HENKEL, William F.

HENKEL, BRUNS, LEHMANN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/5/2014 at 14:53:11

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 512-13. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ WILLIAM F. HENKEL

William F. Henkel, of the firm of Henkel & Bruns, general contractors and builders, Mason City, Iowa, has been identified with this place for a period of twenty years and has contributed materially to its growth and development.

Mr. Henkel was born in Germany in 1871, and was reared, educated and learned the trade of mason there. In 1889, at the age of eighteen, he left his home in the old country to try his fortunes in America, and on landing in this country, went to Wisconsin, where he spent one year. Then he came to Mason City, Iowa, which has been his home and where he has established himself in a prosperous business and accumulated some valuable property. His own handsome residence is at 703 East Huntley street. For seven years he has been associated in business with George Bruns, under the name of Henkel & Bruns, Mr. Bruns having worked with him for five years previous to the formation of this partnership. Besides many fine homes in the city they built the Decker Packing plant, the St. Joseph's Catholic church, the E. P. Higley block, and the Harding & Farrell building, the last named now being occupied by the Cobb Furniture Company. Also as cement sidewalk contractors they do a large business. They furnish employment to from fifteen to twenty men, many of them skilled mechanics.

Mr. Henkel is married and has two children, Carl and Leona, aged fifteen and fourteen years respectively. Mrs. Henkel, formerly Miss Ida Lehmann, was born and reared in Mason City, daughter of E. Lehmann, one of the old residents of the town.

Politically Mr. Henkel has always maintained an independent attitude, preferring to vote for men and measures rather than confine himself to any one party. Socially he is identified with the M. W. A. and B. P. O. E. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church.

NOTE: William F. Henkel died November 19, 1958. Ida Helena (Lehmann) Henkel died May 20, 1960. William and Ida's son, Carl A. Henkel, was born on November 4, 1894, and died on October 8, 1974. They were interred at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City IA.

Henkel Construction Company of Mason City continues to carry on William's heritage to the present day, celebrating 120 years in business in 2012.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014