Otoe Union (Unadilla, Nebraska), Friday, November 1, 1918

Nels G. Rotten Dead

Prominent Business Man First Victim of Pneumonia. Brother of Editor of Independence.

Yesterday morning the sad tidings were heralded announcing the death of Nels G. Rotten.

This was a sad blow to the people of Essex and vicinity as Mr. Rotten was well and favorably known to all our people. In his death we have lost an ideal citizen, one of our best business men, a man of clean habits, who was always ready and willing to do his part in building up the community. He was a man whose life was well worthy of emulation.

The deceased was sick only a little over a week, Spanish influenza was the first sickness, then pneumonia set in, his heart was weak and at 6:30 Thursday morning he answered the summons.

Nelson George Rotten was born at Unadilla, Nebraska, January 31, 1876. He was married to Fannie McIntyre at Unadilla May 10, 1898. He moved to Essex in 1897 where he engaged in the lumber business in partnership with his father. He was in business on the North side until about three years ago when the two lumber yards consolidated. Since then he has been a member of the firm known as the Essex Lumber and Fuel Company, being secretary and treasurer and has taken an active part in conducting the business of that concern. He was a good capable man and was always on the job.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Essex and took an active part in the work of the Church and Sunday school. He was also a member of A. F. & A. M.

The deceased is survived by his wife, one daughter, Leeta and his son, Ivan, who is attending the State University of Iowa where he is taking military training in addition to his other work. The latter arrived home Wednesday afternoon.

He is also mourned by his mother, one brother and many other relatives, also by a broad circle of friends.

Sorrow has struck this family with telling force, his father, Wm. Rotten, passing away less than two years ago and we say, we wonder why? The wife and children are heart-broken over their loss. Mother and brother are lonely without him.

He has left us, gone to his reward but he has left behind a beautiful heritage in the fact that he had always lived a clean, upright life, always stood for the best for his home, his loved ones, his town and everything in which he had anything to do.

The funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 9:30 at the house and the remains taken to Lincoln for burial. The wife, children and other relatives have the sincere sympathy of many friends in their hour of sorrow and affliction.