James C. Kuhnes

KUHNES

Posted By: Merna Hansen
Date: 11/4/2011 at 00:26:48

James C. Kuhnes

The DEMOCRAT, Manson, Calhoun co., IA, March 18, 1914

Grandpa Kuhnes went some weeks ago to visit with relatives in Dubuque. He was in his usual health when he started on his journey and reached his destination feeling fine, as he stated in a letter. Other letters to the home folks advised them that he was enjoying his visit and feeling first rate.

You may well imagine the consternation of his son, Val, on Friday morning last when a telegram reached him from Dubuque apprising him of the sudden death of his father the night before of heart failure. Accompanied by T. D. Conroy, Val started immediately for Dubuque to bring the remains of his father here.

The funeral will occur from the Methodist church in Jolley. James C. Kuhnes was seventy-four years of age, was a splendid citizen, an old soldier with an enviable army record and a man universally esteemed. A fitting obituary will appear in these columns next week. March 25, 1914 James C. Kuhnes, of whose death brief mention was made last week, passed peacefully away at the home of his niece, Mrs. Mary Trenk, in Dubuque, Frdiay March 13, of heart failure, without premonition and without pain--simply falling asleep ne'er again to waken on the hither shore. The funeral was held from the Methodist church in Jolley where many old friends and neighbors had assembled to pay the last tribute of respect. Rev. Crombie preached a sermon of rare beauty and power showing the worth of the deceased as a citizen and patriot, and drawing from his life a lesson in which we of these later times should find an inspiration in patriotism, and in the things that make living worth while. The remains of this worthy veteran of the Civil war were laid to rest beside those of his beloved wife in Twin Lakes cemetery. Thus another of the rapidly thinning ranks of the old heroes has passed in the shadow and not one of the least in that great throng that went gallantly forth to their country's call to fight for home and fireside and the perpetuity of the republic. James C. Kuhnes was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., November 5, 1840. He came to Iowa with his parents when twelve years of age and to Calhoun county in 1894, where he continued to reside until his death, making his home with his son Valmah, after the death of his wife in 1906. December 13, 1866 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Timmeus and to this union seven children were born who are Mrs. Carrie Lasher, Glidden, Mary of Gallup, S. D., Royal Avilo and Valmah Richard of Twin Lakes township, George W. of Sumatra, Montana; David Lindsay; Denver, Colo., and Pearl who died in infancy. A sister in Florida and a brother in South Dakota survive him. On August 25, 1862, he being then a resident of Dubuque county, he enlisted in Company H of the twelfth Iowa Infantry volunteers, which was recruited in the counties of Hardin, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Linn, Black Hawk, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson. Those familiar with the history of the war will recall that the Twelfth Iowa saw some strenuous service and participated in many bloody engagements. During his term of service Mr. Kuhnes participated in thirty-three engagements, yet had the good fortune to escape with a single wound in one of his shoulders which incapacitated him for service for three months, but upon returning to the ranks he remained until honorably discharged January 20, 1866. On May 1, 1865, he was promoted corporal of his company, which position he retained until the close of the service. He belonged to the Grand Army and was a member of the Post at Rockwell City, several members of which notwithstanding the inclement weather, were present at his funeral to pay the last mark of respect to one who had been a fearless and valiant comrade in arms. Peace be to his ashes..