Henkel, William

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

A valuable farm property of one hundred and seventy-five acres situated on Sections 11 and 13, Raymond Township, pays substantial annual tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, William Henkel, who is a representative agriculturist of Racine County. His business affairs are most carefully and wisely managed and his splendid success is the direct and merited reward of his own labors. He was born in Germany, October 25, 1853, a son of Henry and Charlotte (Guth) Henkel, who were also natives of the fatherland. On coming to the new world they settled in Raymond Township, Racine County, in 1866, and the father purchased seventy-five acres of land, on which he continued to make his home until his life's labors were ended in death. He was a well read man who made good use of his opportunities and won success through business methods that neither sought nor required disguise. He had served for three years in the German army before coming to the new world and after reaching America proved himself a loyal citizen of his adopted country. In politics he was a republican, while his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. To him and his wife were born four children, of whom but two are living, the surviving daughter being Lizetta, the wife of Simon Meissner, of Raymond Township.

The son, William Henkel, began his education in the schools of Germany ere the emigration of the family to the new world and continued his studies in the district schools of Raymond Township, afterward taking up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed. He has always worked persistently and energetically and has ever realized that industry is the basis of all honorable success. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings and is today the owner of one hundred and seventy-five acres of good land which is well improved. He has recently erected a fine new two story residence, supplied with all modern equipments and improvements. He carries on general farming and dairying and for the latter purpose keeps a good grade of cows, shipping milk to the Center factory of Raymond.

In 1881 Mr. Henkel was married to Miss Emma Lange, a native of Racine and a daughter of Charles Lange, who worked in a tannery in Racine but afterward removed to a farm in Raymond Township and now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Jacob Schattner. Mr. and Mrs. Henkel have become the parents of sixteen children, of whom thirteen are yet living: Albert, a resident farmer of Raymond Township; Alvina, the wife of A. Steinmiller, who works in a shop in Milwaukee; Clara, who holds a position in Racine; Charles, living in Raymond Township; Ida and Fred, both at home; Elizabeth, working in Racine: and Esther, Elsie, Ira, Fred A., Willie and Selma, all at home.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in that faith they have reared their family. In politics Mr. Henkel is a republican and for a number of years has served on the board of supervisors, being still the incumbent in that office. He never fails to do his full duty as a citizen and at the same time he does not neglect his business affairs but carefully and systematically manages his interests and wins success in so doing.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

  Go Back