Arkansas County ArArchives Biographies.....Buerkle, Louis K. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 31, 2009, 7:44 pm

Source: Full Citation Below Biography
Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

LOUIS K. BUERKLE.
    Louis K. Buerkle, postmaster at Stuttgart and a public-spirited citizen,
interested in all that pertains to the general welfare of his community, was
born in Findlay, Ohio, in August, 1875. His father, the Rev. M. Buerkle, was a
native of Stuttgart, Germany, and was educated for the ministry in that country,
being graduated from the University of Heidelberg. Louis K. Buerkle now has in
his possession a ruby ring, the set of which was mounted on a jeweled pencil and
given to his father on his graduation from the famous old Heidelberg University.
In 1859 Rev. Mr. Buerkle left his native land and came to the new world, first
settling in Lansing, Michigan. He began preaching, however, at Crestline, Ohio,
and afterward was located at New Bremen, that state. In 1891 he came to
Arkansas, although he had previously visited the state in 1878 and had here
purchased land before the town of Stuttgart was laid out. In 1881, while on a
visit to this locality, he founded the town and named it in honor of his old
home town in Germany. He was accompanied to the new world by his brother, Adam
Buerkle, who was also a minister of the gospel and who lived for a time in
Lansing, Michigan, while later he settled in Woodville, Ohio. Following his
removal to Arkansas, Rev. Adam Buerkle settled at Gum Pond and both brothers
engaged in preaching, serving the same church. Rev. M. Buerkle continuing the
work of the church after the death of his brother. In large measure he
contributed to the moral progress and development of the community and in
connection with his work as a preacher of the gospel he edited the Stuttgart
Germania, a German paper, which was discontinued in 1913. His land holdings were
very extensive at one time, but prior to his demise he disposed of all but three
hundred acres of his land. He departed this life on the 4th of January, 1918,
and was survived by his wife until 1920 She bore the maiden name of Minnie
Hennings and by her marriage had become the mother of six children: Louis K.;
Catherine, now the wife of Charles Barton; Marie, the wife of John Bittner:
Augusta, the wife of Emil Hill; Ida, deceased; and William.

    Louis K. Buerkle, spending his youthful days in his native state,
supplemented his early education by study in the Defiance (Ohio) College, and in
1891 he came to Arkansas, settling on a farm. After a time he removed to
Stuttgart, where he engaged in the insurance business and as the years have
passed he has become identified with other business interests of importance. He
is now the vice president of the First National Bank of Stuttgart and aids in
directing the policy and promoting the growth of that institution, which is
regarded as one of the strong and sound money concerns of this part of the
state. He likewise owns three hundred acres of land and from the property
derives a substantial annual income.

    While successfully managing his business affairs Mr. Buerkle has also
responded to the call made upon him for public service and has proved a most
capable official. He was elected a member of the city council at Stuttgart and
exercised his official prerogatives in support of various measures for the
general good. In 1908 he was elected to the state legislature and during his
connection with the general assembly his influence was ever on the side of order
and of progress. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster and is now filling that
office. While serving in the general assembly he introduced a bill to permit the
erection of a high school in Stuttgart by issuing bonds and was successful in
securing its passage. He acted as chairman of publicity in relation to all war
movements and was chairman of the local chapter of the Red Cross.

    Mr. Buerkle married Miss Ida Kesterson and they now have one daughter,
Louise. Their religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and fraternally Mr.
Buerkle is connected with the Masons, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His life record is one which will bear
close investigation and scrutiny, for at all times he has been actuated by high
principles and worthy motives and his record reflects credit and honor upon the
people who have honored him with election to office.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922



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