News: Spencer History – Krueger-Verein Organization

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Stoltenow

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

Charles Stoltenow was captain of the Spencer Krueger-Verein, an organization made up of ex-German soldiers. Mr. Stoltenow was born in Berlin and served in the Prussian Army in Germany. He and his wife, Augusta, came to America in 1873 and moved to Spencer in 1876.

One of the highlights of each Fourth of July celebration was to watch Capt. Stoltenow, mounted on his black horse, Topsy, shouting commands in German to his fellow foot soldiers as he put them through their formations.

On October 25, 1929, he sailed from New York for Germany where he attended, along with others of his countrymen in the United States, a soldier's reunion of the Deutscher Kruegerbund, which was composed of former members of the Imperial Army of Germany. He spent two months there.

"Grosspa Stoltenow," as he was affectionately called by his family and many others, died at the age of 79, having played a very important part in the growth and development of our community.