Mathias Behrend Biography


	This biography appears on page 49 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				MATHIAS BEHREND.  

	Mathias Behrend is a member of the firm of Behrend & Oberembt, 
dealers in automobiles and supplies. Before embarking upon this line of 
business he was connected with other interests in Parkston, all of 
which have contributed to the business enterprise and activity of the 
town and its consequent upbuilding. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, 
December 3, 1868, a son of Mathias and Mary Behrend. The family came 
to South Dakota in 1882, settling at Starr, Hutchinson county. The 
father secured a homestead and for twenty years devoted his time and 
energies to general farming, his business affairs being industriously 
prosecuted. He died on the 18th of March, 1910, but is survived by his 
widow, who makes her home in Parkston.  

	Mathias Behrend was educated in the parochial schools of Madison, 
Wisconsin, assisted his father through the period of his boyhood and 
youth and afterward began earning his own living by working for others. 
He engaged in business on his own account in 1894 and for twenty years 
was connected with the liquor trade. In 1911 he engaged in the 
automobile business, to which he now devotes his energies. In 1902 be 
built the city exchange and country telephone lines. Of the company 
which was organized for the conduct of the business he was elected 
president and continued in that position until four years ago, when he 
disposed of his interests to Fred Sinkbeil, Jr. For eighteen years Mr. 
Oberembt has been a partner of Mr. Behrend in these different business 
ventures. In 1911 they erected their present building, which is fifty 
by eighty feet with an addition twenty-five by one hundred feet. They 
handle the Buick, Reo and Haines automobiles and they are conducting 
the principal business in their dine in Parkston and that part of the 
state. They have sold many machines and they have a large trade in 
automobile supplies.  

	On the 3d of April, 1894, Mr. Behrend was united in marriage to 
Miss Julia Puetz, a daughter of Peter Puetz, and their children are 
Marie, Louisa, Francis, Esther, Helen and Joseph. In his political 
belief Mr. Behrend is a democrat. His religious faith is that of the 
Catholic church and be was treasurer thereof for ten years. He served 
as chief of the fire department for a decade and for two years was a 
member of the city council, exercising his official prerogatives in 
support of various progressive measures which have benefited the city 
and advanced its growth. When leisure permits he enjoys a fishing and 
hunting trip and he also finds recreation and pleasure in motoring. He 
has long been well known in connection with business activity in 
Parkston and is now at the head of a profitable and growing commercial 
enterprise.