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History: Hentzel Family Part Two

Hentzel Wedding Anniversary Among 1920 Donnellson Social Events

Editors Note: Recent donated items to Donnellson Vision, Inc. have spurred the research of another Donnellson family.
Diane Kruse compiled this story with the help of the Donnellson Library Genealogy Department.


The year was 1897. The Hentzels and their three youngest children Irwin, Aaron and Martha, left their homestead near Primrose, Iowa and moved to the small town of Donnellson. The town started its growth in 1871 when it was selected as the site for the railroad which ran from Ft. Madison to Farmington. It was a hub of activity after it became incorporated in 1892 and businesses began to spring up everywhere. According to information on file, Henry, with two of his sons Irwin and Aaron, opened a general merchandizing store, including groceries, the year they moved to town. Although no documentation is on file to indicate where their business first existed, it is documented that in 1902 they erected a building for their grocery and general merchandizing business which they conducted through the year of 1912. Based on early Donnellson Review advertisements, it appears that H.L. Hentzel & Sons prospered over the years since they advertised not only the usual grocery items but also offered the services of tailor-made items by Strauss Brothers, Master Tailors in Chicago, as well as ready-made items to dress every family member from head to toe. The many items offered at Hentzel & Sons were hats, dry goods, notions, shirts, shoes, hosiery, and fancy and staple groceries. During each year with the change of seasons they offered "unparallel bargains in every department" so they could clear their inventory and restock for the upcoming season; they even offered free gifts to customers from time to time. During the week February 8-11, 1911, they offered a free gift to their lady customers stating that "we will present to every lady trading at our store during this sale a handsome Gypsy Souvenir Metal tray, the best souvenir ever produced. We are anxious that all our lady customers shall receive one of these trays and as the quantity is limited, advised you come early". Here is a picture of the tray given away at that sale.

~ Courtesy of Henry C
Hentzel; photo by Diane Kruse.


In the January 2, 1913 issue of The Donnellson Review, the Hentzel business placed an advertisement for a close-out sale; in March of 1913, Mr. Fred Williamson and Carl Watts purchased the general merchandise store of Mr. Hentzel. After that, the Hentzel Building changed hands many times, as shown in the below summary of various owners listed in the Donnellson, Iowa Centennial 1881-1981.

 

 

 

~ Photo courtesy of Henry C. Hentzel, great grandson of
H. L. Hentzel

The Watts Co. advertised shoes, dry goods, dress goods, and men's furnishings as well as groceries. Produce was taken in exchange. Mr. Williamson remained across the street in the Theroff Building to sell jewelry and repair watches. Mr. Williamson and Mr. Watts closed out their general store and Mr. Williamson established a drug store with fountain. In 1920, Williamson and C.A. "Red" Clemons became partners. The partnership was dissolved in 1921.

Mr. O.D. Wirsig traded his farm holdings for the Williamson store and property in July 1926. Mr. Wirsig served the citizens until his death in 1943. Mr. and Mrs. Karl Gebhardt bought the store from Mrs. Wirsig and opened for business in January 1946. Gebhardt's Drug Store was in operation for approximately 25 years.

Terry Perrenoud bought the building in 1975 and established his painting and decorating business. In 1977 Perrenoud sold the Hentzel building to Dan Jessen and Tom Reavely. J & R Workwear was established. The business closed in 1979. In August 1979, Benjamin's Apothecary started operation. The owner was Vernon Benjamin of West Point; the Donnellson pharmacist was Douglas Delperdang with Steve Gillespie working part-time.

The H.L. Hentzel building is located at 418 Main St. and is now owned by Jennifer and Jim Dawson. Regional Home Health Care, Inc. is the business that has occupied the space since Benjamin's Apothecary moved to another location.


Mr. & Mrs. Hentzel Celebrate their Golden Anniversary

According to The Donnellson Review article dated September 11, 1920, one of the most notable social events that ever occurred in the town of Donnellson was the celebration of the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Henry L. Hentzel on Wednesday, September 8, 1920.

At the appointed time on that Wednesday, the Hentzel family and guests gathered in the home of the aged couple to celebrate this special occasion with a dinner prepared by various family members. Along with the family members and guests present there was the Rev. Dr. W.W. Tait, and his wife; just before the dinner, Dr. Tait made a short address and offered prayer.

~ Photo courtesy of Henry Charles Hentzel, son of Roy Hentzel and great-grandson of Henry Hentzel. Picture taken September 8, 1920 by Freshwater Photographers, Farmington, Iowa

 

 

 

 

The guests present on this occasion were as follows. Front Row Left to Right: John Wardlow, children Ellis Wardlow, Inez Wardlow, wife Mary Hentzel Wardlow, Ed Hentzel, Dora Becker Hentzel, Mary Schwartz (Grandma Hentzel's sister), William Miller, Martha Muller Hentzel, Henry L. Hentzel, Amanda ("Nina or Minnie") Hentzel Naumann (Henry's sister), Irwin Hentzel, daughter Irvina Hentzel, Clara Fett Hentzel, Ella Weber Hentzel (holding baby), Angeline Hentzel, Ellarona Hentzel.Violet Jean Hentzel, Aaron Hentzel, Mrs. Tait, Rev Tait. Back Row Left to Right: Dorr Anderson, Naiomi Hentzel Anderson, Ethel Becker Auwaerter w/baby William Auwaerter, Martha Wardlow, Esta Hentzel, Aaron Becker, Mattie Hentzel Wallingford, Ellis Wallingford, Dewey Naumann (H.L. Hentzel nephew), Dehlia Hentzel, Ernest Runkle (Macomb, IL), Marvin Hentzel, Roy Hentzel, Omar Hentzel, Leslie Becker (partially hidden) Viola Becker, Gladys Hentzel


The Last Chapter in the Life Story of an Old and Respected Donnellson Couple

For 27 years Mr. and Mrs. Hentzel lived on their farmstead near Primrose, Iowa; for 23 years they lived in the small town of Donnellson. The old house where Henry grew up and then lived with his own family no longer exists. According to an interview with Dwight H. Krebill, whose father purchased the farmstead in 1915 and which remains in the Krebill family today, stated that the remains of 'that old house' as he called it, was bulldozed and buried in 1999 but that the old barn and another out building remain standing. Dwight loaned a photo of the farmstead as it looked in 1960. Although more than 100 years had passed at that time, the house and many of the outbuildings remained as part of the farmstead. The house where the Hentzels lived in town still exists today and is located on University and Maple Sts.

                                             

~ Photo courtesy of Dwight ~ Photo courtesy of the Donnellson                                        H. Krebill Genealogy Dept. Hentzel file


Less than three years after the couple's most celebrated occasion in Donnellson, Martha Miller Hentzel departed this life on April 1, 1923 at her home after a lingering illness. Her obituary notes that "at the early age of three years she came with her parents to Franklin, Lee County Iowa, and lived at that place for four years, later moving to Burlington, Iowa…. She was a willing worker and did more than she talked. With her husband and children, her's was a spirit of togetherness…. Her last ministries were as she would have them - with and near those whom she loved and trusted…. Mrs. Hentzel was a most beloved woman and will be greatly missed by a host of neighbors and friends." The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church Tuesday afternoon, April 3, 9123 at 2:00 o'clock. Rev. Dr. Talbott of the First Presbyterian Church of Keokuk officiated. Interment was made in the Donnell Cemetery. Pall bearers were George Mattern, B.F. Warren, A.A. Wirsig, E.C. Lynn, J.H. Vermazen and J.E. Krieger.

Henry Louis Hentzel went on to his heavenly reward just one short week later on April 8, 1923. His obituary describes Henry "as short of stature and for years wore a goatee. He was a staunch Republican and was elected mayor of Donnellson from 1900-1904; he was an elder in the St. Paul Evangelical Church. His fair and upright dealings with his fellowmen in business as well as social life had won for him the high esteem in which he was held." The funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday afternoon, April 10, 1923 at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. De Berg, pastor of the church officiating. Interment was made in the Donnell Cemetery.

  Thus ends the last chapter in the life story of another of Donnellson's old and respected citizens.


  The third and final chapter of the Hentzel family will tell about their children and how they lived their lives
  and prospered through the years.

  Editors Note: In Part I of the Hentzel story, wrong family information was stated about the Hennies family
  who traveled on the S.S. Hansa with the Hentzel family from Bremen, Germany. Although Christian Hennies
  was married to a Dorothea Hennies (maiden name unknown), it was stated that he was married to Dora
  Bank Hennies.


Henry Hennies, who traveled with his parents Christian and Dorothea Hennies and brother August, was married to Dorothea (Dora) Banks Hennies on April 24, 1861.
 

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