Edward Kuhns 1884-1957

KUHNS, REES, CUMBERLEDGE, WETHERBEE, BRANT

Posted By: Dorothy (email)
Date: 10/12/2008 at 14:20:09

Fayette county's third traffic fatality in three days was recorded early this morning (Thursday) in
the death of Edward Kuhns, 73-year-old Oelwein blacksmith, who was injured in a two-car collision
west of Oelwein Tuesday morning
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p. m. at Brant funeral chapel, the Rev. Ralph Johnson,
Mason City, formerly of Oelwein, officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery.
Mr. Kuhns, who resided at 10 10th Ave. N.W., died at Mercy Hospital at 3:45 a. m. today. He had been in critical condition, suffering chest injuries, since the accident about 10:30 Tuesday morning. His death was the 18th this year for district 10,
Iowa Highway Patrol.
Surviving him are his wife, Effie; two sons, Joe and Paul, Oelwein; two daughters, Mrs. George (Marjorie) Rees and Mrs. Dale (Alice) Cumberledge, also of Oelwein. Also five grandchildren, three greatgrandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Effie Wetherbee, Oelwein.
He was born May 19, 1884, in Winters, Texas, the son of George and Emma Brandt Kuhns. He was
married Nov. 9, 1902 at Oelwein and worked as a blacksmith with the Chicago Great Western rail
way until 1922.
In 1922, Mr. Kuhns established Kuhns Blacksmith Shop. The original building in which he started
the business was a frame structure moved to Oelwein from Coytown southeast of Oelwein some 60
years before. In 1925 he razed the old shop and built in its place the present cement and brick shop at 111 East Charles. Kuhns observed a great change in the many phases of blacksmith work in his life time. Wagon and buggy work disappeared and were replaced by electric and acetylene
welding and ornamental wrought iron.
Kuhns has been popular in Oelwein as an artist, musician and woodwork specialist. His many
paintings and crayon drawings have been exhibited in various art and hobby shows along with his
handmade violins.

Oelwein Daily Register - 11 July 1957