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Charles Maximillian Kenck

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Birth	:	22 Jan 1844 Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Death	:	26 Aug 1877 Wyoming, USA
Burial	:	California Corners Cemetery, California, Branch County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.7944444, -84.8855560
Plot	:	170 Woodland
Inscription	:	In memory of my dear husband and our beloved father Charles M. Kenck a native of Philippsburg, Baden, Germany Born Jan 22, 1844. Killed by the Nez Perces Indians in the Yellowstone National Park August 26, 1877. <
Description	:	Charles M. Kenck was naturalized in Lewis and Clark County, Montana on August 2, 1872, Book 2, page 178. Charles and his wife Leah were born in Germany and immigrated to the United States about 1875. According to Leah’s memorial, they were married in San Francisco. They had two sons, both born in Montana; Oscar, born November 1875 and Albert, born about 1877. “From the Daily Herald of September 5. Sketch of Charles M. Kenck. Our readers are conversant with the details of the sudden death of Charles M. Kenck at the hands of the Nez Perces. To a relative of the... Read More	Charles M. Kenck was naturalized in Lewis and Clark County, Montana on August 2, 1872, Book 2, page 178. Charles and his wife Leah were born in Germany and immigrated to the United States about 1875. According to Leah’s memorial, they were married in San Francisco. They had two sons, both born in Montana; Oscar, born November 1875 and Albert, born about 1877. “From the Daily Herald of September 5. Sketch of Charles M. Kenck. Our readers are conversant with the details of the sudden death of Charles M. Kenck at the hands of the Nez Perces. To a relative of the deceased we are indebted for the following particulars of his life: Charles M. Kenck was born on the 22d of January, 1845 [his tombstone notes his year of birth as 1844], at Phillipsburg, Baden, Germany. At this place he received the benefit of a liberal education. Of a restless and venturesome disposition, he longed to see other countries and directed his course to America, and in 1865 landed in the city of New York. From there he directed his course to New Jersey in company with his cousin Jacob Oderwald, (who assisted to bury Charley in the Park.) From New Jersey the cousins proceeded to Philadelphia, where they became engaged in a large brewery. Here they remained until a sufficient amount of money had been earned to defray Charlie’s expenses to Atchison, Kansas, where his brother Jacob resided, whom he had not seen for seven years. He remained here until 1867, and then proceeded to Cheyenne, where he became engaged in the butchering business for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1868 he proceeded to Omaha for his cousin, Jacob Oderwald, and in company they went to the Sweetwater mines. Remaining there a short time they decided upon directing their course to Montana. Soon they were on the road, and after passing through a country infested with hostile savages, arrived in Helena. Not seeing an opening here, Charley went to Washington gulch and embarked in mining with his brothers, Chris. and Jacob. In 1871 he came to Helena and opened a butcher shop on Bridge street. Fortune not favoring him according to his ideas, he then became an employee at the smelting works. Subsequently he purchased the Washington Brewery, which has been up to the time of his tragic end his place of business. In 1874 he visited his birth-place in Germany. While there he became acquainted with a most estimable young lady, Miss Lia Herdt. She having relatives in San Francisco, Charley acted as her escort there, and in February, 1875, returned to Helena with her as his wife. The deceased leaves a wife, two children, and four brothers in Montana, and three sisters in Germany to mourn his loss. Charley Kenck, as he was familiarly termed, was one whom but to know was to honor and esteem. Ever striving to do right, yet when he erred he was always willing to acknowledge his mistakes, which were but few, indeed. He lived the life of an honorable man. His deeds of charity are almost numberless, and were bestowed unostentatiously. His love for his family is exemplified in a dispatch from Bozeman to his brother before he started on his fatal trip, enquiring as to their health; if they were ailing he would return. An answer was returned that they were well, and Charley went on to the Park and to his grave. The grief-stricken wife, children, brothers and sisters, have the sympathy of the entire community. We all mourn the common loss they have sustained, and will forever embalm the memory of Charley in the hearts where in life he held so large a place.” Helena Weekly Herald, 9/6/1877, page 7. “Charles Kenck. Helena loses a worthy citizen in Charles Kenck, killed in the National Park by hostile Nez Perces. He was an old resident, long and actively engaged in various pursuits, carrying on the Washington Brewery among with business. He was a member of the order of Odd Fellows and also of the Gesang Verein society, of which he was Treasurer. The former society this morning dispatched Dr. Holmes to Bozeman, with instructions to procure the body, if possible, and removed it in a casket to Helena. Mr. Kenck leaves a wife and two children, and others, all of whom have the deep sympathy of our people in their sore affliction.” Helena Weekly Herald, 9/6/1877, page 7. “Territorial News. (From the Avant Courier, September 6th.) Mr. Chas. Kenck, of the Helena party, was overtaken and killed by the Indians. His body was found with three bullet holes in it – one through the leg, one through the center of the body, and another through the head. His skull had also been smashed in by the Indians. He was buried where found.” Helena Independent, 9/8/1877, page 3. “Chas. Kenck's Body Recovered. Mr. Jacob Kenck received a telegram from R. Lockey last evening stating that the body of his brother, Charles, had been recovered and would reach Bozeman tomorrow.” Helena Independent, 10/28/1877, page 3. “The Last of the Victims. The remains of the lamented Chas. M. Kenck reached here last evening. They will be taken from the family residence on lower Main street to the Catholic church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, where the funeral services will take place. The public are invited to attend.” Helena Independent, 11/3/1877, page 3. “In the afternoon took place the funeral of Charles M. Kenck, who was murdered by the Nez Perces in the National Park. A heavy fall of snow in that region had prevented the recovery of the remains at an earlier day. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Father Palladino, S.J., in the Catholic Church. The funeral procession was one of the largest that ever took place here. The firemen, dressed in their uniform, were in attendance, and the solemn martial music that followed the remains to the grave was supplied by the Gesang Verein Harmonia, of which Mr. Kenck was a member.” Helena Independent, 11/6/1877, page 3. Charles M. Kenck, probate record, Book A, page 134, estate 134, year 1878. Moved from Old St. Mary's Cemetery, 7/30/1929, Dr. O.A. Kenck, owner of plot, 170 Woodland (DOD in Forestvale records is 8/7/1877) (DOD in Catholic Record of Interments record is 11/4/1877 – which is the burial date) DOD on tombstone is 8/26/1877.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charles Maximillian Kenck's memorial?
Charles Maximillian Kenck's memorial is located at: California Corners Cemetery, California, Branch County, USA.
When did Charles Maximillian Kenck death?
Charles Maximillian Kenck death on 26 Aug 1877 in Wyoming, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charles Maximillian Kenck's memorial?
Latitude: 41.7944444
Longitude: -84.8855560

Family Members:

Spouse

Leah Kenck

(1853 - 1942)

Children

Dr Oscar A Kenck

(1875 - 1965)

Albert Francis Kenck

(1876 - 1916)

Flowers:

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