Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 91.
 
OTTO KLEEMANN

   Otto Kleemann, an architect and builder, whose training came to him
through the instruction of men prominent in the profession in Germany, and who,
in his business career has given ample proof of his own skill and ability, has
been a resident of Portland since September, 1880, at which time he left
California to become a resident of Oregon. He was born in Ostrowo, Germany,
March 13, 1855, and pursued his education in common schools there, while later
he attended a technical school at Holzminden, and also a college in his native
town. He received his diploma in recognition of the highest standing in
scholarship made by any student in the college in twenty-five years. He began
his education when not quite four and one half years of age, and had completed
his school life when sixteen years of age. He then came to America, crossing the
Atlantic in September, 1871, and making his way to San Francisco by way of the
isthmus of Panama. He was unacquainted with the language and customs of the
American people and at first it was difficult to get steady work, but later was
employed by several architects and spent nine years in California.
     On the expiration of that period Mr. Kleemann came to Portland, arriving
here in September, 1880, at which time he became a draftsman in the employ of
the firm of Clark & Upton, with whom he remained for several months. He was
afterward employed by Justus Krumbein, an architect, with whom he continued for
several months, when in his professional capacity he became connected with the
Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, continuing therewith for thirteen months.
During that time he was associated with the work of building their shops at
Albina, and later he embarked in business on his own account. This was the year
1882, and through the intervening period to the present time his has been a very
busy and useful life, for he rapidly worked his way upward in his profession. He
has done much railroad work, even after leaving the employ of the Oregon Railway
and Navigation Company, and although not a Catholic in religious faith, he has
been awarded the contract for erecting nearly all of the Catholic churches that
have been built in Portland since his arrival. He has also put up many fine
residences, which are a monument to his skill, ability and progressive spirit He
erected the monastery at Mt. Angel has also built many convents, and has done
much important work for the different Catholic organizations, his promptness in
executing contracts and the reliability of his workmanship bringing to him the
extensive patronage which is accorded him.
     In 1877 Mr. Kleemann was married in San Francisco to Miss Anna Gehlich, and
they now have two living children, Hugh, a mechanical draftsman in the
electrical engineering department of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and
Clara, the wife of Peter L. Cover, by whom she has one child, Carl. The son is
also married. Mr. and Mrs. Kleemann lost another son, William, who was drowned
at Newport while bathing in the Pacific Ocean in 1904, when twenty-three years
of age.
     Mr. Kleemann is the grand adjutant of the Indian War Veterans of the North
Pacific Coast, and has occupied the position continuously since 1895. He is also
regent of Multnomah Council No. 1481 Royal Arcanum; is president of the
Consolidation of German Speaking Societies of Oregon; is a life member of the
German Aid Society; and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is interested in
different organizations which have for their object the benefit of mankind, and
thus has become identified with societies which recognize the truth of universal
brotherhood. His life record has been a credit to the land of his birth and the
land of his adoption. He feels that he made no mistake in coming to America in
early manhood, for he here found the business opportunities which he sought, and
which in time have brought him to a prominent position in professional circles.
His ability enables him to speak with authority upon many subjects connected
with the profession of architecture.
 

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.