John A. Kuether
Kuether arrived in Mille Lacs County in a boxcar in 1897 with his German
immigrant parents. He became one of Milaca’s most successful entrepreneurs
as well as a civic leader.
While serving in the Army during World War I he was assigned to the Motor
Transport Corp., where he gained mechanical knowledge of the expanding
automotive age. That led him to his first job in Milaca as a service station
attendant at the Standard Oil Station. He eventually became the owner/
operator of the Mille Lacs Oil Company, beginning a 60-year association
with the Pure Oil Co. He founded the Mille Lacs Transport Co. in 1941 with
the purchase of his first gasoline tanker truck. He later became co-owner of
one of the largest fleet of gas trucks in the state.
Kuether and Ed Olson organized the Natural LP Gas Co. in Milaca and
later founded the City Gas. Co. in St. Cloud. He was elected president of
the Northwest Petroleum Association and received many awards while in
the petroleum industry.
Kuether served as Captain of the Minnesota State Guard Co. A, 2nd Infantry
Regiment of the Milaca area. John was a 75-year member of the Milaca
American Legion and held many posts on boards in the community, including
president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was involved in many civic
projects including parks and the community festival and parade.
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