Arno Kluge (1898 - 1921)

Ancestors

Died 31 Dec 1921 at age 23 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

Arno was born in 1898.

The Ravenna News, Oct. 7, 1898: "Mrs. A. Kluge, whose husband died a few weeks ago, became the mother of a son, a few days ago."

The Ravenna News, Jan. 6, 1922: "ARNO KLUGE DIES IN CALIFORNIA. YOUNG MAN SUCCUMBS TO SPINAL DISEASE. TROUBLE DUE TO ELECTRIC SHOCK. A PROMISING YOUNG LIFE COMES TO AN UNFORTUNATE END. GRADUATED HERE IN 1916. "Ravenna people will be deeply grieved to learn of the death of Arno Kluge, who passed away at the home of his mother, in Los Angeles, California, Dec. 31, 1921, at the age of 23 years, 3 months, and 4 days. Arno Kluge was a mechanical and electrical genius, and had he been spared his strength it is not improbable that he would have made a conspicuous name for himself in the world of science. While he was yet a high school boy in Ravenna he was the wonder of his instructors in the avidity in which he absorbed knowledge, especially along scientific lines. He had a passion for the study of electricity and the pity of it is that his fondness for this study led to an injury that cut short a life that might have been of great usefulness to the world. While yet a school boy he built a wireless station at his home in this city, and it was while thus engaged that he received an electric shock that subsequently developed a spinal weakness which resulted in his premature death. Completing his high school course in Ravenna in 1916 he entered the University of Nebraska as a student in electrical engineering, and his work as a first-year student was so conspicuous that when the S.A.T.C work was organized in the University he was given an assignment as an instructor in the radio department, a work he continued with marked success until failing health compelled him to abandon it, and this was the great disappointment of his life. While building an electric coil in one of his earlier experiments an accidental contact was made with the electric wires. He was severely shocked and numbed, but apparently recovered within a few days. It subsequently developed, however, that from this shock a spinal injury was sustained. Two surgical operations resulted in the course of the following two or three years to remedy the injury, but without avail. Necrosis of the spine finally developed, and the last three years of his life were spent in an invalid's chair. in spite of his pain and crippled condition, however, he persisted in his work, and up to within six weeks of his death gave personal instruction to a class of students of electricity at his home in Los Angeles. During this time he was constantly attended by his good old mother, and her care and devotion at her advanced age, has been the wonder and admiration of all familiar with the case. Knowing that he could not long survive it has been her prayer that she might be spared as long as he lived to minister to his needs and comfort. Arno Kluge was born in Garfield Township, this county, Sept. 26, 1898. His early education was acquired in a district school and he graduated from the Ravenna High School, with the honors of his class in 1916. In 1918 his mother took him to California hoping that the milder climate might be of benefit to him. He is survived by his devoted mother, three sisters, Mrs. Louise Parkman, of San Jose, California, Miss Hulda Kluge, of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Herman Polenz, of Ravenna, and one brother Edwin Kluge, of Schneider Township, this county. His father and one brother preceeded him many years ago."

Sources

• www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nebuffal/bassett2/v2-245.htm+&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
• Arno Kluge obituary, The Ravenna News
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KQL