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John Gotfried Retzlaff

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Birth	:	22 Oct 1833
Death	:	21 Apr 1936 Oakdale, Antelope County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Highland Cemetery, Norwood, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.1955986, -71.2177963
Description	:	John G RETZLAFF was born at Stettin, Germany, October 22, 1833 and passed away at his home in Oakdale April 21, 1936, aged one hundred and two years and six months. He was married to Alvina BOURKE in Germany in 1868, coming that same year to America. Mrs RETZLAFF died February 7, 1921. To this union were born fourteen children, eleven of whom are living, Harry of Jefferson, SD, John of Norfolk, Rudy of Deloit, Mrs Sam PRATT of Groveton, TX, Mrs Charles MANDELKO of Long Pine, Mrs Ralph RALSTON, Norfolk, Mrs Chris SCHUCHARDT and Mrs John WILKINSON of Elgin, Mrs Don BOWMAN, Otto and... Read More	John G RETZLAFF was born at Stettin, Germany, October 22, 1833 and passed away at his home in Oakdale April 21, 1936, aged one hundred and two years and six months. He was married to Alvina BOURKE in Germany in 1868, coming that same year to America. Mrs RETZLAFF died February 7, 1921. To this union were born fourteen children, eleven of whom are living, Harry of Jefferson, SD, John of Norfolk, Rudy of Deloit, Mrs Sam PRATT of Groveton, TX, Mrs Charles MANDELKO of Long Pine, Mrs Ralph RALSTON, Norfolk, Mrs Chris SCHUCHARDT and Mrs John WILKINSON of Elgin, Mrs Don BOWMAN, Otto and Frank of Oakdale. When he came to America he immediately came to West Point where he homesteaded and remained thirteen years. The family moved to Oakdale in 1882 where his home had since been. Mr RETZLAFF was miller in the old mill for many years. After the new mill was built he decided to farm for a few years. When he retired from the farm he spent the rest of his active years on the home place. About a year ago he began to fail but was up until Saturday, April 18, when be became much weaker until he seemed to quietly go to sleep. He was conscious and clearminded, being very pleasant and easy to care for until the last. He was a very kind and thoughtful parent and will be much missed by every relative, neighbor and friend. Besides his immediate family of children, he leaves to mourn him thirty-six grandchildren, seventy-four great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Mr RETZLAFF was the oldest man in Antelope County, considering his long life due to temperate habits. He saw this County progress from raw prairie to one of the finest agricultural sections of the State. Although he played no spectacular part in County life he was always interested in community interests. Funeral services conducted by Rev. R. S. KAUFFROATH were held at the home Friday afternoon. Interment was in the Oakdale Cemetery. John Gotfried Retzlaff 1833 - 1936 During the early 1800's countries in Europe were in great turmoil. Fran ce had gone through yet another Revolution in 1848. Austria was having pr oblems with Italy, Germany and Hungary. And then there was Prussia. Aust ria was defeated by Italy and France in 1859. The struggle for suprema cy in Germany between it and Prussia reached its climax in 1866 with victo ry by Prussia. I can only assume that it was because of these chang es in history and the promise of a future in a new land that John Retzla ff made his move. John Gottlieb Retzlaff was born in Rehwinkel, Prussia on 22 October 183 7. I believe his parents were Fredrick and Dorthea Sophie Retzlaff. At t he age of 30 he married Alvina Bourk, also of Prussia, in May, 1868. Alvi na was 22 years old. Shortly after their marriage, John and Alvina left H amburg enroute to the United States. They arrived aboard the ship, Saxoni a, in New York harbor on 19 August 1868. Everything they owned was broug ht in a large handmade wooden trunk.I am not sure just how long it took John and Alvina to get to Nebraska. T heir first son, Otto, was born along the route in Illinois in 186 9. It is believed that they arrived in Fremont, Nebraska in the fall of 1 869. From there they proceeded by oxen and wagon to West Point where the re were three small houses. John and Alvina homesteaded about five mil es north of West Point until 1882. There were now nine children in the fa mily. At that time he sold the land and moved his family farther we st to Antelope County. I am not sure where the first homestead was located. Using his oxen, Jo hn broke the sod and began farming. The family suffered the hardshi ps of the early settlers: grasshoppers, indians, drought and sicknesse s. Sometime later, John and family moved southwest of Oakdale to what w as later called the Elwood Ranch. Somewhat dissatified with farming, John tried his hand at mill work f or a while. This work didn't last too long and he soon returned to farmin g. John heard about the western part of the state so he and his oldest so n, Otto, took the train as far as the railroad went at that time to Valent ine, Nebraska. John was not happy with what they saw and came back to h is farm. The family lived on the farm for the next 45 years. Four more c hildren were added to the family the last being John Jr. born in 1890. Alvina had become severely crippled by arthritis which kept her in a cha ir most of the time. Despite her handicap, Alvina kept her hands busy wi th all kinds of crocheting and embroidery work. She also enjoyed flowe rs of all kinds. Alvina died at the homeplace on 7 February 1921 at the a ge of 75 years. In 1935 John's health began to fail and on 21 April 1936 he died quietly w hile sleeping. At the time of his death, John was the oldest reside nt of Antelope County. Both John and Alvina were pleasant, caring citizens of the community. Jo hn and Alvina are buried in the Oakdale Cemetery.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Gotfried Retzlaff's memorial?
John Gotfried Retzlaff's memorial is located at: Highland Cemetery, Norwood, Norfolk County, USA.
When did John Gotfried Retzlaff death?
John Gotfried Retzlaff death on 21 Apr 1936 in Oakdale, Antelope County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Gotfried Retzlaff's memorial?
Latitude: 42.1955986
Longitude: -71.2177963

Family Members:

Spouse

Alvina Bourk Retzlaff

(unknow - 1921)

Children

Johannah Edith “Hannah” Retzlaff Wilkinson

(1880 - 1973)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Highland Cemetery
Norwood, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1955986, -71.2177963

2. Old Parish Cemetery
Norwood, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1963997, -71.1988983

3. Westwood Cemetery
Westwood, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2177400, -71.2225800

4. Charles Sumner Bird Memorial Cemetery
Norwood, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1639600, -71.2082900

5. Rural Cemetery
Walpole, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1555400, -71.2504400

6. Maple Grove Cemetery
Walpole, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1493988, -71.2410965

7. Old Burial Place
Walpole, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1517780, -71.2486450

8. Moose Hill Cemetery
Sharon, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1410700, -71.2096900

9. Old Village Cemetery
Dedham, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2471046, -71.1790237

10. Knollwood Memorial Park
Canton, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1478004, -71.1669006

11. Sharon Memorial Park
Sharon, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1434200, -71.1742200

12. Chestnut Tree Cemetery
Sharon, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1408005, -71.1753006

13. Knollwood Cemetery
Canton, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1463670, -71.1635760

14. Church of the Advent Columbarium
Medfield, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1855700, -71.3034720

15. Blake Family Cemetery
Walpole, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1339800, -71.2492200

16. Canton Corner Cemetery
Canton, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1796989, -71.1314011

17. Highland Cemetery
Dover, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2456017, -71.2789001

18. Brookdale Cemetery
Dedham, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2514000, -71.1643982

19. St. Mary's Cemetery
Canton, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1764000, -71.1290700

20. Guild Burial Ground
Walpole, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1255989, -71.2339020

21. Gridley Cemetery
Canton, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1444200, -71.1483400

22. Oldest Burying Ground
Canton, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1875500, -71.1203400

23. Vine Lake Cemetery
Medfield, Norfolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1869011, -71.3171997

24. Bresna Cemetery
West Roxbury, Suffolk County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2599500, -71.1672300