Andrew Kiefer

Andrew Robert Kiefer was a U.S. representative from Minnesota; born at Marienborn, Grand Duchy of Hesse; he attended school in Mainz; immigrated to the United States in 1849 and settled in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1855; inspector and collector of the wharf in 1857; engaged in mercantile pursuits; enrolling clerk of the Minnesota [House of Representatives] in 1859 and 1860; entered the Union Army as the Captain of Company G, nicknamed the "German Union Guards" in the 2nd [Minnesota Infantry Regiment], on July 8, 1861, and served until July 18, 1863, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health; commissioned by Governor Swift colonel of the Thirty-first Regiment of State militia in 1863; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1864; was engaged in the wholesale mercantile business 1865 - 1878 and in 1880 became interested in real estate; clerk of the district courts of Ramsey County 1878 - 1883; unsuccessful Republican [Party (U.S.)|Republican] candidate for mayor of St. Paul in 1890; elected as a Republican to the 53rd [United States Congress|53rd] and 54th congresses, ; was not a candidate for reelection in 1896; mayor of St. Paul in 1898; at the time of his death was the Republican candidate for city controller; died in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota; interment in Oakland Cemetery.