San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1118-1119
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/6/2010
THEODORE HENKE
A successful grain farmer, highly esteemed as one of the pioneers who contributed much, at the expense of years of toil and much personal sacrifice, toward making the prosperous and attractive San Joaquin County of today, is Theodore Henke, whose ranch interests are near Vernalis. He was born in Pomerania, near Berlin, Germany, on June 11, 1864, and spent his early years on his father's farm, enjoying some of the superior educational advantages for which his native land has so long been famous. In October, 1882 he came to America, and located on a farm at La Crosse, Wis., where he spent about three years prior to his coming to California. He remained in San Francisco until 1887, working at the carpenter's trade; and having taken up that handiwork, he made himself one of the most painstaking and accomplished of journeymen, always giving satisfaction by his honest labor. He had received, in blood and home-training, a priceless legacy from his parents, his father being Charles Henke, a native of Berlin, Germany, who passed away in that city on February 8, 1906, while his mother, who is still living in Pomerania, at the age of ninety-two, was Wilhelmine Basko before her marriage. Our subject was preceded to San Francisco by his brother, August, who came out to California in 1884.
In 1889, Mr. Henke took up grain farming near Vernalis, and he has owned his ranch since 1905. In 1889, too, he was married to Miss Eliza Gerlach, who was born in New York City, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. and Mary (Kruse) Gerlach, both of whom are now deceased, who were sturdy pioneers in Stockton and on the West Side of San Joaquin County. Three children have sprung from this fortunate union. Herman was born on September 14, 1895, and gave great promise to his many friends; but he was killed in an accident near Vernalis during the harvest season of 1916. Then came Olga, and after her Theodore, Jr. Besides his fine tract of 466 acres of grain-land, Mr. Henke owns valuable residence property in Tracy, evidence of his prosperity, the fruit of long industry and unimpeachable integrity. He was admitted to citizenship at Stockton in 1887.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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