The commercial system has come to recognize the importance of the farmer and has surrounded him with many conveniences and utensils unthought of one hundred years ago. The inventor has given him the selfbinder, the riding-plow, the steam-thresher, and many other labor-saving devices. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of these blessed improvements. He everywhere has utilized them and made them add to his wealth and his comfort. It has been thus with the subject of this sketch.
Charles Herman Dopke was born near where he now lives in Geneva township, this county, a short distance north of Lake Como. March 8, 1876. He is the son of Herman and Minnie (Grossclark) Dopke. The father was born in Pommern, Germany, where he grew to manhood and married Minnie Grossclark, and there they lived until 1870, when they came to America, locating first at Burlington, Wisconsin, and there worked at farming four years, then bought part of the farm now owned by the subject, and here spent the rest of his days, dying on November 18. 1900, at the age of fifty-six years. His widow now lives in Lake Geneva. They became the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living, namely: Albert lives at Tremelo, Clay county, Iowa; Louise married Arthur Taylor and they live at Hinton, Iowa; Annie married Herman Bear and they live at Spring Prairie; William lives in Chicago; Charles H., of this sketch; Laura is unmarried and lives in Chicago; Minnie is the wife of Lawrence Kohn and lives in Lake Geneva; Dora married Frank Miller and they live in Chicago; Julia is unmarried and lives with her mother at Lake Geneva.
Charles H. Dopke, grew up on the home farm and he received his education in the public schools, and he has spent his life farming in his native community.
The subject was married on December 28. 1898, to Elizabeth Kreuger, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Walbrant) Kreuger, of Lafayette township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dopke, namely : Laura, Violet, Charles and Donald.
Politically, the subject is a Republican, and he has been assessor of Geneva township for five years, filling the office most acceptably. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Elkhorn.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin