Warneke, Christoph

SCHERMER, MATHIAS, BERSTERFELT, SCHNADT, STUMME, WILHESSE, STAHEHOOD, RICHMAN, BRUNS, MATHIAS, GRIESE, STEEGE, POOCK, GRIESE, KOELLING

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/22/2010 at 10:57:48

Christoph Warneke, a successful and progressive farmer of Maxfield townshiop, owning and operating one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, was born in Germany, October 25, 1854. He is a son of Conrad and Mary (Schermer) Warneke, both of whom lived and died in Germany. They had six children: Conrad, deceased; Otto, who resides in Chicago; Henry, who has passed away; Christoph, of this review; William, also deceased; and Mary, who died at the age of three. All were born in Germany and Christoph, Otto and Henry came to America.

Christoph Warneke acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and when he was eighteen years of age came to America, settling in New York city, where he reamined for one year. He went from there to the vicinity of Chicago, Illinois, settling thirty-five miles south of the city and following the blacksmith's trade there for a year and a half. In 1874 he moved to Bremer county, taking up his home on a farm in Maxfield township, where he has since resided, dividing his time between working at his trade and managing his agricultural interests. There were very few settlements within the borders of the township upon his arrival and he sharpened in his blacksmith shop most of the tools and implements which were used in making the improvements in the township. He has now one hundred and twenty acres of choice land, a large blacksmith shop in Readlyn and a comfortable home in the town and he is numbered among the most successful and able men in this locality.

In Maxfield township, June 20, 1879, Mr. Warneke married Miss Engel Mathias, who was born here June 22, 1860, a daughter of G.W. and Engel (Bersterfelt) Mathias, natives of Germany and pioneers in Maxfield township. They settled here in 1854 and are now residing in Westgate, Iowa. Thirteen children were born to their union: Mrs. Louisa Schnadt, of Dayton township; Mrs. Minnie Stumme, of Maxfield township; Mrs. Warneke, wife of the subject of this review; Mrs. Christina Wilhesse, deceased; William, of Westgate; Henry, a resident of Waterloo; Mrs. Sophia Stahehood, of Dayton township; Mrs. Mary Richman, of Maxfield township; Mrs. Emma Bruns and Mrs. Bertha Mathias, also of Maxfield township; Mrs. Anna Griese, of Readlyn; Mrs. Clara Steege, of Westgate; and Carl, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Warneke have become the parents of seven children: Louis, who was born October 27, 1880, and who is now residing in Maxfield township; Mrs. Lydia Poock, who was born October 4, 1882, and who makes her home in Maxfield township; Mrs. Engel Griese, who resides near Denver, Iowa; Henry, residing upon the home farm in Maxfield township; Mrs. Amanda Koelling, of Maxfield township; Metha, residing with her parents in Readlyn; and Otto, who was born July 15, 1896, and is now attending college at Oelwein.

Mr. Warneke is a member of St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church of Readlyn and is a democrat in his political views. He served one term as ssessor of Maxfield township and is interested in public affairs, supporting many movements for the betterment of the community. During the years of his residence here he has become widely known and has gained the esteem and respect of his neighbors as an able business man and useful citizen.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914