Biographical Sketch of

Jacob Wegenke

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 573 - 574


Jacob A. Wegenke, a prominent farmer of the town of Crystal Lake, Marquette County, residing on section 15, 
has passed his entire life in America on that farm.  He is of German birth, having opened his eyes to the 
light of day in the Province of Posen, July 22, 1842.  His father, Andrew Wegenke, was born in the same province 
about the year 1806, and on attaining to mature years was joined in wedlock with Anna Missal.  Their family 
numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely:  Joseph. George, John, Justine, Minnie, Rosalie, 
Jacob A., and Otillie.  All are now living with the exception of Rosalie, who died in 1870.  Mr. Wegenke followed 
the occupation of farming throughout his entire life and became a prosperous citizen.  He died in the faith of 
the Catholic Church of which he had always been a member, in 1859, and his wife survived him but three weeks, 
when she too was called home.

The boyhood days of our subject passed uneventfully, he assisting his father in the labors of the farm and 
attending the district schools.  At length he determined to seek a home in the new world.  His parents were both 
dead and bidding good bye to the other members of the family, he sailed for America in 1865, when twenty-three 
years of age.  He landed safely at Castle Garden on June 3, of that year and at once resumed his journey, his 
destination being Marquette County.  His first purchase of land consisted of 140 acres, constituting the farm 
on which he now makes his home.  He taught German in the schools of Crystal Lake for two years, but with the 
exception of that time has devoted his entire attention to general farming, and is now numbered among the 
well-to-do citizens of the town.  During his residence in this community he has been called upon to serve as 
Township Clerk for four years, was Side Supervisor and Assessor, and for the past ten years has been Township 
Chairman, and is the present incumbent of that office.  Fidelity and promptness characterized the discharge of 
his official duties, as uprightness and integrity have his business career, and it is needles to say won the 
confidence of all concerned.  He is also the able and efficient Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, which position he has also held ten years.  He supports the Democratic party in politics and is a 
member of the Catholic Church, and one of the most influential men of the community.

Mr. Wegenke was united in marriage with Miss Ottilie Kinzel, a native of Posen, Germany, and by their union have 
been born the following children:  Josephine, born June 28, 1870; Robert, born Nov. 2, 1872; Adolph, born April 
17, 1874; Henry, born April 1, 1876; Ella, born March 18, 1878; Agatha, born Feb.3, 1880; Lydia, born Oct 9, 1883; 
and Laura, born April 6, 1885.
 





Back to the Marquette Pages Menu