Kuchenbecker-Ahnen

Nachruf
OTTO KUCHENBECKER.
Otto Kuchenbecker, a well-known farmer and stock man of Erdahl township, Grant county, Minnesota, was born in Germany on October 18, 1874, being the son of John and Matilda Kuchenbecker. John and Matilda Kuchenbecker were born in Germany, where they received their education in the public schools and there grew to manhood and womanhood and were married. As a young man, Mr. Kuchenbecker learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for many years. During the war with France in 1870 and 1871, he served in the German army and saw much active service. He and his family continued to reside in the fatherland until 1881, when they came to America. On their arrival in the United States, they located in Plymouth county, Iowa, and there the father worked as a farm hand for some time. He later homesteaded one hundred and sixtv acres of land. all of which was wild prairie. Here he built a small frame shanty, in which thev lived for some vears. In time, he became a successful farmer and stock raiser and built a splendid frame house and other buildings. Here he lived until 1888, when he sold the farm and moved to South Dakota, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land near Madison. He at once started to develop and improve the place. but died the next year. The widow is still living on the farm in South Dakota. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Otto is the eldest.
Otto Kuchenbecker received his education in the public schools of Iowa and South Dakota and grew to manhood on the home farm. He was but fifteen years of age at the time of the death of his father, yet, being the eldest of the family, he took charge of the place for his mother and operated it for four years. At that time he gave over the operation of the place to the other members of the family and began farming for himself. He rented a farm near Madison, South Dakota, where he remained until he was twentyfive years of age, when he removed to Davidson county, South Dakota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. The tract at that time was all wild land and without improvements of any kind. He later bought the adjoining farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which had been improved with buildings. Here he engaged in farming for twelve years and then, in 1912, sold the farm and came to Minnesota. Here he purchased three hundred and sixty acres in Erdahl township, Grant county, and has developed and improved the farm with splendid buildings. He built a new barn, fiftytwo by eighty feet, which is especially arranged for the handling and the feeding of much stock. His granary is one of the best in the conununity, and he has a fine garage, in which to store his seven-passenger Studebaker automobile. He has planted over eighteen thousand trees and has a splendid young grove.
Otto Kuchenbecker devotes the greater part of his time to the breeding and raising of fine stock, owning a herd of high grade stock and always keeping a pure-blooded sire. He now has in his herd over eighty fine cattle and many hogs, the latter being pure-blood Duroc-Jerseys and a registered sire. His stock is recognized as among the best in the county, his special effort being to breed to the highest standard of perfection.
In November, 1899, Otto Kuchenbecker was united in marriage to Minnie Franklin, a native of South Dakota, and to this union the following children have been born: Altha, Emma, Alav, Tillie, Earle, Lora, Hildred, Clarence and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Kuchenbecker are prominent in the social life of the community and are held in the highest regard and esteem by all who know them. They are most hospitable and enjoy entertaining their neighbors and friends. Their home is often the scene of happy gatherings and the young people of the family receive every care and attention. Mr. and Mrs. Kuchenbecker are most kind and indulgent parents and wish to give their children every possible advantage.
Politicallv, Otto Kuchenbecker is identified with the Republican party and has taken much interest in the civic life of the township and the county. He has served as a noember of the township board of supervisors and as a member of the school board in district No. 22. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Conwany at Erdahl and has for some years served as a Inember of the board of directors. He takes much interest in the success of company and has had much to do with its success.