Carl Wollenberg was born 29 February 1872 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. His father was Ludwig Johann Joachim Carl Wollenberg. His mother was Maria Christiane Juliane Bremer. Carl and his family arrived in Davenport, Iowa about 1884. Carl died on 7 May 1929 at the age of 57. The cause of death was carcinoma colon and myocarditis. At the time of his death, he was living at 412 Western Avenue in Davenport. He is buried in the Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport, Iowa.

Carl Wollenberg married Anna Struck. His name first appears in the Davenport City Directory in 1892 where he is listed as a cigar maker for the Nicholas Kuhnen Co., at 127 & 129 E. Second Street, Davenport, Iowa. He worked there until about 1896 when he began manufacturing cigars on his own at a building at 615 W. Fourth, Davenport, Iowa. In 1900, his cigar factory was at 130 E. Third St. 

After Carl Wollenberg died, George W. Wollenberg managed the cigar factory until 1937.