George A. Mehmken 1872 - 1929

MEHMKEN, SCHROEDER

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 4/28/2014 at 21:51:18

G. A. MEHMKEN, 57, DIES FOLLOWING 3-YEAR ILLNESS

George A. Mehmken, who built the first oil refinery in Burlington, died yesterday, March 23, 1929 at 1:45 a.m. at his home, 1026 Ash street. Mr. Mehmken had suffered heart trouble for the last three and a half years, but his condition did not become serious until about three months ago.

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence, in charge of the Rev. J. Stanley Decker, with interment in Aspen Grove cemetery. The body will be taken to the residence from Prugh's chapel this afternoon at 12:30 o'clock.

Mr. Mehmken was 57 years old. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, Feb 14, 1872 and came to the United States in 1893. The same year he came to Des Moines county and until 1910 operated a farm near Roscoe. Upon coming to Burlington he entered the employ of the J. B. Gabeline Implement company and for a time was manager of the Co-operative Supply company.

In 1925 Mr. Mehmken, with his brother, John of Burlington, organized the Mehmken oil company and in 1926 the company constructed a small refinery on the Bluff road. He was also a director of the Farmers and merchants Savings bank.

He was married in 1902 to Miss Clara D. Schroeder of near Dodgeville, who is survives with two daughters, Mrs. J. A. Boden of Burlington and Miss Edith Mehmken at home, one sister, Mrs. August Kleine of Tobias, Neb., and three brothers, William, Yarmouth; Fred, Mediapolis and John Mehmken, Burlington.