Nicollet and LeSueur Counties Volume II (biographies) William Gresham 1916 Henry W. Wendelschafer, deputy sheriff of LeSueur county, secretary and treasurer of the Cannon Valley Furniture Company, at Waterville, and one of the most energetic and enterprising young men in that section, is a native-born son of LeSueur county, as were both his father and mother, both members of pioneer families, prominent in the early life of this region. He was born in Washington township, LeSueur county, May 9, 1890, son of Fred W. and Emily (Wilfret) Wendelschafer, the former of whom also was born in Washington township and the latter in Cleveland township. Fred W. Wendelschafer, one of LeSueur county's best-known citizens, is a son of G. C. and Dora (Wilkins) Wendelschafer, both natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in 1833, son of Frederick and Catherine Wendelschafer, who came to the United States with their family in 1852, settling in Illinois, where they remained until 1857, in which latter year the family came to Minnesota, settling in LeSueur county, the fourth generation of this family now being actively represented in the social, civic and business life of this community. G. C. Wendelschafer was reared in Germany and in 1852 came with his father and family to America, locating in Illinois. In 1856 he came to this section of Minnesota and bought a homestead right to a quarter of a section of land in the heart of the woods in Washington township, LeSueur county, paying for the same two hundred and fifty dollars, and proceeded to develop the same. The next year his father and his family joined him here and the long struggle to convert the wilderness tract into a fit habitation and abiding place began, but Mr. Wendelschafer was of the true pioneer stock and he persevered, presently having a good home and a profitable farm, to which he gradually added until at the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land. The year after locating here G. C. Wendelschafer returned to Illinois, where he married the girl of his choice and she bore him seven children: G. C. H. Wendelschafer, Alvina, who died at the age of six years; Fred W., father of the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Bertha, Archie, who died at the age of three years; Emil and Theodore. Upon the death of the mother of these children, G. C. Wendelschafer married, secondly, Mary Fonhoff, and to this second union four children were born. Louis (deceased), Emma, Lena and Carl, the latter of whom died in infancy. G. C. Wendelschafer was a Republican and from the time of settling in this country was active in the civic affairs of his county. He served as county commissioner for some time; served as representative in the lower house of the Minnesota General Assembly from LeSueur county for one term and for fourteen years served his county faithfully as county treasurer. Fred W. Wendelschafer was reared on the homestead farm in Washington township, receiving his education in the district school in that neighborhood and as a young man started farming on his own account in the township in which he still lives, today being a large landowner and one of LeSueur county's best-known citizens, the owner of an extensive and widely known summer resort at Jefferson lake, near which place he makes his home. Fred W. Wendelschafer married Emily Wilfret, who was born in Cleveland township, LeSueur county, her parents, having been pioneers of that section, and to this union four children have been born, Dorothy, Henry W., Alice and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Wendelschafer are members of the German Lutheran church and their children have been reared in that faith. Henry W. Wendelschafer was reared on the home farm in Washington township and received his schooling in the district school in that neighborhood. He worked for his father until he was nineteen years old, at which time he entered the service of the Patterson Auto Company, at Minneapolis, and was there for two years, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the business. He then returned to LeSueur county and in December, 1912, bought the auto garage and machine shop of Spire Brothers, at Waterville, and was engaged in the sale and repair of automobiles there until the fall Of 1915, when he and Sanders Linquist organized the Cannon Valley Furniture Company, incorporated on September 14, of that year, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of furniture at Waterville, Mr. Wendelschafer being secretary and treasurer of the company, which is prospering, building up a large trade throughout this section. Mr. Wendelschafer is enterprising and energetic and from the days of his youth has taken an active interest in civic affairs. In January, 1915, he was appointed deputy sheriff of LeSueur county and is now serving in that official capacity. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest, and is highly regarded by all who know him, enjoying the full confidence and respect of business, circles and the community generally. (pages 339-341)