JOHN C. KELLNER (d. 1939)

JOHN KELLNER, RETIRED FIRM HEAD, IS DEAD
Was Prominent In Public Life of City and County More Than 50 Years
John C. Kellner, 83, retired Manitowoc business man and prominent in public
life of the city and county for more than 50 years, died last night at the
home of his son, Lewis, 903 St. Clair street, with whom he made his home in
recent years.
Mr. Kellner, who retired from active head of the flour, feed and machinery
businesses on Chicago street 15 years ago, had been in failing health six
years.
Funeral Saturday
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Frazier mortuary
chapel, the Rev. F.C. St. Clair of the St. James Episcopal church officiating.
Interment will be in Evergreen cemetery.
Mr. Kellner was born at Kellnersville in 1855, the son of Michael and Mary
Kellner. His father, who came to Manitowoc county from Quebec, Canada, in 1848,
founded the village of Kellnersville in the town of Kossuth. The elder Kellner,
formerly a tanner, established a general store and mill and assisted in staking
out the village which later bore his name.
John Kellner obtained his schooling in this city, making his home here with an
aunt, Mrs. Williams at the Williams House. Later he enrolled at the Spencerian
Business college at Milwaukee and was graduated from that school in 1869, as
one of its first students to receive a diploma.
Returning to Kellnersville he engaged in business with his father. He married
Miss Annie Pankratz in 1881. The Kellner business was expanded to include not
only the store, mill and general feed, produce and farm machinery business in
the village but also a large farm in Kossuth. Mr. Kellner served as a justice
of the peace in Kossuth for several terms.
Was Alderman
In 1885 when the Kellners established a branch in this city, Mr. Kellner came to
Manitowoc to take charge of the business. He soon became active in public and
business life of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Manitowoc Building
and Loan association, served more than a score of years as a vice-president and
was on the appraisal committee of the association.
During the administration of Mayor Fred Schuette, Mr. Kellner was chosen alderman
from the Fourth ward and served two term in the City Council.
Management of the feed, flour, produce and machinery business of the firm brought
him into close contact with farmers from all sections of the county, and he was
active in the success of the county fair after it was taken over from the late
William Rahr by a committee of citizens. Mr. Kellner served two terms as president
of the association and even after he retired from business, maintained an interest
in the firm.
His two sons, Lewis and George, became associated with him in the Kellner firm and
when he retired they continued the business.
Belonged To Elks
Fraternally Mr. Kellner was a member of the Manitowoc lodge of Elks. He served
several terms as trustee and years ago headed many convention committees of the
lodge.
Mrs. Kellner died in 1909. Survivors are two sons, Lewis and George, city; four
sisters, Mrs. Mary Wilharms, Appleton, Mrs. Rose Hessel and Mrs. Julia Groos, both
of Escanaba, Mich., Mrs. Margaret Scholten, city; and a granddaughter, Monnie Kellner,
city.
The body may be viewed at the mortuary from this evening until the hour of the
services Saturday.
Manitowoc Herald Times, January 5, 1939 P. 2
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[d. 01-07-1939/age 83 yrs./cause: cardiac decompensation]