Atlantic News-Telegraph, Atlantic, IA
June 14, 1923, page 1

MAN KILLED BY LIGHTNING

GREENFIELD MAN
STRICKEN AS HE
WORKED ON CRIB

Wm. Onken, Formerly of
Brayton, Meets Sudden
Death on Farm Near
Greenfield.

Mrs. A. R. Brewer, 907 Spruce street, received the sad word this afternoon telling of the death of her brother, William Onken, living near Greenfield, who was struck by lightning shortly before noon today and instantly killed. He was about forty years of age and leaves a wife and three children. The word was that he was working on a corn crib at the time he was stricken.

Formerly of Brayton

Mr. Onken was formerly of Brayton, he and his family moving to the
Greenfield vicinity about six years ago. His aged mother, Mrs. William
Onken, Sr., lives at Brayton now, his father being dead. Two brothers
and six sisters survive him. They are Mrs. Brewer of this city; Mrs. George Hastings, north of Atlantic; Mrs. Anderson of Brayton; Mrs. Peter Leander of Gates; Mrs. John Kraack of Cumberland; Mrs. H. A. Bell of Lorimer; Henry, who farmed with him and Fred of Brayton. No
funeral arrangements have as yet been made.

Atlantic News-Telegraph, Atlantic, IA
June 20, 1923

OBITUARY.

William Rhinehart Onken, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Onken, Sr., was born in Audubon County, Iowa, Oct. 12th 1883 and killed by lightning
while cultivating corn at his own home near Greenfield, June the
14th, 1923 at the age of 39 years, eight months, and two days.

On Nov. 18th 1908 he united in marriage to Miss Anna Anderson in
Atlantic, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Walter, age 14,
Ethel, 11, and Arnold, 7, all of whom are living.

In the spring of 1919 they moved from Audubon County to his late
home near Greenfield. Mr. Onken was a kind and devoted husband and father and was a man of high ideals who tried to live up to them, commanding the respect of all who knew him. He leaves a vacant place in the home which never can be filled.

Besides his bereaved wife and family, he leaves his aged mother,
who lives in Brayton, Iowa; two brothers, Fred of Brayton; Henry of
Greenfield, and six sisters, Mrs. Mary Leander of Gates; Mrs. Anna Hastings of Lorah; Mrs. Molly Kraack of Cumberland; Bertha Bell of Lorimor; Mrs. Katie Brewer of Atlantic and Mrs. Lillian Anderson of Exira, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Meredith of Greenfield
at the Brayton church June 16th and interment made in the Oakfield cemetery.

Adair County Free Press, Greenfield, IA
June 28, 1923

A bolt of lightning struck and killed William Onken, 39, of Lee township Thursday morning at 10:30 o'clock. He was plowing corn when stricken. He leaves a wife and three children.
Transcribed as published by Karen Brewer.