John P. Stuhr, one of the leading merchants of Minden, was born in Schleswig, Germany, January 12, 1844.

September 12, 1862, he came to Davenport, Iowa, where he attended school until September 6, 1864, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served under General A. J. Smith. He fought in the two battles of Spanish Fort, Mobile, Fort Blakely, Alabama, at Island No. 13 against the famous Quantrell in 1864, and at Memphis, Tennessee. He was wounded in the knee by a bayonet at Island No. 13, in an encounter with Quantrell and the James Boys, but was taken from the field on a mule by a comrade. Previously he had a very narrow escape from these same guerrillas. With thirteen companions he was detailed from the picket boat Pocahontas by First Lieutenant John Nelson Gardner to Island No. 10, to search for bushwackers, rebels and cotton. This little command, under the leadership of Mr. Stuhr, landed on the island, and he pushed his way through the dense cane, which grew twenty feet high, with his hands for about one and a half miles at the head of the detail. The party finally came to a clearing of about forty acres, where a small cabin was found containing two men and two women, who were badly frightened. Forcing them to stand in the corner, Mr. Stuhr and three companions, they having been separated from the rest in the dense cane, ate a scanty meal of baked beans and pork; then, leaving the people in the cabin, proceeded. In about four hours' travel they came upon another small cabin made of logs, and here Mr. Stuhr opened the door and found two small boys. Upon asking for food the boys replied that they had biscuits and molasses, and told the soldiers to help themselves. While eating a shadow passed the window, and Mr. Stuhr ran out and called to the man to halt, and bringing him in the cabin made him stand in the corner. The prisoner, speaking in low German, asked if Mr. Stuhr was not a low German and came from Schleswig. Mr. Stuhr said that he was, and the prisoner asked why he was there; and on being answered that the party were from a steamer in the river and were searching for bushwackers and cotton, the prisoner replied that it was fortunate for them that they went no further, and said that a short distance away were 300 guerrillas, and that by stepping to the door and whistling they could be called at any moment. Mr. Stuhr took him to the door and said, show me to their camping place, telling him that if he whistled or made any sign, even if he was a countryman, he would shoot him on the spot. They proceeded about 120 rods, and saw through the cane into another clearing about 300 yards away about 300 bushwackers amusing themselves by jumping. Taking his prisoner with him and commanding silence at the peril of his life, he retreated with his companions to the shore and found their steamer within hailing distance, and leaving their prisoner behind were soon safely on board. Had they not found the steamer they would have been forced to take the prisoner and little boys to Memphis. This is one of the most narrow escapes from hanging on record. The names of Mr. Stuhr's companions were: Charles Asherman, Christ Muhl and Gotfried Manhauver.

While on duty at Memphis, Tennessee, in the slaughter house, a Second Iowa Cavalry man, by the name of Christian, came in with an order for a fore-quarter of beef, and tried to force Mr. Stuhr to give him a hind-quarter. Mr. Stuhr immediately placed his bayonet at his breast, and the cavalryman gracefully retired with his fore-quarter. On a trip down the Mississippi on a steamer Mr. Stuhr and three companions captured two Confederate soldiers, a Captain and a Lieutenant, by the vigilance of Mr. Stuhr, who called attention to them.

Mr. Stuhr came to Minden in 1875, and on August 1,1881, he bought the store of Bartlett & Co., and engaged in the general merchandise business, in which he has since continued. He has been Township Assessor in this county, also Road Supervisor in Scott County.

Politically he is a Democrat, and socially a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the most popular men in Minden, and has been recently elected by a large majority as the first Mayor of Minden, the town having been recently incorporated. He was also the Postmaster of that town four years, under Cleveland's administration. He is well known as a sociable and enterprising merchant. It can well be said of him that he has done as much toward building up Minden as any other prominent man of the town.

His son, Julius, a capable clerk in his father's store, was elected Recorder of the town at the same election.

He married in Davenport, Iowa, May 26, 1866, to Amelia Cornelius, who was born in Germany, October 18, 1846, the daughter of Marcus and Anna (Muller) Cornelius, both natives of that country.

Mr. and Mrs. Stuhr have six children: Alvina A., Julius, John M. R., Adelia H., William and Walter. They are both members of the Lutheran Church. Socially, Mr. Stuhr is a Knight of Pythias, and politically a Democrat. He is now the leading merchant and the Mayor of Minden, to which office he was elected by a large majority.