One of our oldest citizens is Mrs. Clara Koenig, who moved to Nortonville when she was 12 years, graduated from NHS, married Bill Koenig in 1898 and raised eight children in this little town. Harold, Charles, Margaret, Viola, Mary, Clara, Walter and Norman. The Koenigs operated the bakery here, first in a building on Railroad Street, then moving into the east part of the Bank building in 1894. They were very musically inclined and she taught music, he played the mandolin, and often the couple played for lodge dances and for the Saturday night shows at the City Hall. They owned the third car in town--a 1912 Model Ford--this car loaded with children was a familiar sight on the streets. Mr. Koenig was a favorite with children. Then in 1936 after almost 40 years in the bakery business, fire destroyed their establishment, they moved to California where Mr. Koenig died in 1937. This grand lady who lived in Nortonville in its early history now resides in the Village Villa here in town. (Src: Nortonville, Kansas Centennial Book, 1973, "A Century of Friends Old and New."
One of our oldest citizens is Mrs. Clara Koenig, who moved to Nortonville when she was 12 years, graduated from NHS, married Bill Koenig in 1898 and raised eight children in this little town. Harold, Charles, Margaret, Viola, Mary, Clara, Walter and Norman. The Koenigs operated the bakery here, first in a building on Railroad Street, then moving into the east part of the Bank building in 1894. They were very musically inclined and she taught music, he played the mandolin, and often the couple played for lodge dances and for the Saturday night shows at the City Hall. They owned the third car in town--a 1912 Model Ford--this car loaded with children was a familiar sight on the streets. Mr. Koenig was a favorite with children. Then in 1936 after almost 40 years in the bakery business, fire destroyed their establishment, they moved to California where Mr. Koenig died in 1937. This grand lady who lived in Nortonville in its early history now resides in the Village Villa here in town. (Src: Nortonville, Kansas Centennial Book, 1973, "A Century of Friends Old and New."
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Nortonville Fire: FIRE SWEEPS BUSINESS DISTRICT-Flames Early Sunday Morning Gain Headway As Volunteers Battle To Save Town-Wipes Out Seven Firms-Estimated Damage of $100,000. Fire early Sunday morning totally destroyed the two best business buildings in Nortonville and wiped out seven different business firms.
The buildings destroyed were the H.A. Gruner building. The Gruner building was occupied by the Coffee Cup Cafe, operated by Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Baker, and the W. L. Burris Recreation Parlor. The Bank building was occupied by the bakery, owned by W.C. Koenig; the post office; the dentist's office, owned by Dr. E.L. Morton; the East Kansas Telephone Co.; managed by W. C. Wilkin; the president of which is Henry Ring. The entire loss in stocks, fixtures and buildings is estimated to be nearly $100,000.
Mr. Koenig had been in business since 1893, when he came here from Atchison. He moved from the building on Railroad street to the Bank building in 1898. His business had increased considerably the last six months. He had just purchased bakery supplies which could have been saved had they been notified of the fire in time. His insurance had elapsed.(Src: Nortonville, Jefferson County, Kansas, April 24, 1936.
Obituary: "Mrs. Clara Agnes Koenig, 95, Nortonville, died yesterday at the Winchester Jefferson County Memorial hospital where she had been a patient two weeks. Earlier she was in a nursing home at Nortonville.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 P.M. at the O'Trimble Mortuary in Nortonville. The Rev. Keith Shrum will officiate and burial will be in the Nortonville cemetery.
The body will lie in state at the Mortuary until the time of the services when the casket will be closed.
Rebekah Lodge No. 157 will conduct services at the Mortuary following the regular services.
She was born December 13, 1897 (wrong year) near Winchester, and spent her early life in Jefferson county. She was graduated from Nortonville High school and lived in Topeka before returning to Nortonville in 1968.
Although she lived much of her life away from Nortonville, she always considered Nortonville to be her home.
Mrs. Koenig was a member of the Nortonville Chrisitan church and was a 75-year member of Rebekah Lodge No. 157 at Nortonville. She also was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, American War Mothers and the Topeka Art Guild.
She and William Charles Koenig were married Nov. 30, 1898 in Nortonville. He died December 22, 1937.
Surviving are four daughters, Margaret Koenig and Viola Koenig, Sun City, AZ.,., Mrs. James F. Lloyd, Council Grove, and Clara W. Koenig, Topeka; a son, Norman F. Koenig, Sun City; 14 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren, and 13 great great grandchildren.
Three sons, William Koenig, Charles L. Koenig and Walter A. Koenig, preceded her in death.
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