Daniel Kusel: An Outstanding Layman

Abstract

Mark Barenz’s essay profiles Daniel Kusel, a prominent 19th-century layman whose contributions significantly shaped the early history of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), particularly through his support of Northwestern College (NWC) in Watertown, Wisconsin. Born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Kusel immigrated to Watertown in 1848, where he established a successful hardware business and became a respected civic and church leader. Kusel played a decisive role in securing Watertown as the site for NWC, helped oversee the construction of its first building—the “Kaffeemuehle”—and provided substantial financial support during the Synod’s formative years. As a member of the college’s first Board of Trustees and Synod treasurer, Kusel’s dedication, time, and resources were instrumental in sustaining the Synod’s educational mission. Barenz highlights Kusel’s legacy as a model of lay involvement in church life, emphasizing his faith-driven service and lasting impact on Lutheran education. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)