FONTANELLE NEWS

Henry Wilkening

In the death of Henry Wilkening, Sr., which occurred at his home three miles south of Fontanelle on Friday, March 16th, this community morns the loss of another of its highly respected pioneer settlers who came here when the right of settlement by white people was still being contested by the red men on the west side of the Missouri River. He assisted the Fontanelle colony in establishing itself during the trying years of its early existence and thus blaze the way for the splendid future development which our citizens together and with his prosperity are now enjoying. Mr. Wilkening was born in Lippe- Schaumburg, Germany, on December 19th, 1839, where he received his early training. In 1855 as a young lad he came with his parents and sisters to this country and settled temporarily at Quincy, Ill. In 1858 the family accompanied Henry Sprick, who had returned to Quincy to claim an older sister for his bride to the land of promise beyond the “big muddy.” He soon recognized the agricultural possibilities here and assisted his parents in establishing themselves upon a farm three miles southeast of Fontanelle which became his own upon death of his parents a number of years ago. In 1869 he followed the example of his brother-in-law, the late Henry Sprick, and returned to Quincy where he was united in marriage with Miss Friederika Bentrup on February 3rd, who followed him to his already established home in the “wild and wooly” west. By hard work and earnest endeavor the family has prospered and always enjoyed the highest esteem of all who came in contact with them. Five children were born to them of whom four, together with the bereaved widow, and thirteen grandchildren survive him. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon from the home and the local Lutheran church of which he was the last surviving charter member, at 2 o’clock amid the participation of a large circle of mourning relatives and friends. Interment was made in the family plot in the cemetery near the church. Rev. F. C. Schuldt officiated at the service. The surviving children are Mrs. George Schweder, Mrs. Henry Langhorst and Henry P. Wilkening, of Arlington route one.

#2-Tribune 22 Mar 1923

PIONEER CITIZEN OF FONTANELLE CALLED BY DEATH

Henry Wilkening, Sr., one of the real pioneers of Fontanelle, passed away last Friday morning after a lingering illness of nine months due to the infirmities of old age.

Deceased was born December 19, 1839, at Lindhorst, Lipte Schaumburg, Germany. He came to this country in 1855, settling at Quincy, Ill., and three years later followed the German colony that had come to Nebraska and settled three miles south of Fontanelle. Indians were common in those days and Mr. Wilkening engaged with his neighbors in fighting them on more than one occasion. He went back to Quincy in 1869 for his bride and was married on February 3rd to Miss Fredricks Bentrup and they made their home continuously all these years on the old homestead.

Mr. Wilkening was a fair minded and liberal man and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was energetic and a hard worker and acquired large land holdings and provided all his children with a farm. He was a charter member of the Fontanelle German Lutheran church and is the last of the original members to go. He was always active in the church. He is survived by four children, Mrs. George Schweder, Mrs. Henry Langhorst and Henry P. Wilkening of Fontanelle and William of Arlington. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. August Lallman.

The funeral was held Tuesday of this week. The services were held at the farm home at one o’clock and at two o’clock from the Fontanelle church.

#3-22 Mar., 1923 - The Enterprise - Henry Wilkening

PIONEER ANSWERS LAST CALL

Henry Wilkening of Fontanelle township was born in Lippe Schaumburg, Germany December 19, 1839, and in 1855, with his parents, he came to this country settling in Quincy, Ill. where they resided until 1858 when the family accompanied Henry Sprick to Fontanelle where they settled just south of this present townsite.

In 1869 he was married to Miss Frieda Bentrup, and to them five children were born, four of whom with the widow mourn the loss of a devoted husband and father who was called to his last reward on last Friday, March 16.

Funeral services were held on last Tuesday afternoon from the home and the local Lutheran church with Rev. F. C. Schuldt officiating.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #107524445