William Hennes and Katherine Shanahan's Family

William Seraphine Hennes, son of Jacob, was born on March 17, 1883. He was baptized on March 27, 1883 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Lemont, Illinois. His godparents were Seraphine Willmeng and Elisabeth Friehauf. He died on November 27, 1972 at Benton Harbor, Michigan. William worked for Remington Rand Company.

William's World War I draft registration card, dated September 1, 1918, provided the following information concerning William. He was born on March 17, 1882 in Lemont, Illinois, was employed as a metal polisher for a printer company in Benton Harbor, Michigan, was of medium height and thin build, and had blue eyes and dark hair. William and Katherine were living at 147 Hoyt Street in St. Joseph, Michigan.

In the 1920 United States census return William and Katherine are living at 719 Hoyt Street in St. Joseph, Michigan. William's occupation is recorded as foreman in a machine shop. In 1930, William was a metal platter for Higgins & Co.

He married on January 13, 1914 at St. Joseph, Michigan to Katherine Shanahan, daughter of John Shanahan and Jane (Jennie) Daly. Katherine was born on January 29, 1892 at St. Joseph, Michigan. She died on December 11, 1978 at Benton Harbor, Michigan.

William and Katherine had one child.

1. Parnell W. Hennes who was born February 15, 1915 and died on March 1, 1945. Parnell was interred in a United States military cemetery at St. Avold, France. He had been captured on December 16, 1944 when the German army broke through at Ardennes. He died in a German prisoner of war camp after being held for several months from complications resulting from diphtheria and malnutrition. His body was later removed to the United States where it was buried in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph, Michigan.

   The following newspaper clipping tells the story of Parnell's capture.

   Parnell Hennes Nazi Prisoner
   Sends Letter and Card to Wife Here

   Pvt. Parnell W. Hennes, whose wife and two daughters live at 824 Academy street, is a prisoner of war of the Germans, his wife learned Thursday when she received a letter and a card written by him in Germany.
   Hennes had been reported missing on Dec. 16, the day of the Nazi break-through at Avriennes. He had been known to be in that region at that time. Mrs. Hennes has not been officially notified that her husband is a prisoner.
   The son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hennes of Benton Harbor, Pvt. Hennes attended St. Augustine high school. Before entering the army, he was an employee of the John Hancock Insurance Company.
   Going into the services Feb. 11 1944, Hennes received his basic training at Camp Bianding, Fla. He was home on furlough last August. From here he reported to Fort Meade, Md., was transferred in Camp Atterbury, Ind., and shipped overseas in October. According to Mrs. Hennes, he had been in the front line only four days when he was captured by the enemy.

   Parnell married on November 18, 1939 to Catherine L. Looyengood, daughter of Myrtle Looyengood.

   Parnell was employed as an insurance agent for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co.

Sources

1. United States Federal census returns for:
   • 1900 for St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 16B, SD 4, ED 77, Dwelling 334, Family 359.
   • 1910 for St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 1A, SD 4, ED 89, Dwelling 8, Family 8.
   • 1910 for Benton Township, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 10B, SD 4, ED 57, Dwelling 251, Family 258.
   • 1920 for Ward 2 of St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 10B, SD 4, ED 106, Dwelling 207, Family 267.
   • 1920 for Ward 4 of St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 12B, SD 4, ED 108, Dwelling 270, Family 285.
   • 1930 for Taylor Park, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sheet 19A, SD 16, ED 39-42, Dwelling 141, Family 144.
2. Articles appearing in the January 15, 1945, April 11, 1945, May 18, 1945, and March 3, 1950 editions of The News-Palladium concerning Parnell’s capture during World War II.
3. Copy of Parnell Hennes' business card.
4. Michigan Death Index, 1971 - 1996 as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
5. World War I draft registration card for William Hennes as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
6. Social Security Death Index
7. Michigan Deaths 1971 - 1996 as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
8. Obituary for:
   • William Hennes, which appeared in the November 28, 1972 edition of The News-Palladium of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
   • Katherine Hennes, nee Shanahan.
   • Jennie Shanahan, nee Daly, which appeared in the November 15, 1955 edition of The News-Palladium of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
   • John Shanahan, which appeared in the February 19, 1934 edition of The News-Palladium of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
   • Catherine Daly, which appeared in the November 20, 1931 edition of The News-Palladium of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
   • Parnell Hennes, which appeared in the March 11, 1950 edition of The News-Palladium of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

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