Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I01208@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4605@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Walter married Went, Leona Marie 1928, Creston, NE.. Leona (daughter of Went, John Fred and Asche, Anna) was born 6 Apr 1902, Colfax County, NE.; died 29 Jan 1962, ?; was buried , Roselawn Memorial Cemetery; Columbus, NE.. [Group Sheet]

1. Living
2. Living

Other Events:

• Confirmation: St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church; Leigh, NE.

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
In early boyhood, Rudolph came with his parents to Nebraska and the family home was established on the farm four miles south and four miles west of Leigh, NE., which is today occupied by his son, Henry.

After Rudolph and Mary were married, they made their home on the farm of his parents until they retired in 1917 and moved to Columbus, NE. When his infant daughter, Alma, died of scarlet fever in 1904, Rudolph was in Germany visiting the birthplace of his parents. The first trans-Atlantic cable ever sent from Leigh was the one which his wife sent him advising of their daughter's death. Within ten hours a return cable was sent, stating that he was taking a fast steamer, the vessel "LEHN" bound for America. Pending his arrival, the remains were held for nine days and he was able to be present for the funeral.

Rudolph was a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was also a vice-president of Maple Valley Bank.

Facts about this person:

Burial
St Paul's Cemetery; Rural Leigh, NE.

Confirmation
St Paul's Lutheran Church; Leigh, NE.
In early boyhood, Rudolph came with his parents to Nebraska and the family home was established on the farm four miles south and four miles west of Leigh, NE., which is today occupied by his son, Henry.

After Rudolph and Mary were married, they made their home on the farm of his parents until they retired in 1917 and moved to Columbus, NE. When his infant daughter, Alma, died of scarlet fever in 1894, Rudolph was in Germany visiting the birthplace of his parents. The first trans-Atlantic cable ever sent from Leigh was the one which his wife sent him advising of their daughter's death. Within ten hours a return cable was sent, stating that he was taking a fast steamer, the vessel "LEHN" bound for America. Pending his arrival, the remains were held for nine days and he was able to be present for the funeral.

Rudolph was a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was also a vice-president of Maple Valley Bank.

_________________________

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

Rudolph H. Wurdeman is engaged in general farming on section 10, Sherman township, and finds this occupation a profitable one owing to his intelligently directed efforts. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Mayville, Dodge county, November 26, 1866, and during his early boyhood was brought to Nebraska and pursued his education in school district No. 23, in Sherman township, Platte county. He was reared to the occupation of farming and at the age of twenty-two began farming on his own account on section 10, Sherman township, where he has lived continuously since 1869, or for a period of forty-seven years. He has seen wonderful changes in the county, which at the time of the arrival of the Wurdeman family was largely an undeveloped district. The labors of the family have contributed to the pioneer development and agricultural progress of the county. For a long period Rudolph H. Wurdeman has been numbered among the active and representative farmers of Sherman township, where he owns three hundred and sixty acres Of valuable land in the home place and eighty acres on section 5 of the same township. He has made about one half of the improvements upon his farm in the way of buildings, and at all times he keeps his land under a high state of cultivation, his fields producing excellent crops of corn, wheat and other cereals.

Mr. Wurdeman is also engaged extensively in feeding and shipping stock. He keeps a large herd of cattle and specializes in the Aberdeen Angus breed. Into other lines he has extended his business activity and several important concerns have felt the stimulus of his enterprise and co-operation. For a time he was the vice president of the Maple Valley State Bank at Leigh but resigned when it consolidated with another bank. He is still a stockholder in the Farmers Union Elevator Company and in the telephone company at Columbus, which he helped to organize. He is likewise identified with the Farmers Union.

On May 31, 1889, Mr. Wurdeman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hagelman, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1868, a daughter of Gerhard and Cording Hagelman, who were also natives of the same place. In the year 1878 they arrived in Wisconsin and afterward came to Platte county, Nebraska, where Mr. Hagelman still lives at the age of eighty-four years, but his wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wurdeman have become the parents of eight children: Henry, who is married and has one child and who still lives upon the home farm; Ernst; Reinhold; Elsie; Walter; Olga: Louis; and Ewald.

Mr. Wurdeman is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Modern Woodmen camp, the Odd Fellows lodge and the United Workmen lodge, all at Leigh. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which his wife and family also belong. In his political views he is a republican and for six years filled the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties with promptness and impartiality. The greater part of his life has been passed in Platte county, and he is one of its worthy and honored pioneer settlers, its history in all of its varying phases being familiar to him, so that his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
[ColfaxDeutschlandPlatte.FBK.FTW]

In early boyhood, Rudolph came with his parents to Nebraska and the family home was established on the farm four miles south and four miles west of Leigh, NE., which is today occupied by his son, Henry.

After Rudolph and Mary were married, they made their home on the farm of his parents until they retired in 1917 and moved to Columbus, NE. When his infant daughter, Alma, died of scarlet fever in 1894, Rudolph was in Germany visiting the birthplace of his parents. The first trans-Atlantic cable ever sent from Leigh was the one which his wife sent him advising of their daughter's death. Within ten hours a return cable was sent, stating that he was taking a fast steamer, the vessel "LEHN" bound for America. Pending his arrival, the remains were held for nine days and he was able to be present for the funeral.

Rudolph was a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was also a vice-president of Maple Valley Bank.

_________________________

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

Rudolph H. Wurdeman is engaged in general farming on section 10, Sherman township, and finds this occupation a profitable one owing to his intelligently directed efforts. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Mayville, Dodge county, November 26, 1866, and during his early boyhood was brought to Nebraska and pursued his education in school district No. 23, in Sherman township, Platte county. He was reared to the occupation of farming and at the age of twenty-two began farming on his own account on section 10, Sherman township, where he has lived continuously since 1869, or for a period of forty-seven years. He has seen wonderful changes in the county, which at the time of the arrival of the Wurdeman family was largely an undeveloped district. The labors of the family have contributed to the pioneer development and agricultural progress of the county. For a long period Rudolph H. Wurdeman has been numbered among the active and representative farmers of Sherman township, where he owns three hundred and sixty acres Of valuable land in the home place and eighty acres on section 5 of the same township. He has made about one half of the improvements upon his farm in the way of buildings, and at all times he keeps his land under a high state of cultivation, his fields producing excellent crops of corn, wheat and other cereals.

Mr. Wurdeman is also engaged extensively in feeding and shipping stock. He keeps a large herd of cattle and specializes in the Aberdeen Angus breed. Into other lines he has extended his business activity and several important concerns have felt the stimulus of his enterprise and co-operation. For a time he was the vice president of the Maple Valley State Bank at Leigh but resigned when it consolidated with another bank. He is still a stockholder in the Farmers Union Elevator Company and in the telephone company at Columbus, which he helped to organize. He is likewise identified with the Farmers Union.

On May 31, 1889, Mr. Wurdeman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hagelman, who was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1868, a daughter of Gerhard and Cording Hagelman, who were also natives of the same place. In the year 1878 they arrived in Wisconsin and afterward came to Platte county, Nebraska, where Mr. Hagelman still lives at the age of eighty-four years, but his wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wurdeman have become the parents of eight children: Henry, who is married and has one child and who still lives upon the home farm; Ernst; Reinhold; Elsie; Walter; Olga: Louis; and Ewald.

Mr. Wurdeman is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Modern Woodmen camp, the Odd Fellows lodge and the United Workmen lodge, all at Leigh. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which his wife and family also belong. In his political views he is a republican and for six years filled the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties with promptness and impartiality. The greater part of his life has been passed in Platte county, and he is one of its worthy and honored pioneer settlers, its history in all of its varying phases being familiar to him, so that his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
Original individual @I01131@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4570@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)
@NF0415@

Rudolph married Hagelman, Maria Katharina 31 May 1889, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church; Leigh, NE.. Maria (daughter of Hagelman, Gerhard and Cording, Katharina) was born 30 Jul 1868, Steinloge, Oldenburg, GER.; died UNKNOWN, Platte County, NE.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I01195@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I1554@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)
@NF0415@

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.

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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.
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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
Original individual @I1553@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@) merged with @I03338@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@)

Gerhard married Cording, Katharina 1 Feb 1861, Grossenkneten, Oldenburg, GER.. Katharina was born 23 Dec 1835, Ahlhorn, Oldenburg, GER.; died 20 Apr 1898, Columbus, NE.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I03339@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I796@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Other Events:

• Emigration: 25 FEBRUARI 1870, Baltimore, USA

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Diedrich emigrated aboard the Vessel OHIO, which sailed from Bremen, Germany and arrived at Baltimore, MD. on February 25,1870. The ship's passenger list shows his name to be DIEDRICH WURDEMAN, age 60. (GERMANS TO AMERICA PASSENGER LISTS, Ira Glazier and Robert Philby).

Facts about this person:

Burial
St Paul's Cemetery; Rural Leigh, NE.

Source: Edna Sander

Emigration February 25, 1869/70
Baltimore, MD.
In 1856, Diedrich was a farmer and builder in Steinloge.

Diedrich emigrated aboard the Vessel OHIO, which sailed from Bremen, Germany and arrived at Baltimore, MD. on February 25,1870. The ship's passenger list shows his name to be DIEDRICH WURDEMAN, age 60. (GERMANS TO AMERICA PASSENGER LISTS, Ira A. Glazier and P. William Philby).

Diedrich homesteaded in Sherman Township, Platte County, NE. but did not get the deed to the land, for he died in 1872, at the home of his son, John H.

Original individual @I01137@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I4273@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)

Johann married Schnitger, Catherine Margarethe 30 Dec 1834, Evangelical Lutheran Kirchengemeinde, Grossenkneten, Oldenburg, GER.. Catherine (daughter of Schnitger, Johann Harm and Oltmann, Anna Catharine Anna Catharina) was born 20 Jun 1813, Ahlhorn, Oldenburg; GER.; was christened 24 Jun 1813, Evangelical Lutheran Kirchengemeinde, Grossenkneten, Oldenburg, GER.; died 19 Jun 1839, Ahlhorn, Oldenburg; GER.; was buried 22 Jun 1839, Evangelical Lutheran Kirchengemeinde, Grossenkneten, Oldenburg, GER.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I3407@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@) merged with @I01138@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@)

Her birth certificate says her first name is Catherine. Some references say Catharina including John Henry's own documents call her Catharina.

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I4126@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@) merged with @I02905@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@)

Johann married Dicke, Catharina Maria 11 Dec 1833, Germany. Catharina (daughter of Dicke, Gerhard Heinrich and Müller, Anna Margarethe) was born 21 Nov 1810, Sage Gemeinde, Oldenburg, GER.; died 27 May 1872, Regente, Oldenburg, GER.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

_P_CCINFO 2-14330
Original individual @I10774@ (@MS_WURDEMANN.G_89GM2@) merged with @I02906@ (@MS_WURDEMANN.G_89GM2@)
Original individual @I10774@ (@MS_WURDEMANNGM.GED1@) merged with @I885@ (@MS_WURDEMANLEGACYG0@)