George Phillip Hunkel was born 15 February 1842 in Germany and moved to Milwaukee in
1860. In 1862, he enlisted in the Grand Army of the Republic as a private in Company
B of the 26th volunteer infantry of Wisconsin. He was severely wounded during the
battle of Gettysburg and was honorably discharged in 1863.
In 1868, George married Emma Paulina Seifert (1849-1930). She was the daughter of
Henry Seifert, president of the Milwaukee Lithographic and Engraving Company. George
and Emma had seven children: Emil (1869-1950), Charles [Carl] (1871-1952), Walther
[Walter] (1872-1891), Herman[n] (1877-1942), Valeska (1880-1966), Guenther
(1883-1958), and Paulina [Paula] (1885-1976).
Hunkel worked as a bookkeeper from 1863 until 1869; then worked in the wholesale wine
and liquor business until 1877. Later, he opened an insurance agency. In 1891, when
his son Emil became a partner, the company name was changed to G. Ph. Hunkel and
Son. George Philip Hunkel died in Milwaukee on 29 January 1895 after a fall that
fractured his skull. Emil then took over his father’s interests in the insurance
business. Herman partnered with Fred Holton operating Holton and Hunkel, a wholesale
florist and green house. Guenther opened a seed company named G. H. Hunkel Company.
Guenther married Margaret Livingstone (1898-1972), daughter of James
Livingstone.
