Henry Kunkel was the first of the Kunkel family to migrate to America from the Old World, and he paved the way for his 7 brothers and sisters. Born at Proviaz, Posen, Germany in Weisenberg Village, 30 miles from Posen, on 11 Feb. 1853,

Henry Kunkel was only 17 when he landed at Galveston with one dollar in his pocket. Although without money, without knowledge of the country, and unable to speak English, he nevertheless found a steading job in Washington County, TX. With his ten dollars a month salary and working on the side, he was able to save a $100 the first year, which he sent back to Germany for passage over for his parents, brothers, and sisters who arrived in Brenham in 1873

In the southern part of Texas the Kunkel family took up their new life.

Henry married Wilhelmina Junker at Brenham on 30 November 1877. Three years later the entire Kunkel family moved west, traveling in a covered wagon which required five weeks to reach West Texas. The Kunkels made a settlement and took up ranching 4 miles north of the present town of Olney. For the first few years Henry worked as a sheep herder and shearer for ranches in Archer, Throckmorton and Young Counties. Henry Kunkel, his family, and others built the schoolhouse in the Terrapin School district.

Mrs. Kunkel died in 1899. To this union, 10 children were born, eight were living at their father's death.

Mrs. Marie "Mary" [Brammer] Kugadt married Henry D. Kunkel on 17 March 1901 at Olney, Young County, Texas. Since here death in 1930, Kunkel made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Klenk. He had been in failing health since November.

The Kunkel family established St. Luke's Lutheran church, and the 4 brothers, Henry, Leopold, Julius and Adolph, were actively interested in the development of Olney. The large families of the Kunkels and the Wilhelms were united many times, the second generation providing five marriages between the two.

Henry Kunkel, the grand old pioneer of Olney, died at the age of 98, survived by 3 sons, Charles, Will and Ed Kunkel, 5 daughters: Mrs. Klenk, Mrs. Amelia Field, Mrs. Lee Conrad, Mrs. Lillie Minor, and Mrs. Herman Wilhelm.