Charles Frederick Kuester

A native of the province of Pomerania, Germany, Charles Frederick Kuester came to America when twenty-one years of age and without assistance, without even knowing the language of the country, set himself to the task of founding a home and has succeeded to a remarkable degree, now owning a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres with all modern improvements, located in Linton township this county, where the father bought a farm of eighty acres. Here the parents resided until both passed away, the father dying in 1906, and the mother having preceded him in 1893.

Charles F. Kuester is a sixth in a family of eight children, of whom five are now living. He attended school in Germany and when seventeen years of age enlisted in the regular army, in which he served for four years or until he came to America, making his way directly to Iowa with his parents. Here he worked for a time for others and then removed to Missouri, where he was similarly employed for a period of four years. He then returned to this state and bought his present farm in Linton township, renting it, however, to a tenant and moving to Minnesota, where he worked for others until his return, when he married and settled on his land. He went to Minnesota largely for the purpose of acquiring the necessary means toward the successful operation of his farm. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land upon which he as made all of the improvements and on which he carries on general farming, keeping a considerable amount of livestock. As the years have passed he has attained prosperity and now annually harvests rich crops which bring him a substantial income. Mr. Kuester is a stockholder in the Monona Creamery Company and also in the Commission Association of that place.

On October 10, 1895, Mr. Kuester married Miss Anna Levenhagen, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, March 27, 1878. She is a daughter of John and Albertina (Gibbs) Levenhagen, both of Mecklenburg. They came to America in 1890 and after residing in Cleveland, Ohio, for one year, removed to Franklin township, this county, where the farm acquired title to a farm on which the parents still reside. While in Germany, John Levenhagen served in the regular army. In his family were eleven children, of whom Mrs. Kuester is the third in order of birth. Mr. And Mrs. Kuester became the parents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are: Elsie Katherina, born November 21, 1896; Adolph Herman, July 29, 1900; Hugo Carl, August 20, 1903; Allma Laura, December 11,1905; and Melinda Josephine, September 23, 1908.

Mr. Kuester is so entirely engaged in promoting his interest and in looking after his property that he has never found time to associate himself with any organizations either of a social or fraternal nature. He gives all of his time to his farming, which he pursues with incessant energy and industry. An example of his perseverance is given in the fact that he quickly overcame the difficulty of learning a new language. He is entirely a self-made man who without assistance from any source and without friends has made his own labor the basis of his success. Mr. Kuester gives his political adherence to the republican party and served as township trustee and also as school director, discharging his duties in both connections with distinct credit to himself. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at Watson. He has made many friends in this district who esteem him for his pluck and his kindness of heart and such success as has come to him is well merited for Mr. Kuester is one of those sons of Germany who have become a thoroughly patriotic and valuable American citizen.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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