Grand Island (Nebraska) Daily Independent
Monday, 12 August 1912, page 1
FOUR DEATHS
Hans Henry Bockman, an old resident of the Island, was found dead last Saturday evening at 8 o'clock at his home. He had left the house just five minutes before to look at some coal in a wagon to be used for threshing at his place and a little later. Mrs. Bockman was horrified to find her husband lying dead. Mr. Bockman, since last winter, had been ailing and was suffering from dropsy, which caused his death.

Mr. Bockman was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 5, 1841 (sic). He was brought up in the old county and came to America in the year 1864, removing to Nebraska and homesteading the place, four and one-half miles south of Sand Krog, which he has occupied ever since. He was the father of twenty children. His first wife was Anna Rief, a sister of the Riefs, of the Island. To this union seven children were born, five of whom are still living. In the year 1865 (1885?) Mrs. Bockman departed this earth and in the following year he was married to Anna Sophia Hansen and thirteen children were born, eight of whom are still living, leaving thirteen children with the ever faithful wife to mourn his sudden loss. The children are: Mrs. Minnie Moll, of Hastings; Mrs. Nellie Wirf, of Palmer; Mrs. Katie Baasch, Mrs. Dora Wiese, of Wood River; Miss Sadie, Charles, John Gustave (sic), Arthur, James, Theodore and George, the latter children being at home. The ages of the children range from 38 to 6 years.

Mr. Bockmann was a very industrious worker, kind hearted and indulgent with his family. In his years of toil Mr. Bockmann has become quite wealthy and besides owning extensive farm land, has other interests. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock from the home. The Rev. Mr. Schumann will conduct the service.