From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1448-1450
 
CHARLEY E. ALTENBURG.  Although Charley E. ALTENBURG, long one of the leading 
farmers of East Troy township, Walworth county, but now living in honorable 
retirement has passed his seventy-eighth milestone, he is hale and well 
preserved as to his physical appearance, and as far as that is concerned would 
never be taken by a stranger or casual observer, not cognizant of his advanced 
age, to be over sixty-five years old, if that.  His memory is wonderfully 
retentive, and his mental faculties, indeed, seem to be in all respects 
unimpaired.  This is all due, no doubt, to the fact that he has led a clean 
life, one consistent with virtue in his youth and sobriety and right 
thinking.  He has kept busy during his mature years and has remained at home 
as much as possible, thus avoiding much of the worry and trouble in a general 
way that eventually contributes to one's breakdown in later life.  In short, 
he has been wise enough to lead the "simple life" advocated by his great 
countryman, Wagner, which life, after all, is not only the most conductive to 
longevity, but also to the greatest degree of happiness and material gain.
 
Mr. ALTENBURG was born in Germany on April 13, 1834.  He is the son of 
Gottlieb and Magdalena (BENSE) ALTENBURG, both born and reared in the 
fatherland where, in fact, they married and spent their lives, never coming to 
America.
 
The subject was educated in Germany where he grew to manhood, and there he 
continued to reside until 1870, when he emigrated to the United States and 
located in Walworth county, Wisconsin, where, in order to get a start, he 
worked out by the month for a period of ten years or nearly so long, then, 
having, by economy, saved his money, he purchased forty acres of land in 
Waukesha county.  Later selling this, he came to East Troy township, Walworth 
county, and bought seventy-five acres which he sold in 1883 and brought to a 
high state of improvement and cultivation; in fact, he has placed all the 
improvements seen today on it, rendering it equal to any of the farms of his 
neighbors.  He has a commodious, modernly, furnished home and good barns, and 
sheds, and he always keeps an excellent grade of live stock.  Having 
accumulated a competency through close application and good management, he is 
now living retired from the active duties of life, merely overseeing his 
farming interests.  He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has 
accomplished, having made all he has through his individual efforts, starting 
out with nothing.
 
Politically, Mr. ALTENBURT is a Republican, but he has led a quiet life and 
has never been active in public affairs.  In religious matters he belongs to 
the Lutheran church.
 
Mr. ALTENBURG was married in 1881 to Caroline KROENKE, a daughter of Carl 
KROENKE, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.  Three children were 
born to this union, namely: Henry, who works the home farm, was educated in 
the home public schools; Charley E., who was educated in the public schools, 
the East Troy high school and the Milwaukee Business College, and who became 
township clerk in East Troy township, is now engaged in farming in Dakota.  
The youngest child, Clara married Otto SCHRADER, and her death occurred on 
December 17, 1907, leaving one child.  The wife and mother dying in 1886, the 
subject was married in 1892 to Wilhelmina BRUNKE, a native of Germany.
 
Submitted by Carol