WI BIO - Dane Co - KENTZLER, Andrew
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 521-523

Andrew KENTZLER, the well known and popular liveryman of Madison, Dane 
County, WI, the proprietor of the largest livery barn, located on East Doty 
Street, was born in Canton St. Gall [St. Gallen], Sevelen, in the village of 
the [p 522] same name on the river Rhine in Switzerland, 02 May 1832. He had 
the misfortune to lose his mother early in life, being but six years old at 
the time of her death. Her maiden name was Anna ---, while the name of her 
husband was Andrew KENTZLER, Sr. The family name was formerly spelled 
"Kuntz" or "Kontzler," it belonging to a very old family located both in 
Switzerland and on the river Rhine.

The father of our subject spent his life in his native land, and died there 
when 70 years of age, about 1852. He was a carpenter by trade, and he and 
his good wife were Protestants in religion. Our subject, a brother, John 
Ulrich, and a sister, Anna, started for the U. S. in 1848, by boat, stage, 
and cars to Havre de Grace, where they embarked on a sailing vessel for the 
long journey across what was to them unknown seas. Landing in NY City after 
a voyage of 42 days, they proceeded to Milwaukee, where they began to earn 
their daily bread. The brother, John U., is a farmer in Fond du Lac County, 
WI, and is married, as is the sister, Anna. One sister, Mrs. HAGMAN, still 
resides in Switzerland.

After coming to America, our subject, who was the youngest of the family, 
settled at once in Washington County, WI, where he remained for two years, 
later spending two years at Fort Atkinson [Jefferson County, WI], one year at 
Whitewater [Walworth County, WI], from which place he proceeded to Madison 
[Dane County, WI]. He has earned his own living since he was 14 years old, 
and he has now, as the result of his labors, amassed a fortune of $50,000. 
During his entire life he never allowed a creditor to ask him twice for 
money, and at the present time no man can say that Andrew KENTZLER owes him 
but he can pay. During his entire life he has been a hard worker, and he 
enjoys the reputation of being a man who is not afraid of work.

Andrew KENZLER began life in Madison, WI, in 1852 as a hostler for Gilbert 
DUTCHER in the United States Hotel. After five years with the latter 
gentleman, having saved his money, our subject invested his money in a horse 
and buggy, being trusted for what he was not able to pay for. In this humble 
way, with only about $225 capital, he established what was destined to become 
one of the leading livery barns of the city of Madison. By hard work and 
close application to business, he was soon able to add to his small stock, 
increasing his stable room as he found necessity for it, and finally built 
his fine and commodious stable, about 1864, that he now occupies, which is 
the most convenient barn in the city. Since coming to the city he has been 
exclusively engaged in this business, and has gained an extensive knowledge 
of the requirements of horses during this time, and is the oldest liveryman in 
the entire city. In his barn he carries the finest assortment of equipages 
and horses in the Northwest, and is able to supply the most handsome outfits. 
Everything in his stables is of the best possible quality and of most modern 
make and design. He keeps at least 25 good horses in his barn besides 
several good hacks.

Andrew KENTZLER was married in Madison, Dane County, WI, to Miss Johanna 
RHINHARDT, born in the province of Byran, Germany, but who came alone to 
America when a young woman, settling in WI, living at Kenosha and Portage a 
few years before she came to Madison. She is the only member of her family 
that came to this country, her father dying in Germany. Since her marriage 
she has been a faithful wife to Mr. KENTZLER, and has proved herself a kind 
mother to the six children she bore him, two of whom died in infancy. The 
living children of Andrew and Johanna (RHINHARDT) KENTZER are (1) Andrew R., 
yet [p 523] single and living at home; (2) Mylo, his father's foreman, 
married Kittie HOAK; (3) Anna, wife of John GRINDY, a successful clothier of 
Madison; and (4) Gertrude, at home. Since coming here Andrew KENTZLER has 
taken an active part in local matters and has been a leader in whatever 
promised to be of benefit to the city. Although not an office seeker, he is 
a very decided Republican in politics, and has rendered his party very 
efficient service by his efforts.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly