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Herman W. Mielke
The History of Renville County, Volume 2
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Chapter XXIX
pp. 676-677

Herman W. Mielke, prominent banker and citizen of Bird Island, was born in Glencoe, this state, Oct. 17, 1873, son of John and Caroline (Ettrich) Mielke, the pioneers. He attended the schools of his native place and at the age of fifteen started his career by securing employment on a farm. At the age of twenty-one he entered mercantile life as clerk for a clothing store in Glencoe. It was in 1904 that he came to Bird Island as assistant cashier of the Renville County State Bank, a position he held until Jan 1, 1906, when he was made cashier. Mr. Mielke is one of the leading men of Bird Island, and an enthusiastic friend of every progressive movement. He has taken his part in many phases of public life and is regarded as a substantial, useful citizen in every way. His administration of the affairs of the oldest bank in Renville county has won him wide praise. Mr. Mielke is an officer of the Bird Island Commercial Club, and for five years was chairman of the park board. He is likewise an official of the local lodges of the Masonic and Modern Woodmen fraternities. His religious allegiance is paid to the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Mielke was married July 3, 1900, to Clara Knutson, born April 7, 1877, daughter of Amund and Carrie (Ekle) Knutson. John Mielke, born May 29, 1818, in Germany, died April 8, 1885. He married Caroline Ettrich, born Dec. 11, 1831; she died Feb.17, 1915. They came to America May 30, 1862, and homesteaded in Sumter township, McLeod county, Minn., where they remained until his death. Amund Knutson married Carrie Ekle, who died June 7, 1915, her husband having died in 1895. He was one of the pioneers of Palmyra township, where he devoted his time to farming.


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