Albert J. Kuhns Biography This biography appears on pages 1246-1247 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. ALBERT J. KUHNS is a native of Ohio, born in the city of Mansfield, on April 6, 1856. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Dickinsin) Kuhns, were also born and reared in the Buckeye state, and lived in the county of Richland until the year of the subject's birth, when they removed to Elkhart county, Indiana, settling in the woods near the town of Goshen, where in due time the father cleared and developed a small farm. Mr. Kuhns was one of the pioneers of Elkhart county and experienced many of the hardships incident to early life in the back woods, having been poor in this world's goods, but industrious and energetic. He improved forty acres of land and after living on the same until 1862, sold out and migrated to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he purchased land and followed the pursuit of agriculture during the twelve succeeding years, removing at the end of that time to Grundy county, in the same state. Mr. Kuhns bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in the latter county, made many improvements on the same, but in 1880 disposed of his interests there and came to Lincoln county, South Dakota, settling in Lynn township, where he purchased a quarter section of land, on which he lived until the death of his wife, in June, 1895, since which time he has made his home with his children. Joseph and Sarah Kuhns reared a family of seven children, namely: Esmeldora, who died in 1902; Arminda, wife of F. A. Ballou; Mrs. Huldah Bothwell; Esther, who married J. W. Wood; Albert J., of this review; Charles, and Artemissa, the latter the wife of J. Elliott. Albert J. Kuhns was an infant when his parents moved to Indiana, and he spent his early life on the little farm in that state. When about six years old he was taken to Iowa, where he grew to maturity and received his educational training in the district schools, remaining with his parents as long as they lived in that state and bearing his share in cultivating the farm and contributing to the general support of the family. In 1882 he came to South Dakota and the same year bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lincoln county, which he improved and which, under his energetic labors and successful management, has been converted into one of the best and most valuable farms in the township of Lynn. He still lives on this place and in addition thereto owns a quarter section of fine land in Davison county, besides having large mining interests in Wyoming, where he spent two years prospecting and locating valuable mineral property. Mr. Kuhns took an active part in organizing the Worthing Elevator Company at Worthing, and served eleven years as president of the same, during which time he realized handsome returns from the enterprise, as it proved a very successful and profitable undertaking. He owns an interest in the Enterprise, one of the leading newspapers of Lincoln county, published at Worthing, and for several years was a member of the municipal board of that town, also a member of the school board, having been identified with the latter body ever since its organization. Mr. Kuhns is one of the leading Republicans of Lincoln county, and has taken a prominent part, not only in local affairs, but in state politics as well. From 1891 to 1893 inclusive he was clerk of the lower house and in 1895 was chosen as representative, discharging the duties of the office in an able and satisfactory manner and proving under all circumstances faithful to his party and loyal to the best interests of the public. He was again, in 1897, elected to represent his county in the legislature. He is a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge at Worthing, and has held nearly every position within the power of the organization to bestow and is also identified with the insurance society known as Woodmen of the World, which holds its meetings at the same place. Mr. Kuhns spent about two years in Colorado and in January, 1882, was married at Grundy Center, Iowa, to Miss Bell Robinson, a native of Mt. Carrol, Illinois, and for a number of years a successful teacher in the public schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Kuhns eight children have been born, viz: Nellie, a student of Canton College, South Dakota; Frank, who was educated at St. Augustine College, served as postmaster of the lower house of the legislature in 1902-3, and is now manager of the home farm; the other members of the family are Joseph, Edith, Mae, Charles, Lloyd and Forrest, all at home. Mr. Kuhns is a friend of education and has given his children every advantage in this direction obtainable, besides taking a prominent part in promoting the efficiency of the schools of Worthing and Lincoln county. He is a man of strong mentality, decided in his purposes, determined in carrying out any undertaking to which he addresses himself, and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to class him with the intelligent, broad-minded and progressive citizens of the state in which he has chosen his permanent place of abode.