William J. and Nora (Meineke) Menges Family

January 20, 2008

Nora Meineke, daughter of Charles Peter Meineke and Wilhelmina Maria Schmidt was born on 21 April 1892 in the town of Two Rivers and died on 9 July 1973 in Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc at age 81.

Nora married William J. Menges, son of the late Phillip and Mary (Hardt) Menges. They were married by the Rev. Mr. Doehler June 12, 1917, at St. John Lutheran Church, Two Rivers. Eliza Menges and Raymond Meineke were wedding attendants.

William was born 2 December 1889 in Two Rivers and he died on 1 October 1972 in Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc at age 83.

In 1916 William built and operated a cheese factory in the Town of Two Creeks. He operated the factory for 10 years when in 1926 they bought the general merchandise store in Larrabee. The store was built by Joseph Gruber.

They operated the Clover Farm Grocery store until William's retirement in 1955. They sold the business to their daughter. She ran it with several other family members. She later sold it about ten years later.

William was Town of Gibson treasurer for four years and town assessor for three years.

There are conflicting reports as to who built the grain mill in Larrabee. I have accounts that Wm. Menges built it and another that Nora's brother, Raymond Meineke, built it. Raymond Meineke ran it with his wife, Elvira (Ahrens). The mill was originally a barn.

They were both members of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church at Gibson where Nora was a member of the Ladies bible Class. She was also a member of the Larrabee Homemakers Club.

The couple had 4 children and 27 grandchildren.