Erhardt J. Fleitz: One of "Sioux Falls Oldest Residents"

Erhardt Fleitz, honored as one of Sioux Falls oldest residents, was a Civil War veteran and a prominent figure in the city’s early history. After serving his country, Fleitz dedicated an impressive 42 years to the Sioux Falls Brewery as a brewery master. Not only beloved by locals, but he also represented the experience of the veteran community in the growing frontier.

Erhardt J. Fleitz was born in Braden, Germany, on January 6, 1848. His early days consisted of schooling and boating along the Rhine River with friends. In 1862, at the age of 14, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky.  At this time, Kentucky, a border state, was being contested by both Union and Confederate armies. The Union needed forts constructed, and Fleitz became an engineer designing forts. 

While the Civil War officially ended in April 1865, the United States Army found itself responsible for protecting settlers moving onto the Northern Plains. Given the state of Lexington’s economy in the aftermath of the War, Fleitz enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1866, at the age of 18. He served in Co. D, 2d Battalion, 13th U.S infantry, which had been reorganized into the 22nd infantry following the Civil War. 

In June 1866, Erhardt Fleitz and his regiment were dispatched toward the Plains, traveling up the Missouri River by steamboat to Sioux City, Iowa. Once in Sioux City, the 22nd Infantry took an arduous overland journey to Fort Dakota, present day Sioux Falls. From Fort Dakota, Fleitz was sent to Fort Randall, where he served out the rest of his enlistment. He was honorably discharged on May 7, 1869. During his enlistment, Fleitz fought in no battle. 

Fleitz’s discharge coincided with the decommissioning of Fort Dakota. As a result, Fleitz moved to Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory, and claimed a homestead on the city’s east side. In 1873, he sold this parcel to C. K. Howard, another early city resident. Seeking new opportunities, Fleitz decided to establish a new homestead in 1876, three miles north of Harford. Unfortunately, his timing was terrible as grasshoppers destroyed the crops South Dakota farmers planted for the next two years. This solidified Fleitz’s decision to move back to Sioux Falls.

After settling in the city, Fleitz and his life partner, Elizabeth Jane Borst Fleitz, formed a family consisting of five beautiful children. It was during this period that Fleitz began his legendary career that shaped his legacy. Through old connections, he joined the Sioux Falls Brewery, owned by C.K. Howard and G.A. Knott, where he poured his passion into his work for over four decades. Fleitz only retired when the prohibition laws were enforced on the company. 

Erhardt Fleitz passed away in 1932 at the age of 85 from natural causes. In his remembrance, many Sioux Falls residents and others attended his funeral to celebrate his life. As a proud member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow (IOOF) and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Fleitz symbolized the veteran experience after the Civil War. From restarting and integrating into the community, Fleitz did great in performing as one of the pioneers in the community of Sioux Falls. 

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