OSWALD L. KLUEGEL.

  Oswald L. Kluegel is a successful business man of Meriden, where he is engaged in dealing in paints, wall paper and mouldings, and he also does contract work in painting, paper hanging and decorating. He possesses marked artistic skill in that direction and his ability has brought him a large and growing business. He was born in Saxony, Germany, July 25, 1875, a son of Joseph L. and Wilhelmina (Ranft) Kluegel. The father, who was born April 12, 1835, died in Germany, and the mother, whose birth occurred March 21, 1836, also passed away in that country. The Kluegel family is of pure Saxon strain. They have a direct and true ancestry for twenty generations in Saxony.

  Oswald L. Kluegel was educated in public and preparatory schools of his native country and pursued what is equivalent to a high school education in this land. He thus had liberal opportunities in that direction and he speaks German, French and English fluently. His first work was in the line in which he is still engaged. In fact he has always directed his efforts in that field and he has developed his native powers and talents until he has won high reputation as an excellent artist in both oil and water colors. He is also a frescoer of the first rank and displays marked skill in china and in portrait painting. He is also splendidly qualified for taxidermist work. He came to the United States in December, 1890, and went to Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he engaged in business on his own account. In 1893 he removed to Meriden, Connecticut, but after a time left this city for Chicago, where the preliminary work for the World’s Columbian Exposition was being done. He did frescoing and art work there on many of the most prominent buildings on the fair grounds for ten months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Meriden, where he again worked at his trade. Later he removed to Easthampton, Massachusetts, and afterward to North Adams. Subsequently he returned to Easthampton, where he remained for ten or eleven years and during that period engaged in business for himself. His health became impaired and he went to Canada, where he remained for eleven months, engaged in hunting and fishing, in which he found great pleasure. He still enjoys an outing of that character and when opportunity offers takes his vacation in the wilds where he can have opportunity to hunt and fish. These are his only relaxations. He has upon the walls of his home and place of business fine moose heads, splendid specimens of fish and birds, all of which he has mounted himself.

  In 1910 Mr. Kluegel returned to Meriden and for a time was employed by others. He then established his present business in painting, decorating and paper hanging, graining, art work and frescoing. He also does work as a taxidermist. He also makes portraits in oil and water color and in the line of decorating does contract work all over New England, also in New York city and at other points. He has won a very high and well merited reputation because of his marked skill and ability in that line. He recognizes the possibilities for the attainment of beautiful effects through design and color and his workmanship has ever been of the highest order.

  In Easthampton, Massachusetts, Mr. Kluegel was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Bergman on the 26th of October, 1898. Mrs. Kluegel came from Germany in February, 1891. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children. Oswald E., born November 18, 1899, was educated in Easthampton, in Canada and in Meriden. Gertrude Minnie, born March 27, 1912, is now a student in St. John’s parochial school.

  Mr. and Mrs. Kluegel are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Kluegel is identified with the Foresters. He is a socialist in national politics but in local elections casts an independent ballot. He belongs to the Meriden Rifle Club and also to the Meriden Fishing Club, and his fellow members in those organizations find him a most congenial companion--one who is a valuable addition to any hunting or fishing party. Coming to America in early manhood, he has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune in the new world, for here he has found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has won success. America has given him her protection and the chances for business advancement and his activities have brought him prominently to the front of the line of business which he chose as a life work.