WI BIO - Dane Co - KLUETER, Herman
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 584-585

Herman KLUETER, now living in CA, but for many years a resident of Madison, 
Dane County, WI, came to this city when a young man, without means, but 
endowed with ability and energy. He began working as a cabinet maker, and 
being very economical, in a few years he had accumulated enough money to go 
into partnership with a Mr. John LAWRENCE, in the general grocery business, 
locating on King Street, but later sold our to Mr. LAWRENCE and went into 
business alone, at No. 506 Wilson Street. Some time [p 585] after this 
Herman KLUETER built a storeroom of his own adjoining, which he afterward 
occupied for some years, however, his health failed, and he gave his business 
up to his sons, Julius and Christopher. Removing to San Bernardino [San 
Bernardino County], CA, for a time he engaged in the milling business, but 
later retired from all active pursuits. Since his departure the sons have 
conducted the business successfully, building a new store in 1891, on the old 
stand. This they now occupy, and it is one of the most substantial buildings 
on the street. They engage in the grain, hay, and feed business, and this 
has become one of the most important adjuncts of the business, and they are 
prepared for it by having a warehouse that they devote especially to that 
line. In groceries they carry a full, clean and complete stock.

Herman KLUETER was born in Prussia, Germany, about sixty years ago, coming of 
pure German stock. His father died when he was young, and he and his mother 
and sister, the latter now Mrs. ZIMMERMAN, of Sheffield [Franklin County], 
IA, came to the U. S. on a sailing vessel, landing in New York City. From 
there they came directly to WI, where our subject located in Madison, Dane 
County, and made that place his home until his departure for CA. While 
residing in Madison, Mr. KLUETER took an active part in local matters, and 
for some time served as Alderman. He was Democratic in his politics, and was 
an active member and prominent promoter of the Turner Society of this place; 
was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with whom he still 
affiliates. He is a member of the German Presbyterian Church, a good and 
worthy, foreign-born American citizen.

Herman KLUETER was married in Madison, Dane County, WI, to Miss Mary 
RODEFIELD***, born in Germany, who came when young to the U. S. with her parents 
and lived for some years in Schenectady [Schenectady County], NY, coming 
thence to Madison, WI, where Mrs. KLUETER's father died. The aged mother is 
still living and both she and her husband were members of the Lutheran 
Church. Mrs. KLUETER, the wife of our subject, has been a true wife and 
mother, and is with her husband in CA. She is also a member of the Church of 
her husband, the German Lutheran.

Eight children were born to Herman and Mary (RODEFIELD) KLUETER: (1) Edward 
died at age eleven years and (2) Bertha at the age of sixteen years. The 
living are: (3) Mary, a clerk in a store, lives at the present time with 
her brothers; (4) Julius a member of the business firm, a very promising 
young man of good habits, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, No. 12, and 
Knights of Pythias, is a member of the City Council, elected from the 3rd 
Ward, a Democrat, active in local politics, unmarried, resides with his 
brothers and sister; (5) Christian is also a member of the firm, and with 
his brother manages the business; (6) Minnie is with her parents in CA, as 
are also (7) Herman and (8) Henry. The children and parents belong to the 
the German Presbyterian church.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly

***I want to submit a clarification of spelling as obviously the 
biographies were written over 100 years ago.  However, the biography lists my 
great-great aunt as Rodefield and Rodefeld is the proper spelling.  What 
little is left of the Rodefeld farm is on County BB in Blooming Grove.  In 
approximately 4 years it will be no more.

Correction Submitted by:  Linda Buskager