Stuhr, John H. C.

STUHR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 22:03:59

John H. C. Stuhr

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.220, Pleasant Twp.)
John H. C. Stuhr, farmer, P. O. Shelby, was born in Holstein, Germany, February 27, 1841, son of Adam and Mary (Bocher) Stuhr, both natives of Holstein, Germany, he born in 1801, she in 1809. Both died in their native country. They were the parents of seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom one son and a daughter are deceased. Our subject received his education in his native country, and emigrated to America in 1857, landing in New York. He came to Davenport, this State, from which place he went in the army, returning to the same county, after serving throughout the entire time of the war. He enlisted in the fall of 1861, in the Twelfth Missouri Infantry Company I, Capt. Alefeldt. He took part in the engagements of Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta and others. He was married in Davenport, this State, October 2, 1866, to Eva Katharina Wilhelmina Arohn, born April 24, 1844, in the same place as her parents - G. and Mrs. (Atzman) Arohn, who were natives of Schleswig, Germany. Mrs. Stuhr came to the United States in 1866, and lived in Scott County, this State, till the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Stuhr are the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living - Emma, Willie, Mary, Clara, Kathrina, Matilda, Dora and Johanna. Our subject came to Pleasant Township in 1875, and purchased 205 acres of land at $11 per acre, fifty-five acres for $1,000, and also made a purchase of 160 acres of wild land in Harrison County at $9 per acre, fifty-five acres of which were, however, somewhat improved. His present farm property is now well cultivated. He set out a grove and a three-acre orchard of small fruit. He pays attention to most all kinds of farming. Mrs. Stuhr died in Pleasant Township August 17, 1882, and her funeral was attended by large numbers, who have always held her in the highest esteem. Our subject has filled many township offices. He was Constable two years, Trustee three years, Assessor two years, and School Director two years. He is an I. O. O. F., Helvetia Lodge, No. 423. In religion, he is a Lutheran, and in politics, a Republican.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.438)
J. H. C. STUHR, one of the most prominent business men of Minden, was born in Holstein, Germany, February 27, 1841, and was but sixteen years of age when he came to America. In 1857 he went to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked at the trade of stone mason and also at farm work; he was a weaver by trade in the old country. In 1861, after the three months' service men had returned, he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Missouri Infantry, as a private. He had previously made several attempts to enlist, but failed owing to the eagerness to enlist in Iowa regiments. He missed the battle of Pea Ridge, owing to sickness, and was in the hospital at St. Louis six weeks. He then returned to his regiment, and was on the march through Missouri, Arkansas and in many skirmishes. His first severe battle was at Vicksburg. He was next at Fort Heintman, on the Little Red River; next at Lookout Mountain, where he captured thirteen prisoners and afterward had charge of them; he himself carried their arms. Then he was at the battle of Mission Ridge, and afterward at that of Ringgold, Georgia, and here his regiment met with severe loss in men and officers. He was also in the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, detailed as Orderly, and from there he went with Sherman on his famous march to the sea as far as Savannah, Georgia. He became a dispatcher for General Osterhouse, and also served a short time under General John A. Logan as Orderly, and still has in his possession one of the General's passes. He served altogether four years and five months, and was honorably discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, January 15, 1866. Mr. STUHR served three years as drummer in the old State militia, and at the battle of Lookout Mountain he served as bugler.
At Ringgold, Georgia, when his Captain, Joseph Ladegerber, was shot and mortally wounded, he was carried off the field by Mr. STUHR and three companions, under a flank fire. He says that $10,000 would not tempt him to take such a risk again. They took the Captain along the railroad over one and a half miles distant, and all the way the enemy poured a fierce fire at them. Throughout all his experience Mr. STUHR received no wounds, but at one time his blanket was shot through without touching him. Thus our young soldier faced the Rebel bullets for his adopted country, and then resumed peaceful pursuits.
Returning to Davenport, Iowa, he engaged in teaming, and the next year rented a farm in Scott County, where he resided until 1875, when he came to Pottawattamie County. Here, in company with J. Stamp, he purchased 205 acres in Pleasant Township and 160 acres in Harrison County, but dissolved partnership in 1883. In 1887 he came to Minden, where he became business manager for John L. Daw & Co., in buying grain; this season he bought 60,000 bushels of barley. Mr. STUHR is a self-made man, having worked his way up from boyhood in a strange country, becoming first a soldier and defender of his country's rights, and is now an honorable American citizen. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, and has held the offices of Noble Grand and Treasurer. He is a member of the Dick Yates Post, G.A.R., at Shelby, Iowa. He is a man who is best known for his sterling qualities and integrity, and he is a credit to the sturdy German stock from which he came.
Mr. STUHR was married October 6, 1866, to Eva ARON, and they are the parents of eight living children, namely: Emma, William, Mary, Clara, Katie, Matilda, Dora and Hannah. Mr. STUHR's first wife died, and he was again married to Abel LINAN, and by this marriage there are four children: Emil, Olga, Alma and Johnnie.