Brocke, Charles 1869-1941 Sioux Center Photographer
BROCKE
Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/9/2021 at 10:09:13
Brocke, Charles 1869- 1941 Sioux Center Photographer
This story was taken from the Sioux Center Centennial book of 1991 pages 259 and 260, it was submitted to the book by Wilma J. Vande Berg. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw and some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg, both of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.
As the author of this article visited with some of the older members of the community who remembered Charles Brocke (in1991), it was apparent that he was a very vibrant and colorful character. He might further be described as a flamboyant Wyatt Earp or Don Juan type, who had a definite fancy for the ladies, however, never married.
It was brought to the attention of the author by Dave Roelofs that Mr. Brocke’s photography was renown in the area. It was quite something to have a Brocke photo, Dave Roelofs also explained that Brocke’s studio was located where the driveway of First National Drive-up window is located, just north of present day Bodnar Studio. In the back of his studio Mr. Brocke had installed skylights to allow the natural light to come in allowing better quality photographs.
In the 1913 Sioux County Atlas there was an ad that stated that Brocke Studio had $3,000.00 invested in lenses, and that he specialized in group work and large photos.
Charles Brocke died in 1941 shortly after an article was published about him in the Jubilee Edition of the Sioux Center News July 31, 1941. The following information was taken from that article.
Brocke served as State Fire Chief — County G.O.P. Chairman 15 years.
Charles Brocke who is as widely known as any of our citizens, came to Sioux Center 50 years ago (1891). His activities since then have been varied and interesting … and they spread throughout the county and the state. We cannot chronicle all his exploits and shall merely touch the high spots of his career.
Mr. Brocke, reared in an orphan home in Holland, came to the U.S. in 1887. He first worked in and near Orange City; in 1891 he went to work in the Joe Hyink Stores in Sioux Center, and except for a two year period spent in Alaska, has been a resident here since 1891.
Charles Brocke worked in the big corner store until 1891 when he joined a gold mining expedition to the Klondike, Alaska, in 1898. He spent two years there but had no luck in finding the precious metal and the climate did not agree with his health.
From 1899 until 1908 he again worked in the corner store for N. Balkema. In 1908 he went to Effingham, Illinois, to attend a photography school. After completing his course the school employed him as a professor on their staff. He resigned later to come back to Sioux Center and opened up a studio of his own. His profession since then has been photography and he earned a reputation for being the best craftsman; especially for finishing, in the photography business.
Charles did not confine his activities to working in his studio, however, he became an active worker in the Republican party and gained recognition for his faithful work, serving as county chairman from 1917 until he resigned because of his health in 1932.
Another of Mr. Brocke’s extra activities was as a fireman and here too he rose to the top. He served with the local fire department from 1903 until 1934, serving as fire-chief from 1916 until he retired. In 1923 he was elected to the state board of the Iowa Fireman’s Association and served for five years, the last year as president of the organization. It was during his administration that the Mutual Benefit Aid was adopted.
Mr. Brocke has had other interests too; his hobby of fishing is well known, and his connection with the Vigilantes during the last war. Today his health does not permit him to be so active but his interest in affairs is still keen. End of the article.
Charles Brocke died in 1941. Several orphans from the orphanage in Holland where Charles Brock was raised came to this area also. A picture was in the Sioux Center News years ago that noted a reunion of the orphan group. Pictured were Cornelius Meyes, Marinus Schilt, Peter Schilt, Vostjes, Case Vander Meulen, Charles Brocke, and Case Elbers. They had all come to this county separately, Charles Brocke at age 18, and had several reunions after they grew up.
by Wilma J. Vande Berg
RESEARCH NOTES;
Charles Brocke’s birth location and parentage is obscure as nothing is recorded on the exact location of the orphanage or any further information on the Brocke back ground. The first name Charles was not used regularly in the Netherlands more commonly derived from a given name similar to Tjeed. The surname of Brocke could have been Brock or similar spelling. Upon searching the Netherlands records on www.wiewaswie.nl no real clues arose.
The submiitter was able to trace to the birth of one of the orphans, Marines Schilt listed in the article above as born 9 May 1870 at Bertembacht, Zuid Holland, His parents both died, mother 1876 and father 1870 so that young boy would have been orphaned at six years of age.
Unfornunately, was not able to trace Charles Brocke in that manner.
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