Carl Fritz Henning

HENNING

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/22/2010 at 20:15:49

Carl Fritz Henning is now engaged in the bakery, grocery and delicatessen business at No 1004 Story street, Boone, enjoying a large an profitable trade. He is one of the old and respected citizens of this city, where he has resided since 1865. He was born in Ahrensbock, Germany, and was brought to America when but seven weeks old. His birth occurred March 14, 1765, his parents being Henry Rudolph and Anna Catherina Dorothea (Meins) Henning, the former born in Borghorst, Germany, October 13, 1837. The father attended school in his native land until fourteen years of age and then learned the baker’s trade. Emigrating to the United States with his wife and family in 1865 and he made the journey by sailing vessel from Hamburg to New York and from Hamburg to New York and from the latter place came directly to Davenport, Iowa. At the time one had to pay a toll in order to cross the bridge over the Mississippi river and as the money was exhausted a difficulty confronted the family, from which they were saved by a kind old lady, who paid there fee so that they could cross. After a three months’ stay in Davenport the family came to Boone, where the father opened a bakery of his own. He had first tried to find employment in the mines but failed. He walked to Davenport to seek work, but being unsuccessful, returned to Boone, where he began business as a baker, arching over his first brick and clay oven with saplings which he cut. His bakery was located on what is now Keeler street and he was confronted with many difficulties before he could launch his business. He had now money and at the store of Mr Udall tried to obtain flour on credit but was refused. A gentleman, however went his security for five sacks upon hearing his story. The returning soldiers bought his bread and r Henning was able to pay Mr Udell for the flour the very next day. Succeeding in Business, he enlarged his plant as his means permitted and subsequently bought property of Eighth street, next to where the Virginia Theater is now located, thereon erecting his ship. The soldiers used to entrain there for their destination an Mr Henning would provide them with pies and coffee which his wife would sell to them on the trains. Mr Henning died August 17, 1900, and was buried in Boone. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, of which he was one of the founders wit the Hermans and Goeppingers. He gave his allegiance to the democratic party and was stanch n his support of that organization. His wife, also a devout Lutheran died at the age of seventy-six years, in September 1913. In their family were seven sons, five of whom passed away when quite young, while Henry William Adolph, who was born Mary 11, 1870 died in May 1900.
Carl Fritz Henning attended German schools of Boone from his fifth year, subsequently entering the English public schools, where he continued his education for tow years. Passing into the higher grades. The school of which he as a pupil was standing on the site of the present city hall and at that time the principal was Charles Tucker, who now conducts a grocery store on the opposite side of the street from where Mr Henning’s establishment is located. After he laid aside his text books, Mr Henning became an employee in the dry goods store of William F Wilson and subsequently worked for Mr Hollymain, who a then at the head of the firm of Worcester & Hollymain. Mr Henning gained much valuable knowledge and remained with this firm until his father needed him in the conduct of the grocery and bakery. He continued in his father’s ore until the latter retired and then accepted a position as salesman in the establishment which is now conducted under the name of J C Peterson Company. He remained with this concern for a few years, when his health failed and he occupied for one and a half years the position of circulating manger for the Evening Republican. He subsequently held a position in the clothing store of Mr Olmstead. In the fall of 1908 he was elected clerk of the courts of Boone county and re-elected in 1910, serving two terms and discharging his duties to the great satisfaction all concerned. On December 6, 1913, he opened his present grocery and bakery at No 1004 Story street and although the establishment has been in existence only a short time, he already enjoys a large patronage. Mr Henning is justly entitled to the success which has come to home, for he is a thoroughly able business man and conducts his enterprise with the utmost fairness toward his customers.
On August 5, 1894, Mr Henning was married in Boone to Miss Mina Kaul, the ceremony being performed by Rev Gunder, and to them the following children were born: Dinnie Dorothea Wilhelmina, who was born September 7, 1896, and attended the public and high schools, Marie Martha Elizabeth born December 30, 1900, attending school and Henry Rudolph Adolph, born May 9, 1903, also attending school. Mrs Henning was born in Neumunster, Germany January 27, 1873, and was educated in the schools there. She was nineteen years of age when she came with her brother Henry to the new world and located in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Peter Kaul, is a carpenter in fine wood and still lives in Germany at that age of seventy-seven years. Her mother who before her marriage was Anna Harris, died in Germany in 1888 at that age of fifty years, and three years later ht father married Miss Anna Rathge.
Mr Henning has always participated in the progress and development of his city, to which he has contributed in a quiet way. He is not a politician in the ordinary accepted sense of the word but is loyal to his party and tot the public interests. He has been much interests in bird life and has collected a number of specimens which are now on exhibition in the Boone library. There is much that is commendable in his career and such success as has come to him is well merited.

1914 Boone County History Book