Kuhn, Joseph Philip 1866 – 1949
KUHN, NOVOTNY, LUDWIG, STEBAL
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/4/2015 at 10:03:24
JOSEPH PHILIP KUHN.
Among the most able and progressive native sons of Winneshiek county is numbered Joseph Philip Kuhn, a prosperous farmer and prominent man of affairs of Sumner township and a representative of one of the best known pioneer families in this part of Iowa. He was born here, March 27. 1866, and is a son of George and Josephine (Novotny) Kuhn, the former born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832 and the latter in Bohemia, Austria. The father came to America when he was still a child and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. In 1854 he came to Iowa, settling in Calmar township, Winneshiek county, whence in 1865 he removed to Sumner township, where he still resides. He is a democrat in his political views and a member of the Roman Catholic church and is widely and favorably known in his locality. His father, John Kuhn, was the founder of the family in America. He was born in Bavaria and there grew to manhood, later coming to the United States and settling on a farm in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Iowa in 1854. He engaged in agricultural pursuits near Spillville, Winneshiek county, for a number of years and became very prominent in agricultural circles. He was a democrat in politics and a member of the Roman Catholic church. In the course of a long and honorable career he made substantial contributions to the pioneer development of this county. On the maternal side Mr. Kuhn is a grandson of Frank and Katrina (Stebal) Novotny, natives of Bohemia, where the father engaged in farming for many years. He also was a democrat and a Roman Catholic. Mr. Kuhn's parents were married in Spillville in 1865 and five children were born to them, Joseph Philip, Mary, Anton, George and Josephine.
Joseph P. Kuhn was reared on his father's farm in Sumner township and acquired his education in the public schools here and in private schools at Spillville. When he began his independent career he naturally turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared and since that time he has steadily prospered in his farming operations until today he stands in the front ranks of progressive and successful agriculturists of his vicinity.
At Spillville, July 22, 1890, Mr. Kuhn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ludwig, a native of that place, born July 2, 1865, and they have become the parents of eight children: Joseph R., whose birth occurred on the 27th of April, 1891; Frank J., born April 1, 1893; Alois, born May 20, 1895; William, August 17, 1898; Mary, October 11, 1901; Agnes, March 8, 1904; Lucy, December 12, 1906; and Jacob, July 25, 1909.
For many years past Mr. Kuhn has been prominent and active in local public affairs and has rendered his township excellent service in various important capacities. He served for two terms as assessor of Sumner township and for the past eighteen years has been secretary of the school board, the cause of education finding in him an intelligent and able supporter. In November, 1912, he was elected a member of the county board of supervisors for a term of three years. A devout Catholic, Mr. Kuhn has taken an active interest in the affairs of the Roman Catholic church and has been for the past twelve years a member of the church committee. He is a man of exemplary character and high and honorable principles and in the course of a life spent in Sumner township has gained the esteem and respect of his neighbors.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913
Transcriber's Note: The gravestone shows year of birth as 1867.
St. Wenceslaus Cemetery gravestone
Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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