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Subject: [KSLINCOL] Adolph Roenigk - 1938 death notice
Date: 9 Mar 2004 13:02:04 -0700

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Classification: Obituary

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ROENIGK --- Adolph ROENIGK
Lincoln Sentinel-Republican, March 17, 1938
---Adolph Roenigk, probably Lincoln's most
distinguished character and certainly its most widely
traveled, passed away Monday at 11:40 o'clock a.m. in
a Denver hospital, following an illness of several
weeks. Death was due to gangrene in his left foot with
which he had suffered since Feb. 22. With him when the
end came were his brother, Charles Roenigk of Clay
Center, Kan., and his nephew, Theo C. Rasmussen of
Morganville, Kan.
Coming to this community in the early days, Mr.
Roenigk worked at his trade as harness maker,
establishing a reputation for workmanship which
extended far and near. He was especially known for his
fine saddles and horse collar of Roenigk pattern and
sold them over a wide territory. He continued in his
trade and was actively engaged until the last few
years but even then, occasionally made a horse collar
or a bit of harness on special order. At one time he
was engaged in the mercantile business but sold out,
after a few months, to his partner.
Adolph Roenigk was one of the most colorful characters
of the early days. Born in Ufhoven, Thuringia,
Germany, in the year of 1847, he came to the United
States at the age of 13 years with his sister Louisa,
four years his senior. They came with the consent of
their parents with a resident of the United States who
was then visiting in Germany. The trip across the
Atlantic, half sail and half steam, required 17 days.
Settling on a farm in Wisconsin, the young people
worked for several years, going in 1864 to St. Louis.
With the ending of the Civil War, Louisa married and
with her husband, Mates Rasmussen, went by wagon route
to Manhattan, Kan. In the falll of 1866 Adolph Roenigk
made a trip up the Missouri river, coming to Manhattan
to visit his sister. In the summer of 1868 he came to
Kansas to make it his home.
In 1871, 11 years after his arrival in America, Adolph
Roenigk became a citizen of his adopted country. His
parents, three brothers and two sisters came from
Germany that same year to make their home in Clay
County, Kansas.
It was during these early years that Mr. Roenigk
worked for the Union Pacific railroad, helping to lay
the first ties across the prairies. While so engaged
he shared with other workers the experience of having
Indians attempt to prevent the laying of the track and
was shot through the lungs during an encounter with
the red men May 28, 1869. Buffalo were also numerous
at the time and great herds of them would occasionally
surround the railroad workers, causing them to retreat
to dugouts for safety.
At one time he was employed by the government, working
at Fort Harker, now Kanopolis.
Early in the 20th century, Mr. Roenigk felt the urge
to travel and see the far places of the world. This
urge resulted in a number of trips around the world to
nearly every country. Seeking the unusual in his
journeys, he collected many excellent curios and
exhibits of natural science as well as the arts of
various peoples. Most of these valuables he gave a few
years ago to the Fort Hays Teachers College. Friends
in this community treasure bits of previous stone and
other items he has given them.
Born in 1847, died in 1938, a span of more than 90
years, Mr. Roenigk's life was lived quietly, with deep
affection for his friends. His greatest contribution
to future generations was his invaluable book, "A
Pioneer History of Kansas," published in 1933 when the
writer was more than 85 years of age. This book tells
the story of Kansas as Mr. Roenigk saw it when he was
a young man and now through his eyes, others will see
the picture that has faded away. His memory will
remain a benediction.
Funeral services and burial for this pioneer will be
held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock in Clay Center and
interment will be in the cemetery there.

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