Clinton County IL Archives Biographies.....Kuhn, John
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Sherry Kuhn kuhnx008@tc.umn.edu May 1998

(Source:  "Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, 
Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"  Chapman Publishing Co., 
Chicago, Illinois, 1894)

John Kuhn, a farmer residing in Brookside Township, Clinton County, 
was born in Lorraine, France, on the 14th of February, 1842.  His 
ancestors, as far back as there is any record of the family, lived in 
France, where his parents, John and Kate (Roher) Kuhn, were born -- 
the former in Lorraine August 15, 1812, and the latter in the same 
province, the date of her birth not being known.  John Kuhn, Sr., was 
a tanner by trade, which occupation he followed in his native land.  
Prior to emigrating to this country he served for seven years in the 
army of France.

Coming to the United States in 1847, Mr. Kuhn, Sr., settled in St. 
Louis, Mo., and there worked his trade until 1859, at which time he 
moved to Clinton County, Ill., and remained with his son John until 
his death, March 8, 1888.  He joined the Republican party after 
coming to America, and always supported the principles of that party.  
He was a member of the Catholic Church, in which faith his ancestors, 
almost without exception, had lived and died.  His wife, who was also 
a member of the Catholic Church, died in St. Louis, Mo., in 1855.  In 
their family were three sons, all of whom are living.  Champear, the 
eldest, resides in Cincinnati; John, of this sketch, is the second in 
order of birth; and Peter, the youngest, now a resident of the state 
of Washington, is engaged in farming.

A child of five years when the family sought a home across the ocean, 
John Kuhn, Jr., retains few recollections of his land of birth.  He 
lived with his parents in St. Louis until he was seven, when he came 
to Clinton County, Ill., and made his home with the family of his 
uncle, John Roher.  In his youth he was the recipient of fair 
educational advantages and gained a thorough knowledge of the English 
language.  At the age of fourteen his studies were discontinued, 
after which he worked for neighboring farmers by the month until the 
commencement of the Civil War.

Quite early in the Rebellion Mr. Kuhn enlisted in a company of cavalry 
attached to the Thirtieth Illinois Infantry.  After eighteen months' 
service this company was consolidated with others, comprising the 
Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry.  He participated in many hard-fought 
battles, among which may be mentioned Belmont, Ft. Henry, Ft. 
Donelson and Corinth.  On the 1st of January, 1863, he was made 
prisoner by General Forrest's command and was paroled soon after and 
exchanged in June of 1863.  Rejoining this regiment, he served with 
the same until honorably mustered out, in September, 1864.  He is now 
a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

After leaving the army, Mr. Kuhn returned to Clinton County and 
bought a farm of forty acres of land, upon which he established his 
home and where he continues to live.  By industry, economy and 
business intelligence, he has added to his original purchase some two 
hundred and seventy acres of excellent land, well improved and 
embellished with all the buildings necessary for the proper management 
of a farm.  He has built a residence containing every comfort desired.  
He also owns a fine residence in Centralia.  While his farming 
interests require his attention almost constantly, they do not do so 
to the exclusion of matters of public importance.  To the Government 
of the United States he is as loyal as any of its native-born sons, 
and having studied carefully the issues of the day gives his support 
to the principles of the Republican party.

Soon after returning from the war, Mr. Kuhn married Miss Margaret, 
daughter of Peter Smith, who emigrated from France and settled in 
Clinton County.  They were the parents of five children, three sons 
and two daughters.  The sons, John Charles, George Peter and Andrew, 
live on the farm with their father.  Mary, the eldest daughter, 
married Frank Shaker (note: should be "Scheriger") and died in 1893, 
aged twenty-seven.  The younger daughter, Vina (note: should be "Bina"), 
is the wife of William Bodker and resides in Centralia, this state.  
The devoted wife and mother passed from this life August 27, 1892.  
She was a consistent member of the Catholic Church, with which Mr. 
Kuhn is also identified.


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