Harmon Henkle, 1832 - 1905

HENKLE, HINKLE, WARTENBEE, LITTLER, RITCHEY, BOWER, ROCK

Posted By: Dave Jackson (email)
Date: 7/3/2005 at 01:30:17

Harmon Henkle of Hinkletown, Iowa County, Iowa: 1832 -1905

“No man has taken a more active or helpful interest than has the subject of this review, who has wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number. His business affairs have been not only a source of revenue to himself, but have also contributed to the general prosperity, and in many ways he has aided in the progress and improvement of this section of the State.” Genealogical and Biographical History - 1901

In 1859, Harmon Henkle moved from Richmond, Washington County, Iowa to Fillmore Township in Iowa County, just north of a settlement called Foote on a high plain near the English River. He farmed for two years at that site, then traded his farm for a saw mill built by Patrick W. Rock in the settlement. That was the beginning of a career of banking,lumber and merchandizing interests that would help build the success of several towns in Iowa and even one in Idaho. He lived in Iowa County from 1859 – 1872 at Henkletown (Hinkletown,) Foote P.O., which was named in his honor.

Harmon Henkle was born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 7, 1832, and is a son of George Washington Henkle. The grandfather also bore the name of George Henkle. The former, a native of Virginia, was a farmer by occupation and came westward to Iowa in 1840, settled in Washington County, where he entered upon land from the government and improved a farm, making his home thereon for many years. George Washington Henkle built one of the first general merchandizing stores in Richmond, Iowa, where young Harmon learned clerking duties at the store.

Harmon Henkle was the second child in his father's family and was eight years of age when he came with them to Iowa. He was reared and educated in Washington County, pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse there such as was common at the that time. After arriving at the age of maturity he was married in Washington County in 1854 to Lydia J. Wartenbee, a native of Ohio, who came in early girlhood to Iowa. To this marriage were born five children: three of whom are living: Ella, now the of E. M. Ritchey, of Keota; Watson D., who married Emma Hunter and is a farmer of Van Buren County; and Clara, the wife of E.E. Bower, a general merchant of Keota, carrying on business as a member of the firm Bowers & Sanders.

After his marriage Mr. Henkle located in Richmond, Washington County, where he followed carpentering until about 1859, when he removed to Fillmore Township, Iowa County. There he engaged in farming for two years and in the Spring of 1861 took up his abode at a place which has since been called Henkletown, trading his farm property for a saw mill on the east end of Henkletown that was erected and operated by Patrick Rock. He was then engaged in the manufacture of lumber until the close of the war (Civil War) and in the meantime he also turned his attention to general merchandizing, building the Henkle Pioneer General Store, and a new two-story home adjacent to the store and his sawmill. In 1869 he was a founder of the Union Horse Company, a vigilante group for early law enforcement that thrived for over 40 years in an area covering portions of Iowa, Keokuk and Washington Counties. He also conducted grain, farm implement and banking businesses at Henkletown. These interests he followed successfully until his removal to Keota.

In 1872 the town of Keota was laid out and Mr. Henkle became one of its first merchants, erecting the second or third building of the place. He and his partner removed their stock of goods from Henkletown and conducted a general store in Keota until 1886, and in addition carried on an extensive business under the firm name of Henkle, Littler & Company. This partnership with Nathan Littler of Washington, Iowa was maintained for several years. Henkle also began the first lumberyard in Kinross in 1879, as the town was being laid out.

About 1886 Henkle purchased a third interest in a steam grist mill at Keota, called the Keota Roller Mills and carried on general merchandising in connection with his milling interests, his enterprise contributing materially to the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the town. In August, 1891, he removed his mill to Weiser, Washington County, Idaho, where he conducted business until July, 1899, when he sold his interest and returned to Keokuk County, Iowa. Mr. Henkle has also been a factor in agricultural interests here, owning and operating a farm in Lafayette Township, adjoining Keota.

He became interested in banking affairs in the early history of Keota, starting the State Banking House of Henkle & Littler & Company in 1875, and as one of the first stockholders of the Keota Bank, which in 1899 was merged into the State Bank. Of this institution he has been the vice-president for many years and its successful conduct is due in no small degree to his efforts. He has valuable property in the town and in all his business affairs has met with creditable success. His prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts and as the architect of his fortunes he has built wisely and well.

Mr. Henkle is known as a prominent and exemplary Mason, belonging to Adelphi Lodge No. 333, Free and Accepted Masons. His connection with the fraternity dates from 1863. From the early days at Henkletown, he was treasurer of the lodge in Greene Township, Iowa County and in his life shows forth the helpful and benevolent spirit of the craft. He is also member and one of the trustees of the Baptist Church.

Since the days of the Civil War he has been a staunch Republican in his political views and has held a number of local offices in this township. No man has taken a more active or helpful interest than has the subject of this review, who has wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number. His business affairs have been not only a source of revenue to himself, but have also contributed to the general prosperity, and in many ways he has aided in the progress and improvement of this section of the State. Patriotism may well be termed one of the keynotes of his character and among Keokuk County's valued citizens he deserves honorable mention.

NOTE: Henkle and his partner started the first Bank in Keota in 1875, called "The State Banking House of Henkle & Littler & Company." Henkle opened lumber yards in Hinkletown, Keota and Kinross. The first public school in Keota operated in Henkle's lumberyard offices. He was also a member of the school board in 1888. Henkle was a director of the Eagle Glass Works in Keota, and the Acme Butter Company that operated in Washington County, Iowa. Henkle shared his success by developing several business partners who also moved from Washington County to Hinkletown at an early time, and then on to Keota when he developed businesses there. He also had hardware, furniture and undertaking businesses in Keota and Kinross. For many years the Henkle name was connected to success, honesty and trust in several towns within Iowa and Keokuk Counties.

Information from the 1903 Biographical and Genealogical History of Keokuk County, the Keota Centennial History 1873 - 1973, the 1888 Special Edition of the Keota Eagle newspaper, and the 1905 obituary that comprised much of the front page of the Keota Eagle.

Extensive biographical obituary with photo and additional information at:
http://www.iowa-history.com/hhenkle.html

History of Hinkletown, Iowa at: http://www.hinkletown.com