Jurgen Pfoltner was born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany in the year 1849. His parents died when he was an infant and on their death he was cared for by an older sister. Jurgen Pfoltner was the only son in the family and he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

At ten years of age he began to work, from his earliest boyhood being attracted by the sea. As he grew older he became an expert seaman and, in time, the first mate of his ship. Later he owned a vessel of his own and he plied his trade as far west as the United States. He also often called at the Port of London, England, and made voyages to the seaports of Russia. He was thus a much traveled sailor and his knowledge of the world was quite extensive.

On the 31st of December, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Frauke Hoffmann and the ceremony was performed in Hone, Schleswig Holstein. To them were born three children while they were still in Germany: Hans of Manning, Kate (Mrs. Horman) of Manning, George of Manning.

In the year 1883 he came with his wife and three children to the United States and settled on a farm in Scott County. Here seven children were born: Chris of Manning, Anna (Mrs. Irwin Stuedeman), Charles, Herman, Hertha (Mrs. Trobough) of Omaha, Alma (Mrs. Louis Schelldorf) of Manning, Lillian (Mrs. R.A. O'Connor) of Omaha.

Mr. Pfoltner moved to Crawford County on the year 1900 and purchased a farm southwest of Manning. From there he moved to town and has lived on 4th Street for the last 23 years. He had enjoyed unusually good health up to about a week ago and then he began to fail very rapidly, and on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the 9th of January, he passed peacefully away to rest. Besides his wife who is left to mourn him and his ten children, there are also 21 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

When a boy, Mr. Pfoltner was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He was 85 years, 3 months and 3 days old when he died.

Mr. Pfoltner was a man of most excellent character and he was remarkably blessed not only with a long life, but in the fact that all his family were spared to him. His ten children are alive and he lived to see them attain to manhood and womanhood.

He came to the United States when he was 34 years of age, a quite unusual age for an emigrant, but such was his determination and industry that he succeeded in establishing himself very well in his adopted country. It is very unusual for a sailor to turn farmer, but Mr. Pfoltner did this in such a manner that it speaks highly of his adaptability and business judgment. He acquired a large number of friendships, and there is no doubt whatsoever that his going is much lamented, for he was a man of fine quality and a gentle nature.

He leaves his children a worthy example, and they and his sorrowing wife are tendered the heartfelt sympathies of this community in their great loss.

Out-of-town relatives attending the funeral were: Mrs. Anna Whisler, Harold Whisler, Eddie Whisler, Mrs. Ella Dittmer, all of Donahue, Iowa; Mr. Frank Rohwer of Long Grove; Mrs. Carl Werling, Mr. And Mrs. August Hoffman, Mr. William Hoffman of Renwick; Mr. And Mrs. Theodore Jansen and Mr. And Mrs. James Calder of Des Moines; Mr. And Mrs. Clyde Hoffman and children, Nola and Roy Hoffman, and Patricia Stockford, all of Alden.

Funeral services were held at the Ohde Funeral Home, Saturday afternoon, January 12th, the Rev. E.J. Hough officiating. Interment was in the Manning Cemetery.

Pall bearers were Russel Wallace, Harry Pfoltner, George Trobough, Henry Suhr, Louis Pfoltner, and Harold Pfoltner.