Biopic of Johann Heinrich Mencke

Born in western Germany in 1832, Johann Heinrich Mencke emigrated to the United States in 1850. He met and married Louisa Lobach, another immigrant, and he found work in a livery stable in St Louis, Missouri.

Johann Heinrich Mencke was the grandfather Dr Dave Menke's grandfather, Oscar Menke (1888-1972). However, it has become clear through various family stories that the first-born son of Johann became estranged from him. He even "Americanized" his name and made changes, becoming "John Henry Menke," and even dropped the "c" from name.

Apparently, Johann had some skill with horses, worked for livery stables, then saved enough money to start his own livery company. Johann had chosen to live in St Louis as he was sponsored by Mencke cousins who lived there in the German "ghetto" of the time - South St Louis. Ironically, Johann bought property on Chouteau Avenue in downtown St Louis for his livery. Many years later, his grandson, Oscar Menke, bought property on that same block for the Menke Printing Company.

Johann's oldest son was a disappointment to him, as he had married too young, then divorced with a child, and then later married the daughter of a dirt farmer from Illinois. Family stories say that Johann, his wife, his other kids, were "too good" for Henry John Menke. There is also a story that Louis Lobach Menke was a "witch."

The Johann Heinrich Mencke branch of the family seemed to fade away over time. It is believed that Johann died in 1906, leaving his worldly goods to another son, Lewis.