Obituaries - York County, Nebraska -- presented by Genealogy Trails

Anton L. Policky, 84, of York, Neb., died Friday, March 26, 1999, in York.

Mr. Policky was born December 6, 1914 at Loma, Neb., to Karl and Josephine (Potocka) Policky. He married Adeline Policky on Febuary 22, 1938, at Bee, Neb.

Mr. Policky was a retired farmer and a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in York. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Adeline Policky, York, Neb.; a son and daughters-in-law, Leroy and Agnes Policky, Elizabethton; two grandsons, Trenton Policky, Lawton, Okla., and Troy Policky, Johnson City; and three sisters and a brother-in-law, Frances Holly, O'Neill, Neb., Katherine Stoupa, Seward, Neb., and Agnes and Joseph Liska, Bee, Neb.

Funeral services and interment were conducted Tuesday in York.

Metz Mortuary, York, Neb., was in charge of arrangements.

03/30/99 Elizabethton Star, Elizabethton, TN

The funeral services of the late Joseph Rockwell were held at the residence of his son, W. T. Rockwell, on Thursday morning, August 22, 1907.

Pastor Mr. Stocking of the Congregational church was in charge of the service, and paid a high tribute to the many admirable traits which the deceased possessed.

Joseph Rockwell was born in Fayette County, PA., on January 9, 1811 and died at the home of his son, W. T. Rockwell, Monday evening, August 19, 1907.

He was married to Catherine Johnson on March 22, 1838 and to this union were born 12 children, only five of whom survive the father; Joseph M. of Ottawa, Ill., Mrs. E.B. Lewis of Muscatine, IA., Mrs. Geo. Fisher, Mrs. F.N. Recknor and Wm. T. of this community (Arborville, NE). There are 25 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Rockwell lived in a county in which he was born until March 1900, coming then with his son to Nebraska.

He became a Christian very early in life, uniting with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and remaining an earnest worker until the end.

He was a kind loving parent and grandparent and always had a smile and a kind word for

The family deeply mourns his death but feel the Lord has taken him to his heavenly home and all is well.

Mrs. Elizabeth R. Recknor, 82, widow of the late Floyd N. Recknor, passed away Friday afternoon at the home of her son, Clarence W. Recknor, where she had made her home since May 3. For many years the Recknors lived at 611 High Street in York.

Mrs. Recknor was born at Uniontown, PA., June 27, 1858. She and Mr. Recknor were married at Uniontown and came to Nebraska in 1879 (?) and lived on a farm near York and then moved to Arborville where they resided until 1914 when they retired and moved to York.

Mr. Recknor died Feb. 13, 1940, less than a month after the Recknors observed their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Surviving are her son, Clarence; one daughter, Mrs. R.E. Merchant, both of Arborville, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Clement of Norwood, Ohio.

Funeral services will be held at the R.E. Merchant home near Arborville at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon with a service at the Arborville church at two o'clock. Pastor Isaac Cassel of York will be in charge with burial at Arborville.

Mrs. Martha Fisher, 74, wife of George Fisher of Bradshaw, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. H. Swanson, 3 miles northwest of York Saturday night at10:30 following a sickness of short duration.

Mrs. Fisher suffered a stroke of paralysis on the morning of July 12. She was at that time taken to the home of her daughter.

Prior to July 12, the deceased suffered greatly from a sick spell which she endured during the winter months.

Mrs. Fisher was born in Uniontown,PA., on January 28, 1848. Here she grew to young womanhood. On January 1, 1867, she was united in marriage to George Fisher.

Thirty-seven years ago Mr. and Mrs. Fisher came to York County settling on a farm near Arborville, where they resided for twenty-four years. They then removed into Bradshaw, where they have spent thirteen years. Mrs. Fisher merited the good will and esteem of her neighbors and was one of the old and highly respected citizens of that community.

Their stay in Bradshaw has won a host of friends who join the bereaved family in the loss of their mother and wife.

The deceased leaves six children and her husband. The children are: Mrs. Catherine Picthall of Aurora; T.S. Fisher of Polk; Charles T. Fisher of Peoria, Illinois; Dr. A.M. Fisher of Bismarck, N.D.; W. J. Fisher of Polk; and Mrs. Dora Swanson of York.

Funeral services for Mrs. Fisher will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Methodist church in Bradshaw, Pastor George Weber, of the Congregational church of York assisted by Pastor Walter Henry of Bradshaw, will have charge of the services.

William Thomas Rockwell was born at Uniontown, PA., on January 28, 1856. Here he spent the early part of his manhood. In August 1879 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Keener.

To this union four children were born, two sons and two daughters. Early in life the wife and mother and one daughter departed from this earthly life.

Several years later Mr. Rockwell was united in marriage to Josephine Snyder of Uniontown, PA. To this union were born two daughters.

Mrs. Rockwell passed from this life November 6, 1926. A daughter Mrs. Mary Kemper preceded her in May 1923.

Mr. Rockwell had been in his usual health until he was suddenly stricken in death Monday morning, January 23, 1933 at the age of 76 years, 11 mo. 25 days.

The deceased is survived by two sons: Playford C. of Doniphan; Floyd H. of York; two daughters, Mrs. Della Wheeler of Norfolk; Mrs. Bessie Ratliff of Arborville; nine grandchildren and two sisters; Mrs. George Clement of Marshalltown, Ia.; and Mrs. F.N. Recknor or York, Nebr., other relatives and many friends.

In the spring of 1900 he and his family moved from Pennsylvania to Nebraska locating on a farm near Arborville which has since been their home. During all these years he has been a member of the Arborville Congregational church; very active in the work and ever faithful to the offices which he filled.

We feel that his passing both to the church and to the entire community has suffered an irreparable loss. But we will not grieve intemperately; we will place our hand in God's hand and say, "Thy will, not our's be done," for what is our loss is heaven's gain.

Mrs. Josephine Rockwell, wife of Mr. W. T. Rockwell passed away at their farm home near Arborville, Nebr. Saturday morning Nov. 6, 1926. Age 70 years, 11 months, 4 days.

She was born in Hopwood, Fayette co., PA on Dec. 2, 1855. Here she grew to womanhood. On Nov. 5, 1891 she was united in marriage to William Rockwell in Uniontown, PA. To this union were born two daughters, Mrs. Mary Kemper, deceased, and Mrs. Bessie Ratliff of Arborville. They lived in Pennsylvania until the spring of 1900 coming to Nebraska and locating on a farm near Arborville which has been their home ever since.

The deceased leaves to mourn her passing from earthly life, her husband, and a daughter, Mrs. Bessie Ratliff of Arborville, two step-sons, Playford and Floyd of York, one step-daughter, Mrs. Della Lynn of Aurora. Two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson and Mrs. Lydia Dixson of Uniontown, PA; a brother Mr. John Snider of Santa Monica, California; two grandchildren and other relatives and many friends.

Mrs. Rockwell has been a loving wife and mother, true friend and a patient sufferer for years.

Early in life she united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church in PA. After coming to Nebr. she united with the Congregational church of Arborville where she remained a faithful member until called to her heavenly home.

Mrs. Della Wheeler, well known to radio listeners, passed away at her home in Norfolk on Dec. 31, 1943, after a long illness. She was known as "the Wheel-chair Lady" and despite her handicap, she took an active part in radio, particularly in radio station WJAG, for which she made surveys of listeners to radio programs through the use of a telephone directory. It was the kindness and generosity of these listeners that enabled Mrs. Wheeler to purchase the wheel chair.

Mrs. Wheeler, born in Uniontown, Pa. in 1888, and came to York County, Nebraska in 1900 with her parents. Due to a back injury suffered a number of years ago, she had been confined to a wheel chair for the past nine years.

Preceding her in death were her husband and one sister. Survivors are two brothers, Floyd H. and Playford C. Rockwell, and one sister, Mrs. Bessie Ratliff.

Funeral services will be held at the church in Arborville Sunday afternoon and burial in the Arborville cemetery.

Floyd H. Rockwell, 84, piano turner for the past 58 years in York and the surrounding communities, died about 2 p.m., Sunday at his York home.

Born October 22, 1881 in Uniontown, PA., he came to York with his parents when he was 18 years old. After attending Doane College for two years he completed his music education and graduated from New England Conservatory in Boston, his first piano tuning was in Baltimore, Md. He returned to York in 1908.

On October 21, 1914, he married Celia Conklin at Kansas City, Mo. The couple returned to York to establish residence.

Surviving besides his widow are two daughters, Mrs. H. M. (Anne) Boyle and Mrs. Harriet Siderius, seven grandchildren and one sister, and Mrs. Ernest Ratliff.

Note: He was interred in Greenwood cemetery, York, NE., and was the son of William Thomas and Elizabeth (Keener) Rockwell.

Charles D. Jackson was born near Pickaway, Ohio, Jan 18, 1825 and departed this life January 10, 1912, being 86 years, 11 months, and 22 days old.

He spent his early days in Ohio but in his early manhood he moved to Lincoln, Illinois where he was united in marriage to Mary B. (Warrick) Music in 1856*, who preceded her husband to the heavenly home Dec. 7, 1875. To this union 6 children were born, one dying in infancy, five being left to mourn the loss of a father and mother. The children living who were in attendance at the funeral were Phoebe C. Bobbitt of Oneida, Kansas, who was accompanied by her husband, Mr. Harry Bobbitt, Susie A. Gray of Missoula, Montana and Willard Jackson of Bradshaw. Two children were not able to attend, Permelia Jackson of Forest Grove, Oregon and J.W. Jackson of Columbus, the former on account of the great distance, the latter because of a broken arm.

The deceased came to Nebraska in February 1882 to be with his children who had come out west a few years before. He settled in York county and has lived in this vicinity ever since.

He was married a second time, his second wife being Margaret Stubbs, the union being consummated on Nov. 13, 1890. She still survives him, but on account of sickness, being confined to her bed, was unable to be in attendance at the funeral service. He united with the Christian church early in life and has since lived a faithful, consistent life.

He transferred his membership to the local church at Bradshaw soon after its organization and when physically able has been zealous in the work of the church.

He was always kind and charitable to all, zealous for truth and honesty, and had above all an unfailing faith and trust in the guiding providence of God. Truly his good name is rather to be chosen than much riches.

The funeral services were conducted at the Christian church, Saturday morning, January 13, at 11 o�clock, by E. H. Longman, pastor of the church. The music was furnished by a quartette composing of Mrs. J.B. Goodridge, Mrs. I. H. Johnson, Joe Whitfield and E. H. Longman. The text was from Job V. 26, Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like a shock of corn cometh in his season.

The words spoken paid a fitting tribute to the long, well lived life of the deceased.

The pall bearers were Tom Gray, Austin Turner, John Stout, James Hampton, John Terree(?) and James Hamilton.

*Note: The online Illinois State Marriage records give the date of September 6, 1855

We desire to express our heartfelt to all friends who assisted during the sickness and death of our husband and father. Especially do we thank the singers, pallbearers and those who helped in a material way.

Willard Jackson, son of Charles and Mary Jackson, was born in Lincoln, Illinois on February 9, 1858 and departed this life at York, Nebraska on June 13, 1939 at the age of 81 years, 4 months, and 4 days.

Mr. Jackson spent his youth in Illinois and came to Nebraska in 1882. On June 9, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Stetzel and for 36 years they resided on a farm northwest of Bradshaw. In 1927 they moved to York and established a home at 311 West Seventh Street, where they have since resided.

To this union, three children were born. When a young man, Mr. Jackson joined the Christian church and after coming to Nebraska, he became a member of Grace Chapel Methodist church, near his farm home. After moving to York he joined the United Brethren church in which he continued his membership until his death.

Mr. Jackson was a good neighbor and the good Christian life that he led made all who knew him, love him. He has been in failing health for some time though he was able to get about his home. During the past few weeks he had shown improvement. The end came suddenly as the result of a heart attack as he arrive with Mrs. Jackson at the home of the daughter on the morning of June 13.

He leaves to mourn his loss, his widow, Mrs. Anna Jackson; two daughters, Mrs. Florence Cockle of York and Miss Ethyl Jackson at home; five grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Phoebe Bobbitt of Seneca, Kansas. One son, Arthur W. Jackson; two sisters, Mrs. Permelia Jackson of Forest Grove, Oregon, and Mrs. Susie Gray of Missoula, Montana; a brother, John W. Jackson of Lincoln, preceded him in death. He is survived also by a large number of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the United Brethren church in York on Thursday afternoon, June 15, at 2 o�clock. A.L. Deever conducted the services. Interment was in Greenwood cemetery.

Relatives from a distance in attendance at the funeral were: his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Priscilla Jackson and grandchildren, Leroy, Berniece, Evelyn, and Willard Jackson of Big Springs; Mr. and Mrs. J. Mayo Statz of Imperial, his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Bobbitt of Seneca, KS; his nieces and nephews; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bobbitt of Sidney, IA; Mr. and Mrs. Will Broadhurst of Parkville, MO., Mr. and Mrs. John Heinen of Sabetha, KS; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ellsworth, Mrs. Ethna Kinnan and Mrs. Albert Groves of Columbus. A number of other relatives and friends in and near York also attended the funeral.