Henry Denhart

(Taken from a 1933 memorial article on his death, edited for clarity)

Henry Denhart, well-known Washington banker and philanthropist, sank to his final rest at 12:10 o'clock today (Thursday, Nov. 2, 1933).

Mr. Denhart had been in very good health for a man of his age up to three weeks ago, when he was taken with an infection on his arm, which later developed into pneumonia. He had pretty much recovered from the effects of this attack, resting a little more easily. His final summons came quite suddenly, and he peacefully passed away.

Henry Denhart was born in Kuhr-Hoffen, Germany, near Frankfort on the Main, on October 16, 1842. He came to this country with his parents when he was 11 years old, settling in Washington in 1853. He received his early education in our public schools, after which he pursued various occupations until 1866, when he and Charles E. Anthony opened a dry goods business under the firm name of Anthony & Denhart. They continued in business until 1885, when Mr. Denhart assumed full control and management of the reorganized H. Denhart & Co. dry goods business. He afterward sold this business and bought the J. C. Kimble lumber yards, which he operated until 1903. In 1867, Mr. Anthony and Mr. Denhart organized the bank of Anthony & Denhart, which continued until 1885, when Mr. Anthony retired. The bank was operated as a private bank with Mr. Denhart as the principal owner until, under state law, it was required to organize as a state bank. It was operated on that basis until the bank closed on April 11, 1930. Mr. Denhart never aspired to hold public office, but was an alderman of the city in 1877.

Mr. Denhart was one of the organizers of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and, throughout his life, a prominent worker in his church, serving as superintendent of the Sunday school for a great many years. He made it possible to erect the fine St. Mark's church by donating the spacious grounds and the greater part of the money for its construction. His donations for philanthropic purposes probably amounted to a million dollars during his lifetime. His largest donations were to the Lutheran College at Carthage, Ill.

Mr. Denhart was married to Clara S. Lawson in 1872. She died in 1914. On October 16, 1917, he was united in marriage with Jennie Holland.