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Kuempel, Christian H. 1824 - 1900

KUEMPEL, KNOEBEL, RUEGNITZ, KUCHEMANN, GENTZ, HORNING

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/1/2020 at 11:51:26

Elkader Register, Thur., 10 May 1900. Clayton column.

Even as the sun riseth in the morning to glorify and give light for the day, so cometh man forth from clay to enlighten the world of mortals during his existence, which existence is numbered in days, hours, minutes and seconds, thence to return to the element from which he came, leaving only as a trace of such existence a sacred memory to those who knew him best.

On Thursday evening, May 3rd, 1900, the good people of our little city were deeply shocked and grieved to learn of the sudden demise of our old and respected pioneer citizen, Christian H. Kuemple, who quietly passed away on that evening from paralysis of the left side. He had been in ill health for some time but gave the case no serious thought, but on Thursday afternoon, his son John C. noticed while attending him that he was failing steadily, but also thought it to be one of his bad spells, and was told by his father that he would be better the next morning as usual, which proved how little we know when we shall be called hence, for, while speaking, the grim messenger of death was beckoning him to come, and without warning in a few brief moments his spirit had gone to that home beyond the dark valley where his sainted wife has prepared a resting place beside her 'neath the pearly portals, there to be reunited to dwell in that celestial home of life everlasting.

Mr. Kuemple was born in Wernhausen in Saxon Meinunge, Germany, Jan. 21, 1824, and when a youth entered a cabinet maker's apprenticeship, of which he became master. In the spring of 1841 he emigrated to the United States landing at New York, there learning of the advantages and opportunities for a young mechanic at Galena, Ill., then a booming mining town. Upon his arrival in that city he found employment in a furniture shop, where he remained for several years, an honor to himself and a credit to his employers.

He was married on Sept. 22, 1849, to Miss Maria Eva Knoebel, of that city, who preceded him to the grave Sept. 3, 1898. Eight children came to bless this happy union, three of whom God had taken to his fold in infancy. In October 1855 he moved with his family to Clayton and erected a small furniture shop for the manufacture of chairs and other furniture in company with W. S. Stearns, under the firm name of Kuempel & Stearns, which firm enjoyed a flourishing business. Upon the retirement of Mr. Stearns he continued the business for a few years when he erected a larger and more commodious shop, with lathes, jig and bracket saws which was driven by a vertical horse power. In the spring of 1873 he moved his shop building on more spacious lots and enlarged it extensively with an addition for a saw mill and feed mill, placing in his shop various lathes, planing, matching and other machines, replacing the horse power by steam. This busy little plant was successfully conducted by him till the spring of 1889, when he sold it to his three boys, John C., George L., and Edward, under the firm name of Kuempel Bros., who converted the plant into an excelsior mill, in which enterprise they met with abundant success. Mr. Kuempel retaining and continuing his furniture store until the night of Dec. 5th, 1895, when his store and contents together with the entire excelsior plant burned to the ground at a total loss of about $10,000 to Mr. Kuempel and his sons, with no insurance, but he continued in the furniture business to the time of his death.

He was a thorough, strict business man for which he was known far and near, having frequently aided a fellow citizen when in financial difficulties. He was also a public spirited citizen in our little city, and for a number of years was trustee of this township.

Those who survive him are his brother, Capt. R. Kuempel, of Dubuque, and four sons and one daughter. They are John C., Mrs. Carolina Ruegnitz, Henry, George L., and Edward.

Chas. Scholz, of Guttenberg, had charge of the funeral which was beautifully conducted by Rev. Sommerlad, of Garnavillo, Sunday afternoon, May 6th, and the remains were laid to rest beside those of his wife in the Clayton cemetery, where he may slumber in his well deserved rest. The funeral was attended by hundreds of friends who came to pay tribute as a last farewell and perform the sad rites in commending his spirit to the God who it and consigning his body to the grave.

Among the relatives from abroad who attended the funeral were Miss Lucy Kuchemann, Mrs. Carrie Gentz and Ernst Kuchemann, of Galena, Ill., Capt. R. Kuempel and daughter Minnie, also Ed Horning, wife and children of Dubuque.


 

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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