Jurgen "George" Ohde Sr. was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, January 30, 1846. His youth and early manhood were spent in his native land. At the age of 18, he desired larger opportunities and more favorable chances for the development of his capacities, and came to the United States. Such a venture called for more than usual determination and courage. But the young man was equal to it. His first venture was at Chicago, where he sought some kind of employment. Not finding a favorable chance there, he then came to Clinton, Iowa.

Being more successful here, some years were spent in this community, and while here his marriage took place. This was on October 28, 1869, when he married Miss Anna Everhart of Clinton, Iowa. About this time his parents journeyed to America to make their home in this great free country and to follow in the footsteps of their son who had the courage to immigrate here years before his parents. One must admire and respect the lad of eighteen who will leave his home and friends and journey to a land thousands of miles away. Now one must admire this old settler who invaded America before his parents did, and made a success of his undertakings through hard work.

In the year 1875, he removed with his family to Crawford County, Iowa, settling in Hayes Township. Here he lived for some thirteen years, when he came to Carroll County, Iowa, settling one mile north of Manning. After five years residence here, he moved into Manning in the year 1893 where he spent the rest of his life.

He was the father of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Two daughters preceded their father to that other world, they are Lena, dying at the age of twenty, and Anna, dying at the age of nine.

The immediate relatives who survive are, his wife, Mrs. Anna Ohde, and the following children, Henry living some eight miles northwest of Manning, Jacob Jr., George Jr., and William of Manning, Mrs. John Schelldorf and Mrs. Hans Wilkins of Westside, Iowa.

A brother, Mr. Jacob Ohde, Sr. of Manning, and two sisters, Mrs. Hannes Jensen of Ponca, Nebraska, and Margaretha (Mrs. Henry) Luth of Ravenna, Nebraska, also survive. Besides the above there are sixteen grandchildren.

The deceased was a man of vigorous health until a short time prior to his death. He became afflicted with that dread disease, diabetes, which quickly terminated his life, he being confined to his bed only five days. In his early life he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Germany.

He passed away October 25, 1919, aged 73 years, 8 months,and 26 days.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. A.T. Aller, officiating, assisted by Rev. Meredith.

JURGEN (GEORGE) OHDE
From the 1881 Manning Centennial history book & additional information from William G. Ohde
Jurgen, born January 30, 1846, came to the United States in 1864 from Erfde, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, at the age of eighteen with fifteen cents in his pocket. His plans were to be a carpenter in Chicago. His brothers and sisters were Jacob, John, Henry, Vivian (Vietgen), and Gretchen (Maggie). He later moved to Clinton, where he married Anna Marie Everhart (in 1869 in Clinton, Iowa), born January 5, 1849. She had come to the U.S. at the age of eight years and later recalled the biscuit that the captain of the ship had given her on the long trip across the ocean.

Jurgen and Anna had eight children. The first four, Lena, Anna, Jacob Jr., and Henry John, were born in Clinton. By 1878 they moved to a farm northwest of Manning where George Jr., Emma Mary, Mary Emma and William were born. They later moved to a farm closer to Manning and in the 1890s moved into town.

Lena and Anna died young and had no children. Jacob had one son; Henry John had eight children, four of whom survived infancy. George Jr., had a daughter; Emma Mary married John Schelldorf and they had nine children. Mary Emma married Hans Wilken and they had one daughter. William married Frances Brunnier and had one son.

Jurgen died October 25, 1919, and Anna died January 15, 1925.