Audubon County Journal, Audubon, Iowa
October 30, 1913, Page 1

WM. ONKEN SUCCUMBS
AT HOME IN BRAYTON

George William Christian Onken was born in Germany on April 13, 1848. He came to this country in the year 1871 with an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Goeken and thirty-four friends who wished to prospect in America's soil.

He resided for two years with his uncle, Gearhart Goeken on a farm near Marne in Cass County, Iowa, after which he purchased 240 acres of land on Buck Creek and made that his home for thirteen or fourteen years when he moved to another farm, one mile northwest of Brayton, which he bought and where he resided for twenty-two years. He then moved to Brayton, leaving the farm in charge of two of his sons, William and Henry.

He was married on August 22, 1874 to Miss Elizabeth Hardwick, To this union was born nine children: Mrs. Peter Leander, of Brayton, Iowa; Mrs. George Hastings, of near Brayton, Iowa; Mrs. John Kraach, of Wiota, Iowa; Mrs. Henry Bell, south of Atlantic, Iowa; Mrs. Asa Brewer, of Atlantic, Iowa; Mrs. George Andersen, south of Brayton, Iowa; Fred, south of Brayton, Iowa; Willie and Henry, living on the farm north of Brayton.

He was taken sick on the 15th day of July with an attack of appendicitis and on the 24th day of the same month he submitted to an operation from which he recovered and walked about the house and yard for a week when he again was taken ill with la grippe, causing him to remain bedfast for ten weeks or until his death.

His death occurred at his home in Brayton on the 27th day of October, 1913. The funeral services were held at the Baptist church in Brayton Wednesday, October 29th at 2:30 o'clock P. M. Interment was made in the Oakfield cemetery.

The journal joins their many friends and neighbors in extending their deepest sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
Transcribed as published by Karen Brewer.