Biernatzki, Charles Andrew (1861-1940)

BIERNATZKI, SHANAPSKI, SCHROPFER, CLOSZ

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/24/2016 at 10:14:01

Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, December 23, 1940

C.A. BIERNATZKI ILL LONG TIME DIES AT HOME

Came From Noble Polish Family; Located in County in 1858

Charles A. Biernatzki, a long time resident of Hamilton county and a former prominent member of the Hamilton County Bar association, died at his home, 600 Odell street, at 4:20 a.m. yesterday, death being caused by pneumonia and complications.

Although he had been in failing health the last few years, he had seemed to be better after he had undergone a major operation at Rochester, Minn., Sept. 18, 1939. He returned to his home and was in fairly good health until he developed flu and later pneumonia.

The Rev. Father F.J. Frein said the rosary yesterday at 8 p.m. at the Foster Funeral home, and funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church, in charge of the Rev. Father Frein. Burial will be made in the Catholic cemetery.

Mr. Biernatzki was the last of an old noble Polish family. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Barbara Biernatzki and one daughter, Marie, of this city.

Charles Andrew Biernatzki was born in Oswego, N.Y., his parents being Charles and Paulina (Shanapski) Biernatzki. Accoring to an early history of Hamilton county the father was born in Poland where he was reared to young manhood and was given fine educational advantages attending a military school. When he was 17 years old he entered the army and served during the rebellion of 1846.

The family subsequently came to the United States landing in New York after a voyage of nine weeks. They located in Oswego, N.Y., and it was there the father was naturalized. He was married in 1852.

At Oswego Charles A., and his sister, the late Mrs. Charles Closz were born.

According to the history of the county, the father went to Canada in 1855, where he operated a freighter on Lake Michigan, near Godrage. From there they moved to Chicago where they lived a year and then they located in Dubuque for a time.

From Dubuque the family started west, planning to locate in Sioux City where the father intended to be associated with a group of pioneer meat packers, but on account of the slough conditions when they reached Hamilton county, they decided to locate here. At that time Homer was the county seat and the family at once took a prominent part in the upbuilding of the county.

According to the county history the family came to Iowa in 1858 and the father bought 80 acres of wild land in Independence township which he improved and made his home for two and a half years. He then sold it and owned different farms and in 1868 he settled on the farm home where he paid special attention to stock raising. His home was one of the most beautiful in the community and the family gained statewide attention for its activities in the stock business. The father and his sons, Charles, William, Albert and Henry, also were pioneers in hybred corn development and for many years the Biernatzki farm was a model for other farmers to follow.

After finishing the schools of Hamilton county, Charles A., took a course in pre-law in Des Moines and later studied law at the University of Iowa and also under the late A.N. Boeye. After being admitted to the bar he spent the remainder of his life, until he retired, in the practice of his profession, being associated with such pioneer attorneys as the late John F. Duncombe, Sen. J.P. Dolliver and Judge W.S. Kenyon, of Fort Dodge and Judge J.L. Kamrar, of Webster City.

He had tried many cases before the supreme courts of Iowa and Illinois and gained special recognition in one case particularly - the Milburn case - in which he cited a point of law which later become recognized in legal circles in every state in the union and which made him an honorary and lifelong member of the American Bar association.

In October, 1907, he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Schropfer, of this county, a daughter of pioneer residents here. To this union were born two children, a son, Joseph Charles Ignacius, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Marie.

He was preceded in death by his parents and the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Closz, Charles, William, Henry and Albert.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In the early 1900's Mr. Biernatzki was a judge in courts of Hamilton and Webster counties, which office has since been discontinued. For many years he was also justice of the peace in Webster City, which office he held at the time of his retirement in the fall of 1931.

He was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith and was prominent in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church in his younger days. At the time the present church was erected he was instrumental in securing the site of the building and was in charge of the general construction plans and decorations.