Henke, Clemens 1839-1939

HENKE, WALO, TRIPP

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/24/2022 at 14:15:45

Note: His mother's maiden was Walo. His first wife's maiden name was Tripp.

DEATH SUMMONS CLEM. HENKE AFTER FEW DAYS’ ILLNESS

Last Rites Are Held Tuesday for 100-Year-Old Akron Farmer

Clem. Henke, probably the oldest person in western Plymouth county, passed away just before noon Sunday April 9, 1939, at the Akron Hospital, after an illness of only three days. He was taken to the hospital for treatment for bladder trouble and complications developed that resulted in his death. He attained the great age 100 years, 1 month and 4 days.

Mr. Henke was born in Germany, March 5, 1839, and he was the youngest of a family of seven children. He came to America with two brothers and his only sister when he was 17 years of age. The ocean voyage made in a sailing vessel, took nine weeks and three days. A brother, who had preceded them to this country, lived at Baltimore, Md., and there the first located.

Mr. Henke worked in that vicinity awhile, later coming west and was a laborer on the railroad being built from Fort Doge, Iowa, to Sioux City in the early 60’s. In 1863, he and three brothers homesteaded on 80-acre farms in Plymouth county, near LeMars. He farmed there nineteen years, and three successive years the grasshoppers took all his crops.

In 1882 he sold this lad and purchased a large tract in Union county, S. D., near Richland. At one time he owned nearly 900 acres of farm land in this section of South Dakota and Iowa, but later disposed of the greater part of the holdings.

Mr. Henke moved to the present home farm, about a mile and a half southeast of Akron, in 1903, where he actively directed farming operations until a short time ago. Mr. Henke was a hard worker throughout his long life and was fair and square in his dealing with others. His wife preceded him in death a number of years ago, and he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Minnie Raynor, at home; one son, John Henke living southwest of Akron, in Union county, S. D.; eight grandsons, one granddaughter and two great-grandsons, besides several nephews and nieces.

Mr. Henke was probably the only person ever to pass the 100-year anniversary in the Akron territory. Upon his 100th birthday, March 5, 1939, a dinner was given in his honor, with a number of relatives and friends present. He took great pleasure in the event.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Akron Christian church, Rev. W. J. Zane, the pastor, officiating. Interment was in Riverside cemetery.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, April 13, 1939 pg. 1
Akron, Iowa