From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1458-1459
 
CARL F. KROENKE.  One of the thrifty German farmers of East Troy township, 
Walworth county, is Carl F. KROENKE, who believes in doing his work well and 
never permitting the grass to grow under his feet.  He is not only a very 
careful tiller of the soil, but also understands stock raising, looking 
carefully not only to the selection of live stock, but to the feeding, 
watering, salting, stabling and the best of marketing.  It is true that the 
best farmers study the market quotations of stock in the principal cities, and 
by so doing very often receive the reward of their watchfulness in a much more 
satisfactory price for their products.  This is true of the grain products as 
well as those of the stock yards.  The subject manages thus not only to get 
good grades of stock, but also to get the best prices, and he therefore has 
established a very comfortable home and has a good farm, which, although not 
so large in acreage as some of his neighbors, yet it is so well managed that 
abundant harvests are reaped from year to year as a result of his vigilance 
and good management.
 
Mr. KROENKE was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1868.  He is the son of Carl and 
Charlotte (MEIER) KROENKE, both born in Germany, the father in 1836 and the 
mother in 1830.  There they grew to maturity and were married and spent the 
early part of their lives, emigrating to East Troy township, Walworth county, 
Wisconsin, in 1881 and settled on a farm, which the subject of this sketch now 
owns, seventy-four acres.  The father is now living with his daughter at 
Linden, Wisconsin, his wife having died in 1894.  They were the parents of 
seven children, two of whom are living at this writing.  Politically, the 
father is a Republican and he is a member of the Lutheran church.  He has been 
a hard working man and has lived a quiet, honorable life.
 
Carl. F. KROENKE, of this sketch, grew up in Germany and received his 
education in the public schools there.  He also attended the public schools in 
East Troy township after coming here with his parents, being at that time 
thirteen years of age.  Early in life he turned his attention to farming and 
has made this his work to the present time, and he is now successfully 
operating the homestead, which he owns, carrying on general farming and stock 
raising.  He has kept the place well improved and well tilled and he has a 
good home and outbuildings.  Politically, he is a Republican, but has never 
been especially active in public affairs.  In religious matters, he belongs to 
the Lutheran church.
 
Mr. KROENKE was married in 1895 to Bertha ORTMANN, who was born in Prussia, 
Germany, January 7, 1867.  She is the daughter of Ludwig and Caroline 
(ROHLEDER) ORTMANN, both born in Germany, he is 1839 and she in 1837, and 
there they grew to maturity and were married and there she spent her life, 
dying there in 1883.  After this event Mr. ORTMANN brought his family to the 
United States and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  His family consisted of 
seven children.  He was a carpenter by trade and known to be a very skilled 
workman.  His death occurred in 1906.
 
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. KROENKE of this sketch, namely: 
Curt, born December 3, 1896, and Alma, born January 14, 1899.  Our subject is 
a hard worker, a neighborly and genial fellow, who knows a good joke when he 
sees one and enjoys it.
 
Submitted by Carol