SCHURKE, Carl

SCHURKE, KNAP, PETERSEN, QUONDT, WALTER

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 22:31:37

SOURCE: "Biographical history of Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa" Lewis Pub. Co., Chicago, 1893

CARL SCHURKE, a member of the firm of Harm & Schurke, Charter Oak, Iowa, was
born in Prussia, Germany, January 13. 1847, son of Carl and Sophia (Knap) Schurke. The
father was a farmer all his life. He died in Clinton county, Iowa in 1872, the same year he
came to America. The mother is now a resident of Crawford county, Iowa. They had a
family of six children, all of who reside in Crawford county.

Carl Schurke was reared and educated in his native country, and when he was in his
twenty-fifth year, in1870, came to America and located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he
engaged in farming five years. He then came to Crawford county, bought 200 acres in
Stockholm township, settled on it and at once began its improvement. He erected a good
house and barn and other farm buildings, and developed the place into one of the best in
this vicinity. The house was built at a cost of $1,800. He also planted groves and an
orchard, and here he lived to twelve years, engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

In 1887 Mr. Schurke came to Charter Oak and engaged in the general merchandise
business, and has since been associated with Mr. Harm, under the firm name given at the
beginning of this sketch. They carry one of the best assorted stocks of good in this
county, and both being obliging men, are doing a thriving business.

Mr. Schurke is politically a Democrat. He held the offices of School Director and
Road Supervisor in Stockholm township, and Road Supervisor in Stockholm township,
and since coming to Charter Oak has been City Councilman and a member of the School
Board. Both politically and financially he ranks with the leading citizens of Charter Oak.
He began life without any capital, and unaided has worked his way up to his present
position of wealth and influence. Besides his residence and business property here, he
also owns a farm of 160 acres in Brule county, South Dakota.

He was married February 13, 1870, just before leaving his native land, to Miss
Caroline Petersen, daughter of William and Sophia (Quondt) Petersen. She was born in
Germany, July 26, 1847. They have a family of eight children, namely: Amelia, Matilda,
Amil, Alvena, Lena, William, Barney and Paul. Amelia is the wife of J. L. Walter,
Charter Oak, Iowa. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.