John F. D. Mundt Biography


	This biography appears on pages 954-957 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN F. D. MUNDT. 

	The name of John F. D. Mundt is well known in business and 
official circles of Sioux Falls, where for many years his influence has 
been a tangible force for good in the community and where he is serving 
in a capable and discriminating manner as city commissioner of 
waterworks and sewerage. His business affairs are capably and carefully 
conducted and have brought him a success which places him among the 
substantial and representative men of the city. He was born in 
Hjorring, Denmark, August 16, 1853, and is a son of August F. and 
Christina (Bends) Mundt, the former a native of Germany. The parents 
came to America in 1862 and settled first in Meriden, Connecticut, 
whence one year afterward they moved to Brownsville, Minnesota. In 1880 
they took up their residence in Sioux Falls and later in Hartford, 
South Dakota. The father died in 1895, at the age of seventy-eight, and 
the mother in the following year. 

	John F. D. Mundt acquired his early education in the public 
schools of Brownsville, Minnesota, and later attended business college 
at La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1878 he located in Sioux Falls and with his 
brother-in-law, Frank Kunerth, as partner established a general store 
there, which they conducted successfully until 1880 when Mr. Mundt 
disposed of his interest to his partner. He then removed with his 
parents to Hartford, South Dakota, and there engaged in the general 
merchandise business and later added grain and live stock, retaining 
his connection with those lines until 1899. He then disposed of his 
interests there and returned to Sioux Falls, where he has now important 
commercial and financial relations. He is a director in the Security 
National Bank of Sioux Falls. 

	Mr. Mundt has been twice married. In 1877 he wedded Miss Louisa 
Glucks, who died leaving two children, Charles F. and Herman D. Mr. 
Mundt,s second wife was in her maidenhood Miss Fannie B. Oaks, and they 
have become the parents of seven children: John W.; Irene C., who 
married Roy Donahoe, of Sioux Falls; Fred A.; Rosalie A.; Fannie 
Luella; Thelma L.; and Theodore Roosevelt. 

	Mr. Mundt is a member of the Lutheran church. He belongs to the 
Elks Club. is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and holds 
membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his 
political allegiance to the republican party and in matters of 
citizenship is progressive and public-spirited, giving his aid and 
cooperation to many movements of advancement and reform. In 1894 he was 
elected treasurer of Minnehaha county and served for two years, 
refusing renomination at the end of that time. In 1913 he was elected 
city commissioner of Sioux Falls and was assigned to the financial 
department and in 1914 was elected as commissioner of waterworks and 
sewerage, in which capacity he is doing capable and farsighted work in 
the public service. He is well known in Sioux Falls as a man of tried 
integrity and worth, and he and his family stand high in the estimation 
of the community.