In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905), History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915)
FREDRICK J. KUHLEMEIER.
Fredrick J. Kciilemeier, whose intense and well-directed activity is rapidly becoming a forceful factor in the progress and prosperity of Burlington, is a director of the Merchants' Life Association and the superintendent of one of its most important departments, with offices in the National State Bank building in that city. He occupies a conspicuous position among the successful younger business men of his city, and in his business relations and dealings has applied the principles of a private life in which fidelity to dutv, trustworthiness, and consideration of others have been salient features.
A native son of Iowa, Mr. Kuhlemeier was born at Charles City, this State, March 10, 1873, the son of the late Hon. August H. and Lena (Cramer) Kuhlemeier.
August H. Kuhlemeier, father of our subject, was born in Lippe Detwald, Germany, Dec. 10, 1846, and immigrating to America in 1853, settled in Freeport, Ill., where he later began his business career as clerk in a dry-goods store, subsequently taking a position as traveling agent for a compatriot who was engaged in business at Freeport. Manifesting extraordinary business ability, he received rapid advancement, and going from promotion to promotion, became general agent for Iowa, Nebraska, and Dakota, in which capacity by tireless energy and wise control of those under his charge, he built up an enormous and highly profitable business. In 1870 he removed to Burlington, here becoming revenue collector for the fourth district of Iowa by appointment of the Cleveland administration. He organized the Merchants' Life Association, becoming its first president, and occupied that position until his death. As a man who enjoyed the implicit confidence of the public and of financial circles, he was enabled to place the company in a prominent position from the start, securing for the enterprise its full share of prestige among older institutions of recognized standing. Possessing indomitable resolution and great personal force, any undertaking to which he lent his efforts was destined to succeed, while his keen judgment and remarkable power of anah"zing a business situation were of immeasurable benefit to the company and carried it to triumphs even beyond the expectations of those who gave it their heartiest support.
Outside his business activities, he played a notable part in the political life of his day, exercising a commanding influence in the councils of the Democratic party, of which he was a stanch adherent and supporter, and in recognition of his talents and the sterling virtues of his character he was at one time returned by Des Moines county as her representative in the State Legislature of Iowa, while during an extended term of years he was frequently called by an important constituency to serve their interests as a member of the city council..A.11 these public trusts he executed with the efficiency and conscientiousness which characterized everything he did, and the loss which the community- sustained in his death was one that can not soon be repaired. * At Charles City, on June 3, 1872, he wedded Miss Lena Cramer, and to them were born three sons: Frederick J., the subject of this review; August 'R.; and Harry F.
Fredrick J. Kuhlemeier has been a resident of Burlington since infancy, and it is to the public-school system of his city that he owes his preliminary education, though not all of the educational advantages which he enjoys, for after completing his literary course there, he pursued further studies under the direction of private tutors.
He inaugurated his business career as a traveling salesman for the Burlingfton Basket Company, in whose employ he continued for three years, scoring a number of notable successes, winning the commendation of his employers, and forming many valuable friend.ships throughout a wide extent of territory. At the e.expiration of that period he became chi'f clerk to the superintendent of construction in charge of the erection of the Federal building in Burlington, and a year later, upon the organization of the Merchants' Life Association, he entered its em])lov as book- J\CC)cr, and was also elected a member of the board of directors, an office which be still holds. His f)present position is that of superintendent of agencies — one requiring in its incumbent a high development of tact and executive force, and which may be said, in fact, to constitute the keystone of the whole structure of the business, since it is upon the successful administration of this department that the healthful condition of the entire institution de])ends. Of these necessary and invaluable qualifications Mr. Kuhlemeier has shown himself to be the fortunate possessor, and the vigor and quick perception which he has !)brought to his work are winning for him increasiil appreciation among his associates, and with the general public who appreciate merit and a spirit of enlightened enterprise.
On Sept. 30. 1903,.Mr. Kulilemeier was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Crawford, daughter of Mrs. Jane Crawford. Mrs. Kuhlemeier is a native of Des Moines comity, where she has always resided, and is a woman of many social gifts and connections, being a member of the.Musical Club, the King's Daughters, and the Presbyterian church, in all of which she is a prominent worker. Mr. Kuhlemeier is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the P.burlington I'.oat Club, and the Burlington Golf Club; and as one who has always taken a vital interest in public affairs, he has long been active in Democratic politics, and 1)\ his intlucnce and ability has been able to perform much valuable service, enjoying extreme poi)ularity among the younger element of the party, while the conservative and solid qualities of his character have brought him the reward of universal favor and esteem. He has a wide circle of acquaintance, and his genial and warm-hearted disposition is well calculated to win him friends.
As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
FREDERICK J. KUHLEMEIER.
In insurance circles the advance of Frederick J. Kuhlemeier has been continuous until at the present writing he is a prominent figure in connection therewith as secretary of the Merchants Life Association of Burlington. He is yet a young man and the position to which he has attained speaks volumes concerning his business ability, his commendable ambition, his indefatigable energy and his resourcefulness. He was born in Charles City, Iowa, March 10, 1873, a son of the Hon. August H. and Lena (Cramer) Kuhlemeier. The family numbered three sons, the younger sons being August R. and Harry F.
A native of Germany, the father was born in Lippe-Detmold on the loth of December, 1846, and in 1853 he came to the new world, the family home being established at Freeport, Illinois. He there made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a dry goods store and subsequently went upon the road as a traveling salesman for a Freeport house. Advancement came to him rapidly as the result of his developing powers, and he was made general agent for Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota, in which states he built up an enormous and highly profitable business. In 1870 he removed to Burlington
FKEDERICK J. KUHLEMKIKK and under appointment of President Cleveland became revenue collector for the fourth district of Iowa. The next step forward in his business career was the organization of the Merchants Life Association, of which he became the first president, so continuing until his demise. A contemporary writer has said of him: "As a man who enjoyed the implicit confidence of the public and of financial circles, he was enabled to place the company in a prominent position from the start, securing for the enterprise its full share of prestige among older institutions of recognized standing. Possessing indomitable resolution and great personal force, any undertaking to which he lent his efforts was destined to succeed, while his keen judgment and remarkable power of analyzing a business situation were of immeasurable benefit to the company and carried it to triumphs even beyond the expectations of those who gave it their heartiest support. Outside his business activities, he played a notable part in the political life of his day, exercising a commanding influence in the councils of the democratic party, of which he was a stanch adherent and supporter, and in recognition of his talents and the sterling virtues of his character he was at one time returned by Des Moines county as her representative in the state legislature of Iowa, while during an extended term of years he was frequently called by an important constituency to serve their interests as a member of the city council. All these public trusts he executed with the efiiciencv and conscientiousness which characterized everything he did, and the loss which the community sustained in his death was one which cannot soon be repaired."
When but an infant Frederick J. Kuhlemeier was brought to Burlington, where he attended the public schools and also studied under the direction of private tutors. Like his father, he was a traveling salesman in early manhood, going upon the road as a representative of the Burlington Basket Company, with which he remained for three years, severing that connection to the great regret of his employers. In the meantime he had formed warm friendships throughout the territory and this has stood him in good stead in later life. On leaving his first position he became chief clerk to the superintendent of construction in charge of the erection of the federal building in Burlington and when the Merchants Life Association was formed a year later he became bookkeeper for the company and also one of its directors. He has since represented its directorate and thus from the beginning has had voice in the management of the corporation. At different times he has been advanced and eventually reached the position of superintendent of agencies. In that position he displayed notable tact and executive force. He wisely directed the interests of the agencies and proved himself capable of handling and directing the men. His next promotion made him secretary of the company, of which J. J. Seerley is the president; John Blaul, vice president; and William F. McFarland, treasurer. Comparatively few business men of his years have attained a place of equal prominence and importance. This is not because special advantages have been his, but because he has made a wise use of his time, talents and opportunities and, rising step by step, he has now controlling interests that give him a conspicuous place in financial circles of his adopted city.
The home life of Mr. Kuhlemeier is attractive. He was married September 30, 1903, to Miss Carrie Crawford, a native of Des Moines county and a daughter of Mrs. Jane Crawford. She belongs to the Musical Club, the King's Daughters and the Presbyterian church and is an active and efficient worker in all. She possesses, moreover, attractive social gifts, which renders her home a favorite resort with many friends. Mr. Kuhlemeier holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Boat Club and the Burlington Golf Club, and his political indorsement is given to the democratic party. Another biographer has said of him in this connection: "He has always been vitally interested in public affairs and by his honesty and ability has been able to perform much valuable service, enjoying extreme popularity among the younger element of the party, while the conservative and solid qualities of his character have brought him the reward of universal favor and esteem." Wherever he has gone he has made friends. There is about him that quality which for want of a better term has been called personal magnetism. He easily inspires confidence and regard, and his qualities bear the test of long acquaintance.
As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: August H. Kuhlemeier (b. 1846)
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.