The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-14
THE0. K0FFEL,
WIDELY KNOWN
LAWYER, DIES
Prominent Resident of Bis
marck for Many Years
Succumbs in Chicago
ILL FOR LONG TIME
Had Suffered from Cancer Of
Stomach for Months
Funeral Hour Uncertain

Theodore Koffel, aged So, for many
years prominent attorney Of Bis
marck and we'll known in state poll
tics, died at 1880 o'clock this morn
ing in the American Hospital, Chi
cago, according to a telegram receiv-
ed here today from John Peterson,
who was in Chicago. Mrs. Koffel
also had gone to Chicago.
Death came unexpected although
Mr.. Koffel had been in poor health
for a year and half since he under
went major operation here and il
was determined he was suffering
from cancer Of the stomach. He
made brave fight for life and after
being confined to his home for 9
long time was able to resume his law
business. Yesterday telegram was
received saying he had undergone d
minor operation in the Chicago hos.
pital and was improved.
Mr.. Koffel recently went to Jack.
sonville, Florida, to attend a nation.
al encampment of the Odd Fellows
lodge, returning by way of New York
Information was received that h.
was taken ill in Chicago, where he
went to a hospital.
The body will arrive in Bismarck
on train No. 3 Wednesday night, Mr.
Peterson said in a telegram. Funer.
al arrangements are yet undecided.
Born In Minnesota
Born at st. Peter, Minnesota, OF
July 20, 1872, the son of H. e. ant
Karen koffel, natives of Norway, Mr.
koffel was reared in the Minnesot;
community. He was educated in the
common schools in the Minnesot;
community, the Western Minnesot;
Seminary and the law department oi
the University Of Michigan. He came
to North Dakota first in 1897, locat
ing at Hatton, Trail county, and lat.
er he moved to Mayville.
Mr.. koffel took up the practice OF
law at Esmond. Benson county, after
he was admitted to the North Dakota
bar on March 25. 1908, and later he
moved to Bismarck, where he has
practised for about Is years. He
was elected to the State Senate from
the Twentieth Legislative District
Benson county, in 1909. as Repub-
lican, he being Ystaunch member OF
that political party. Mr.. Koffel was
prominent in the Twentieth Legisla.
tive Assembly, and it was after this
session that he decided to take up
the practice of law in Bismarck,
Mr.. Koffel was active in the affairs
of the State Bar Association, having
been vice-president from 1917 to
1918, and president from 1919 to
1920. He was a prominent member
of the Independent Voters Associa-
tion, and an irhc9ncilable opponen:
of the Nonpartisan League. He had
served as assistant states attorney
here, had been an officer of the Com
mercial Club and otherwise was
prominent in civic affairs.
Mr.. Koffel was a past master of
the Bismarck Lodge of Masons, a
Knights Templar and q Shrine
member. He was active in the Odd
Fellows lodge, and at the time of his
death bore the title of Brigadier-
General, Commanding the Depart
ment Of North Dakota. Patriarchs
Militant, I. o. o. F. He was a men,
ber of the Norwegian Lutheran
church.
Was Prominent
Mr.. Koffel has risen to much
prominence in the city and state
through his profession and his ac-
tivity in political. fraternal and civic
affairs. He was known as an indefa-
tigable antagonist in a law suit, and
within the past year had participated
in many important cases, with much
success, although he was suffering
from an illness which physicians had
informed him was incurable. He re-
mained active and cheerful in all
affairs.
Mr.. Koffel was married here March
Is, 1910 to Miss Mabel Peterson.
Surviving are his widow and six chill
dren, the eldest, Louise, aged 49,;
Claire, Evelyn, Edward, Robert and
the youngest Mary Helen, aged Is
months. His mother, Mrs. E. Koffel,
resides, in Montevideo, Minnesota.
Two brothers, William and Carl, and
one sister, Miss Eliza Koffel, reside
in Montevideo, while another sister,
Mrs. Grinde resides in St. Paul. Her
son was in Chicago at the time Of
Mr.. Koffeps death.