ARENDT, Charles (1865 - 1915)

ARENDT

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/16/2025 at 22:00:02

CHARLES ARENDT EXPIRES SUDDENLY

Former Cherokean Passes Away at Sioux Falls, S. D.
While sitting at a table in his home talking to members of his family about 9 o’clock last evening, Charles Arendt, ex-fire chief and old resident of Sioux Falls, dropped dead. Mr. Arendt had been in good health until Saturday evening when he was suddenly taken with severe pains in is chest. Sunday, however, he was able to be about the house and yesterday went to his blacksmith shop in Dakota avenue outwardly as well as ever. After supper he went to his accustomed chair and was talking with his family when the fatal stroke occurred.

Mr. Arendt was born July 4, 1865, in Plymouth County, Iowa. When a boy of about 15, he moved with his parents to Cherokee, Iowa, where he apprenticed himself to a violin maker and later to a blacksmith. In 1885, he moved to Sioux Falls. Here, he found ample work at his trade and shortly after taking up his residence, opened a shop of his own. He took an active interest in the welfare of the growing city and was for several years active in city politics. In 1906, he was appointed chief of the fire department, which position he held for six years or until the spring of 1912. While serving the city in this capacity he spent his odd moments constructing a hook and ladder truck. This wagon was still doing service until the arrival of the motor hook and ladder truck just bought. Upon his retirement from the fire service Mr. Arendt again fell back upon his trade and opened (illegible) on Dakota avenue, just off Ninth street. Here during odd times he made violins, following the theory of violin making learned when a boy. Passersby of his little shop often heard the strains of a violin and wondered. He was an attendant at the last concert of the Symphony orchestra in which many of his own make violins were used,and was interested in comparing the tones of his violins with others in the orchestra.

The deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nellie Arendt, and a daughter, Miss Eva. The time of the funeral had not been announced at a late hour last night. (Source: The Semi-Weekly Democrat, Cherokee, IA., Thurs., Dec. 23, 1915, pg. 1)