Charles Henkel
|
Charles Henkel, 73, designer of many of the cases made by the Estey Organ Co. 40 years. died Wednesday morning in his home, 53 Frost street, after a long period of failing health. He was ill with pneumonia three years ago and at that time left the employ of the organ company. He had gradually failed for some time and death was due to a general breaking down. Mr. Henkel was born in Germany, near Newstadt, a son of Johann and Annie Elizabeth (Paush) Henkel. With his parents he came to America as a boy, and during his early life in New York attended art schools and was an apprentice under Plassman, the foremost wood carver of his day. He was active as a member of Turn Verein and in young manhood traveled with a body of Turn Verein members, giving athletic exhibitions in many of the large cities of the country. He located in Springfield, Mass., where he had a wood carving shop. He did much wood carving for prominent members of that city. He was also prominent in Turn Verein activitis there. At about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war je was working in Green River and there had a class of young men whome he drilled in athletic and military movements. He had a wood carving shop at one time in the Harmony building in Brattleboro and at another time at the corner of Main and High streets before the present Brooks House and then went to Norwich, Conn., where he was superintendent of a shop for a short time. |
He returned to the employ of the Estey company as a wood carver and designer and in later years devoted his time entirely to designing. Some of the organs he designed and carved were for foreign trade and one was on exhibit at the world's fair in Chicago. Mr. Henkel contiuned with the company until taken ill with pneumonia three years ago, when he was forced to give up active employment. He had been with the company 48 years and was one of the oldest men in point of service at the time he retired. Mr. Henkel married Jan. 7, 1868, Annie Lillis of Brattleboro, and eight children were born to them, seven of whom, with his wife, survive. The are Carl W., Mrs. Horton D. Walker and Mrs. Annie Ward of Brattleboro, Louis H. of Omaha, Neb., Dr. Edwaqrd J. and Paul Revere of New York, and Walter F. of Schenectady, N.Y. He leaves also six grandchildren, Grazia and Carla, daughters of Carl W., Harold and Stanley, sons of Louis, and Karl and Paul Revere, jr., sons of Paul Revere Henkel. One brother, John Henkel of Springfield, Mass., and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Holle of Cleveland, O., also survive. In the Masonic fraternity he was a member of the Columbian lodge, Fort Dummer chapter, Connecticut Valley council and Beauseant commandery of Brattleboro and Mount Sinai Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Montpelier. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the house, Rev. Roy M. Houghton of the Congregational church officiating. The service will be in the charge of the Knights Templar amd the burial will take place in Prospect Hill cemetary. Vermont Phoenix, November 5, 1915 |
Sources