|
a.
|
Note: This is from a different volume of Crawford County history found in the Denison library. MESENBRINK FAMILY The three known emigrant Mesenbrink brothers were born in the state of Hanover, Germany to John Henry Mesenbrink and Dora Dennenburg. They were: Henry John Mesenbrink born November 18, 1834; Louis Mesenbrink born February 25, 1839; and Frederich Mesenbrink born December 23, 1842. The father, John H. Mesenbrink, was a shepherd by occupation. He died in 1842 in Germany. Henry came across the ocean to New York in 1854. He lived in St. Louis and was married to Marie Flier April 18, 1860. Marie Flier was born in Prussia November 1, 1842. She came with her parents, first to Wisconsin and later on to St. Louis, where her family remained. Dora and her other two sons emigrated to the United States from Bremen, Germany in 1858. They landed at New Orleans and then joined Henry in St. Louis. In the early 1860s, the Mesenbrinks moved to the Chicago area. At Addison, Illinois Louis and Frederich enlisted in Company I of the 105th Illinois Infantry on August 15, 1862 to fight in the Civil War. Louis was discharged for disability February 27, 1865 in Madison, Indiana. Frederich was honorably discharged June 7, 1865 in Washington, DC. Henry and his wife moved to a settlement called Winnebago in Houston County, Minnesota. He enlisted May 27, 1864 in Company F of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry and was honorably discharged July 11, 1865. Louis was married to Sophia Harms around 1867 or 1868. She was born in Illinois. The three brothers and their mother moved to Van Buren Township, Jackson County, Iowa around 1868. Frederich married Rosena Harms who was born in Illinois. Dora Mesenbrink, the mother, died in Jackson County before 1870. Frederich moved to Crawford County in the 1870s and remained until he died in Charter Oak April 26, 1930. He is buried in Hanover Township. Henry came to Crawford County in 1882. He was divorced from his wife, Maria, in 1894 and married Eda Adeline Ransom Bray January 29, 1898. He died November 7, 1923 in Charter Oak. by Dorothy Champ BERTHA MESENBRINK Bertha Mesenbrink was born August 14, 1883 to Frederich and Rosena Harms Mesenbrink in Hanover Township, Crawford County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township. On January 5, 1904, she was united in marriage to Otto Quandt at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township To this union were born three children: Elmer born August 29, 1905 and died July 13, 1973 in Denison; Walter born December 19, 1908 and died April 4, 1951 in Sioux City; and Le Vern born October 13, 1910, who lives in Sioux City. Bertha and Otto were engaged in farming all of their lives together. On July 31, 1925, she married Fred Mundt. They farmed near Anthon, Iowa. She passed away August 5, 1961 at Sioux City. by Dorothy Mesenbrink Champ DENNIS MESENBRINK Dennis Mesenbrink, son of Francis and Vera Mesenbrink, was born October 2, 1943 in Denison. He attended rural school at Nishnabotna No. 1. He was confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in 1957 and graduated from Manilla High School in 1961. During high school, Dennis was active in Future Farmers of America, student council, National Honor Society, and annual staff. Following high school, he enlisted in the US Air Force, taking basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonia, Texas. After basic training, he was assigned to the communications base at Seville, Spain for three years, working as a cryptographic repairman. After returning to Manilla in 1965, he worked as a cashier at the Manilla State Bank for 11 years. On April 14, 1968, he married Edith Helen Sonksen, the oldest daughter of Dethlef and Dorothy Sonksen. Edith was born June 20, 1946 in Carroll. She attended Gray Consolidated School and Manilla High School, graduating in 1964. During high school, Edith was active in vocal music, played basketball and was on the track team receiving several gold medals at state track meets and the Drake Relays. Edith was a member of Lincoln Producers 4-H Club in Audubon County for five years. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lincoln Township in 1960. After graduation from high school, Edith attended Americana Academy of Beauty in Des Moines for 10 months. She received her cosmetologist license in 1965. She worked at Martha's Beauty Shop in Audubon until 1968 when she opened Edie's Beauty Shop in Manilla. She has been in business in Manilla for 19 years. The Mesenbrinks lived in Manilla until January 1976, when they moved two and one half miles southeast of Manilla to a 120-acre farm purchased from Jessie and Lydia Pace. Dennis then started farming and in the spring of 1977, rented his parent's farm. Dennis now farms 400 acres in Iowa and Nishnabotna Townships, raising hogs and cattle along with the usual crops. Dennis and Edith have three children: Adam Alan born in Manning August 7, 1970; Rachel Helen born in Manning on May 8, 1973; and Maria Edith born in Carroll October 30, 1979. The children attend Manilla Community School. They are members of the Manilla Marvels 4-H Club showing hogs and other projects at the Crawford County Fair. The Mesenbrinks are members of the Trinity Lutheran Church and are active members of the community. Dennis wa church treasurer 1970-1976, school district treasurer for several years, school board member 1980-1983, Community Club member, Crawford County Pork Producers member and 4-H assistant leader. Edith is a member of Manilla Women's Club, Trinity Lutheran Weavers and is a past Sunday school teacher. This family has enjoyed living and working in the rural Iowa community of Manilla. by Edith Mesenbrink DOROTHEA MESENBRINK Dorothea Mesenbrink was born April 20, 1889 to Frederick and Rosena Harms Mesenbrink in Hanover Township, Crawford County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township. On February 13, 1912, she was united in marriage to William O. Blunk at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa. To this union were born six children: Lucille born April 17, 1913, who married Herman Schwartz; Irene born September 4, 1914, who is married to Walter Schneider and lives in California; Harold born January 13, 1916, who lives in Anthon, Iowa; Donald born October 13, 1918, who lives in Kiron, Iowa; Hazel born October 3, 1917 and died in 1927; and Dorothy born March 27, 1925 and lives in California. Dora and William Blunk were engaged in farming all of their married lives at Denison, Kiron and Anthon, Iowa. Dora is presently living on the farm with her son, Harold. She is active with household chores and cooking for herself and Harold. She is, at this writing, 97 years of age. by Dorothy Mesenbrink Champ EMIL HENRY MESENBRINK Emil Henry Mesenbrink was born June 15, 1872 in Jackson County, Iowa to Frederich and Rosena Harms Mesenbrink. At an early age, he moved to Hanover Township in Crawford County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, his confirmation taking place at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township. On September 12, 1894, he was united in marriage to Johanna Hindricksen. Nine children were born to this union including four sons who died in infancy. The others were: Rosena (Sander) born April 5, 1898 and died September 1, 1951 in Ute, Iowa; Frederich born April 21, 1899 and died September 25, 1961 at Charter Oak; Hans P. born January 6, 1902 and died October 10, 1958 in Ames, Iowa; Hilda (Waderich) born August 1, 1903 and presently lives in Vallejo, CAlifornia; and Carl born August 28, 1905 and died October 10, 1956 in Charter Oak. The family made their home on a farm in Hanover Township until 1914 when they moved into Charter Oak. He was a drayman for many years, meeting the train with his team of horses and making his deliveries to the local merchants until about 1924. He then became the town marshall and continued as such for over 25 years. He passed away on August 31, 1956 at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 15 days. by Dorothy Mesenbrink Champ ERICH MESENBRINK Erich Mesenbrink was born August 23, 1880 to Frederich and Rosena Harms Mesenbrink at Hanover Township, Crawford County, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover Township. On December 25, 1901, he was united in marriage to Louise Hartleben. To this union three children were born: Walter born 1903 and died 1906; Irene born February 2, 1908 and died July 22, 1965, who married Lester Bohlmann and lived in Wisconsin; Iola born March 8, 1910, who was married to Frank Dimig and resides in Danbury, Iowa. Erich was a farmer in his early years, but most of the old timers still around will remember him as 'their salesman'. He sold Red Ball which handled everything from vanilla and spices to stock dip. He also kept many a person in the area in Mason shoes. He passed away December 27, 1961. by Dorothy Mesenbrink Champ FRANCIS MESENBRINK Francis, the son of L. F. Mesenbrink, was born and raised in East Boyer Township. Francis' mother came from Holstein, Germany. Her name was Anna Hendrickson. His father was raised in Clinton County, Iowa and moved to Denison and bought a farm four miles east of Denison, in East Boyer Township, where he and Anna lived until they retired. They moved to Denison, where they lived, until they passed away. Francis farmed his father's farm and also his Uncle Hans Hendrickson's land. After he graduated from high school, he married Vera Odefey, the daughter of John William Fred Odefey and Adelia Lapel Odefey. They farmed the place known as the Cherry place, four miles northeast of Manilla. Vera was born on this farm. They bought a farm at Platte, South Dakota and moved there. They had one crop of wheat out of 14 years and because of this and drought lost this farm. They moved back to Denison and farmed the Champion place where Fred passed away. Adelia then moved into Denison, where she passed away. Francis and Vera farmed the Shives farm two and one half miles northeast of Denison, for seven years, where Joan, Merle and Dennis were born. In 1942, they bought their present farm from C. F. G. Kerr, who lived in Manilla and ran a general store, which consisted of 160 acres. There was no electricity or water in the house, but as Iowa Public Service was going by the farm, so they installed electricity the first year we lived there. This was when they bought their first electric refrigerator and had their first phone. It was also the year Joan and Merle became sick with a terrible fever. They called Dr. Johnson out who thought they had scarlet fever. Manilla's mayor, Frank Brown, then quarantined their house. They had been quarantined for one week, before it was decided that they only had German measles. The quarantine was lifted. The Mesenbrinks built all new buildings, except the barn, which still stands. The house was built in 1951. Their son, Craig, was born there. Then they bought 80 acres of the McLaren farm and farmed all the land until they retired. Joan, Merle, Dennis and Craig all attended the HIckey School, which was three miles north of Manilla, until it closed; then they went to the Manilla Community School where they all graduated. Francis and Vera still live on the farm, but their son, Dennis, farms the land. Dennis lives on the Jessie Pace farm, which he bought in 1976. Joan lives in Manning. Merle lives in Cherokee and Craig lived in Storm Lake. Francis and Vera have 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. by Mrs. Frances Mesenbrink FREDERICH J. H. MESENBRINK Frederich J. H. Mesenbrink was born April 21, 1889 in Hanover Township, Crawford County, Iowa, to Emil H. and Johanna Hindricksen Mesenbrink. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Hanover Township. In the year 1914, he moved with his parents to Charter Oak, helping his father with his drayman's business. He also helped with a steam threshing crew with his father and Uncle Bill Mesenbrink. He was very mechanically inclined doing repairs on machinery and was a mechanic all his life. He and his family were very talented musically and would play at dances and other occasions. On January 29, 1924 he was united in marriage to Bernice D. Willhite of Ute, Iowa. They made their home first in Charter Oak where Madeline was born April 21, 1925 and Charlotte on September 23, 1925(?). They then moved to Ricketts, Iowa where Dorothy was born November 23, 1930, Frederich Jr. July 18, 1934 and David April 14, 1940. Fred worked in Ricketts as an auto mechanic and on the County Road Maintainence. In 1941, they moved back to Charter Oak and resided there until his death, September 25, 1961. A few years later, his wife sold the home in Charter Oak and is presently living in BEnnington, Nebraska. Madeline Hazard lives in Sioux City; Charlotte Heard lives in Boonville, Missouri; Dorothy Champ lives in Bennington, Nebraska; and David in Portland, Oregon. Frederich Jr. died August 13, 1968. Bernice Willhite Mesenbrink is presently 80 years of age and has 14 grandchildren and 14 great-granchildren. by Dorothy Mesenbrink Champ This concludes the histories---now on to the Henry family mystery! ATHUR BY:JACKIE
|