Source: This is a bio. sketch from "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge, 1911-1912, v.2, p.425-426.

Adolph Klessig is engaged in general farming on his place of one hundred and twenty acres in Centerville township, Manitowoc county, and makes a specialty of raising Guernsey cattle and Jersey hogs. For many years he followed cheese-making in connection with his agricultural pursuits. but has turned his factory, which is situated on his farm, over to his son. He was born in Centerville township, December 13, 1857, a son of August Klessig, a native of Saxony, Germany. The father came to America in 1850, settling in this county, where he followed farming and also the business of cheese-making, erecting one of the first cheese factories in this part of the country. He began the business in 1874 and continued it until the time of his death, which occurred in 1900.

Adolph Klessig is one of a family of nine children born unto his parents, and was reared and educated in Manitowoc county. After laying aside his textbooks he learned the cheese-making business and in 1874 began work in that line for his father, continuing thus for six years. He then operated a factory at St. Wendel, where he was thus employed for six years, after which he went to Dakota and spent one summer looking over the country, but as it did not please him he returned to Centerville township where he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he still owns. The farm when he purchased it had a cheese factory among its other improvements and he continued to operate the factory until 1909, since which time it has been operated by his son. Mr. Klessig, however, continues to do general farming and raises a number of Guernsey cattle and Jersey hogs each year.

Mr. Klessig was married April 17, 1883, to Miss Louise Grasser, a daughter of Stephen Grasser, a native of Germany, who passed away in 1907 at the age of ninety years. During his residence in Centerville township Mr. Grasser followed agricultural pursuits but before his death he retired from active business and his last days were spent in Sheboygan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Klessig were born three children: August, who was born in Centerville township, February 25, 1884; Erna, who married Edward Lutze, Jr., a cheese-maker by trade; and Herbert, who is still at home. The eldest son, after receiving a good common-school education, learned the cheese-maker's trade and in 1910 embarked in that line on his own account, since which time he has thus been employed. He was married on the 10th of October, 1909, to Miss Emma Lutze, a daughter of August Lutze, an old settler of this county. They have one child, Reuben and continue to reside on the old Klessig homestead. The family are members of the Lutheran church except Mrs. Adolph Klessig, who is a member of the Catholic church. Politically Adolph Klessig is in sympathy with the republican party but he is a broad-minded citizen and casts his ballot for the candidate whom he thinks best qualified for office. He has been very successful in business operations and is among the most respected farmers of the community in which he has so long resided. He is one of the substantial citizens of his township and is highly esteemed by his many friends and acquaintances.

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