Joseph Kuhns

Biography

Joseph Josiah Kuhns was born on April 4, 1837 in Pennsylvania. His parents were Samuel A Kuhns and Mary Catherine (Shank) Kuhns.

Joseph married Lydia A. (Garber) Deardorf on November 25, 1858 in Sugarcreek, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States.

Joseph married Catherine "Katie" (Gerber) Kuhns on November 25, 1858 in Sugarcreek, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, United States. Together they had the following children: Amanda L (Kuhns) Troyer; Henry Kuhns; Joseph E. Kuhns; Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Kuhns) Stutzman; Nathaniel Samuel Kuhns; Emanuel Kuhns; Mattie Kuhns; Veronica "Fannie" (Kuhns) Burkey; Lydia (Kuhns) Sanford; William Kuhns.

He died on May 21, 1914 in Shickley, Fillmore County, Nebraska, Shickley, Fillmore County, Nebraska, United States and was buried in 1914 in Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery, Shickley, Fillmore County, Nebraska, United States.

-- Joseph Kuhns Family History --

Joseph Kuhns was born on April 4, 1837, to Samuel and Mary (Shank) Kuhns. He was the youngest in a family of six boys and two girls. The names of his brothers and sisters in the order of their birth are Tobias, Leonard, Samuel, Daniel, Eli (Elias), Mattie, and Mary. These children were all born in Pennsylvania- -the family being Pennsylvania Dutch- -descendants of immigrants from south Germany and Switzerland who settled in southeastern Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries. Joseph's father, Samuel, who is buried near Millersburg in Holmes County, Ohio, was a shoe maker until shoe factories caused hand- made shoes to become an unprofitable work. Joseph was only five years old when his mother died. The children were all under the age of twelve at that time, so Samuel found it necessary to place his children in the homes of neighbors. The children worked for their room and board as was the custom in those days. The families with whom the children lived were all Old Order Mennonites. Joseph was raised by the Henna Herschberger family in Pennsylvania. It was here that he met Catherine (Katie) Garber. She was born October 14, 1839, and was one in a family of five boys and eight girls. Joseph and Katie were married November 25, 1858, and settled near Sugar Creek, Ohio. Six children were born to them during the time they lived in Ohio: Lydia - 1859, Fannie - 1862, Mattie - 1865, Emanuel - 1867, Nathaniel - 1869, and Lizzie - 1872. Soon after Lizzie was born, Joseph sold out in Ohio and came west as far as Lincoln, Nebraska by immigrant train. He drove a team and wagon from there to Milford at which point it was necessary to ford the river. He settled on a farm near Milford in 1873 at the age of thirty-six. During the years which followed, four more children were added to the family: Amanda - 1875, William - 1878, Henry - 1878, and Joseph E. - 1881. There may have been others born who lived only a short time, but no definite sources of information are available. The Civil War took place during Joseph's young manhood, and according to recollection, he was drafted on three different occasions. He never served in the army, however, since he took advantage of the alternative offered conscientious objectors- -that of paying a $350 penalty in lieu of military service. At Milford, Joseph became a successful farmer and purchased three farms during their stay there. In 1891, at the age of 54, he and his family moved to Fillmore County, Nebraska, where they settled in the Strang/Shickley area. Here he purchased a farm, now known as the Kennel property, at the cost of $27 per acre. He farmed the common crops of corn, wheat and flax, the latter of which Grandma Katie used to spin cloth and make clothes. Joseph became proficient in carpentry, making those now famous Pennsylvania Dutch kitchen sinks, benches, tables, and chairs. He made the furniture for his own home and was very active in the building of the Salem Mennonite Church near Shickley. He spoke Pennsylvania Dutch, an unwritten dialect, and enjoyed fellowship and discussion, especially with his neighbors. He was a hearty singer and led his family in singing together in the home. He also led many songs in church services- -bridging the time between seated voluntary leaders and that of the chorister standing before the audience. He led the first song at the dedication of the Salem Mennonite Church near Shickley on December 4, 1904. (The song was No. 128 in the German Songbook.) Joseph, Katie and their family were among the charter members of this Shickley church. Joseph was always concerned about the welfare of others and in some instances assumed surety (signed notes) for others, so the final burden fell on him, and at times this created real hardships for his family. One receipt has been preserved in which there is an acknowledgement of an interest payment of $50 dated May 14, 1875- -note due on April 1, 1977 (apparently a long-term note with periodic interest payments). The note is signed by T. J. Hamilton for the Corbin Banking Co. of New York. Grandpa Joseph nearly always enjoyed good health. He passed away on May 21, 1914, at the age of 77 years, and his burial was made in the Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery near Shickley, Nebraska. Grandma Katie lived for another 13 years, spending the last several years in blindness. She passed away on June 16, 1927 at the home of her daughter, Lizzie. Her burial site is in the West Fairview Mennonite Church Cemetery near Milford, Nebraska.

• Residence: Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head, Carleton, Thayer, Nebraska, USA - 1910
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Dec 31 2018, 19:48:31 UTC
• Census: 1880 - Precinct O, Seward, Nebraska, USA
• Residence: Precinct O, Seward, Nebraska, United StatesPrecinct O, Seward, Nebraska, United States - 1880
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jan 1 2019, 2:29:35 UTC
• Residence: 1880 - Precinct O, Seward, Nebraska, United States
• Residence: 1885 - District 735, , Seward, Nebraska, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jan 18 2019, 0:33:25 UTC
• Residence: 1880 - Precinct O, Seward, Nebraska, United States
• Residence: 1885 - District 735, , Seward, Nebraska, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Feb 2 2019, 7:02:41 UTC
• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 12 2023, 7:39:26 UTC