BiographicalLangstroth
The subject of our sketch this week is another of the leading bee-keepers whom we had the pleasure of meeting often during the World's Fair last summer, and whom it was always a delight to see on our weekly visits to the apiarian department in the "White City."
PhotographE. KRETCHMER.
E. KRETCHMER.
TheProgressive Bee-Keeper—the paper from which we take the subjoined sketch—says this of our Iowa friend:
Mr. Kretchmer is one of the pioneers of Western apiculture, a man of whom the bee-keeping fraternity may be proud, and one who has received many honors, both from those of his calling, and the public at large.
Mr. Kretchmer is one of the pioneers of Western apiculture, a man of whom the bee-keeping fraternity may be proud, and one who has received many honors, both from those of his calling, and the public at large.
As mentioned on another page, it was Bro. Kretchmer who superintended the Iowa honey exhibit at the World's Fair, and his successful efforts are well attested by a glance at the illustration on page 104, and also by the awards secured. Incidentally, we may say that he is one of the largest manufacturers and dealers in bee-keepers' supplies west of the "Mississippi creek."
As we doubtless could add nothing further of interest regarding Bro. Kretchmer, we are glad to give the sketch referred to before, written by his 12-year-old daughter, Valencia, who is not only a member of the Iowa State Bee-Keepers' Association, but also of the North American. Here is what she writes about "her papa"—and she ought to know him pretty well:
Edward Kretchmer was born on the Atlantic ocean in 1844, on the American merchant vessel, "Louisiana;" and though of German parentage, he is an American by birth. He was brought up in Selicia, Prussia. His father was one of the prominent bee-keepers of his time, and the originator of the first rolls that manufactured "mid-rib," or our earlier form of comb foundation; which, by writers, is frequently confounded with that of Mehring's, whose invention presented the edge of a full thickness of comb, or the beginning of a top-bar. Hence the German translation, "foundation."Mr. Kretchmer resided about five miles from Dr. Dzierzon, the world-renowned author and apiarist, and from whom, during a season's stay, he received the first lessons in advanced bee-culture. In 1858 he received a colony of Italian bees as a birthday present, and since that time, with the exception of three years, he has been a breeder of Italian bees.He came to the United States, and to the State of Iowa, about the year 1859, and in the summer of 1860 purchased the first Italian queen that crossed the Mississippi river. In 1861 he entered the army. During his absence, his father sold the original colony to W. H.Furman, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the owner of the Langstroth patent for that State.After his discharge from the army, he again engaged in bee-culture, and while a visitor at the Iowa State Fair, an incident occurred which brought him to public notice, as a well-informed bee-keeper. The incident referred to was this:An oddly-dressed man, with bees in his hat, was selling little vials of scented water as a "bee-charm," taking dollars right and left, stating that with it bees were rendered peaceable enough to open a hive without being stung. Mr. Kretchmer remarked that he could do that without the drug. The drug vender promptly challenged the youthful-looking German, no doubt expecting him to "back down" from his statement, but on the contrary Mr. K. secured a little smoke, and promptly opened the colony of bees of another exhibitor, quickly found the queen, and exhibited the combs, covered with bees, to a multitude of spectators, without a sting. He was, in consequence thereof, requested by several to communicate his method through some of the journals, and he soon became a noted writer—writing both in the German and English language. In the older files of theAmerican Bee Journal, his name may be found to numerous articles. He also issued "Winke Fur Bienen Zuchter"—"Intimation to Bee-Keepers;" "The Amateur Bee-Keepers' Guide," written in 1866, and "The Bee-Keepers' Guide-Book," the latter, a neat volume of 256 pages, issued in 1872.In 1867 he removed from eastern Iowa to Coburg, Iowa, where he was postmaster for eight years, mayor of the town, and for two terms chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Montgomery county; he declining a re-election, and also the nomination for State Senator.The demand for better shipping facilities induced him to remove his entire factory to Red Oak in 1890, which is his present residence.He is a prominent Odd Fellow, and an enthusiastic Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, as well as of the Degree of Rebecca, and the Eastern Star, both of which he is now the presiding officer.On the recommendation of the President of the Iowa Bee-Keepers' Association, he was appointed by the Iowa Columbian Commission to take charge of the Iowa honey exhibit at the World's Fair. This appointment he very reluctantly accepted about the middle of last January, 1893, after which time he labored for the success of that exhibit, without the hope of fee or reward, although a very unfavorable honey season made such an undertaking a difficult task. He is now conducting various experiments with new implements in bee-culture.Valencia Kretchmer.
Edward Kretchmer was born on the Atlantic ocean in 1844, on the American merchant vessel, "Louisiana;" and though of German parentage, he is an American by birth. He was brought up in Selicia, Prussia. His father was one of the prominent bee-keepers of his time, and the originator of the first rolls that manufactured "mid-rib," or our earlier form of comb foundation; which, by writers, is frequently confounded with that of Mehring's, whose invention presented the edge of a full thickness of comb, or the beginning of a top-bar. Hence the German translation, "foundation."
Mr. Kretchmer resided about five miles from Dr. Dzierzon, the world-renowned author and apiarist, and from whom, during a season's stay, he received the first lessons in advanced bee-culture. In 1858 he received a colony of Italian bees as a birthday present, and since that time, with the exception of three years, he has been a breeder of Italian bees.
He came to the United States, and to the State of Iowa, about the year 1859, and in the summer of 1860 purchased the first Italian queen that crossed the Mississippi river. In 1861 he entered the army. During his absence, his father sold the original colony to W. H.Furman, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the owner of the Langstroth patent for that State.
After his discharge from the army, he again engaged in bee-culture, and while a visitor at the Iowa State Fair, an incident occurred which brought him to public notice, as a well-informed bee-keeper. The incident referred to was this:
An oddly-dressed man, with bees in his hat, was selling little vials of scented water as a "bee-charm," taking dollars right and left, stating that with it bees were rendered peaceable enough to open a hive without being stung. Mr. Kretchmer remarked that he could do that without the drug. The drug vender promptly challenged the youthful-looking German, no doubt expecting him to "back down" from his statement, but on the contrary Mr. K. secured a little smoke, and promptly opened the colony of bees of another exhibitor, quickly found the queen, and exhibited the combs, covered with bees, to a multitude of spectators, without a sting. He was, in consequence thereof, requested by several to communicate his method through some of the journals, and he soon became a noted writer—writing both in the German and English language. In the older files of theAmerican Bee Journal, his name may be found to numerous articles. He also issued "Winke Fur Bienen Zuchter"—"Intimation to Bee-Keepers;" "The Amateur Bee-Keepers' Guide," written in 1866, and "The Bee-Keepers' Guide-Book," the latter, a neat volume of 256 pages, issued in 1872.
In 1867 he removed from eastern Iowa to Coburg, Iowa, where he was postmaster for eight years, mayor of the town, and for two terms chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Montgomery county; he declining a re-election, and also the nomination for State Senator.
The demand for better shipping facilities induced him to remove his entire factory to Red Oak in 1890, which is his present residence.
He is a prominent Odd Fellow, and an enthusiastic Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, as well as of the Degree of Rebecca, and the Eastern Star, both of which he is now the presiding officer.
On the recommendation of the President of the Iowa Bee-Keepers' Association, he was appointed by the Iowa Columbian Commission to take charge of the Iowa honey exhibit at the World's Fair. This appointment he very reluctantly accepted about the middle of last January, 1893, after which time he labored for the success of that exhibit, without the hope of fee or reward, although a very unfavorable honey season made such an undertaking a difficult task. He is now conducting various experiments with new implements in bee-culture.
Valencia Kretchmer.