KANKEL, Otto Ernest, milling; born near Berlin, Germany, May 5, 1845; son of William and Mary (Nogel) Kankel; educated in public schools of Germany. Served apprenticeship at miller’s trade in Germany, 1862-65; was 3 years in German army; came to America, 1870, and spent 18 months in Wisconsin; removed to Watertown, Minn., and was employed as miller three years; spent two years in Alexandria and was next in Fergus Falls; was in charge of the Pioneer Mill at Red Lake Falls, 1878-79; built a mill near Fertile, 1880; in company with Mr. Sohler, built mill at Faith, partner taking charge of that plant; erected Garfield mill, 1884 and also mill at Caledonia, N. D.; was owner of the four mills in 1889; later disposed of all but two mills at Fertile and took Nick Hoss as partner; also engaged in manufacture of brick and tile, under title of the Fertile Brick and Tile Co.; vice president First National Bank of Fertile; interested in mines. Democrat. German Lutheran. Married at Fergus Falls, Minn., Jan. 2, 1871, to Miss Louise Zalser. Member I. O. O. F. Address: Fertile, Minn.
Source:
The Book of Minnesotans, A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the State of Minnesota
Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis
A. N. Marquis & Company, 1907
Page 272
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The Fertile State bank, of Fertile, Polk county, with a $25,000 capital stock, has been granted a charter. The stockholders are William H. Matthews, of Ada; Norman Hanson, Haver Sohler, Otto Kankel, Andrew Opheim, Knute J. Sandoig, John Holton, Carl H. Carlson, George Kronschnabel, Stene J. Sandoig, John S. La Due, Ole Tharaldson, Martin I. Haugan, Frank H. Knickerbacker, all of Fertile. It will commence business on May 2.
Source:
The Saint Paul Daily Globe
Sunday Morning, May 1, 1892
Volume XIV, Number 132
Page 3
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Otto Ernest Kankel
Date of Death: 8 March 1914, Nicollet County