BIOGRAPHY
August Ludwig Plath was born 22 Feb 1825 in Ratzebuhr Pommern Germany (now part of Poland). His parents were Michael Gottfried Plath and Eva Luise Ludtke Plath. Ludwig married Henriette Maria Kubath on 12 March 1852. They immigrated separately to the United States, Ludwig and son Leopold arriving before Henriette and children, William, Mathilda, Marie and Gus. Ludwig’s obituary states that Henriette died in 1874 which was before the family moved on to Nebraska. Ludwig lived with his daughter and son-in-law, John and Johanna Brunken on their farm north of Columbus Nebraska until his death.

OBITUARY
After an illness lasting eleven weeks the venerable Ludwig Plath died Tuesday afternoon at 12:30 o’clock at the home of his son-in-law, John Brunken eleven miles north-west of Columbus. The attending physicians say his death was due to old age. The funeral was held this forenoon at 11:30 o’clock from his late home and later in the Loseke Creek Lutheran Church, Rev. Freese conducting the service. Ludwig Plath was the father of Leopold, William and Gus Plath, of this city,
Mrs. John Brunken and Miss Matilda Plath who reside in Shell Creek township, and Mrs. C. Kasant of New Jersey. Among his decendants are twenty grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He has a brother now residing in Baltimore. He was born May 5, 1826 in Baldenberg, West Prussia. Germany. He came to America in 1869 and located in New Jersey, following his trade as a finishing carpenter. Nine years later he retired from active life as a tradesman and came to Platte county and he had since made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Brunken. He had many warm friends among the German people of this city, who will be present at the funeral services today.
SOURCE: Columbus Telegram, Friday, Nov. 28, 1902, Columbus, Nebraska

OBITUARY
PLATH–Ludwig John Plath died Tuesday of last week at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Brunken, ten miles northwest of this city after an illness of about three months. Mr. Plath was born May 25, 1826, in Prussia, Germany. He came to America in 1869 and located in New Jersey where he worked at his trade, that of finishing carpenter. He came to Platte county about twenty-four years ago. His wife died in 1874. Mr. Plath leaves three sons and three daughters, Leopold, William and Gus Plath of this city, Mrs. John Brunken and Miss Matilda Plath west of Columbus and Mrs. C. Kasant of New Jersey. Funeral services were held Friday from the Loseke German Lutheran church, Rev. Frese officiating, after which the remains were laid to rest in the near-by cemetery.

TIME LINE
1869: Date of arrival in America
1870: “Louis” Plath, along with Leopold, age 14, are living in Acquackanonck (Passaic), New Jersey June 18, 1870
1871: Henrietta arrived in New York City on the ship Holsatia on December 7, 1871. With her were her children, William, Maria, Mathilda and Gustav.
1874: Suggested date (from Ludwig obit) for death of Henrietta
1878: Suggested date of move to Platte County, Nebraska (from Ludwig obit)
1880: June 7 “Lewis”, along with son Leopold and daughter Matilda, are living in Platte County, Shell Creek Precinct in the household of John Brunken and Johanna.