Draft:Karl Daenzer Klemm

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    Draft is also full of WP:Wikipuffery language: "a significant position in the transportation industry"; " instrumental in efforts to". Wikipedia can use this language if it has been established by WP:Reliable, WP:Secondary and WP:Independent sources, otherwise we need to write in a neutral, boring tone. Bobby Cohn (talk) 17:01, 20 August 2024 (UTC)

Karl Daenzer Klemm
Born(1880-12-05)December 5, 1880
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedNovember 15, 1925(1925-11-15) (aged 44)
Resting placeMount Washington Cemetery,Independence, Missouri
EducationSmith Academy - Washington University in St. Louis
Known forPresident of the Kaw Valley Line and the Kansas and Missouri Railway Terminal Company
SpouseGertrude Heim
Parents
  • Richard Klemm (father)
  • Carrie Daenzer (mother)

Karl Daenzer Klemm (December 5, 1880 – November 15, 1925) was an American businessman, military officer, and community leader. He was notable for his role as president of the Kansas City, Kaw Valley and Western Railroad and for his service as a brigadier general in the United States Officers' Reserve Corps. Klemm was also involved in various fraternal organizations and clubs.

Early life

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Karl Daenzer Klemm was born in St. Louis on December 5, 1880 to Richard Klemm and Carrie Daenzer.[1], then stepson of John Schroers of the St. Louis Times.[2] He moved to Kansas City in 1912 and quickly became active in the local business and community sectors.

Career and achievements

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Business leadership

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Klemm served as general manager of the Heim electric interurban line[3], president of the "Kansas City, Kaw Valley & Western Railroad"[4] Additionally, he worked as an assistant secretary at the Commerce Trust Company, contributing to Kansas City's financial sector.

Military service

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During World War I, Klemm enlisted as a private in Battery B, First Battalion of the Missouri Field Artillery. He rapidly[5] rose through the ranks to become a commanding as Colonel the 129th Field Artillery of the 35th Division[6], the 106th Field Artillery Regiment (27 February 1919–8 April 1919)[7],as Brig. General the 177th Field Artillery Brigade (6 January 1922–15 November 1925)[8]. His service included leading troops in major battles such as the Argonne Offensive, the St. Mihiel Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. After the war, he was promoted to brigadier general in the United States Officers' Reserve Corps.

Philanthropy and community involvement

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Klemm and his wife participated in various philantropic events involving Kansas City Association for the Blind,[9][10] the Animal Rescue League,[11] the red cross,[12] churches,[13][14] and charity events.[15]

Alongside other local private financiers he tried to attract the establishment of a Fokker airplane factory to Kansas City pledging a consistent sum of moneys. Although the factory was established in Detroit and their proposal to obtain a $500,000 bond issue for a municipal aviation field failed. [16]

Affiliations and memberships

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He was affiliated with the Freemasonry, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Distinct member of the Kansas City Polo Club, Kansas City Club, Kansas City Country Club[17], Army and Navy Club of both the New York and Washington D.C. branches.

Personal life and death

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Klemm was married to Gertrude Heim Klemm, the daughter of Joseph J. Heim, a prominent Kansas City financier (president of the Heim Brothers Brewery and Electric Park, Kansas City). They lived at (214, then 520) East Armour Boulevard in Kansas City.

Klemm was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. His strong belief was expressed within the military ranks and during the recruitments, as he was quoted as saying "There is no place in the army today for men who do not read the Bible occasionally and who do not go to church".[18]

In the weeks leading up to his death, Klemm suffered from poor health and was under the care of Dr. Samuel Ayres. He also experienced depression following the decision to locate the Fokker factory in Detroit instead of Kansas City. On November 15, 1925, Klemm died by suicide[19] in his private offices in Kansas City, using a .45 caliber army revolver. His body was discovered by a watchman and an elevator operator. No note was found to explain his actions. His memorial is located in at Mount Washington Cemetery in Independence, Missouri.

Legacy

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Karl D. Klemm is remembered for his leadership in both the military and business arenas. His involvement in various organizations and clubs, along with his role as a commanding officer to Harry S. Truman, adds historical significance to his legacy.

References

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  1. ^ Tracy, Walter (1924). Kansas City and its One Hundred Foremost Men. Walter P. Tracy. p. 139.
  2. ^ St. Louis Globe-Democrat Sun, Sep 01, 1918 Page 3
  3. ^ Kansas City Journal Fri, Jul 13, 1917 Page 4
  4. ^ Kansas City Journal Thu, Jun 01, 1916 Page 12
  5. ^ Kansas City Journal Sun, Jul 15, 1917 Page 3
  6. ^ Colonel Karl D. Klemm and Lieutenant Colonel Arthur J. Elliot, 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division, United States Army, American Expeditionary Forces, World War I
  7. ^ Kansas City Journal Sat, Mar 15, 1919
  8. ^ U.S. Army Order of Battle 1919-1941
  9. ^ Kansas City Journal Fri, Aug 02, 1918 Page 4
  10. ^ Kansas City Journal Sun, Nov 18, 1917 Page 14
  11. ^ Kansas City Journal Sun, Mar 15, 1914 Page 14
  12. ^ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Fri, Aug 23, 1918 Page 3
  13. ^ The Kansas City Times Wed, May 28, 1919 Page 5
  14. ^ The Kansas City Times Wed, Aug 22, 1917 Page 3
  15. ^ Kansas City Journal Thu, Feb 27, 1919 Page 11
  16. ^ Wheeling Intelligencer "Failed in air plan; colonel ends life" - Nov. 16, 1925
  17. ^ The Kansas City Times Wed, Dec 23, 1914 Page 8
  18. ^ The Kansas City Times Mon, Sep 03, 1917 Page 5
  19. ^ Theodore Marks Interview by James R. Fuchs - September 19, 1962 Truman Library

Category:1880 births Category:1925 deaths Category:American military personnel of World War I Category:American businesspeople Category:Businesspeople from Kansas City, Missouri Category:American Freemasons Category:Members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Category:Fraternal Order of Eagles