Vermilion County IL Archives Biographies.....DEPKE, Henry F January 21, 1857 - March 3, 1940
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Herb Depke hdepke@bellsouth.net May 8, 2006, 7:10 pm

Author: Lottie Jones

History of Vermilion County Illinois, Vol. II, Lottie Jones, 1911, pages 752-
753:
Corrections: 
Breamer is properly spelled BREMER.
Kreutzberg is properly spelled KREUZBURG
Children of John Henry & Sophia Bremer Depke - 12 have been identified

Henry F. Depke, conducting an extensive bottling business at No.8 Jack¬son 
street in Danville, was born near Homewood, Cook county, Illinois, on the 21st 
of January, 1857. His parents, Henry and Sophia (Breamer) Depke, both of whom 
were natives of Germany, emigrated to the United States at an early day. After 
landing in this country the father worked as foreman on a plantation New 
Orleans for several years. About 1850 he wedded Miss Sophia Breamer, then a 
resident of Cook county, Illinois. Following that important event in his life 
he entered a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government 
and took up his abode thereon, devoting his attention to its cultivation and 
improvement throughout his active career. He passed away on the 26th of June, 
1888, being survived for more than two decades by his wife, who was called to 
her final rest on the 10th of  March, 1910.

Unto them were born eleven children, as follows: John F., who died on the 26th 
of October, 1903; William H., who passed away in February, 1909; Mary, who 
died when six years of age; Henry F., of this review; Caroline, who passed 
away in, early life; George, whose demise occurred when he was a young man of 
twenty; Richard, who is married and acts as justice of the peace at Danville; 
Sophia; who died when twenty-seven years of age; Charles; who is engaged in 
business at No. 11 Jackson street; Frederick, who passed away in early. life; 
and Minnie, who died in infancy.

Henry F. Depke remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age 
and then worked for his brother for four years. On the expiration of that 
period he embarked in business on his own account as a wholesale dealer, 
representing the Finley Brewing Company of Toledo, Ohio, with which concern 
has thus been connected almost continuously to the present time. His 
establishment is located at No. 8 Jackson street in Danville, and he is 
extensively engaged in the bottling business, handling all kinds of soft 
drinks. He is the owner of six fine properties in Danville area and also has a 
twenty-acre tract of very valuable land near the city. He is now acting as 
president of the Building Association, having served as vice president for 
many years and succeeding to the presidency on the death of Gottlieb Maier.

On the 10th of June, 1884, Mr. Depke was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary 
Sieferman, a daughter of Anselm and Agatha (Kreutzberg) Sieferman, both of 
whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States 
at an early day, first locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained until 
1868, which year witnessed their arrival in Danville, Illinois. Here the 
father successfully carried on business as a cigar manufacturer until 1900, 
when he tired from active life, spending his remaining days in well earned 
ease. At the time of his death, which occurred in Danville on the 7th of 
February, 1909, he was the owner of the Tremont Hotel and also of a fine 
residence in this city. His widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Depke are the 
parents of two children, as follows: George A., who was born on the 22d of 
April, 1885; and Edwin C., whose natal day was March 12, 1888.

In politics Mr. Depke is independent, preferring to exercise his right of 
franchise as his judgment dictates. He has served as assistant supervisor for 
three years and is widely recognized as a most public-spirited and 
enterprising citizen. He is a Lutheran in religious faith. Mr. Depke 
attributes his success in large measure to the cooperation and assistance of 
his estimable wife, who has proved a cheerful helpmate as well as companion to 
him. He has made steady progress as the years have gone by and has achieved a 
measure of prosperity which is most creditable. Moreover, his business methods 
have ever been honorable and reliable, winning for him the respect and good 
will of his fellowmen.


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