William H. Oelke is a son of William and Elizabeth Oelke, natives of Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States in 1851, and located in Clayton County; they now live near Garnavillo. The subject of this notice was born in Hanover, Jan. 25, 1840; he received a partial education in Germany, an completed it in Clayton County. In 1866 he married Lena, daughter of William and Mary (House) Schmalfeldt, natives of Mecklenburg, Germany; they came to the United States in 1851, and located in Clayton County, Ia., where in 1866, William died. By the above marriage there are seven children -William, born Sept. 5, 1867; Helmuth, Aug. 21, 1869; Arthur, Aug. 29, 1871; Emil, Nov. 29, 1873; Fred, born Nov. 9, 1875, died on the 20th of the same month; Adele, born Apr. 11, 1878; Alfriede, born Oct. 14, 1880. Mr. Oelke and family are members of the Lutheran church. He votes the Democratic ticket. Mr. O. has 300 acres of excellent land on section 17, all finely improved. He makes fine stock a specialty and has some of the finest breeds in the county. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 779-780 |