Mathias L. Kielsmark

KIELSMARK, HENNINGSEN, LANSEN, JENSEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/15/2011 at 20:13:27

MATHIAS L. KIELSMARK, a leading citizen and representative business man of Reinbeck, Grundy County, has one of the finest clothing stores in the place, and as a man of public spirit, has ever been ready to lend a helping hand in all matters of public welfare. He was born across the waters, in Schleswig, Germany, where also his parents, Lauritz and Kathrina (Henningsen) Kielsmark, were born. The former was the son of Peter and Christina Kielsmark, and was a well-to-do farmer in the Fatherland. He reared a family of three children, and spent his entire life in Germany.

The father of our subject received a common-school education in his native land, and was reared to man’s estate on his father’s farm. Later, learning the trade of a mason and carpenter, he followed these combined occupations for some time, but afterward, finding tilling the soil to be more profitable, he owned and operated a farm. When twenty-seven years of age he was married to the mother of our subject, and by her became the father of seven sons: Peter, Mathias L., Christian, Hans, Detleif, Lauritz, and one who died in infancy. Detleif and Christian are also deceased. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and died when sixty-six years of age. His wife, who still makes her home in Germany, has reached her seventy-seventh year.

Mathias L. Kielsmark, of this sketch, hired out as a farm hand when only ten years of age, and was permitted to attend school during the winter season until reaching his sixteenth year. He was then apprenticed to learn the shoemaker’s trade, which he followed for twelve years, mostly in Germany. He was married in 1871, in the Old Country, to Miss Helen, daughter of Christian and Maria (Lansen) Jensen. A year later the young couple embarked in a sailing-vessel bound for the United States, and on landing in American came immediately to Iowa, where our subject began working at his trade, following it, however, only a short time. He soon went to Cedar Falls, and, entering a shoe store there, continued until 1877, the date of his advent into this city.

In the above year Mr. Kielsmark established a boot and shoe store in this place, which, however, he disposed of as it did not pay. He then engaged in the liquor business for ten years. In 1888 he sold out his interest in that line, and put in a $6,000 stock of clothing in the business house which he is occupying at the present time. In addition to this property, he owns several residences and business blocks in Reinbeck, and is the possessor of one hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land in Minnesota.

To our subject and his wife have been born four children, of whom Christian is the only survivor. He has been given a fine education, completing his studies in the high schools of Reinbeck and Cedar Rapids. He is at present located in Waterloo, where he has a good position in a wholesale glove house. Mr. Kielsmark has been very successful, and in all his business operations has conducted himself in a most creditable manner. He is moderate in his prices, prompt in attending to orders, and is very popular in trade and social circles. He justly merits the large measure of success achieved by his skill and industry.

Our subject and his wife are influential members of the Lutheran Church. In social affairs the former is connected with Reinbeck Lodge No. 386, I. O. O. F., and Howland Lodge No. 274, A. O. U. W., of Waterloo. He is a Democrat in politics, and as a public-spirited and progressive man, is serving as a member of the Town Council.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894