Fireman Ben Ploch (1860-1904)
After an illness, lasting a week or ten days, Ben Ploch, the well-knowa fireman, died peacefully at his home, on First street near Alvasia, at 10:10 o’clock last evening of typhoid fever.
The attack of this disease was severe from the beginning and gradually grew worse until within the last few days his condition was such that all hope of his recovery was dispaired of.
Ben Ploch was the son of Joseph and Mary Ploch and was born February 8, 1860, in Evansville where he re sided for twenty or more years.
He was a cooper by trade and, upon securing a position at a cooper shop in Henderson, he moved here twenty-one or twenty-twg years ago and has resided here ever since. He joined the volunteer fire department and in all had been a volunteer and regular fireman for about seventeen years.
In all these years he gained that experience which made him one of the best and most reliable firemen in the department.
In early manhood he was married to Miss Emma Birchles who survives the deceased as do four children namely: William, aged sixteen; Agnes, Minnie and Robert, who is the youngest and is nine years old. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ploch, two brothers, Joe and George Ploch, three sisters, Misses Lizzie, Annie and Ida Ploch, all of Evansville, survive the deceased. During the many years he had resided in Henderson a great many friends were made all of whom will be greatly grieved to hear of his death. The funeral arrangements will be made today.
References:
Henderson Morning Gleaner • Wed, Jun 15, 1904
Henderson Morning Gleaner • Thu, Jun 16, 1904