Mr. Kindt's record is that of an energetic and self-reliant man, whose best work has been done when he was compelled to depend upon his individual efforts for his advancement. Born in this country, a descendant of sturdy German ancestry, he has coupled the enthu siasm of the American with the sagacity and shrewdness of the German, and as a result has accomplished more than the average man of his years. His father, Louis Kindt, a native of Baden, Germany, who married Kate Sheibly of Sandusky, Ohio, has been one of the most successful scenic artists this country has ever known, and his son obtained a thorough knowledge of that profession in his early youth. Louis Kindt's family connections in the old country are of the best class. His father was an officer in the German revolution of 1848, and made a record for bravery and loyalty to the cause of which his descendants have a right to be proud. The sister of Louis Kindt is to-day the first court lady, the companion of the Queen of Roumania.
Charles T. Kindt was born on the twenty-eighth day of March, 1861, in the City of Sandusky, and in that city received the rudiments of his education. Some time during the latter part of the “sixties,” the family removed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where the elder Kindt had contracts for work in the line of his profession. From Oshkosh they removed to Milwaukee, and from there, in 1868, to Chicago, where the permanent home of the family has been to the present time.
Chicago was Mr. Kindt's headquarters, so to speak, inasmuch as he had extensive contracts in many other cities, and therefore was not engaged during the entire time in Chicago. He was remarkably successful during these years, and his son, who was just getting well started into the schools of Chicago, displayed a remarkable aptitude for the work in which his father was engaged. At the age of ten years he was able to assist his father very materially. However, when he left school he learned wood engraving, and followed that employment with much success until about 1883. He then joined his father, who was engaged in painting panoramic views of the battles of Lookout Moun tain and Vicksburg for exhibition in the City of Milwaukee. Later he helped his father paint a view of the “Second Day at Gettysburg, "which was exhibited all over the country. His father had a financial interest in this work, and was quite successful in accumulating a comfortable, although not a large fortune.
After assisting his father in this work Mr. Kindt continued as a scenic painter for several years, remaining in the profession until he became the lessee and manager of the Burtis Opera House on the tenth of March, 1888. His acquaintance among the theatrical people of the country is very extensive. He is, perhaps, as well known and knows as many people as any of the younger theatrical managers in the country. He has traveled all over the United States, and has made theatrical friends in nearly every State he has visited. It is probably owing to his extensive acquaintance that he has been so successful in the management of the opera house in this city. In his capacity as caterer to the amusement loving public, he has become a conspicuous figure. He thoroughly understands what it is that the people of this section desire in the way of amusement, and he uses his best judgment in supplying what he believes to be the wants of the people.
Mr. Kindt has been manager also of the Black Hawk Watch Tower for a couple of seasons, and during 1894 succeeded in making it better and more favorably known than ever before. Black Hawk Watch Tower is a beautiful place, situated on a bluff overlooking Rock river, and affording a view for miles in every direction. It has grandeur of scenery, and is rich in historical reminiscences, and Mr. Kindt has been able to make of it a resort of the highest class; a place where the most refined and cultured of the people enjoy the summer afternoons and evenings undisturbed by the rustle of busy city life. It is because of Mr. Kindt's ability to appreciate what the better class of people desire in the way of amusement that he has become so very popular during his residence here, and it is because of this that there is good reason to think he will in the future become a more extensive caterer to the public demands for theatrical entertainment. He has always been a keen observer, and there is a vein of humor as well as of pathos running through his conversation, which makes him an entertaining and delightful companion. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and although he is not a politician, he takes a very active interest in political matters. He is not much of a society man, caring little for that kind of life. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Turner Society. In his home he finds his greatest enjoyment.
He was married on the twenty- second of March, 1882, to Miss Nellie Stoddard, a daughter of Brigadier-General Stoddard, who was killed at Chattanooga during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Kindt have three children: Lena, Julia and Charles Roy.
BIOGRAPHIES