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Herkenrath, Peter
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° 21 Februar 1851 in Köln,, Nordrhein-Westfalen (D)
= Farmer
# 31978
From Past and Present History of Shelby County
p. 762
PETER HERKENRATH
The Herkenrath family has been prominent in the history of Shelby county, Iowa, for the past thirty-eight years, and three generations of the family have been prominent factors in every phase of the county's growth and development. In agricultural circles, business circles and in official life they have taken an active part, and wherever they have directed their energies, they have been successful. With true German thrift and resourcefulness they have used their capable qualities to the benefit of their adopted country and there are no more highly respected citizens than the members of this family.
Peter Herkenrath, the most prominent business man of Portsmouth, Iowa, was born in Cologne, Germany, February 21, 1851. he was the son of Joseph and Gertrude (Korth) Herkenrath, his parents living in Germany until several years after their marriage. Joseph Herkenrath worked on the railroad in his native land and when he came to America, in 1869, he located in Keokuk county, Iowa. He bought a farm of seventy acres in that county and lived there for seven years. In 1876 he removed to Shelby county and located in Cass township on a farm of forty acres. He lived on this farm for fourteen years and then removed to Portsmouth and lived until his death, November 7, 1894. His wife died March 24, 1889. Two children were born to Joseph Herkenrath and wife, Peter and Anna, who became the wife of Matthew Ohlinger.
Peter Herkenrath was educated in the common schools of Germany and was eighteen years of age when he came to America with his father. He worked with his father on the farm in Keokuk county, Iowa, for three years, and then married and came to Shelby county. He settled in Cass township and bought a farm of eighty acres, and with that energy with characterized the Germans everywhere in this county, he prospered and increased his acreage until he own four hundred and thirty-five acres of excellent farming land. In 1891 Peter Herkenrath moved to Portsmouth, Iowa, and became engaged in the general merchandise business with Mr. Dohrman, under the firm name of Herkenrath & Dohrman and took his son, John, in with him as a partner. In 1912 another son, Anthony, joined the firm and since then the firm as been known as Peter Herkenrath & Sons. Mr. Herkenrath is president of the State Bank of Portsmouth and one of the most substantial business men of the county.
p. 763
Peter Herkenrath was married January 23, 1873, to Mary Ohlinger, the daughter of Peter and Angeline Ohlinger, and to this union eleven children have been born, Angeline, John, Anna, Peter, Matthew, Anthony and William, four being deceased. Angeline is the wife of William Thomas, and has one child, Francis. John married Dorothy Whaley, and has two children, Bernice and Bernard. Anna is the wife of Giles S. Bendon, and has two children, Marie and Peter. Peter, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Herkenrath, married Mayme Caufied. Matthew is single. Anthony married Anna Skalla. William is single.
Mrs. Herkenrath's parents were born in Germany and came to America early in the history of Keokuk county, Iowa , and lived in that county until their death. The family are all devout members of the Catholic church and Mr. Herkenrath holds his membership in the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Society. He has been largely interest in the civic life of his community and has served two terms as township trustee, two terms as mayor of the city of Portsmouth, and has sat in the city council. He has also been county surveyor for two terms. The Democratic party has always claimed his support and he has been one of its leaders in local affairs for many year.
John Herkenrath, the oldest son of Peter Herkenrath, is a prominent man of Portsmouth, and looks after the greater part of his father's interest. He is a director in the State Bank of Portsmouth. He and his father own the lighting plant and pumping station of Portsmouth and have built up this public utility until it is one of real benefit to the citizens of the city. He is a charter member and the chief of the fire department, which was organized in 1896, and has acted as chief since 1902. He has been the clerk of his township for the past eight years and administers the affairs of this office in a very efficient and satisfactory manner. He has served as city clerk for six years, assessor for two terms, secretary of the independent school district since 1901 and treasurer of Cass township school district for two terms. John Herkenrath is one of the most enterprising young men of his city and no enterprise is launched for the benefit of the city that does not meet with his approval and his enthusiastic support., He is now serving his fifth term as treasurer of the Firemen's Interstate Association. He was a notary public for four years. He owns a half interest in seventy acres with his father in the southeast part of Portsmouth and also a half interest in store building and stock of merchandise. It is safe to say that he is one of the representative men of his city, and being a young man he is now in the prime of his life, with a long sphere of usefulness before him.
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09 Januar 1744 in Palzem, Saarburg, LK Trier-Saarburg, Rheinland-Pfalz (D)
Rettgen, Alfons; Familienbuch der Pfarreien St. Agatha, Palzem und St. Bartholomäus, Helfant: 1563
mchsi.com; Ohlinger.GED