Bio: Kostner, Emil Edward (1958)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Kostner, Thom 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 13, 1958 
 

Kostner, Emil Edward (1958) 
 

Did you know that Emil E. Kostner was born in Neillsville; had his early education in Medford; was graduated from Marquette University; has been in the security business in Chicago; served as deputy County Clerk of Taylor County; served with the W. P. A. Administration staff at Menomonie; has been connected with the Thorp Finance Corporation since 1939, and has been executive vice president of the corporation since 1954? 
 

Emil Edward Kostner was born in Neillsville September 11, 1905, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kostner.  When he was still a baby the family moved to Waupaca, where he attended grade school.  Later the family moved to Medford and he enrolled in the Catholic parochial school there, from which he was graduated in 1918.  In 1921, Mr. Kostner was graduated from Medford High School and went to work in his father’s store.  A year later he enrolled in Marquette University and was graduated in 1927.  While there he was a member of Delta Sigma Pi and of Beta Gamma Sigma, National Honor Society. 
 

His first employment was in Chicago, where he was a stock and bond trader.  In January, 1932, with the depression on, he returned to Medford, where he served two years as deputy County Clerk.  In August 1955, Mr. Kostner accepted a position as statistician on the administrative staff of the Works Progress Administration in Menomonie.  He remained there until August, 1939, when he returned to Clark County as office manager for Thorp Finance Corporation. At that time the finance company occupied the old Farmers Exchange Bank Building in Thorp. 
 

In 1942, Mr. Kostner was untied in marriage to Miss Lorrine Thom of Milwaukee. To this union a daughter, Mary was born.  She attends St. Bernard’s School in Thorp. 
 

He is affiliated with the Thorp Lion’s Club; the Medford Council of Knights of Columbus; the Wausau Fourth Degree Assembly, Knights of Columbus; Serra International at Wausau; the Wausau Club; the Milwaukee Athletic Club; and is a member of St. Bernard’s Church at Thorp. 
 

During the last three summers Mr. Kostner has attended Stanford University graduate school, where he has studied credit and financial management.  He has served a term as president of the Wisconsin Association of Finance companies. 
 

In December he completed three years of service on the Clark County School committee, which during that time has been concerned with a wide range of problems connected with school consolidations.  He also is a member of the Thorp Library board; and recently was elected president of the Clark County Taxpayers Association, which he served for several years as secretary. 
 

As a young man, Mr. Kostner was interested in music and played in the Medford High School, Medford city and Marquette University bands.  His interest in music has been maintained on a high level, and one of his hobbies is maintaining his excellent library of classical records.  He always has enjoyed reading, and finds many hours of pleasure in historical works and classical literature. 
 

Each year Mr. Kostner tries to take a trip into the Canadian fishing areas, and sometimes tries his luck on closer waters.  He also is fond of golfing; but since he became associated with Thorp Finance Corporations these out-of-door activities have had to take a back seat to his many other responsibilities and interests.