R. G. Kleemann is a candy manufacturer of Laramie and has so directed his business interests as to win a place among the substantial merchants and citizens of his adopted city. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, April 28, 1869, a son of Rudolph G. and Sophia (Settelle) Kleemann, both of whom were natives of Germany, and a grandson of Carl Kleemann who was an officer at the battle of Waterloo and well known in the section of Germany where he resided as the proprietor of Kleemaim's Inn.
    In childhood the parents came to the new world, settling in the south, where they remained for a time and later became residents of Chicago. The father engaged in the manufacture of billiard tables and at the time of the great Chicago fire in October. 1871, was conducting the most extensive business of that character in the new world. The fire destroyed his plant and he lost everything. He built the first billiard tables made in America and some of the table plates which he used are still preserved by his son. Fire, however, was not the first occasion of loss to the Kleemann family, for Rudolph Kleemann had been extensively interested as a planter in the south where he lost a fortune in a cotton plantation through floods. A spirit of resolute purpose has ever characterized the Kleemann family, however, and obstacles and difficulties in their path have seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on their part. On leaving Chicago the parents of R. G. Kleemann came to Wyoming, arriving in Laramie in 1876. Here the father established a hotel, which he conducted for a year and then sold out. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to mining and was killed while inspecting a mine in April, 1879. His widow yet survives and still makes her home in Laramie. They were the parents of six children: Albert, who is a resident of Pocatello, Idaho; Charles J., also living in Pocatello; R. G., of this review; Mrs. C. J. Waechter; Agnes, who is a teacher in the schools of Laramie; and Louis F., engaged in the piano business in San Antonio, Texas.
    R. G. Kleemann, the third in order of birth in the family, attended school in Laramie, where he arrived when a youth of seven years. He started in business as a candy manufacturer before he had attained his majority and since then has built up an enterprise of large proportions. He has been wonderfully successful in the conduct of his business and now enjoys an extensive wholesale and retail candy business, his trade covering Laramie and the surrounding territory. He is today one of the most successful in his line in the state. He has continuously engaged in this business for twenty-eight years and he has based his success upon the excellence of his product, his fair dealing and his reasonable prices. He purchased the building in which he now conducts business and it stands as a monument to his enterprise and well directed energy and thrift.
    On the 12^th of October, 1904. Mr. Kleemann was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Steltemeier, of St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Steltemeier, of that city. Five children have been born of this marriage: Rudolph G., who was born in Laramie in October, 1905, and is now in the University training school; Agnes J., who was born in January, 1906, and is also a student in the University training school; Carl F., born in August, 1908, a public school pupil; Albert J., who was born in October, 1912; and Louis Harry, in May, 1916.
    Fraternally Mr. Kleemann is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and politically he maintains an independent attitude voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He is one of the representative citizens of Laramie, standing high in public regard and well known in trade circles throughout the state. He has never faltered in his purpose and has ever recognized the fact that when one avenue of opportunity seems closed one can carve out another path whereby he can reach the desired goal. He has ever been watchful of chances for legitimate advancement in business circles and by close application and watchfulness over every feature of his trade he has built up a gratifying business that places him among the substantial men of his section of the state.