I recall from somewhere that he died in a mining accident.
From Joyce Hall:
Henery John Wernke, born: March 9, 1846
died: March 22, 1911
Married
Rebbecca Margret Jack, born: Feb. 26, 1858
died: March 5, 1935
This is probably unrelated:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~usbios/Ohio/hamilton_co/b00052.html
... In June, 1888, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Mae Wernke and they have three children: Helen, Beulah and Joseph M., Jr. The family home is on Walnut Hills and its reputation for hospitality is well merited. Mrs. Allen is the daughter of Henry and Mary Wenke, who came from German in the 30's , where he engaged in the undertaking business...
... it IS unrelated. The Wernkes of Cincinatti don't seem to have anything to do with the Wernkes of Tuscarawas County.
From Sheryl Clounie:
Henry Wernke -- it is still somewhat of a mystery to me where he was from. Some records say that he was from Germany. Some say Holland. I believe that he was from Holland. On the 1920 census, Daisy Wernke Croft says that her father was from Holland and that his mother tongue was Dutch.
The 1910 census lists more Wernkes living next door (apparently his son, John Henry):
John H Wernke, age 31 (head, born in Ohio, father German, mother from Kansas)
Oliza J, age 30 (wife, from Miami, father from Illinois, mother from Pennsylvania )
Florence R, age 7
Charles E, age 5
Clarence U, age 2
The 1880 census lists one Wernke in Franklin, Tuscarawas County: Henry E Wernke, born about 1870, grandson on Maria Seese, parents came from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Unrelated?
Rebbecca Margret Jack was in Ozark, Missouri in 1870. The 1870 census lists, coming from germany: John Warnicke in Council Bluffs, Iowa (b 1846). Or Henry Warnicke of NY, NY (b 1847). Henry Warnke of Pierce, NE (b 1846)
(Medical):Died in a mining accident