SCHANKE Adolph Marcus

SCHANKE MONSEN KEISTER GALLOGLY BRUCE

Posted By: marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 9/13/2010 at 09:34:25

Mason City Globegazette
July 24, 1964

Schanke, former
postmaster, dies
(July 23, 1964)

A. M. Schanke, 86, prominent Mason City businessman and former postmaster and reprensentative in the Iowa Legislature, died Thursday morning at his apartment at the Hotel Eadmar.

The name Schanke had been associated with Mason City business for 54 years.

Born at Mankato, Minn., Jan. 23, 1878, Adolph Marcus Schanke was the son of Lorentz and Marie (Monsen) Schanke. He was educated in Fairbult County, Minn, and entered the banking business at the age of 18 as assistant cashier of the exchange Bank of Elmore, Minn.

From 1899-1900 he was cashier of the State Bank of Bricelyn, Minn., and was among the incorporators of the bank. In 1900 he was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Elmore, Minn.

In 1910 he moved to Mason City, where he became president of the Schanke mortgage loan, bond and insurance firm. He remained in the bond and mortgage business until 1933, when he was appointed post master at Mason City. He served 15 years in this capacity, retiring in 1947.

Mr. Schanke tried politics unsucessfully in 1922 as the Democratic candiate for U. S. Congress. Later he was sucessful in a race for the Iowa Legislature, serving as Cerro Gordo representative in 1948 and 1949.

Despite his long career in many fields, Mr. Schanke remained always active in business. His heating equipment firm served retailers over a wide area.

During his long career, he served in many capacities.

He was a past mayor of Elmore, Minn., past administratior of the Cerro Gordo County Emergency Relief Committee, trustee for the Julia M. Higley Home for Old Ladies, past 4th district chairman of the National Association of Postmasters, past member of Rotary Club and past president of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Schanke was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, treasurer for the Eagles Lodge 1655; member of the Odd Fellows, Moose, Elks and Trinity Lutheran Church.

He was a past secretary of the Faribult County, Minn., Democratic Central Committee, past chairman of the Cerro Gordo County Democratic Central Committee, and for many years was chairman of the Cerro Gordo County Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

Mr. Schanke was married to Gertrude C. Kiester, June 6, 1900, at Blue Earth, Minn. Her father was Judge Jacob Kiester, one of the pioneers of the area and for whom the town of Kiester was named.

He was preceded in death by his wife four years ago and by one daughter, Mrs. James B. (Harriet Wilma) Bruce.

A daughter, Mrs. LeRoy T. (Gertrude Virginia) Gallogly, Cedar Rapids, and three grandchildren survive.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Visitation at the Hogan-McKee Colonial Chapel has been set from 4 p.m. Friday until the time of services.