The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-11-04
DESIGNED ORGANS
FOR MANY YEARS
Charles Henkel, Formerly with the Es-
tey Organ Co. 48 Years, Died in
His Home This Morning.

Charles Henkel, 13, designer of many Of
the organ cases made by the Estey Organ
20. during 40 years, died this morn
ing in his home, 53 Frost street, after
long period of failing health He was i'll
with pneumonia three years ago and at
that time left the employ of the organ
company He had gradually failed for
some time and death was due to a general
breaking down.
Mr.. Henkel was born in Germany, near
Newstadt, son of Johann and Annie
Elizabeth (Paush) Henkel With his par
ents he came to America as a boy, and
during his early life in New York attend
ed art schools and was an apprentice under
Plassmann, the foremost wood carver of
his day. He was active as a member of
the Turn Nerein and in young manhood
Travelled with a body of Turn Verein mem
bers, giving athletic exhibitions in many
of the large cities of the country
He located in Springfield, Mass, where
he had a wood carving shop. He did much
wood carving. for prominent residents of
that city. He also was prominent in
Turn Nerein activities there. At about the
time of the outbreak of the Civil war he
was working in Green River and there had
a class OF young men whom he drilled in
athletic and military movements.
He had a wood carving shop at one time
in the Harmony building in Brattleboro
and at another time at the corner of Main
and High streets before the present Brooks
House building was erected He first en-
/ tered the employ of the Estey company
when 1t was located near the site of the
! old Brattleboro House and then went to
Norwich, Conn where he was superin-
tendent of a shop for a short time
/ IL 81 ~ -
company as wood carver and designer and
in later years devoted his time entirely to
designing. Some of the organs he de-
signed and carved were for foreign trade
and one was on exhibition at the world $
/ fair in Chicago. Mr. Henkel continued
with the company until taken i'll with
pneumonia three years ago, when he was
/ forced to give up active employment. He
had been with the company As years and
was one of the oldest men in point of ser
vice at the time he retired.
Mr. Henkel married Jan Z, 1868, Annie
Lillis of Brattleboro, and eight children
were born to them, seven of whom, with
his wife, survive. They are Carl W., Mrs
Horton D. Walker and Mrs Annie Ward
of Brattleboro, Louis H. of Omaha, Neb
DR.. Edward J, and Paul Revere of New
York, and Walter F. of Schenectady, Y
= hS ledNes dlso slA sIduuCuiluIen, OTd
zia and Carla, daughters of Carl W, Har
old and Stanley, SONS of Louis, and Kar
: and Paul Revere, jr., sons of Paul Re
we're Henkel. One brother, John Henke
.of Springfield, Mass, and one sister, Mrs
! Elizabeth Hole of Cleveland, O., also sur
vive
In the Masonic fraternity he was mem
! Der of Columbian lodge, Fort Dummel
: chapter, Connecticut Valley council anC
Beauseant commandery of Brattleboro an,
/ Mount Sinai Temple. Mobiles of the AIys
/ tic Shrine, of Montpelier
r The funeral will be held Sunday after
4 moon at go o'clock in the house, Rev
/ Roy NJ Houghton of the Congregations
church officiating. The service viii be il
charge of the knights Templar and tn
burial will take place in Prospect Hill
/, cemetery.