John Poltera, for 24 years a resident of Comanche County, died from a heart attack in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, November 9, 1943, at the home of his niece, Mrs. Gus Lindiken. Funeral services were held last Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Mellody-McGilley Chapel in Kansas City, Mo. Burial was in Calvary cemetery beside his wife, who passed away January 20, 1939.Mr. Poltera was born in Switzerland January 7, 1864, and passed away November 9, 1943, at the age of 79 years, 10 months and two days. He came to America when he was 17 years of age.
On April 11, 1886, in Kansas City, Mo., Mr. Poltera was united in marriage with Miss Magdalene Helmeth. To this union eight children were born, all of whom are living. They are: Andrew J. Poltera of Kansas City, Mo., Lutzie H. Poltera of Coldwater, Kans., William B. Poltera of Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Newton Wilkinson of Douglas, Wyo., and Mrs. Jack Craver, Mrs. Joseph Birmingham, Mrs. Paul Dunlap and Mrs. Frank Degnan, all of Kansas City, Mo.
Mr. Poltera came with his family from Kansas City to Comanche County in 1890 and lived first in the town of Avilla. He later homesteaded a place a few miles east of Avilla and soon increased it to a sizeable ranch. About 1900 he owned the first steam threshing machine in the county and for several years threshed most of the wheat raised in Comanche County.
In 1908 Mr. Poltera built a home here and moved his family to Coldwater. He also built several prominent buildings on East Main street in this city, including the present Darnell Hotel building and the present McCormick-Deering Store building, where Mr. Poltera operated a garage for several years.
He moved with his family from Coldwater to Kansas City in 1914, at which place he continued to make his home until his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Lutzie Poltera and daughter, Joan, and son, Pvt. Bob Poltera of the Army Air Corps at Amarillo, Texas, and all of Mr. Poltera's children except Mrs. Nora Wilkinson, were present at the funeral.
Also see:
Fire Damages Old St. Nicholas Hotel The hotel was built by John Poltera.
The Western Star, March 18, 1921.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing and contributing the above obituary!
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