John C. Klemme Biography


	This biography appears on pages 295-296 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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				JOHN C. KLEMME.  

	For many years John C. Klemme figured as one of the most 
prominent insurance men of Huron and his section of the state, and the 
agency which he established is still conducted under his name, although 
he has retired from active connection therewith. He is a well known 
figure in fraternal circles and is everywhere mentioned as one of the 
valued residents of Huron. His birth occurred in Franklin county, 
Indiana, in 1852, and in his youthful days he attended the country 
schools, but his education and training have been largely acquired in 
the school of experience. His father was Henry W. Klemme, a resident 
farmer of Indiana, who, in 1860, removed to Winneshiek county Iowa, 
where he owned large tracts of land, being one of the leading farmers 
of that district. His last years were spent in Elma, Iowa, where he 
owned a fine residence. A native of Germany, he crossed the Atlantic in 
a sailing vessel, eight weeks being required in making the voyage. His 
wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Gasell, was also a native 
of Germany, having been born on the banks of the Rhine in Prussia. They 
became the parents of fourteen children, of whom thirteen, eleven sons 
and two daughters, are yet living.  

	John C. Klemme was a little lad of eight years when the family 
removed to Iowa, and in the usual manner of farm lads his boyhood and 
youth were spent. In 1878, when twenty six years of age, he came to 
South Dakota from Vinton, Iowa, for the purpose of looking over the 
country. He made his way to Springfield, this state, and was well 
pleased with its prospects. He returned to Vinton for the winter, but 
in the spring of 1879 again went to Springfield, where he established a 
real-estate and insurance office, conducting business there for eight 
years. In 1886 he located in Huron, having taken up a tree claim that 
included what is now the southern part of the city. For many years he 
conducted an extensive insurance, real-estate and loan business in that 
city, having a very large and gratifying clientage. For thirty-four 
years he represented the Phoenix Insurance Company and established the 
Calumet agency in South Dakota and in Iowa. For twenty-two years he was 
special agent and adjuster for the Phoenix Insurance Company in North 
and South Dakota, and there is no phase of the insurance business with 
which he is not familiar. His agency was known as the Klemme Agency, 
and the business is still carried on under that name, although he has 
retired. The name has become a synonym for the highest standard of 
service along insurance and real-estate lines.  

	While at Springfield, South Dakota, Mr. Klemme was united in 
marriage to Miss Florence Sandison, of Vinton, Iowa, who passed away 
thirteen years later. A few years subsequent to her death Mr. Klemme 
wedded Mrs. L. E. Choate, of Yankton, South Dakota, who in her 
maidenhood was Miss Annie E. Edwards. Her father was one of the 
pioneers of the state, settling at Elk Point, Dakota, in 1860. 
Subsequently he moved to Yankton, where he established a dray line. His 
first home was a log cabin and the family met the usual experiences and 
hardships of pioneer life, but his business grew with the settlement of 
this state. 

	Mr. Klemme has always taken a very active part in the affairs of 
the city, is a public spirited man and one whose interest has been of a 
most helpful character. He is prominently known in fraternal circles, 
holding membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Masons. He was largely instrumental in building the Masonic Temple in 
Huron and became one of its largest stockholders. He is ever loyal and 
true to the teachings of these organizations, exemplifying in his life 
the spirit of fraternity. He belongs to the Episcopal church, and he 
gives his political allegiance to the republican party. For four years 
he filled the office of register of deeds in his county and for five or 
six years was city treasurer of Huron, discharging the duties of both 
offices with promptness and fidelity. In every relation of life he has 
measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship and in 
business his record is indeed an enviable one, winning for him the 
regard and confidence of colleagues and contemporaries. The rest which 
has come to him in his retirement from business is well merited, but, 
while he has put aside the more arduous cares of business life, he is 
by no means a recluse, for he takes a most active and helpful interest 
in the fraternal organizations with which he is connected and gives 
generous, hearty and helpful support to all those measures which are a 
matter of civic virtue and civic pride.