Date Original
1805-1915
Description
This collection contains photocopies of correspondence, financial papers, family history, writings, and other items related to the Charles F. Penzel family.
Biographical/Historical Note
Charles F. Penzel was born in Asche, Bohemia, in 1840. He immigrated to the United States in 1857, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained throughout his life. During the Civil War, Penzel fought in the Capitol City Guards, Company A, Sixth Regiment. He was injured on two occasions and was a prisoner-of-war at Rock Island, Illinois, until July 1865. Penzel was employed as a bookkeeper by the firm of Kramer and Miller in Little Rock after the war. The business later became the Charles F. Penzel Grocer Company. Penzel established The German National Bank in 1874 and served as its first president. He served twice as president of the Exchange National Bank, a position he resigned in 1903. In addition to his bank involvement, Charles Penzel was a director in the Little Rock Railway and Electric Company and a director and officer in many other businesses. He served one term as Little Rock city treasurer. Penzel is also credited with having founded the Orphans' Home in Little Rock, which he headed for many years. Charles F. Penzel married Rosa A. Eisenmayer of Illinois in 1873. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1850. Rosa was active in the Episcopal Church. They had three children: Hedwig E. Penzel (Mrs. William B. Forsyth), Hildegarde Penzel (Mrs. Moorhead Wright), and Marcella Penzel. Charles F. Penzel died February 16, 1906, at his residence on Sixth and Sherman streets in Little Rock.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Little Rock, Pulaski County (Ark.)
Language
English
Identifier
MS.000214
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Charles F. Penzel papers, MS.000214
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
Charles F. Penzel papers, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
