largest land owner in Platte County. Funeral Services were conducted by Rev. R. Neumarker at the residence on eighth street, Tuesday morning at eight o'clock, and by Rev. Dohlen at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sherman Township at 10:00 AM. Burial was made in the little cemetery near the church. Six of the grandsons bore the body to the sepulchre.

Mr. Wurdeman was a native of Alhorn, Oldenburg; Germany, where he was born February 12,1838. He lived there until he reached the age of 22 years. Rather than be drafted into a military system for which he had no sympathy, he came to the United States to be a citizen of this country. He arrived May 31,1860 and went to Dekalb County, IL. where he secured work on a farm. Though he had left Germany rather than serve in the army, he was quick to go to the defense of his adopted country when the call went out for volunteers for the Civil War. Little more than a year after he came over, he was in the thick of the fight, doing his bit to help preserve the Union.

He enlisted August 28,1861. with Company D; 39th Regiment; Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served four years, three and one half months. Twice he was wounded and several other times he narrowly escaped death. Near Richmond, VA. on October 13,1864 a bullet penetrated his left cheek and because of inefficient medical service, there it remained for more than three months. Inthe fighting around Fort Gregg on April 2,1865, Mr. Wurdeman was wounded in the right front leg by grapeshot from the guns of the Fort. On the same day, when he stooped to avoid being hit, a cannon ball shattered the rifle he carried over his shoulder.

Mustered out of the service as a corporal, December 13,1865 at Springfield, IL., he went to Mayville, WI. where he secured a position as a clerk in store. There on February 4,1866, he married Catherina M. Wilke. They came to Nebraska in March,1869, home steading in Sherman Township. With an abiding faith in the development of the new country to which they had come, Mr. Wurdeman bought land, and still more land, until he acquired nearly 2500 acres, most of which he divided among his sons and daughters about three years ago.

Many years ago Mr. Wurdeman was one of the organizers of the Maple Valley Bank of Leigh. He served as its president and his son, Ed Wurdeman, as its cashier, until about ten years ago when it was consolidated with the Farmers' and Merchants Bank and it became First National. For several years he was vice president of the new institution. He also was one of the founders andoriginal stockholders in the Commercial Bank of Columbus, and was long a member of Baker Post No. 9, G.A.R.

His first wife passed away October 17,1915. Three years ago he married Mrs. Anna Kumpf of Columbus, retired from the farm, and made his home in the city for the rest of his life. Besides his widow, he leaves four sons- Rudolph, Charles, Frank, and Edward Wurdeman, all of Columbus; two daughters- Mrs John Ahrens and Mrs Fred Feye, residing north of the city, twenty- five grand children, two step-sons Emil Kumpf of Columbus and Otto Kumpf of Albion, and two step- daughters, Mrs F.R. Gregorius of Columbus and Mrs William Hemphill of Chicago.

From THE LEIGH WORLD (Date Unknown)-

J.H.Wurdeman, pioneer of Sherman Township, but a resident of Columbus for the last three years was drowned in the Loup River at an early hour last Friday morning. Joe Stanzel and Louis Glur, who were fishing along the north bank south of the south end of Lover's Lane found the body shortly after daybreak. It had evidently floated down the river shortly before and lodged inthe shallow water, for it was not there when they had run their lines at 3 AM.

There were no marks of violence on the body and Coroner Otto Walter who was called to the scene and was present when the lifeless form was removed from the water by Deputy Sheriff CharlesJaworski, said that probably no inquest would be held. The body was taken to the Gaws undertaking rooms.

Mr. Wurdeman left his home at 1403 Eighth Street some time before daybreak. He retired as usual, about ten o'clock, the previous night. This morning, when Mrs Wurdeman went to his room tocall him, he was not there. He had packed his clothing in a grip and suitcase, and she thought perhaps that he had gone over to one of his son's homes. The bed had been occupied.

For several years, Mr. Wurdeman, who was 81 years old, had been in feeble health, subject to fainting spells, but Mrs. Wurdeman says he seemed to be much better of late, though somewhat eccentric.

Facts about this person:

Emigration 1858

Source: AUSWANDERER AUS DEM KIRCHSPIEL GROSSENKNETTEN
Medium: Book
Dierk Feye, Compiler; Fichenstr.8, 2930 Varel 1; GE.

Several abstract documents were located in Mayville (not Maryville), WI where John Henry went after the Civil War. It appears they were quite lax about names as there are three entries for John Henry, and they are all different. A warranty deed was dated 3/17/1866 purchasing city lot 2, block 7 as Henry Wurdeman, and selling it on 4/19/1866 as Henry Wuerderman and wife Catharina. There is another document dated 3/24/1868 buying Lot 3, Block 6 as J H Wuerdemann. If these are in fact both John Henry, then it is curious that he is Wurdeman and Wuerdeman in 1866 but back to Wuerdermann in 1868?
John Henry emigrated to Chicago, IL. and then to Nebraska. Bob Wurdeman indicates that he came to the United States in 1860 and to Platte County in 1869.

From ANDREAS HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA. Platte County, Published 1892-

JOHN HENRY WURDEMAN, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Columbus, was born in Oldenburg, February 12, 1838. He came to America in 1860, landing at New York City in May. he went to De Kalb county, Ill., remaining until Christmas. He then went to Ogle County, Ill., where in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company D. Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, serving until December 21, 1865; was in the Army of the James; was wounded at the battle of Petersburg and at the siege of Richmond; was promoted to Corporal, which position he held until his discharge. He then went to Mayville. Wis., where he was employed as a clerk in a general store until 1869. He then married, February 4, 1866, Miss C. M. Wilke, also a native of Oldenburg. They have six children--Rudolph, Louisa, Charles, Franklin, Edward and Alma. In March, 1869, he moved to Nebraska, locating in Platte County. He now has a large farm of 490 acres, 250 acres in cultivation; thirty acres in pasture under fence.
___________________________________

FROM THE PAST AND THE PRESENT, PLATTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, Volume II-

John Henry Wurdeman, a retired farmer living on section 9, Sherman township, is one of the veterans of the Civil war who proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Throughout his entire life he has manifested the same spirit of loyalty to his country which he displayed when he followed the nation's starry banner upon the battlefields of the south. At the same time he has been a most enterprising and progressive business man, accomplishing results which show his forcefulness, resourcefulness, industry, and capability. He was born in Ahlhorn, Oldenburg, Germany, February 12, 1838, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. His father, Diedrich Wurdeman, was a farmer of Germany and came to the United States in 1871, in which year he homesteaded in Sherman township, Platte county, but did not get the deed to the land, for he died in 1872, at the home of his son, John H. He was married three times and John Henry Wurdeman was one of the two children born of the first marriage. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Wurdeman, whose name introduces this review, attended school in Germany in the village in which he lived and at fourteen years of age began work as a farm hand. In 1860 he came to the United States and for six months worked as a farm hand at a wage of ten dollars per month, at South Grove, De Kalb County, Illinois. He then went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he received fourteen dollars per month for his services, but at the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and, responding to the call of his adopted country, enlisted on the 28th of August, 1861, as a member of Company D, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, joining the command at Lindenwood, Illinois. He entered the service as a private and was promoted to the rank of corporal. He veteranized on the 5th of September, 1864, and on the 13th of October of the same year was wounded, after which he carried the bullet in his left cheek until January 21, 1865. His first injury was sustained at Darbytown Crossroads, Virginia, and on the 2d of April, 1865, he was wounded by grape shot in the right leg, at Fort Gregg, Virginia. Company D was organized at Rochelle, Illinois, and was among the first to be assigned for active duty. The regiment was quartered in the old Republican Wigwam on Market street in Chicago, and the company was the first to meet the advance force of the enemy under General Stonewall Jackson, at Bath, Virginia, on the 3d of June, 1862, entering upon the engagement without preliminary skirmish tactics. They were again and again upon the firing line, displaying a spirit of courage and nobility, and at the expiration of their three years' term, three-fourths of the company re enlisted as veterans at Hilton Head, South Carolina. On being first mustered in, the company left Chicago, went to St. Louis and thence proceeded to Hagerstown, Maryland, where they were given Springfield rifles and were engaged in doing guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. They participated in the battle of Winchester on the 23rd of March, 1862, against Jackson, and from that time on were again and again on active duty on the firing line. Mr. Wurdeman made a most creditable military record as a brave and loyal soldier and has every reason to be proud of the reputation won by his command.

In 1866 he went to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in clerking in a store. While residing there he was married and in March, 1869, he removed to Platte county, which was then a western frontier district. There was no bridge over the Missouri river at Omaha and the fare from Omaha to Columbus was nine dollars and sixty cents. Mr. Wurdeman secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Sherman township, on which was a primitive house, half sod and half dugout. He was among the first settlers to penetrate into this region and there was little evidence of development and improvement. During his first winter he built a log cabin twelve by eighteen feet, hewing the logs on his own claim, and during the first three years he used an ox team for plowing. As time passed on his labors wrought a marked transformation in the claim, which he converted from raw prairie into richly cultivated and productive fields. Starting in with one hundred and sixty acres, he added to his holdings from time to time as opportunity offered and his financial resources increased. He had eighty acres on section 8, four hundred and eighty acres on section 9, two hundred and eighty acres on section 10, forty acres on section 15 and two hundred and forty acres on section 16, Sherman township, together with three hundred and twenty acres in Stanton county, Nebraska, but has given all of this land to his children. The various tracts were fine farming. land, the soil being naturally rich and productive, and in addition to cultivating his fields, Mr. Wurdeman engaged extensively in stock-raising and did much to improve the grade of stock raised in the county. He was also one of the organizers of the Maple Valley State Bank at Leigh, Nebraska, and when it was sold to the First National he became vice president of the latter. He has always been a most active and progressive man, ready to meet any emergency and carrying forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. His well directed efforts have found visible evidence in his various farm properties and his indefatigable industry made him one of the most substantial residents of the county.

On the 4th of February, 1866, at Mayville, Wisconsin, Mr. Wurdeman was united in marriage to Miss Catharina Margaretha Wilke, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, born February 2, 1839, and a daughter of John Wilke, who was a landowner and agriculturist of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Wurdeman are the parents of six children, as follows: Rudolph H., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Louise, the wife of John Ahrens, who is also represented on another page of this volume; Charles, an architect of Columbus; Frank, a biography of whom appears on another page; Edward, the vice president of the First National Bank of Columbus; and Alma, the wife of Fred Feye, a sketch of whom is given on another page of this work.

After a happy married life of almost fifty years Mrs. Wurdeman passed away October 17, 1915, loved and respected by all who knew her. She was an earnest Christian and was always ready and willing to aid those in sickness or distress.

Mr. Wurdeman was a member of the Grand Army post at Creston until it was discontinued and during his residence in Columbus held membership with the post there. He retired to Columbus in 1891, and tried living in town in a modern residence, but preferring rural life, he returned to the farm and now makes his home on section 9, Sherman township. He has assisted in furthering every improvement of the township and he has served as a member of the county board of supervisors. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his entire life has been guided by high and honorable principles, making him a man worthy of the esteem and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His life has indeed been well spent and furnishes an example that the youth of the present generation may well follow, for his record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

_________________________-

From the COLUMBUS (NE.) TELEGRAM, Friday , August 3,1919:

J. H. Wurdeman, whose unfortunate death occurred last Friday morning was a veteran of the Civil War, a pioneer in Sherman Township, and at one time the largest land owner in Platte County. Funeral Services were conducted by Rev. R. Neumarker at the residence on eighth street, Tuesday morning at eight o'clock, and by Rev. Dohlen at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sherman Township at 10:00 AM. Burial was made in the little cemetery near the church. Six of the grandsons bore the body to the sepulchre.

Mr. Wurdeman was a native of Alhorn, Oldenburg; Germany, where he was born February 12,1838. He lived there until he reached the age of 22 years. Rather than be drafted into a military system for which he had no sympathy, he came to the United States to be a citizen of this country. He arrived May 31,1860 and went to Dekalb County, IL. where he secured work on a farm. Though he had left Germany rather than serve in the army, he was quick to go to the defense of his adopted country when the call went out for volunteers for the Civil War. Little more than a year after he came over, he was in the thick of the fight, doing his bit to help preserve the Union.

He enlisted August 28,1861. with Company D; 39th Regiment; Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served four years, three and one half months. Twice he was wounded and several other times he narrowly escaped death. Near Richmond, VA. on October 13,1864 a bullet penetrated his left cheek and because of inefficient medical service, there it remained for more than three months. In the fighting around Fort Gregg on April 2,1865, Mr. Wurdeman was wounded in the right front leg by grapeshot from the guns of the Fort. On the same day, when he stooped to avoid being hit, a cannon ball shattered the rifle he carried over his shoulder.

Mustered out of the service as a corporal, December 13,1865 at Springfield, IL., he went to Maryville, WI. where he secured a position as a clerk in store. There on February 4,1866, he married Catherina M. Wilke. They came to Nebraska in March,1869, home steading in Sherman Township. With an abiding faith in the development of the new country to which they had come, Mr. Wurdeman bought land, and still more land, until he acquired nearly 2500 acres, most of which he divided among his sons and daughters about three years ago.

Many years ago Mr. Wurdeman was one of the organizers of the Maple Valley Bank of Leigh. He served as its president and his son, Ed Wurdeman, as its cashier, until about ten years ago when it was consolidated with the Farmers' and Merchants Bank and it became First National. For several years he was vice president of the new institution. He also was one of the founders and original stockholders in the Commercial Bank of Columbus, and was long a member of Baker Post No. 9, G.A.R.

His first wife passed away October 17,1915. Three years ago he married Mrs. Anna Kumpf of Columbus, retired from the farm, and made his home in the city for the rest of his life. Besides his widow, he leaves four sons- Rudolph, Charles, Frank, and Edward Wurdeman, all of Columbus; two daughters- Mrs John Ahrens and Mrs Fred Feye, residing north of the city, twenty- five grand children, two step-sons Emil Kumpf of Columbus and Otto Kumpf of Albion, and two step- daughters, Mrs F.R. Gregorius of Columbus and Mrs William Hemphill of Chicago.
______________________________

From THE LEIGH (NE.) WORLD (Date Unknown)-

J.H.Wurdeman, pioneer of Sherman Township, but a resident of Columbus for the last three years was drowned in the Loup River at an early hour last Friday morning. Joe Stanzel and Louis Glur, who were fishing along the north bank south of the south end of Lover's Lane found the body shortly after daybreak. It had evidently floated down the river shortly before and lodged in the shallow water, for it was not there when they had run their lines at 3 AM.

There were no marks of violence on the body and Coroner Otto Walter who was called to the scene and was present when the lifeless form was removed from the water by Deputy Sheriff Charles Jaworski, said that probably no inquest would be held. The body was taken to the Gaws undertaking rooms.

Mr. Wurdeman left his home at 1403 Eighth Street some time before daybreak. He retired as usual, about ten o'clock, the previous night. This morning, when Mrs Wurdeman went to his room to call him, he was not there. He had packed his clothing in a grip and suitcase, and she thought perhaps that he had gone over to one of his son's homes. The bed had been occupied.

For several years, Mr. Wurdeman, who was 81 years old, had been in feeble health, subject to fainting spells, but Mrs. Wurdeman says he seemed to be much better of late, though somewhat eccentric.

[ColfaxDeutschlandPlatte.FBK.FTW]

John Henry emigrated to Chicago, IL. and then to Nebraska. Bob Wurdeman indicates that he came to the United States in 1860 and to Platte County in 1869.

From ANDREAS HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA. Platte County, Published 1892-

JOHN HENRY WURDEMAN, farmer, Section 10, P. O. Columbus, was born in Oldenburg, February 12, 1838. He came to America in 1860, landing at New York City in May. he went to De Kalb county, Ill., remaining until Christmas. He then went to Ogle County, Ill., where in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company D. Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, serving until December 21, 1865; was in the Army of the James; was wounded at the battle of Petersburg and at the siege of Richmond; was promoted to Corporal, which position he held until his discharge. He then went to Mayville. Wis., where he was employed as a clerk in a general store until 1869. He then married, February 4, 1866, Miss C. M. Wilke, also a native of Oldenburg. They have six children--Rudolph, Louisa, Charles, Franklin, Edward and Alma. In March, 1869, he moved to Nebraska, locating in Platte County. He now has a large farm of 490 acres, 250 acres in cultivation; thirty acres in pasture under fence.
___________________________________

FROM THE PAST AND THE PRESENT, PLATTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, Volume II-

John Henry Wurdeman, a retired farmer living on section 9, Sherman township, is one of the veterans of the Civil war who proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Throughout his entire life he has manifested the same spirit of loyalty to his country which he displayed when he followed the nation's starry banner upon the battlefields of the south. At the same time he has been a most enterprising and progressive business man, accomplishing results which show his forcefulness, resourcefulness, industry, and capability. He was born in Ahlhorn, Oldenburg, Germany, February 12, 1838, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. His father, Diedrich Wurdeman, was a farmer of Germany and came to the United States in 1871, in which year he homesteaded in Sherman township, Platte county, but did not get the deed to the land, for he died in 1872, at the home of his son, John H. He was married three times and John Henry Wurdeman was one of the two children born of the first marriage. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Wurdeman, whose name introduces this review, attended school in Germany in the village in which he lived and at fourteen years of age began work as a farm hand. In 1860 he came to the United States and for six months worked as a farm hand at a wage of ten dollars per month, at South Grove, De Kalb County, Illinois. He then went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he received fourteen dollars per month for his services, but at the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and, responding to the call of his adopted country, enlisted on the 28th of August, 1861, as a member of Company D, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, joining the command at Lindenwood, Illinois. He entered the service as a private and was promoted to the rank of corporal. He veteranized on the 5th of September, 1864, and on the 13th of October of the same year was wounded, after which he carried the bullet in his left cheek until January 21, 1865. His first injury was sustained at Darbytown Crossroads, Virginia, and on the 2d of April, 1865, he was wounded by grape shot in the right leg, at Fort Gregg, Virginia. Company D was organized at Rochelle, Illinois, and was among the first to be assigned for active duty. The regiment was quartered in the old Republican Wigwam on Market street in Chicago, and the company was the first to meet the advance force of the enemy under General Stonewall Jackson, at Bath, Virginia, on the 3d of June, 1862, entering upon the engagement without preliminary skirmish tactics. They were again and again upon the firing line, displaying a spirit of courage and nobility, and at the expiration of their three years' term, three-fourths of the company re enlisted as veterans at Hilton Head, South Carolina. On being first mustered in, the company left Chicago, went to St. Louis and thence proceeded to Hagerstown, Maryland, where they were given Springfield rifles and were engaged in doing guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. They participated in the battle of Winchester on the 23rd of March, 1862, against Jackson, and from that time on were again and again on active duty on the firing line. Mr. Wurdeman made a most creditable military record as a brave and loyal soldier and has every reason to be proud of the reputation won by his command.

In 1866 he went to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in clerking in a store. While residing there he was married and in March, 1869, he removed to Platte county, which was then a western frontier district. There was no bridge over the Missouri river at Omaha and the fare from Omaha to Columbus was nine dollars and sixty cents. Mr. Wurdeman secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Sherman township, on which was a primitive house, half sod and half dugout. He was among the first settlers to penetrate into this region and there was little evidence of development and improvement. During his first winter he built a log cabin twelve by eighteen feet, hewing the logs on his own claim, and during the first three years he used an ox team for plowing. As time passed on his labors wrought a marked transformation in the claim, which he converted from raw prairie into richly cultivated and productive fields. Starting in with one hundred and sixty acres, he added to his holdings from time to time as opportunity offered and his financial resources increased. He had eighty acres on section 8, four hundred and eighty acres on section 9, two hundred and eighty acres on section 10, forty acres on section 15 and two hundred and forty acres on section 16, Sherman township, together with three hundred and twenty acres in Stanton county, Nebraska, but has given all of this land to his children. The various tracts were fine farming. land, the soil being naturally rich and productive, and in addition to cultivating his fields, Mr. Wurdeman engaged extensively in stock-raising and did much to improve the grade of stock raised in the county. He was also one of the organizers of the Maple Valley State Bank at Leigh, Nebraska, and when it was sold to the First National he became vice president of the latter. He has always been a most active and progressive man, ready to meet any emergency and carrying forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. His well directed efforts have found visible evidence in his various farm properties and his indefatigable industry made him one of the most substantial residents of the county.

On the 4th of February, 1866, at Mayville, Wisconsin, Mr. Wurdeman was united in marriage to Miss Catharina Margaretha Wilke, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, born February 2, 1839, and a daughter of John Wilke, who was a landowner and agriculturist of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Wurdeman are the parents of six children, as follows: Rudolph H., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Louise, the wife of John Ahrens, who is also represented on another page of this volume; Charles, an architect of Columbus; Frank, a biography of whom appears on another page; Edward, the vice president of the First National Bank of Columbus; and Alma, the wife of Fred Feye, a sketch of whom is given on another page of this work.

After a happy married life of almost fifty years Mrs. Wurdeman passed away October 17, 1915, loved and respected by all who knew her. She was an earnest Christian and was always ready and willing to aid those in sickness or distress.

Mr. Wurdeman was a member of the Grand Army post at Creston until it was discontinued and during his residence in Columbus held membership with the post there. He retired to Columbus in 1891, and tried living in town in a modern residence, but preferring rural life, he returned to the farm and now makes his home on section 9, Sherman township. He has assisted in furthering every improvement of the township and he has served as a member of the county board of supervisors. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his entire life has been guided by high and honorable principles, making him a man worthy of the esteem and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His life has indeed been well spent and furnishes an example that the youth of the present generation may well follow, for his record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

_________________________-

From the COLUMBUS (NE.) TELEGRAM, Friday , August 3,1919:

J. H. Wurdeman, whose unfortunate death occurred last Friday morning was a veteran of the Civil War, a pioneer in Sherman Township, and at one time the largest land owner in Platte County. Funeral Services were conducted by Rev. R. Neumarker at the residence on eighth street, Tuesday morning at eight o'clock, and by Rev. Dohlen at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sherman Township at 10:00 AM. Burial was made in the little cemetery near the church. Six of the grandsons bore the body to the sepulchre.

Mr. Wurdeman was a native of Alhorn, Oldenburg; Germany, where he was born February 12,1838. He lived there until he reached the age of 22 years. Rather than be drafted into a military system for which he had no sympathy, he came to the United States to be a citizen of this country. He arrived May 31,1860 and went to Dekalb County, IL. where he secured work on a farm. Though he had left Germany rather than serve in the army, he was quick to go to the defense of his adopted country when the call went out for volunteers for the Civil War. Little more than a year after he came over, he was in the thick of the fight, doing his bit to help preserve the Union.

He enlisted August 28,1861. with Company D; 39th Regiment; Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served four years, three and one half months. Twice he was wounded and several other times he narrowly escaped death. Near Richmond, VA. on October 13,1864 a bullet penetrated his left cheek and because of inefficient medical service, there it remained for more than three months. In the fighting around Fort Gregg on April 2,1865, Mr. Wurdeman was wounded in the right front leg by grapeshot from the guns of the Fort. On the same day, when he stooped to avoid being hit, a cannon ball shattered the rifle he carried over his shoulder.

Mustered out of the service as a corporal, December 13,1865 at Springfield, IL., he went to Maryville, WI. where he secured a position as a clerk in store. There on February 4,1866, he married Catherina M. Wilke. They came to Nebraska in March,1869, home steading in Sherman Township. With an abiding faith in the development of the new country to which they had come, Mr. Wurdeman bought land, and still more land, until he acquired nearly 2500 acres, most of which he divided among his sons and daughters about three years ago.

Many years ago Mr. Wurdeman was one of the organizers of the Maple Valley Bank of Leigh. He served as its president and his son, Ed Wurdeman, as its cashier, until about ten years ago when it was consolidated with the Farmers' and Merchants Bank and it became First National. For several years he was vice president of the new institution. He also was one of the founders and original stockholders in the Commercial Bank of Columbus, and was long a member of Baker Post No. 9, G.A.R.

His first wife passed away October 17,1915. Three years ago he married Mrs. Anna Kumpf of Columbus, retired from the farm, and made his home in the city for the rest of his life. Besides his widow, he leaves four sons- Rudolph, Charles, Frank, and Edward Wurdeman, all of Columbus; two daughters- Mrs John Ahrens and Mrs Fred Feye, residing north of the city, twenty- five grand children, two step-sons Emil Kumpf of Columbus and Otto Kumpf of Albion, and two step- daughters, Mrs F.R. Gregorius of Columbus and Mrs William Hemphill of Chicago.
______________________________

From THE LEIGH (NE.) WORLD (Date Unknown)-

J.H.Wurdeman, pioneer of Sherman Township, but a resident of Columbus for the last three years was drowned in the Loup River at an early hour last Friday morning. Joe Stanzel and Louis Glur, who were fishing along the north bank south of the south end of Lover's Lane found the body shortly after daybreak. It had evidently floated down the river shortly before and lodged in the shallow water, for it was not there when they had run their lines at 3 AM.

There were no marks of violence on the body and Coroner Otto Walter who was called to the scene and was present when the lifeless form was removed from the water by Deputy Sheriff Charles Jaworski, said that probably no inquest would be held. The body was taken to the Gaws undertaking rooms.

Mr. Wurdeman left his home at 1403 Eighth Street some time before daybreak. He retired as usual, about ten o'clock, the previous night. This morning, when Mrs Wurdeman went to his room to call him, he was not there. He had packed his clothing in a grip and suitcase, and she thought perhaps that he had gone over to one of his son's homes. The bed had been occupied.

For several years, Mr. Wurdeman, who was 81 years old, had been in feeble health, subject to fainting spells, but Mrs. Wurdeman says he seemed to be much better of late, though somewhat eccentric.

Original individual @I00090@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4276@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)
@NF0021@

Found JH improperly recorded in the Union army records as Wurdiman: I had them add the alternate name:

John H. Wurdiman (First_Last)
Regiment Name 39 Illinois Infantry
Side Union
Company D
Soldier's Rank_In Pvt.
Soldier's Rank_Out Corpl.
Alternate Name John H./Wurdeman
Notes
Film Number M539 roll 101

Johann married Wilke, Catharina Margarete 4 Feb 1866, Mayville, WI.. Catharina (daughter of Wilke, Johann Harm and Dicke, Catharina Maria) was born 2 Feb 1839, Sage Gemeinde, Oldenburg, GER.; died 17 Oct 1915, Columbus, NE.; was buried , St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery; Leigh, NE.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Facts about this person:

Emigration 1865

Most records indicate it is Catharina, not Catharine Death record said Catherine, yet another spelling

Might have died in Rochester, MN, perhaps at the Mayo clinic? Found her death certificate as follows:
1915-MN-009296 MRS CATHERINE MARGARET (J.H.) WURDEMAN 17 Oct 1915 OLMSTED
Am guessing based on previous death location as Columbus, NE, that she is probably buried there.
Original individual @I10738@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4116@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Rabeler Family written by Adele Wurdeman Cahlander in 1967.

Peter Friedrich Rabeler had been operating Vollhof #14 in Stelle, Germany, since before his marriage to Margarethe Putensen in 1869. Also, since 1874, he had been Gemeindevorsteher (mayor) of Stelle. However, he was intrigued by stories of America from friends who had gone there, and he decided he would like to see what it was like.

In 1882, he and his family took the long voyage by ship and by railroad to Nebraska, U.S.A. After staying at first a short while with his sister Minne and her husband Henry Wilckens, he rented a house for the winter. The following summer he bought a section of the prairie land in Stanton County near Leigh, Nebraska. Since there were no buildings there, he immediately began the construction of a farm house and buildings, in addition to planting trees and preparing the soil.

In 1885, he returned to Germany with his family, to put his affairs in order and dispose of his property there. By 1807, he was ready to make the final move away from his homeland to settle permanently in America.

This period of change was not without its tragedies. Baby Alex I caught the summer flu and died shortly after their first arrival here in 1882, at the age of 6 months. Pauline was then born here, but on their return, Josephine was born but also died in Germany before they left, at the age of 20 months. Alex II was born after their final move to America.

Friedrich and his wife made one later visit to Germany in 1900.

Although three of the children born to Margarethe Rabeler died as infants, there were seven who grew up to be the Rabeler family in America - three brothers and four sisters. From eldest to youngest they were:
Fred, Alwine, Marie, Henry, Frieda, Pauline and Alex.

They grew up in the farming community near Leigh, Nebraska, with many of their activities centered around the life of the Lutheran church at Loseke Creek.

In 1896, when Marie was 20 and Alwine was 22, the two sisters returned to Germany for a visit. Most of the time they stayed with their Grandma Putensen in Toppenstedt. (Marie lived with her Aunt Minne for a number of months as a child.) They also often stayed in Stelle with the Tangermanns, in Westrgellarson with Aunt Karoline Putensen Menke and in Goeenstorf with the Petersens. Except when they were in Stelle, they usually went to the big church in Salzhausen. The sat up high in the side balcony, because that was where Aunt Minne Putensen Petersen liked to be.

They seemed to have no trouble in getting from place to place. At times they went by Omnibus, a public vehicle drawn by horses. They also often were given rides in the nice coaches owned by their relatives, also drawn by horses. There were many social affairs in which they were included. At Christmas there were special festivities and preparations. They enjoyed watching the special holiday baking in the great brick oven at the Petersens in Goedenstorf.
Since the sisters found that there was more dancing among the young people there than they had been accustomed to, Marie and Alwine enjoyed the opportunity to practice dancing with their young cousins, Heinrich and Fritz Putensen, in the "Dielo" (the large center area of the barn). The boys were only 13 and 11 years old, but they had a lot of fun. There were many happy times and although they had arrived in August, 1896, they did not leave Germany until ten months later in May, 1897.

Marie was the first of the Rabeler sisters and brothers to be married. She became Mrs. Edward Wurdeman on February 22, 1898. Sime of them had some extra schooling and all were married by 1910 except Alex, who married in 1915. When Henry married in 1910, the Rabeler Parents (Friedrich and Margarethe) turned their farm over to him and moved to a new house in Leigh. Friedrich was a Director of the First National Bank of Leigh, while Ed Wurdeman's father was a Director of the Maple Valley State Bank of Leigh. While most of the Rabeler Sisters and Brothers settled down on farms in the area, Fred went into the banking business. Some time later, Marie's husband also went into banking and they moved off the farm, living first in Leigh and later in Columbus. Alex also worked in the bank for a while before going into farming.

1n 1908, although the Sisters were already married, the original Rabeler family gathered together for the family portrait shown below. (The upper portrait shows the Rabeler parents on their 25th Anniversary in 1894).

As the years rolled on, the number of Rabeler descendents increases. There were frequent large family get-togethers, with the Leigh church pastor and his family always included. While most of the Rabelers remained in the Leigh community, or in near-by Columbus, during the early twenties, Marie and Ed Wurdeman moved with their family to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he developed a business with electric music machines; and some time later, Henry and Alex moved to upper New York state to build up a dairy and Jersey cattle-breeding business there. (Henry in 1936, Alex in 1939)

The years rolled by, to 1966. It had been sixty-five years since the Rabeler parents had visited Germany, in 1900 - and seventy years since the Rabeler sisters had gone over in the fall of 1896. In the meantime, not one of the many Rabeler descendents had paid a visit to the Rabeler home places, in Germany. Marie had kept up a contact through correspondence, however.

Then suddenly things started to happen. Marie's grandson, David A. Cahlander, was asked to present a scientific paper in Rome and also to do some work with computers in Aachen, Germany at the Technical Institute. In the fall of 1966, he and his wife Marjorie, stopped briefly in Stelle. After receiving a heart-warming reception from Frau Henny Mencke and her daughter Ilse, they hiked around the church and the old Rabeler home, now owned by Marie's cousin's son, Heinrich Flugge. Dave took pictures for his Grandma, trying to select something she might recognize.

Many things happened that winter, but they were as nothing compared to the BIG EVENT. On June 13, 1967, at the age of ninety-one years, Marie Rabeler Wurdeman stepped on an airplane bound for Germany, which she had not seen for seventy years. She was accompanied by her daughter, Adele Wurdeman Cahlander.

They were met in the Hamburg airport by Frau Henny Mencke and her son, Otto Mencke. The warmth and hospitality with which they were received was indeed thrilling. About half the time they stayed at the home of Frau Mencke, and the other half at the home of Cousin Karl Petersen. They were present to help cousin Fritz Putensen celebrate his 82nd birthday. Various family parties were arranged so that most of the relatives could be met. Some old familiar sights were revisited, and many new ones were explored. They enjoyed the homes, the food (especially the delicious "Eerdbeern Torte"), the gardens, the churches, the country-side, the shopping, - but most of all, the people. Marie and cousin Fritz laughed over their reminiscences, especially about how they had practiced dancing on the "Diele".

Marie thoroughly enjoyed it all. She conversed in German with ease. Her German relatives were filled with amazement at her obvious good health and vigor, her upright bearing and her mental alertness.

On July 3rd, Marie and her daughter Adele boarded the plane to return to America. The pictures, the memories and the letters received since then have continued to make the trip seem worthwhile.[ColfaxDeutschlandPlatte.FBK.FTW]

Rabeler Family written by Adele Wurdeman Cahlander in 1967.

Peter Friedrich Rabeler had been operating Vollhof #14 in Stelle, Germany, since before his marriage to Margarethe Putensen in 1869. Also, since 1874, he had been Gemeindevorsteher (mayor) of Stelle. However, he was intrigued by stories of America from friends who had gone there, and he decided he would like to see what it was like.

In 1882, he and his family took the long voyage by ship and by railroad to Nebraska, U.S.A. After staying at first a short while with his sister Minne and her husband Henry Wilckens, he rented a house for the winter. The following summer he bought a section of the prairie land in Stanton County near Leigh, Nebraska. Since there were no buildings there, he immediately began the construction of a farm house and buildings, in addition to planting trees and preparing the soil.

In 1885, he returned to Germany with his family, to put his affairs in order and dispose of his property there. By 1807, he was ready to make the final move away from his homeland to settle permanently in America.

This period of change was not without its tragedies. Baby Alex I caught the summer flu and died shortly after their first arrival here in 1882, at the age of 6 months. Pauline was then born here, but on their return, Josephine was born but also died in Germany before they left, at the age of 20 months. Alex II was born after their final move to America.

Friedrich and his wife made one later visit to Germany in 1900.

Although three of the children born to Margarethe Rabeler died as infants, there were seven who grew up to be the Rabeler family in America - three brothers and four sisters. From eldest to youngest they were:
Fred, Alwine, Marie, Henry, Frieda, Pauline and Alex.

They grew up in the farming community near Leigh, Nebraska, with many of their activities centered around the life of the Lutheran church at Loseke Creek.

In 1896, when Marie was 20 and Alwine was 22, the two sisters returned to Germany for a visit. Most of the time they stayed with their Grandma Putensen in Toppenstedt. (Marie lived with her Aunt Minne for a number of months as a child.) They also often stayed in Stelle with the Tangermanns, in Westrgellarson with Aunt Karoline Putensen Menke and in Goeenstorf with the Petersens. Except when they were in Stelle, they usually went to the big church in Salzhausen. The sat up high in the side balcony, because that was where Aunt Minne Putensen Petersen liked to be.

They seemed to have no trouble in getting from place to place. At times they went by Omnibus, a public vehicle drawn by horses. They also often were given rides in the nice coaches owned by their relatives, also drawn by horses. There were many social affairs in which they were included. At Christmas there were special festivities and preparations. They enjoyed watching the special holiday baking in the great brick oven at the Petersens in Goedenstorf.
Since the sisters found that there was more dancing among the young people there than they had been accustomed to, Marie and Alwine enjoyed the opportunity to practice dancing with their young cousins, Heinrich and Fritz Putensen, in the "Dielo" (the large center area of the barn). The boys were only 13 and 11 years old, but they had a lot of fun. There were many happy times and although they had arrived in August, 1896, they did not leave Germany until ten months later in May, 1897.

Marie was the first of the Rabeler sisters and brothers to be married. She became Mrs. Edward Wurdeman on February 22, 1898. Sime of them had some extra schooling and all were married by 1910 except Alex, who married in 1915. When Henry married in 1910, the Rabeler Parents (Friedrich and Margarethe) turned their farm over to him and moved to a new house in Leigh. Friedrich was a Director of the First National Bank of Leigh, while Ed Wurdeman's father was a Director of the Maple Valley State Bank of Leigh. While most of the Rabeler Sisters and Brothers settled down on farms in the area, Fred went into the banking business. Some time later, Marie's husband also went into banking and they moved off the farm, living first in Leigh and later in Columbus. Alex also worked in the bank for a while before going into farming.

1n 1908, although the Sisters were already married, the original Rabeler family gathered together for the family portrait shown below. (The upper portrait shows the Rabeler parents on their 25th Anniversary in 1894).

As the years rolled on, the number of Rabeler descendents increases. There were frequent large family get-togethers, with the Leigh church pastor and his family always included. While most of the Rabelers remained in the Leigh community, or in near-by Columbus, during the early twenties, Marie and Ed Wurdeman moved with their family to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he developed a business with electric music machines; and some time later, Henry and Alex moved to upper New York state to build up a dairy and Jersey cattle-breeding business there. (Henry in 1936, Alex in 1939)

The years rolled by, to 1966. It had been sixty-five years since the Rabeler parents had visited Germany, in 1900 - and seventy years since the Rabeler sisters had gone over in the fall of 1896. In the meantime, not one of the many Rabeler descendents had paid a visit to the Rabeler home places, in Germany. Marie had kept up a contact through correspondence, however.

Then suddenly things started to happen. Marie's grandson, David A. Cahlander, was asked to present a scientific paper in Rome and also to do some work with computers in Aachen, Germany at the Technical Institute. In the fall of 1966, he and his wife Marjorie, stopped briefly in Stelle. After receiving a heart-warming reception from Frau Henny Mencke and her daughter Ilse, they hiked around the church and the old Rabeler home, now owned by Marie's cousin's son, Heinrich Flugge. Dave took pictures for his Grandma, trying to select something she might recognize.

Many things happened that winter, but they were as nothing compared to the BIG EVENT. On June 13, 1967, at the age of ninety-one years, Marie Rabeler Wurdeman stepped on an airplane bound for Germany, which she had not seen for seventy years. She was accompanied by her daughter, Adele Wurdeman Cahlander.

They were met in the Hamburg airport by Frau Henny Mencke and her son, Otto Mencke. The warmth and hospitality with which they were received was indeed thrilling. About half the time they stayed at the home of Frau Mencke, and the other half at the home of Cousin Karl Petersen. They were present to help cousin Fritz Putensen celebrate his 82nd birthday. Various family parties were arranged so that most of the relatives could be met. Some old familiar sights were revisited, and many new ones were explored. They enjoyed the homes, the food (especially the delicious "Eerdbeern Torte"), the gardens, the churches, the country-side, the shopping, - but most of all, the people. Marie and cousin Fritz laughed over their reminiscences, especially about how they had practiced dancing on the "Diele".

Marie thoroughly enjoyed it all. She conversed in German with ease. Her German relatives were filled with amazement at her obvious good health and vigor, her upright bearing and her mental alertness.

On July 3rd, Marie and her daughter Adele boarded the plane to return to America. The pictures, the memories and the letters received since then have continued to make the trip seem worthwhile.
Original individual @I3067@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@) merged with @I10883@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@)

Peter married Putensen, Anna Margaretha 3 Dec 1869, ?. Anna (daughter of Putensen, Johann Heinrich Friedrich Georg and Harms, Anna Catherina Sophie) was born 1 May 1847, Toppenstedt, GER.; died 5 Aug 1930, Leigh, NE.; was buried , Leigh Cemetery; Leigh, NE.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I3048@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@) merged with @I10884@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@)