Untitled
Surnames: Sneclode, Ramm, La Graves, Barks, Geiger, Hohenadel, Rowe, Fahling, Sager, Wodrich
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 129-130
JOHN A. KLINDT. No better illustration of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical German-American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this prominent business man of Cassville, Grant county. Coming to this country with no capital except his abilities, he has made his way to success through wisely directed effort, and he can now look back with satisfaction upon past struggles.
Mr. KLINDT was born May 15, 1844, in the village of Prasdorf, near the city of Kiel, Holstein, Germany, a son of Claus and Catharine (SNECLODE) KLINDT, natives of the same place. The father, who was a tailor by trade, spent his entire life in Germany, where he died at the age of eighty-three years, the mother at the age of seventy-eight. Their children were John A.; Anna, a resident of Luverne, Iowa; and Lena, Mrs. RAMM, who makes her home in the same place.
In his native land John A. KLINDT received a common-school education, his summers being devoted to work, his winters to study, during his boyhood and youth. In August, 1864, he came to America, and on reaching Cassville, Wis., found that his capital consisted of a silver half dollar, dated 1823, which he still has, and intends to keep as a memento of those early days. That fall he engaged in threshing on a farm, and attended school during the winter. On May 1, 1865, he entered the employ of C. L. LA GRAVE & BARKS, proprietors of a warehouse and store, as clerk and bookkeeper, and on May 1, 1868, became connected with the business of which he is now the head. Mr. KLINDT served as clerk and bookkeeper for John GEIGER until the latter's death, in December, 1873, and on January 20, 1874, purchased the stock of goods and commenced business on his own account. He was alone until March 1, 1878, when he formed a partnership with Gustav and O. F. GEIGER, under the firm name of KLINDT, GEIGER & Co., dealers in general merchandise, buyers and shippers of grain and produce, and proprietors of the Cassville Creamery. The last named industry was established by them in 1885, and has since been conducted most successfully. As merchants they carry a large and well-selected stock of dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots, shoes, crockery, flour, and in fact, everything found in a first-class establishment of the kind. They are part owners of the Cassville Electric Light Plant. The firm is also extensively interested in the canning business, owning and operating one of the largest canning factories in the State; the main building erected in 1893, is 50x160 feet, with an addition 48x110 feet, and a pickle shed 50x110 feet, and here employment is furnished to from seventy-five to one hundred people. This enterprising house also holds interest in a new canning and pickle factory which is now under construction at Janesville, Wis., and concerning which the Janesville Daily Recorder of April 21, 1901, makes mention as follows:
"Yesterday afternoon the articles of incorporation of P. HOHENADEL, Jr., & Co., were filed with Register of Deeds ROWE. The incorporators are P. HOHENADEL, Jr., John A. KLINDT, Otto F. GEIGER, and Otto FAHLING, all of Cassville, and the capital stock is $100,000. Work has been well started on the new plant and ground is broken. The plans have been accepted and work on the buildings will be pushed to a rapid finish. All the acreage has been secured and the company have arranged for leasing several good-sized farms which they will plant with such products as need more experience in the care of."
In April, 1875, Mr. KLINDT married Miss Ida SAGER, a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, who came to America in 1863 with her parents, Christian and Mary (WODRICH) SAGER. The family located in Cassville, Wis. Mr. SAGER, who was a gardener in his native land, followed that occupation for a time in this country, and then took charge of the vineyard of Gov. Dewey, who was from Cassville. Mr. SAGER is still living here, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, but his wife is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. KLINDT are the parents of four children: Gustav A., born March 24, 1878; Edith Alma, May 31, 1885; John Arthur, April 12, 1888; and Irving, Oct. 24, 1891, died Feb. 24, 1892.
In the spring of 1879 Mr. KLINDT visited the Fatherland, and found his parents both living at that time. Returning home in the fall of that year, he was nominated by the Republican party for representative to the General Assembly, and was elected by a large majority. He could have had the office a second term, but on account of the death of his partner, Gustav GEIGER, in 1880, his business interests would not permit it. He has been prominently identified with public affairs in Cassville, and has most efficiently served as president of the village board for a number of years, and also as treasurer of the high school. Religiously Mr. KLINDT was reared a Lutheran. His life record is one well worthy of emulation, and contains many valuable lessons of incentive, showing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve every opportunity for advancement.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck