HENRY C. WILKE (d. 1951)

Henry C. Wilke, Banker, Is Dead At Two Rivers
Two Rivers—In failing health for the past five years, H.C. Wilke, 74,
1413 25th street, associated with the Bank of Two Rivers for 45 years,
its president since 1937 and a former member of the state banking board
of review, died at the Two Rivers Municipal hospital Monday evening. He
had been a patient at the hospital since late May.
The widely known civic leader had been active in his capacity as head
of the banking institution until three years ago when his illness became
more serious.
Funeral services will be held at St. John Lutheran church at 2 p.m.
Thursday, The Rev. W. G. Haase officiating. Interment will be in Pioneers’
Rest cemetery.
Henry C. Wilke was born in the town of Two Rivers on June 8, 1877, a son
of the late Henry and Elizabeth Krumdick Wilke. He assisted his father
in the operation of the farm and as a boy attended the district school.
He entered Two Rivers high school from which he was graduated with the
class of 1896.
After graduation from the high school, Mr. Wilke entered a teaching career,
serving his home school, known as the Goedjen district. For five years,
he taught at the Townline school, the Schwantes district and served the
remaining three years at the Rangeline school.
With Bank Since 1906
In June 1906, the banker accepted a position as principal of the graded
school on the west side in Manitowoc, but resigned before the term began
to become bookkeeper at the Bank of Two Rivers. Two years later, in 1908,
Mr. Wilke was elevated to the position of cashier in that institution. In
1920 Mr. Wilke, retaining his position as cashier, was made vice president
of the bank and 17 years later, in 1937, became president, a position
which he held until his death. For more than 35 years, he was a director
of the establishment.
Widely known in state banking circles, Mr. Wilke also took a deep interest
in civic undertakings. Also intensely interested in education, Mr. Wilke
served as president of the Manitowoc County Teachers association in 1902
and 1903. When the board of vocational education was established in Two
Rivers, he was a member of the original board and served continuously for
18 years until his resignation, because of the pressure of other
activities.
He also served as the treasurer of the Joseph Mann library board for 15
years.
For a period of 13 years, the late bank president of the Manitowoc county
teachers’ training school board. He was also a vice president and a
director
of the Manitowoc Citizens Loan and investment company for many years. Also
widely known as a historian, he wrote the history of the Two Rivers
township
in 1903.
Named To State Board
In 1943 the late Gov. Walter S. Goodland appointed Mr. Wilke to the state
banking review board and was reappointed for a second five year term in
1948. Because of ill health, he resigned from the board soon after his
reappointment.
Mr. Wilke was charter member of the Two Rivers Rotary club, predecessor of
the Chamber of Commerce, for many years. He was also one of the earliest
members of the Lutheran Men’s club.
In 1906, he was married at Melrose, Minn., to Miss Minnie Newman of that
city,
who survives him with two daughters, Mrs. Richard L. (Ernestine) Strout and
Mrs. Albert F. (Elizabeth) Murray, both of Washington, D.C. He also leaves
a sister, Mrs. Otto H. Engel, of Manitowoc, and five grandchildren.
Friends may call at the Beduhn, Deja & Martin Inc., from 2 p.m. Wednesday
until 10 a.m. Thursday when the body will be taken to St. John church where
it will lie in state until the hour of services.
The family has requested flowers be omitted, but that monetary offerings
would
be accepted by Mrs. Wilke for the Wisconsin Association for the Disabled.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Tuesday, September 4, 1951
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[Henry Carl Wilke]