Jackson County IA Archives Biographies.....Kucheman, Arthur ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ken Wright wright@prestontel.com December 23, 2010, 9:16 pm Source: History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910 Author: J. W. Ellis ARTHUR KUCHEMAN. Arthur Kucheman, proprietor of the largest mercantile store in Bellevue, is numbered among the most prominent business men in this, his native town, his birth having here occurred on the 2ist of March, 1868. He is a son of Christian and Frances (Tschirgi) Kucheman, the former a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born on the 19th of June, 1825, a son of Henry and Anna Maria Kucheman. In the fatherland Christian Kucheman was reared and educated and came to the United States in 1846, first locating in Buffalo, New York, where he remained for two years. He then came west to Illinois, taking up his abode in Galena, and in that city his parents, who arrived a year later, passed their remaining days. He continued to reside in Galena until 1850, when he went to California and there worked in the gold mines for about seven years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Galena and in 1856 came to Bellevue, where together with Frank Henske he entered the hotel business, establishing the Union House and in connection therewith conducting a small grocery store. This relationship continued to exist until the outbreak of the Civil war, when Mr. Henske took over the hotel and grocery store. Later, in 1861, Mr. Kucheman joined Henry Hinke in the establishment of a general store, which they conducted for a number of years. In 1868 the present fine store was erected, it being the largest general store in the city, and the business was continued under the firm style of Kucheman & Company. Eventually, however, Oscar C, the eldest son of Mr. Kucheman, succeeded Mr. Hinke in the partnership, but upon his election to the office of clerk of the courts his two brothers, Arthur and Albert, were admitted to the firm and the style changed to Kucheman & Sons, thus remaining until the death of the father. The business was established in a most humble way, but its gradual expansion in time made it the largest of its kind and one of the most important business enterprises in the community. In 1861 Christian Kucheman was united in marriage to Miss Frances Tschirgi, a native of Switzerland, where she was born on the 25th of March, 1835. While still in the old country she lost both parents, the father's death being the result of cholera. In 1849, in company with a sister and brother, Ursula and Franz, she came to the new world, their home being established in Galena, Illinois. By her marriage to Mr. Kucheman she became the mother of five children, namely: Oscar C., of Maquoketa; Amelia, the wife of George Schlater, of Bellevue; Arthur, the subject of this review; Albert, of Moline, Illinois; and Benjamin, of St. Paul. In his political views Mr. Kucheman was a democrat and served on the city council and also on the school board, while all matters having for their object the material, moral and intellectual welfare of the community found in him a ready cooperator. His death occurred on the 25th of January, 1892, while his widow still survives and makes her home in Bellevue. Under the parental roof Arthur Kucheman, whose name initiates this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth, and in the common schools of Bellevue acquired his education, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from the Bellevue high school with the class of 1885. As soon as his age permitted he began assisting his father in his large mercantile store during the hours not devoted to his text books, and since leaving school he has given his entire time and attention to the business. Upon the death of the father in 1891 the business was left to his four sons, but the three eldest, Oscar E., Albert and Arthur, purchased the interest of the younger brother. In 1896 the interest of Oscar C. was taken over by Mr. Kucheman of this review, while still later, in 1903, he bought out the interest of the other brother, Albert, thereby obtaining entire control of the busines, at the head of which he has since continued. It is still conducted under the firm style of Kucheman & Sons, and is the most extensive enterprise of its kind in the community. The building now occupied by the firm is the largest store building in Bellevue, a stone structure thirty by one hundred and twenty feet, being two stories in height and a basement. It is divided into five departments, dry goods, clothing, shoes, groceries and men's furnishings, and each department is thoroughly equipped with a well selected line of stock, designed to meet every demand of the public. The firm employs ten clerks, insuring prompt service, and the fact that universal courtesy and consideration is extended to the smallest as well as the largest purchaser has made the store popular with all classes, while the safe and reliable business policy of the house has inspired the trust and confidence of the general public. The keen buiness sagacity, rare discernment, close application and wise management which Mr. Kucheman has manifested in the conduct of his affairs were potent factors in placing him in the high position which 'he occupies in business circles as the head of the largest and most important mercantile establishment in the town, and he is numbered among the city's most substantial and enterprising citizens. It was in 1891 that Mr. Kucheman was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Reed, a native of Bellevue township and a daughter of Sam and Emma Reed. She is a granddaughter of Alexander Reed, one of the early pioneers of Bellevue. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kucheman have been born five children: Lawrence, Marco, Marguerite, Alice and Carlisle. Early in life Mr. Kuoheman became interested in the politics of the country and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given support to the democratic party and has ever been a worker for the best interests of Bellevue, although he has no desire for preferment along political lines. He has, however, served as a member of the board of education for the past nine years, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. He is a director of the Bellevue Piano Company, having thus served for the past two years, and is also a director of the Commercial Club. Success has come to him as the legitimate and logical result of intelligence and well directed labor. It is true that he became interested in a business already established but in controlling and enlarging sueh an enterprise many a man of less resolute purpose, perseverance and industry would have failed, and he has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius but the outcome of a clear judgment and experience. J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/jackson/bios/kucheman187nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/iafiles/ File size: 7.3 Kb