Andrew Kuehn Biography


	This biography appears on pages 424-425 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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				ANDREW KUEHN.  

	Strong purpose, indefatigable energy and laudable ambition were 
salient characteristics of Andrew Kuehn and brought him to a prominent 
position among the merchants and business men of Sioux Falls. His life 
record proved that success and an honorable name may be won 
simultaneously and that the strict rules which govern success in 
business are not opposed to the rules of an honorable, upright life. A 
native of Germany, he was born at Aiticheim, Baden, July 21, 1855, 
there remaining until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he 
determined to try his fortune in the new world, for the reports which 
he had heard concerning America and its opportunities awakened in him a 
desire to benefit thereby. He came alone to the United States, making 
his way first to Illinois, but after a year spent in that state removed 
to Wisconsin. Another removal six months later took him to Kellogg, 
Minnesota, where he remained for four years. It was during his 
residence in Kellogg that he was united in marriage to Christina Boldt 
and later he removed with his family to Plainview, Minnesota, where he 
resided for six years. His next place of residence was Arlington, South 
Dakota, and there he engaged in general merchandising, remaining at 
that place until the family removed to Sioux Falls fourteen years prior 
to his death. There he embarked in the wholesale grocery business, 
becoming head of the Andrew Kuehn Wholesale Grocery Company, of which 
he remained the president to the time of his death. He carefully 
directed the business and his trade in its ramifying interests covered 
a wide territory. His business dealings were so reliable that his 
patrons were ever thoroughly satisfied with the treatment accorded them 
and business colleagues and contemporaries accorded him high respect 
and honor because of the enterprise and integrity of the methods which 
he followed. He was also connected with other local enterprises, being 
a director of the Security National Bank of Sioux Falls and vice 
president of the Manchester Biscuit Company of Sioux Falls. 

	To Mr. and Mrs. Kuehn were born four children, but one son, 
Frederick A., met death by drowning in 1897, while attending the 
Wisconsin State University. The three surviving sons are Max, Martin 
and Franklin. To his family Mr. Kuehn was ever most devoted, feeling 
the deepest interest in the welfare of his sons and in planning for 
their futures.  

	He was a public-spirited citizen and never failed to take a deep 
interest in the affairs of local government. While living in Arlington 
he served as mayor, practically giving his time to the municipality as 
his salary was at first but six dollars a year and later twelve dollars 
a year. He was also the first postmaster of Arlington. After removing 
to Sioux Falls he did all in his power to promote the development of 
that city. 

	One of the local papers on the day of his demise, March 13, 1915, 
wrote: "Andrew Kuehn was a progressive business man and always willing 
to take his part in anything that would advance the community in which 
he lived He was most companionable and counted his friends by the 
thousands. By close application to business his firm had built up a 
large patronage throughout this section. It was but a short time ago, 
in a half joking talk with some friends over pleasure trips, that he 
remarked that he was getting his business in such shape that he, too, 
would shortly be able to take pleasure trips whenever the inclination  
struck him. He was a lover of outdoor recreation and took advantage of 
every opportunity to spend a day in the open."  

	Resolutions of respect and sympathy were adopted by the 
Commercial Club, of which he was a valued member, these resolutions 
speaking of him as "an active and esteemed business man, honored by his 
associates and a loyal member of the Sioux Falls Commercial Club." 
Another paper said editorially: "In the death of Andrew Kuehn, 
president of the Andrew Kuehn Company, Sioux  Falls and South Dakota 
lose a big citizen, fine in his adjustment towards life, and friendly 
and  helpful always. Mr. Kuehn came to Sioux Falls from Arlington, 
where he made a great business success, and in the larger wholesale 
field here, he succeeded in building up a great business. Mr. Kuehn was 
kindly, fair, patriotic and enterprising, and his death at the age of 
fifty-nine is a distinct loss to the state." As the years passed during 
his active career, Andrew Kuehn won the deepest respect and goodwill of 
all with whom he came in contact. He never had occasion to regret his 
determination to come to the new world, for in improving its 
opportunities he met with a substantial measure of prosperity, and he 
also gained what is more — the deep friendship of those with whom he 
was associated, his unfeigned friendliness and the fine courtesy which 
marked his dealings with  all men winning for him the warmest regard. 
He recognized that life holds opportunity for every individual and he 
used his opportunities to excellent advantage, so that his example is 
well worthy of emulation by all with whom he came in contact.  

	Max A. Kuehn, the eldest son of our subject, was born in 
Plainview, Minnesota, July 31, 1882, and after completing a public-
school course entered the Shattuck Military Academy at Faribault, 
Minnesota, where he was graduated in due course of time. He 
subsequently entered the State University of Minnesota. For the last 
fourteen years of his father's life he was associated with him in the 
conduct of the business and is now the president of the company, which 
is in a prosperous condition. Although a young man Mr. Kuehn has 
manifested executive ability of a high order and is esteemed because of 
his sound judgment and high standards of commercial integrity. He was 
married at Hannibal, Missouri, to Miss Nell Carter, a resident of that 
city, and they have two sons, namely: Carter Andrew and Max A., Jr. He 
is a worthy representative of a name that is highly honored in Sioux 
Falls and holds the unqualified respect of all who have had dealings 
with him.