Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcribed by Sharon Elijah September 20, 2020

America, whose name has become a synonym for opportunity, has long been the objective point for enterprising foreigners whose ambitious spirit has prompted them to seek broader advantages along business lines than could be offered by their native country. Among those who in young manhood sought a home and fortune in this county is numbered Henry Schenkelberg, who was born in the Rhine province, Germany, on the 29th of December, 1867. His parents, William and Catherine (Olbertz) Schenkelberg, were also natives of the fatherland and there spent their entire lives. In their family were ten children, as follows: Peter, at home; P. W., residing in Carroll county; Henry, of this review: Gertrude, Katherine and Christ, all of Germany; Father Schenkelberg, a priest of Charter Oak, Iowa; and Mat, W. P. and Bernard, who also remain in the old country.

Henry Schenkelberg spent the early period of his boyhood under the parental roof, and he remained a pupil in the parochial schools of his native country until fourteen years of age. At that early period of his life he began providing for his own support and after working for others for about four years he left the fatherland and came to the United States, his passage being paid for by his brother P. W., who had already established his home in this country. He made his way at once to Carroll, Carroll county, Iowa, and for a time was employed as a farm hand in this locality. He was desirous, however, of engaging in business independently, and, possessing a determined spirit and resolute will, he labored earnestly and industriously, carefully saving his earnings until, in 1900, he had accumulated sufficient means with which to purchase his present home. This farm, located on section 25, Kniest township, consists of one hundred and sixty acres and is a well developed property, thoroughly equipped for successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits. He is a general farmer, practices rotation of crops, has closely studied soil and climatic conditions and the cultivation of the various cereals, so that his fields yield abundant harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.

In the year 1893 Mr. Schenkelberg was united in marriage to Miss Anna Petershon, born in this country of German parentage, and unto them have been born nine children, all yet at home, as follows: Mary, Theresa, Catherine, Bernard, Peter, Elizabeth, Henry, Anna and Hildegard.

Although the successful conduct of his agricultural enterprise has demanded much of Mr. Schenkelberg’s attention he has, however, found time for outside interests and is now serving as secretary of the Mount Carmel branch of the Roman Catholic Protective Association of Iowa, and is general agent for the Iowa Mutual Insurance Company of Des Moines. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church of Mount Carmel, while his political support has ever been given to the democratic party. For four years he served as township trustee and is one of the public-spirited and active citizens of his community. He is a self-made man, and as the architect of his own fortune has builded wisely and well. He recognized that the invariable law of destiny accords success to tireless industry when it is guided by sound judgment, and year after year he has carefully labored to win the substantial position which he now occupies, while the honorable methods which he has ever followed have commended him to the confidence, respect and good will of his fellowmen.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~