From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904 Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BERNARD WILLENBRINK Bernard Willenbrink is one of the substantial men of Colville and is now retired from active business enjoying the competence which his skill and enterprise have accumulated. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on November 20, 1846, the son of Antone and Agnes (Rabe) Willenbrink, natives of Germany, where they remained until the time of their death. Our subject received his education in Oldenburg, completing his training in the normal. Then he learned the carpenter trade and followed that until he came to America in 1866. He landed in CLeveland, Ohio, and there worked at his trade until 1873, when he removed to Cincinnati and entered the employ of a large casket and coffin manufactory. This continued until 1875 and the next two years he was at his trade of building. Then came a move to Iowa where he followed merchandising for one and one-half years. We next see him in Kansas City, Missouri, where he followed his trade until 1879. Mr. Willenbrink determined to try the mining country at this time and accordingly made wat to Leadville, Colorado, and in 1883, he went thence to San Francisco and later was in The Dalles. He journeyed from that place to Spokane and in 1885 came into the Colville valley. He took a pre-emption and in 1892 filed a homestead. In 1888, Mr. Willenbrink built the Standard grist mill and operated that in connection with ovweseeing his farms until 1901. His farms are well improved and are valuable estates. Mr. Willenbrink has the following brothers and sisters: Arnold, deceased, Antone, Carl, deceased, Francis, Katherine, Wilke, Josephine, Dina, Elizabeth, deceased. Our subject is an active Democrat and is keenly interested in the issues of local and state import. He is a devoted member of the Catholic church and is a man of substantial qualities and integrity. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.