San Joaquin County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
FREDERICK R. POLENSKE.
 
        Since coming to Lodi in 1914, Frederick R. Polenske has built up a 
splendid business entirely through his own efforts, and now as proprietor of the 
Service Laundry, his patronage is steadily increasing. Mr. Polenske is a native 
of Nebraska, and was born at Kenesaw, Adams County, December 25, 1890. His 
father, Emil G. Polenske, is one of the largest brick manufacturers of the 
Middle West, and was the founder of the firm of Polenske Bros. & Schellak Brick 
Manufacturing Company, their plant at Hastings, Neb., having a capacity of 
20,000,000 brick per year.
        The family removed from Kenesaw to Hastings, Neb., and here Frederick R. 
Polenske attended the public schools, later taking a business college course. 
From the age of fifteen he was associated with his father in the brick 
manufacturing business, remaining there until 1914, when he came to California, 
locating at Lodi. Here he entered the employ of the Lodi Steam Laundry and after 
a few months bought a half-interest in the concern. He operated this laundry 
until August, 1920, when he started a laundry business of his own, under the 
name of the Service Laundry, of which he is the sole owner. He purchased a lot 
at 505 North Sacramento Street and there erected a modern building, especially 
equipped for this business, and he has been successful from the start, two 
wagons now being kept busy in handling his increasing trade. He has solicited 
all his business personally, and still continues to give individual attention to 
all its details, a feature much appreciated by his patrons. His first week's 
receipts were $147, and the twenty-first week showed a business of $480, while 
the 112th week showed a business of $900, demonstrating plainly that he was 
living up to his motto, "The best of service."
        On July 7, 1914, at Humboldt, Iowa, Mr. Polenske was married to Miss 
Olga Kuchnast, who was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and they are the parents of two 
children, Emma Louise and Virginia. Progressive in all his ideas, Mr. Polenske 
can be depended upon to contribute to any movement for the upbuilding of his 
community, and is a member of the Lodi Business Men's Association and the 
National and State Laundrymen's Associations, and the Exchange Club of Lodi of 
which he is a director.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p  1007        
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.