Kurz, Frank G.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 2900
• Biography: 1911; History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin Page 1032

Notes:

Biography:
FRANK G. KURZ, deceased. Probably in no city in the world can the rapid and wonderful development of the uses of electricity be studied to better advantage than in Appleton, Wisconsin, for here was started the first permanent electric street railway and subsequent developments have made this city supreme in the uses of this wonderful agent. Of such immense importance is electricity in modern life, those pioneers in this line, whose talent, energy, courage and patience in combination with their capital, must be recalled and remembered with admiration and gratitude. In this connection the late Frank G. Kurz mnay be cited, who, with his brother, W. D. Kurz, was largely responsible for the development of Appleton's electrical interests. Here Frank G. and his brother, W. D., helped to install the first electric light plant used in America. Frank G. and his brother having had it in charge.
Frank G. Kurz was born at Ripon, Wisconsin, September 27, 1864, and died March 5, 1910, a son of G. D. and Augusta (Chaeve) Kurz. They were born in Saxony, Germany, and both came to America, with their parents, locating at Ripon, Wisconsin, at a very early day. In April, 1871, the father of Frank G. Kurz came to Appleton and opened a tinshop, which he conducted during all his active life. Both he and wife died at Appleton. Of their family of four sons and two daughters, Frank G. was the third in order of birth. His education was secured in the public schools and at Lawrence University after which he learned the tinning trade with his father. Of a natural mechanical turn of mind, he occupied himself during his younger years with inventing articles of more or less utility, and very early, in association with his brother, became interested in electricity, and before becoming connected with the Wisconsin Traction, Light, Heat anld Power Company, had been concerned with various electric light and power plants at Appleton for nearly a, score of years. In 1887 Frank G. Kurz succeeded his brother, W. D. Kurz, as superintendent of the Appleton Edison Light Company, and during the remainder of his life he was in the electrical business. He was claimed as a personal friend by Thomas A. Edison. In 1903, Mr. Kurz bought an interest in the electrical establishment of Kurz and Root. They manufactured electrical supplies and established electrical plants throughout the country, the only plant of the kind in this part of the state. The first electrical convention called by Thomas A. Edison was attended by only eight delegates, of which Frank G. Kurz was one. On August 11, 1891, Frank G. Kurz was married to Miss Mary Derleder, a daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Tenner) Derleder. They were born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1850, where they still live. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kurz: Louis and Estella. Mrs. Kurz is a. member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kurz belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.