Charles Zehnpfening (b. 1868, Madison, Wisconsin) was a prominent business figure in Parkston, South Dakota, known for his work in the grain industry. After relocating to Hutchinson County with his family in 1880, he later acquired and farmed land before transitioning to the grain business in 1895, forming a successful partnership in Parkston. An active member of the Catholic Church, Zehnpfening was also engaged in civic affairs, serving on the local board of education. He married Anna M. Puetz in 1889, and they raised six children together: Dora, Herbert, Frank, Clara, Fred, and Carl.
Charles Zehnpfening, one of the representative business men of Parkston, Hutchinson County, is a native of the beautiful city of Madison, capital of the state of Wisconsin, where he was born on the 20th of August, 1868, being a son of Frank and Margaret (Bauer) Zehnpfening, to whom were born twelve children, of whom the eight surviving are as follows: Catherine, who is the wife of Lawrence Bowar, and Theodore, Edward, Bertha, Harry, William, Henry, and Charles. The father was born in Germany, in the year 1839, and when he was six years of age, his parents emigrated to America, locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated, eventually engaging in the shoe business in the city of Madison. He remained there until 1880, when he disposed of his business interests and came to South Dakota, entering homestead and tree claims in Hutchinson County and turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities, and both he and his wife are devoted communicants of the Catholic Church.
Charles Zehnpfening, the immediate subject of this review, received his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native city and was about twelve years of age at the time of the family’s removal to South Dakota, where he completed a course of study in the high school at Mitchell. Upon attaining his legal majority, he purchased a quarter section of land in Hutchinson County and thereafter devoted himself to its improvement and cultivation for six years, at the expiration of which, in 1895, he located in the thriving town of Parkston, where he established himself in the grain business, forming a partnership with A. H. Betts, president of the Truax & Betts Elevator Company of Mitchell. The subject has gained a high reputation as an energetic and reliable business man, being progressive in his methods and successful in his chosen vocation. He is a staunch Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the board of education of his hometown and is thoroughly public-spirited in his attitude.
In 1889, Mr. Zehnpfening was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Puetz, of this county, and they are the parents of six children, namely: Dora A., Herbert P., Frank J., Clara J., Fred L., and Carl M.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.