Fred H. Kuhlmann
A promising young farmer of Charter Oak township, Fred H. Kuhlmann has attained his present position through making a good start and then applying himself with a sound judgment and persistence which have yielded very satisfactory financial returns.
He is a native of the township in which he now lives and was born December 6, 1881, a son of George and Sophia (Bogheman) Kuhlmann. The father was born in Germany and came to the United States about 1876, taking up his residence in Jackson county, Iowa. After spending a year at his new home he removed to Crawford county and for a year rented land in Charter Oak township, then establishing himself on the farm where he now lives in the same township. He has made all the improvements upon his place and is now the owner of almost a section of land.
His wife was also born in Germany. She came to the United States at the age of eight years and was married to Mr. Kuhlmann in this county. There were five children in their family: Fred H., of this review; Martha, now the wife of August Krogel, of Willow township; William F., of Charter Oak township; and Paul and Ferdinand, both of whom are at home.
Fred H. Kuhlmann received his preliminary education in the common schools of Charter Oak township and later possessed the advantages of attendance at Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota, for one year. Returning home, he assisted his father until nineteen years of age and then started to learn the carpenter's trade in Willow township. He continued at that occupation for three years and then, having decided to devote his attention to farming, he rented land in Willow township until 1909, since which time he has cultivated the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he rented from his father. He is a general farmer but pays special attention to the raising of pedigreed Berkshire hogs, in which he is proving very successful.
In 1910 Mr. Kuhlmann was married in Crawford county to Miss Dora Ketelsen, a native of Germany and a daughter of Peter and Anna (Wamser) Ketelsen. They came to the United States when she was four years of age and located in Clinton county, Iowa, but in 1906 removed to Crawford county and are now residing in Charter Oak township. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ketelsen, namely: Margaret, who became the wife of Hans Dirks, of Jackson county, Iowa; John, of Charter Oak; Dora, now Mrs. Fred Kuhlmann; and Mary, Peter, Clara and Albert, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Kuhlmann is a supporter of the democratic party and he and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran church. He is a man who is always ready to listen to advice, but he acts upon his own judgment and generally accomplishes what he undertakes. He has found in his wife a sympathetic companion and theirs is a peaceful and happy home. In his life work he has met with deserved success and he has many friends who prophesy for Him increasing prosperity in the years to come.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.