HENRY W. KROHE was born at Beardstown, Illinois, November 27, 1841, and died suddenly at his home in that city, of heart failure, December 19, 1889. He grew up here, and in 1862, when just about of age, he started for California, with an uncle and aunt. Going to New York, they took a steamer to Aspinwall, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, and was landed by a Pacific steamer at the city of San Francisco, where Mr. Krohe remained for some time. Later, he went to Portland, Oregon, Umatillia, Vancouver Island, etc., and thence up to British Columbia, and back again into California. He was amongst the Cherokee Indians, whose language he learned to speak well. He spent four years as a miner, and had a varied experience, making and losing money.

In 1866, he returned to Beardstown, and shortly afterward he went in partnership with his brother-in-law, George Schneider, into the saloon business, and together built the opera house block, in 1873; but when it was nearly completed it was blown down by a terrible storm, July 4, 1873. It was rebuilt by them the same year. About eight years ago, Mr. Krohe sold his share of the opera house block to his brother, Fred Krohe, who is still the proprietor of the same, with his brother-in-law, George Schneider, now of Omaha, Nebraska.

In 1869, he engaged in the manufacture of mineral and soda water, in which business he continued until the time of his death. He was well known as a hard working business man. He built several nice dwelling houses, which became the property of his widow.

He was married at Jacksonville, Illinois, February 11, 1875, to Miss Bertha A. Eberwein, a native of Cass County, born December 2, 1846, daughter of J. C. H. and Maria Eberwein, who were born in Germany, and came to the United States when very young. Mrs. Eberwein died in 1847, leaving two little girls, Caroline and Bertha, both having good homes at the time they were married. Mr. Krohe and wife were reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church. He was a genial and pleasant man, a Democrat in politics, but not an office seeker. He leaves no children, but a widow, to mourn his early death; and Beardstown lost one of its best citizens when Mr. Krohe died.