Howard County IN Archives Biographies.....Recknagel, Albert 1867 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 15, 2006, 12:43 am

Author: Jackson Morrow

ALBERT RECKNAGEL.

   The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and incentives to
those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The examples they furnish of patient
purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly illustrate what is in the power of
each to accomplish. The gentleman whose life story herewith is briefly set forth
is a conspicuous example of one who has lived to good purpose and achieved a
definite degree of success in the special sphere to which his talents and
energies have been devoted. As the name indicates, Albert Recknagel is of German
origin, although born and reared on American soil and a loyal citizen of the
state in which he lives. His father, who also bore the name of Albert Recknagel,
came to this country when a young man from his native land of Bavaria and
shortly after his arrival married Barbara Buckelmueller. who was born also in
Bavaria, both having settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after coming to this
country, where their nuptials were afterward celebrated.

   Albert Recknagel was born in the above city on December 31, 1867, and
received a good education in the graded schools, this training being
supplemented by a course in the Spencerian Commercial College, from which he was
graduated in the year 1882. His natural inclinations being in the direction of
mechanism, he early gave free rein to the same by entering the Brand Stove Works
of Milwaukee for the purpose of learning stove mounting, at which he was
required to serve a four years' apprenticeship. By diligent application he soon
became quite a skillful workman, and having mastered the trade within the period
specified he entered the employ of the company and continued with the same until
resigning his position some time later to take charge of the steel range
department of the Eclipse Stove Company at Mansfield. Ohio. After remaining with
the latter enterprise until 1900 he severed his connection with his employers
and went to St. Louis, Missouri, where, in June of that year, he accepted the
superintendency of the Artistic Enamel Works, which manufactured the Enamel
steel range, a position of great responsibility and trust, calling for much more
than ordinary ability and tact, to say nothing of the technical training and
practical efficiency required. That Mr. Recknagel fully met these requirements
and justified the company in the wisdom of his choice is indicated by the four
years of faithful service he rendered the company and the high esteem in which
he was held by the management and those under him.

   Resigning in June, 1904, the place which he had so ably and conscientiously
filled, Mr. Recknagel came to Kokomo and became superintendent of the mounting
department of the Globe Stove and Range Company, which he held until January 1,
1908, when he was promoted to the higher and more responsible post of general
superintendent, the duties of which he has since discharged with credit to
himself and to the entire satisfaction of the firm, his career since coming to
this city presenting a series of continued successes that have won him honorable
repute and high standing among the representative men of his calling throughout
the country.

   When a young man Mr. Recknagel not only aimed to be a master of his craft,
but to prove faithful to his employers by always making their interests his own.
To these ends he has given at all times loyal and conscientious attention, and
to all details of the work in his charge, which accounts for the pronounced
success that has characterized his administration of the different plants where
he has been engaged and for the confidence that has always obtained between
himself and his superiors. At this time he is considered one of the most trusted
and valuable employes of the large company with which he is identified, standing
high in the confidence and esteem of the officials, while his relations with
those under him have always been pleasant and agreable and devoid of the
friction that is frequently engendered in the large industrial establishments by
the arbitrary manner of those intrusted with the power of management and
leadership. Mr. Recknagel is a shrewd reader of human nature and a natural
leader, his ability begetting confidence on the part of the employes, while his
thorough mastery of his trade and familiarity with every detail of the stove
business make him especially-valuable as the manager of large and important
interests.

   Mr. Recknagel possesses strong domestic tastes and takes much pleasure in his
beautiful home at No. 28 West Broadway, which is presided over by the
intelligent and estimable lady whom he married in Milwaukee, and who previous to
her marriage bore the name of Julia Wortkotter. She was born and reared in that
city and received her educational training in Notre Dame Convent at Milwaukee,
and her intelligence and culture fit her to move in the best social circles of
the city in which she now lives. She, too, is of German descent and belongs to
one of the well known and widely esteemed families of Milwaukee, where her
people have resided for a number of years.

   Mr. Recknagel takes great interest in secret fraternities and benevolent work
and has attained to high standing in several orders, notably the Masonic
brotherhood, in which he has reached the thirty-second degree, besides holding
important official stations in the intermediate branches of the order. At this
time lie has the honor of serving as worshipful master of Howard Lodge, No. 93,
and also holds the office of scribe of the chapter, conductor of the council and
the position of third guard in the commandery. His deep interest in and close
study of Masonry is attested by the fact of his having attained to his present
eminent standing in the order within the past two and a half years, his rapid
advancement bearing evidence of his energy, faithfulness and the love he has for
the most ancient and honorable of all fraternal societies. He is also identified
with the Knights of Pythias, and manifests an abiding interest in even-thing
that makes for its advancement, being an active and influential worker, besides
holding official positions from time to time. Politically he is a Republican,
but not a partisan; neither does he take a very active part in the councils of
his party beyond voting his principles and defending the soundness of his
opinions on the questions of the clay. Personally he is affable and popular with
the people of his adopted city and ready at all times to encourage and aid all
laudable measures and enterprises for the general good. By a life consistent in
motive and because of his many fine qualities he has earned the sincere regard
of all who know him, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespeaks
for him continued advancements and the higher sphere of usefulness in the
industrial world to which in due time he will doubtless be called.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)


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