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| spouse =Ida E. Darby<br/>Loula Abbey
| parents =
| children =Carl F. G. Wernicke II<br/>Julius F. Wernicke<br/>Walter A. Wernicke
| signature =
| signaturesize =200px
==Early life==
Wernicke was born in [[1862]] at Hayton, Calumet County, Wisconsin to Carl Frederick Wernicke and Sophia Frickey. In [[1880]], he was attending Commercial College in nearby Fond du Lac.<ref>Western Historical Company. ''The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin.''</ref>
===Wernicke Elastic Bookcase System===
[[Image:Wernickecobookcase.JPG|right|thumb|Turn of the century ad for the Wernicke Elastic Bookcase System]]
On [[December 6]], [[1892]], Wernicke was granted a patent for what he called a "sectional stock case" — what would come to be known as stackable, modular, or elastic bookcases.<ref>[http://www.google.com/patents?id=PEB2AAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=1892%20wernicke&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q=1892%20wernicke&f=false Google Patents]</ref> He formed The Wernicke Company and opened a factory on Nicolett Island in Minneapolis to manufacture the bookcases.<ref name="Julia">Julia Wernicke, "Globe-Wernicke Company." Unpublished historical sketch.</ref> In [[1897]], needing more space, Wernicke moved his manufacturing operation to Grand Rapids, Michigan. ===Globe-Wernicke===In [[1899]], The Wernicke Company merged with The Globe Company to form [[Wikipedia:Globe_Wernicke|The Globe Wernicke Company]]. Globe president Henry C. Yeiser retained his title, while Wernicke became secretary and general manager of the combined company.
Globe-Wernicke endured a series of mergers and acquisitions, becoming Globe-Weis in 1963. The brand continues to operate as a subsidiary of Kansas-based [http://cardinalbrands.com/ Cardinal Brands].
===Macey Company===
After a falling out with Globe-Wernicke president Henry Yeiser in [[1904]], Wernicke purchased the Fred Macey Furniture Company, renaming it The Macey-Wernicke Company and later simply The Macey Company. Macey began to produce stackable bookcases, prompting Globe-Wernicke to unsuccessfully sue for patent infringement.<ref name="Julia" />
==Time in Pensacola==
==Death==
Wernicke died of a heart attack on [[August 20]], [[1930]]. He is buried at [[Roberts Cemetery]]. His papers from the last four years of his life were donated to the [[University of West Florida]] in [[1982]] by his grandson Julius.
==References==