Obit of Henry HANKEN, Racine County, WI
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives February 11, 2001 by Joan
Hayward Helm < pjhelm@pcpartner.net >
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Henry Hanken Obituary
  Surnames:  Henken, Hanken, Buckindale, Biffendahl, Rastall, Kincaid,
             Quarles, Bittinger

(Henry Henken 04 June 1826-18 September 1906 - This is a typed copy of
a Racine newspaper clipping.  No date or name of newspaper was given.
Have typed copy in my files)

LAST SURVIVOR OF MEXICAN WAR HENRY HANKEN PASSES PEACEFULLY AWAY AFTER
LONG, EVENTFUL LIFE.

Born in Germany he came to America in 1844 and walked from Milwaukee to
Racine - served both Mexican and Civil War.

Henry Hanken, one of Racine's oldest residents and the city's last
survivor of the Mexican war, died this morning at his home, 1207 North
Wisconsin Street, at the advanced age of 80 years.

Mr. Hanken was born in Germany, June 4, 1826, and came to Racine in 
1844, after spending several years as a salt water sailor.  In this
city he learned the trade of a bricklayer and built many of the old
residences and business blocks which still stand as an example of the
architecture of fifty years ago.

In the spring of 1847 with the breaking out of the Mexican war, he
volunteered and went as a private in Company F, of the Fifteenth
regiment under Capt. Quarles of Kenosha.  He, went through the entire
campaign that marked that short but eventful struggle, and was one of
the soldiers which formed the army invasion that captured the City of
Mexico.

A CIVIL WAR VETERAN

Mr. Hanken served also through the entire civil war and was an Indian
fighter at various times previous to that struggle.  He was honorably
discharged from the Union army as a hospital stewart, having served
some time in the post hospital at Madison.

He was married twice, his first wife whom he wed in 1849, and by whom
was born several children, having died a number of years ago.

His second marriage occurred in 1895, when he married Miss Jennie
Kincaid, who still lives, while five children and a score of grandchildren and great grandchildren are left to mourn the loss of a
kind and generous father.  His surviving children are Mrs. Catherine
Biffendahl of Detroit, Henry and Jacob Hanken of this city, Mrs. Anna
Bittinger and Mrs. Agnes Rastall, also of Racine.

A REMARKABLE MAN

In many ways Henry Hanken was a most remarkable man.  His war service
contains a record that is very seldom duplicated and his memory of
incidents and dates relative to those stirring times was ever a source
of great delight to his many friends and acquaintances.

Coming to this country a poor German boy and being compelled to walk
from Milwaukee to Racine he arrived here penniless, but with grit and
determination peculiar to his race he prospered, and in fifty years
became a man of means and considerable local importance.

The funeral will be held from the High street Catholic Church Friday
morning.