In the course of working on brief papers on distinguished graduates of the University of Northern Iowa, the writer of this brief page discovered that there are remarkable parallels between the Kaltenbach family and the Shanewise family, both of Waterloo, Iowa.
- Both the Kaltenbach and the Shanewise families were of German descent; both families had roots in the Baden region in the southwest part of Germany.
- Both families lived in on the east side of Waterloo, Iowa, about a mile and a half apart.
- All of the children of both families attended Waterloo public schools.
- All of the children of both families graduated from Waterloo East High School.
- Two members of the Shanewise family and four members of the Kaltenbach family graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College from 1909 through 1927.
- In 1919-1920, her last year on the Teachers College faculty, Lenore Shanewise almost certainly gave oratorical coaching to Fred Kaltenbach.
- One member of the Shanewise family and one member of the Kaltenbach family made a living in physical education.
- Members of each family excelled in oratory, elocution, drama, and debate.
- Members of both families were recognized as fine teachers.
- One member of each family received a graduate degree from the University of Chicago.
- Members of each family lived for many years in southern California.
- Most of the members of both families were buried in Fairview Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa.
Essay by University Archivist Gerald L. Peterson, July 2014; last updated, July 14, 2014 (GP).