My Genealogy Hound

Joseph Noelke, ex-sheriff of Franklin County, was born in Huestreu, Germany, February 13, 1849, and is the son of E. and Clara (Lange) Noelke, natives of Huestreu, who with their family came from Germany in 1860, and located at Washington, Franklin Co., Mo., where they both died, he in 1875 and she in 1884. While in Germany the father was an engineer. To their marriage were born six children: Mary, who is now the wife of John Michaels; Henry, Theodore, Elizabeth, now wife of Henry Ernst, the owner of the Washington Greenhouse; and Reganna, who died in Germany. Henry served in the German army during the German-Austrian War, and participated in all the principal battles. He died at Washington, Mo., in 1884. The subject of this sketch, when a boy, began to learn the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked until 1876, when he located at New Haven, Franklin Co., Mo., and in connection with his trade engaged in the lumber business, in which he continued until 1878, when he abandoned that for the hotel business in New Haven. In 1884 he was elected sheriff of Franklin County. After serving one term, which was a very stormy one on account of the strike of the employes on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and in which Mr. Noelke proved his ability and efficiency as an officer, he was defeated for a second term of office, having made some very bitter enemies. Since his term of office expired he has been engaged in the saloon business. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Kessel, a daughter of Dr. Kessel, formerly of St. Louis, but now a resident of New Haven. To their marriage were born seven children: Adolph, John, Tine, Clara, Joseph, Margaret and Caroline. Our subject is a Republican in his political views, and a member of Evergreen Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of New Haven.