Elmer A. Kiel, secretary and treasurer of the firm of Kiel & Danes of St. Louis, is a native of the city in which he resides, his birth having occurred here on the 13th of July, 1895. His father is the Hon. Henry W. Kiel, mayor of St. Louis, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. The son in early manhood began learning the brick contracting business with the firm of Kiel & Danes and has remained with this firm continuously since. Steadily he has advanced as he has acquainted himself with the various branches and phases of the business and on the 12th of October, 1920, he was elected to the position of secretary and treasurer. The business was established in 1868 by his grandfather, Henry F. Kiel, and J. H. Daues, the latter continuing in active connection with the business until his death which occurred in October, 1920. The firm engages in the contracting and building business, doing building work In brick, terra cotta and tile. Their patronage is most extensive and the business is one of the most important in connection with building operations in St. Louis.
During the World war Elmer A. Kiel put aside all personal considerations and enlisted in the Tank Corps on the 20th of July, 1918. He was assigned to Company C, Three Hundred and Sixth Battery, and was stationed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for two weeks, after which he was sent overseas. He went first to England, where he remained for two months and there received full training, after which he was transferred to the general headquarters of the American Tank Corps at Langres, France, where he continued during October and November, or until the armistice was signed. He remained overseas until February, 1919, awaiting transportation home and on the 17th of March, 1919, he landed in New York, receiving his honorable discharge on the 28th of the same month.
Mr. Kiel was married in Chicago on the 24th of May, 1915, to Miss Marie A. Budde, a daughter of Mrs. John J. McGee of St. Louis, and they now have one son, Elmer A. Jr., who is two years of age. In his political views Mr. Kiel is a republican and his religious faith is indicated in the fact that he is a communicant of St. Marguerite Catholic church. He belongs to the Century Boat Club, the Riverview Club, and to the Chamber of Commerce. lie occupies a prominent social, as well as business position and has won for himself an enviable place in connection with the building interests of the city.