John H. Krohnke
A native of Crawford county, John H. Krohnke, of Schleswig, was born in Morgan township, April 13, 1879. He is a son of Henry and Annie (Suckstorf ) Krohnke, both of whom were born in Germany.
They were married in Iowa and Mr. Krohnke began farming on rented land. Being a man of unusual diligence and good judgment, he acquired a farm of his own in a few years and later became the owner of seven hundred and sixty acres in Morgan township. He cultivated his farm until 1904, since which time he has lived at Schleswig. There were four children in his family: Gustie, now the wife of William Bumann, of Bloomfield, Nebraska; John H., the subject of this review; Mattie, the wife of William Bielenberg, now residing upon the old homestead in Morgan township; and Amelia, who is still at home.
John H. Krohnke possessed advantages of education in the district schools and remained at home until after reaching his majority. At twenty-three years of age he engaged in farming on his own account but after four years' experience turned his attention to the butcher business at Schleswig. In 1909 he disposed of his butcher shop and has since engaged in the saloon business.
On the 25th of February, 1902, Mr. Krohnke was united in marriage to Miss Christina Witt, a native of Otter Creek township and a daughter of Fritz and Johanna (Ohl) Witt. The parents were born in Germany and were married in this state. Mr. Witt engaged successfully in farming until 1902 and has since made his home at Schleswig. In the family were six children: Emma, who married Amos Hollander, of Nebraska, and is now deceased; Louis, who is now living on the old homestead; Christina, now Mrs. John H. Krohnke; Amanda, the wife of William Schmidt, of Schleswig; Benjamin, also of Schleswig; and Ella, the wife of Paul Wilson, of Schleswig. One child, Vernie, now seven years of age, has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Krohnke.
Mr. Krohnke and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and are now members of the German Lutheran church of Schleswig. He takes the interest of a wide-awake citizen in politics but his attention is mainly centered in his business affairs and he has never sought the honors or emoluments of office. He is a man of generous and social characteristics and in business transactions is recognized as entirely reliable.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.