KUGLER, Arthur A.

KUGLER, ESSLINGER, MESSELHISER, BROSE, STOLL, STORK, GARDNER

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/31/2010 at 22:31:26

Arthur A. Kugler, attorney at law, who since 1912 has occupied the position of mayor in Osage, has received public endorsement of his administration in his reelection. Those opposed to him politically acknowledge his worth in the administration of public affairs, while his constituents are enthusiastic concerning the public improvements which he has instituted for the benefit of the city.

Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Franklin county in 1870. His father, G. Kugler, was a native of Germany, born in Wurtemberg, whence he came to the United States when fifteen years of age, establishing his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He there remained until the spring of 1870, when he removed to Iowa, settling in Franklin county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days, his time and attention being devoted to general farming. He was active in local political circles and was a man well known and prominent in the community. He married Harriet Esslinger, who was of German descent but was born in Pennsylvania. His death occurred in 1896, while his widow survived for twenty-years, passing away in November, 1916. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living, namely: George F.; Matilda, the wife of Adam Messelhiser; Rudolph; Mrs. Rose Brose; Albert; Mrs. Julia Stoll; Walter E.; Arthur A.; and Mrs. Lorrina Stork. Those who have passed away are Mrs. Hermina Messelhiser and Amiel.

Reared upon his father's farm in Franklin county, Arthur A. Kugler attended the rural schools and after mastering the branches of learning therein taught became a student in the Nora Springs (Ia.) Seminary, in which he completed both the normal and business courses, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1895. He also attended the Iowa State University in prepara­tion for the practice of law and won his Bachelor of Law degree in 1901. Immediately afterward he located in Osage, where he opened an office and has since engaged in practice. No dreary novitiate awaited him. Almost immediately he secured a good clientage, which has constantly increased in volume and in importance as the years have gone by. He devotes his energies to his profession with zeal, evinces a careful regard for the interests of his clients and displays an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases; and these qualities have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. Aside from his general law practice, he is also interested in farming.

In 1902 Mr. Kugler was married to Miss Pearl Gardner, of Stacyville, Iowa, who was born in October, 1882, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Gardner, he former a merchant of Stacyville, in whose family were five children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Kugler have been born three children: Clarke, who was born in October, 1903; Dean, born in October, 1910; and Theodore, born in July, 1913.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Kugler is financial secretary, and in the work of the church they take a deep and helpful interest. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to Osage Camp, No. 250, M. W. A., to the Odd Fellows lodge of Osage, and also to Paladin Lodge, No. 159, K. P., of Osage, in which he is the present keeper of records and seal, and in all of these organizations he is held in the highest esteem by his brethren. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party and in 1901 he became county attorney of Mitchell county and continuously held that position until 1912, with the exception of one year. He was then elected to the office of mayor of Osage in 1912 and has continuously served as its chief executive since that time, making a most creditable record in office. He closely studies the conditions of the city, its needs and its opportunities, and exercises his official prerogatives in support of every plan and measure that he believes will advance its welfare and uphold its high civic standards. He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance and his worth is attested by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1918, pages 220 & 221.