Biography

Klaus was born on December 30, 1829 in Prussia

Prussia

Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...

. He first came to Green Bay in 1849. In 1853, he married Appolonia Whiteson. They had four children. He later became the largest shingle

Shake (shingle)

A shake is a basic wooden shingle that is made from split logs. Shakes have traditionally been used for roofing and siding applications around the world. Higher grade shakes are typically used for roofing purposes, while the lower grades are used for siding purposes...

 buyer, manufacturer and trader in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 during a period when Green Bay was the primary shingle market in the world. Klaus passed away on July 22, 1899 in Jamestown, North Dakota

Jamestown, North Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,527 people, 6,505 households, and 3,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.7 per square mile . There were 6,970 housing units at an average density of 559.6 per square mile...

.

Political career

Klaus was Treasurer of Green Bay from 1855 to 1856 and was later Treasurer of Brown County, Wisconsin. After serving three terms on the City Council, Klaus was Mayor from 1868 to 1870.