Louis Henkell, who for thirty years has engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery at Granville, was born in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, January 13, 1843. His father, John C. Henkell, was a native of Germany, born November 28, 1807, and it was subsequent to his emigration to America, when he was twenty-eight years of age, that he was married to Miss Catherine Elizabeth Shaffer, who was born in Germany, May 8, 1814, and came to the new world with her parents, who settled in Pennsylvania not far from Baltimore. Mr. Henkell had taken up his abode in that city and was employed in a packing house, where he won promotion until he became foreman. He afterwards went to St. Louis, Missouri, and to other places in charge of work for the firm. In his early life he worked at the millwright's trade. In 1862 he arrived in Putnam county, Illinois, and engaged in the butchering business in Granville. The present home of his son Louis was purchased by him from G. R. Henderson. He continued actively in the butchering business until he had acquired a comfortable competence and then retired permanently from commercial pursuits. He was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church. His political views were in harmony with the principles of democracy, but he took no active part in politics. He died in Granville in November, 1873, and was long survived by his wife, who passed away here June 3, 1892. In their family were seven children, all but two of whom were born in Baltimore, while four are now living: Henry, who is in the employ of the Big Four Railroad company and resides in Ohio; Louis, of this review; Helen and Elizabeth, who are living with Dr. Henkell.
The Doctor was a youth of thirteen years when his parents removed from Baltimore to a farm in Pennsylvania and he was thus engaged in the work of field and meadow until the family came to Illinois. In this state he was employed at farm labor at a wage of thirteen dollars a month. Later he learned the shoemaker's trade and when the war was inaugurated he bought a shoe shop from an old man who went into the army. He, however, sold this when the former owner returned and later Dr. Henkell gave his attention to farm labor and to the butchering business. Having obtained a good knowledge of anatomy through his experience in the butchering business, he became quite proficient in caring for sick animals and through the advice of Dr. Holsburg he purchased books and read extensively upon the subject of veterinary surgery. Subsequently he began devoting his entire attention to this work, which he has since followed with good success. His experience has given him superiority in the treatment of many cases and his practice extends over a wide area. He is often called as far as Depue and his business is of a most profitable nature.
Where state and national issues are involved Dr. Henkell gives his political allegiance to the democracy, but at local elections always votes for the man who in his judgment is the most competent candidate and will prove most acceptable in office. He has been prominently identified with public affairs in Granville and has been a member of the village board for a number of years, while in 1903 and 1904 he served as its president. He has also been justice of the peace for eight years and notary public for two years and is acting in the latter capacity at the present time. He takes a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of the town and his advice is often sought on matters relating to the general good. He is far-sighted and his judgment is sound and reliable, while his devotion to the welfare of the community is above question.
Source: Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois authored by John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne in 1907, page 460.
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