Edward J. Hentges Biography


	This biography appears on page 671 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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				EDWARD J. HENTGES.

	The Hentges Clothing Company controls one of the important 
commercial enterprises of Yankton and the business is under the direct 
supervision of Edward J. Hentges. A native of Le Mars, lowa, be is a 
son of John and Mary (Burg) Hentges, natives of Luxemburg, Germany, who 
on crossing the Atlantic to America settled in Chicago. In 1870 a 
removal was made to Le Mars, Iowa, where the father carried on farming 
and stock-raising. Later he turned his attention to commercial 
pursuits, establishing the clothing business which is now carried on by 
his sons. He continued actively in the trade, however, until 1895, 
when, having acquired a handsome competence, he retired. In all of this 
time, as his sons grew to sufficient age, they served an apprenticeship 
under the father, who carefully superintended their business training 
so that they were able to assume control at his retirement and continue 
the business as he had done following the same progressive and reliable 
policy. In September, 1902, they opened a branch store in Yankton, 
South Dakota, Edward J. Hentges establishing this business, and the 
next forward step was made by them in the establishment of a store at 
Watertown, South Dakota, in October, 1910, Joseph V. Hentges being in 
charge there. The scope of their business still later extended in the 
opening of a store at Alton, Illinois, in 1913. In these establishments 
there is carried a complete line of men's and boys' wearing apparel. 
They handle all the best lines and brands of clothing and men's goods 
and the business in each place is proving a profitable undertaking. 
Edward J. Hentges is connected with the various stores in a supervising 
capacity and at the same time remains at the head of the Yankton house, 
which is now one of the important commercial enterprises of that 
section of the state. He carefully formulates his plans and promptly 
executes them and is notably prompt, energetic and reliable in all of 
his business dealings.