August W. Mielenz Biography This biography appears on pages 845-846 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm AUGUST W. MIELENZ. August W. Mielenz is senior member of the firm of Mielenz & Company, proprietors of the Yankton Steam Laundry, doing business at No. 229 Broadway in Yankton. He is a man of indefatigable industry and is building up his business upon the foundation of determination and reliability He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, June 14, 1853, a son of Martin and Mary Mielenz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated westward to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and the father there took up the occupation of farming. August W. Mielenz was reared upon the old homestead in his native county and was educated in a limited way in the district schools, but his opportunities were somewhat meager, for his services were needed in the development of the fields and to his father he continued to give the benefit of his aid until he reached the age of eighteen years. He then removed to Ackley, Hardin county, Iowa, where he acquainted himself with the drug business, remaining at that place until the spring of 1876. That year witnessed his arrival in Yankton. The now thriving city was then a frontier town containing a few straggling houses- one of the outposts of western civilization. He started out in business here as a freighter in the Black Hills, which has just been opened up as a mining district. For two years he continued in that business and says it was the most interesting period of his life. During that period he assisted in the removal of the famous Indian chief, Spotted Tail. Later in 1878 he entered the employ of the wholesale liquor firm of Adler & Ohlman at Yankton as a clerk, remaining with that house for four years. In 1882 he removed with his little family to Mitchell, South Dakota, where he engaged in the implement business for more than a decade. The financial panic of 1893 and subsequent hard times claimed him as a victim. It was a real calamity for him, for he was nicely started in business, but owing to existing conditions was forced to retire from that field. Soon afterward he obtained a working interest in a steam laundry at Mitchell and was associated with that business until 1901, when, in connection with Mr. Fish, one of the partners, he came to Yankton and here established a steam laundry under the firm name of Fish & Mielenz at No. 307 West Third street. They continued business together until 1904, when Mr. Fish sold his interest to the son of his partner, George C. Mielenz. and the present firm of Mielenz & Company was thus organized and still continues. In that year (1904) they removed to their present location at No. 229 Broadway, where they have excellent quarters. They occupy a building two stories and basement completely equipped with all the latest and most modern machinery for carrying on laundry work. In fact, they have all the facilities of a metropolitan, up-to-date plant. Theirs is the only steam laundry in this section and the business has shown a gratifying annual increase, extending over a radius of one hundred miles. They employ fifteen people and Mr. Mielenz devotes his entire time and attention to the business, which is steadily growing. In 1879 Mr. Mr. Mielenz was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Rathgeber, a native of Germany, who, however, became a resident of Yankton county in pioneer times. Five children have been born of this union: George C., who was born in Yankton in 1880 and is now his father's partner in business; Maude, the wife of Fred Pfotenhauer, Jr., of Yankton; Jeannette, the wife of Henry Tammen, Jr., of Yankton; Walter, of the same city; and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Mielenz was formerly a member of the fire department of Mitchell, South Dakota, and at one time was city marshal at that place. He holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is an industrious, intelligent citizen who realizes that energy and integrity are potent forces of success, and his worth as a business man is widely acknowledged by his fellow townsmen.