Wilhelm Uffelmann was born October 13, 1844, in Luebbeke, Westfalen, Germany. At the age of 24 years, in 1868, he came to America. About one year he remained in New York City. From New York he moved to St. Louis, Mo. From here he went to Concordia, Mo., where he began working on a farm and showing great interest in supporting the Lutheran congregation of the late Rev. Biltz at that place. In 1872 he came to Nebraska where he bought a homestead on Beaver Creek, York County.

On December 2, 1877, he was united in holy matrimony to Miss Mathilde Schmidt. To this happy and most blessed union sixteen children were born, eleven sons and five daughters. Five children passed on ahead of him, four sons and one daughter. In the first days of July 1908, he had to mourn the loss of his beloved wife.

In 1913 he left his farm and became a resident as retired farmer at Waco, Nebr. Having been a faithful member of the Lutheran congregation at Beaver Creek he now joined the Lutheran congregation at Waco. From 1913 up to the hour of his death he showed great interest in helping to up build and support the church of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Being an ardent lover of the Word of God, father Uffelmann conscientiously brought up his children in the nurture and admonition of God using as the best means for this the Christian parochial school, with the result that all of his children are in close connection with the church of his faith. Two of his sons are serving the Lutheran church as parochial school teachers. So the deceased not only at all times had an open hand bringing sacrifices for the preaching, teaching and spreading of God's Word, but he gave for his dear church that which is nearest and dearest to his heart, his own flesh and blood.

On December 11, 1913, he was again united in marriage with Mrs. Henrietta Brodfuehrer of Louisville, Ky. For the second time he was separated from a beloved wife on Sept. 8, 1919.

Mr. Uffelmann suddenly took sick February 10, 1922 with pneumonia. He submitted to an operation at the Lutheran hospital in York, Nebr., but the Lord took His child home February 23, 1922, at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 10 days, thereby delivering him from all evil. He leaves to mourn his loss seven sons, four daughters, 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The funeral services were held at the home on Sunday, February 26, at 2 o'clock and at the Lutheran church in Beaver Creek at 3 o'clock. Rev. A. Firnhaber, who in connection with the former pastor of the deceased, conducted the funeral services, took his text from Romans 8:28 for a German address, while Rev. F. Wunderlich based his sermon in English on Revel. of St. John 14:13. Seven sons of the deceased acted as pallbearers. The body was laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery on Beaver Creek awaiting there the glorious morning of the Resurrection.
--- Contributed by A. F.

Seward Journal, Seward, NE, Thurs, March 2, 1922


William Uffelman was born Oct. 13, 1844, in Prussia, Germany. He secured his education in the counry schools of Germany. He was confirmed at the age of 14 years in the Lutheran church, having good educational advantages. He learned the trade of barber and came to America in 1868, remaining in N.Y. city for one year where he followed his trade. He spent some time in St. Louis and finding his trade was too close and confining, he engaged in farm work in Missouri.

In 1872 he came to Nebraska and made a homestead entry on a farm. In 1877 he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Schmidt, and to this union were born 16 children, five of them dying in infancy.

In July 1908 his beloved wife passed away. During the four or five years following the death of his wife he made two trips to the old country. In 1913 he moved into the village of Waco. During that year he was married to Mrs. H. Brodfnehoer of Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Uffelman passed away in 1919.

Mr. Uffelman passed away at the Lutheran hospital at York on February 23, 1922 after a short illness. There are left to mourn his departure, 11 children, 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild. The children are: Mrs. Clara Tappe, Perry, Okla., Mrs. Lena Schlechte, McCool Junction, Nebr., Fred Uffelman, Monroeville, Ind., Wm. Uffelman, North Judson, Ind., Theodore Uffelman, Melfort, Sask., Canada; August, Carl, Arnold and the Misses Matilda and Louise of Waco.

The children were all here for the funeral. Over six hundred people attended the funeral, which was held in the southeast Lutheran church.

Mr. Uffelman will be missed by his many friends who knew him to be a good neighbor and ever ready to help those in need.

Utica Sun, Utica, NE, Thurs, March 9, 1922