William H. Kuhn, deceased, was for many years a respected and worthy representative of agricultural interests in this county. He was born October 20,1832, in Frederick County, Maryland, and was one of a family of seven children whose parents were Joseph and Sarah (Ovelman) Kuhn, both of whom died in Maryland. Only two of their children are still living: Rev. David Kuhn, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Captain Leander Kuhn, a veteran of the Civil war, now living in Maryland. Another brother, Cyrus, came to Pottawattamie county and died in Council Bluffs.

William H. Kuhn obtained his education in the common schools' of his native state and when seventeen years of age began preparation for life's practical and responsible duties by learning the millwright's trade. He becameidentified with Pottawattamie county during the pioneer epoch in its history,arriving here in 1857, after which be worked at the carpenter's trade in the employ of Captain Williams of Council Bluffs. In August of the same year, however, he made his way to Garner township and entered the employ of William Garner, an honored early settler and extensive farmer, whose daughter he afterward married. He was employed by Mr. Garner to aid in the construction of a gristmill and after its completion he assisted in its operation for sometime.

In 1858, however, be went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, attracted by the gold discoveries there and remained for a year. He then returned and operated the mill for Mr. Garner until 1864. He next made his way to the mining regions of the northwest, driving an ox-team to Montana, where be spent about a year and a half, his wife, however, remaining in Garner township during that period.

After his return to Pottawattamie county Mr. Kuhn built a woolen mill for his father-in-law, which be conducted until 1868, when with his family he removed on to the farm on section 3, Garner township, where his widow and son now reside. This property had been given to Mrs. Kuhn by her father and comprised two hundred acres of wild land. Mr. Kuhn built the present residence, barn and other out-buildings, fenced the farm and improved the land, converting the raw tract into productive fields. Year by year he planted the seed and harvested good crops, carefully carrying on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his demise. He also added four hundred acres of wild land to the two hundred acre tract which his wife had received. Most of this is now used for pasture, no buildings having been erected upon it. It is, however, rich pasture land and gives good opportunity for stock-raising interests, which are carried on by his son. The buildings are all in good condition and the residence is one of the attractive farm homes of Garner township.

It was on the 13th of November, 1861, that Mr. Kuhn was united in marriage to Miss Julia Garner, a daughter of William Garner, of whom extensive mention is made elsewhere in this volume. They became the parents of five children: Frank, now of Council Bluffs; Sarah, the wife of Albert Downs, of the same city; Margaret, who died in 1879; Brick, of Chicago; and William H., who is living with his mother and conducting the old homestead.

Mr. Kuhn was one of the reliable citizens of the county and assisted in many ways to develop and improve Garner township. In politics he was a Democrat and served his township as assessor for several years. He was also a member of the school board for many years and was interested in all that pertained to the intellectual, political and material progress of his community. He died very suddenly on the 18th of May, 1906, and many friends as well as his immediate family greatly mourned his loss, for he had ever commanded the respect and confidence of those who knew him and had gained their warm personal regard. Mrs. Kuhn still lives upon the home farm with her youngest son and is well known as a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the county.