Adolph Kuehl
Arriving in America in his boyhood Adolph Kuehl has for forty years been a resident of Iowa and is now the owner of a productive farm in Crawford county, which he acquired by his own efforts through years of earnest application. He may justly be regarded as one of the fortunate men of Iowa.
He was born in Germany, November 10, 1855, a son of Claus and Abel (Horst) Kuehl, both of whom were born in Germany. The father came to America with his family in 1870 and lived for a year at Davenport, Iowa, then renting a farm in Scott county. Subsequently the family removed to Clinton county, where Mr. Kuehl rented land for ten years, but in 1883 he brought his family to Crawford county. He bought one hundred and sixty acres in Morgan township, which he cultivated until his death in 1896. The mother of our subject died June 22, 1875. They had four children, namely: Hans, now living retired at Battle Creek, Iowa; Henry, who died at the age of twenty years; Kate, the wife of Henry Lamp, who is engaged in the jewelry business at Davenport; and Adolph, of this review.
Educated in the public schools of Germany, Adolph Kuehl came to America with his parents and continued at home until twenty-four years of age. He then began working for wages and for eight years rented land, which he cultivated industriously for three years. The first land which he owned was one hundred and sixty acres in Morgan township. He sold this place in 1896 and bought four hundred and three and one-half acres on section 20, Soldier township, which is his homestead and gives evidence in its neat and attractive appearance of being cultivated according to the most modern methods. He is an extensive feeder of stock and as he handles only good grades he is enabled to command the best prices in the market.
In February, 1880, Mr. Kuehl was united in marriage to Miss Dora Otto, who was born at Davenport, March 15, 1857, a daughter of Claus H. and Julia (Vogt) Otto. The parents were natives of Germany and came to America in 1847, the father following his trade as carpenter at Davenport for eighteen years. In 1865 he purchased a farm in Clinton county, which he cultivated for fifteen years, and then retired, having attained a competency. He died July 18, 1890, and his wife passed away in 1875. Of their eight children one died in infancy, the others being Magdalena and John, both of whom are deceased; Henry, who is now engaged in farming in Soldier township; Dora, now Mrs. Adolph Kuehl; Charles, of Boone, Iowa; Norah, the wife of Charles Fraser, of Moline, Illinois; and Herman, of Dewitt, Iowa.
Seven children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kuehl and their record is as follows: Julia, who is the wife of Arnold Jacobsen, of Mitchell, South Dakota; Freda, the wife of Claus Johansen, of Soldier township; Louis, who died at the age of ten years; Ida, who died at the age of eight years; Gustave, who died at the age of seven years; Walter and Edward, both of whom are living at home. The children were all given the advantages of a good common school education.
Mr. Kuehl has never sought the emoluments of public office but since arriving at voting age has cast his ballot in support of the republican party. He and his family are firm believers in Christianity and are members of the German Lutheran church. He is in a true sense a self-made man and one who could have apparently won his way anywhere. He has business ability and enterprise and while he has prospered, it has never been to the injury of others. Enjoying in a goodly measure the respect of his fellowmen, he fully deserves the success which has attended his efforts in establishing a home for himself and family.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.