Andreas Kieber
Quick Facts
Biography
Andreas Kieber (4 October 1844 – 19 April 1939) was a farmer and soldier from Liechtenstein. He was a veteran of the Austro-Prussian War and the last surviving member of the Liechtenstein military.
Life
Kieber was born on 4 October 1844 in Mauren to the son of Michael Kieber and his mother Crescent Senti as one of two children.
He worked as a farmer and in 1866, upon the outbreak of the Austro-Prussian War he was a soldier as member of the 80-man Liechtenstein contingent that was deployed on the Stelvio Pass against Italy, though the unit did not see action. He remained in the military until it was disbanded in 1868 and due to its unpopularity within the country and Liechtenstein declared it's permanent neutrality. He was a member of the Liechtenstein veterans association, which was founded in 1893 and consisted of 141 members in 1896.
In his later years, he was honoured with photographs of him in his uniform which was used in various postcards. Kieber died on 19 April 1939 in Mauren, aged 94 years old. Upon his death, he was largely recognised as the last surviving member of the Liechtenstein military and nicknamed the "last Liechtenstein soldier".
Kieber married Rosina Marxer (29 July 1848 –20 April 1920) on 3 November 1873 and they had five children together.