Nebraska City (Nebraska) News, September 18, 1896, page 1

Stricken With Appoplexy.
Sudden Death of Police Judge
Jerry Koppenhafer.
From Wednesday's daily

Judge Jerry Koppenhafer is dead. He died last night at his residence in the western part of the city, at 10:35 o'clock, from the result of an appoplectic stroke.

In the afternoon he had been sitting in his office in the city hall and about 5:20 o'clock started to come down stairs, when he was siezed with a severe pain in the heart and was compelled to hold on to the railing in order to support himself. He was in that position when discovered by Officer Handley and Cal Chapman, who assisted him to the ground and ordered a hack for him. Mr. Koppenhafer persisted in declaring that he only had a pain in his heart, which would soon pass away and he would then be all right, and hardly thought it necessary to call a physician. He was taken home and Dr. Whitten summoned, who soon learned that his entire left side was paralyzed and that he could live but a few hours.

The deceased was born in Dauphin county, Pa., April 28, 1838, making him 58 years, 4 months and 17 days old. He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in the 16th Pennsylvania regiment, and after a short service was wounded in the leg, and for ten months was confined in the hospital and then sent home. He again enlisted, this time in the 32d Pennsylvania volunteers, and served until the close of the war. In 1877 he removed with his family to this city and followed his vocation, that of plasterer. He was nominated by the republicans and elected police judge last spring, and he filled the office with ability. He was an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic and to his efforts is partly due the success of that organization in this city at present. He was a good citizen, an honest workman, and his many friends will regret his untimely death.

The deceased leaves a widow and nine children, as follows: Charles, Mrs. Walburn, Edwin, Harve, Ike, Maurice, William, Milton and Eugene.

The funeral will be held tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o'clock, and at his frequently expressed request the services will be held at Memorial hall.

The following is a list of comrades that have been chosen as pall bearers: Wm. Koontz, J. C. Brown, D. W. Hoge, C. G. Fischer, S. H. Morrison and C. A. Simon.

Notes: Surviving spouse of Jeremiah was Sarah Jane HOKE KOPPENHAFER. Daughter, Mrs. Walburn, was Martha KOPPENHAFER WALBURN, who married Jacob WALBURN.

(Photocopy received 19 Oct 2004 from Morton-James Public Library, 923 1st Corso, Nebraska City, Nebraska 68410.)

Created October 22, 2004, by Marge GALUS SANDLIER
Graphics by Marge