Henry F. Kohl was born in Greenfield, Wisconsin, March 4, 1856, and grew to manhood upon his parents' farm, learning the secrets of the cultivation of the soil and acquiring an education in the public schools. When he attained his majority he had no desire to leave the scene of his early endeavor and secured two hundred acres of land in Greenfield township, on which he is living at present. It represents the result of many years of labor, while the many improvements and the modern buildings are additional evidence that his toil has been productive of substantial results. Progressive in his agricultural methods, he shares in the general prosperity of the county.

In 1876 Mr. Kohl married Miss Mary Amanda Kline, who was born on the 26th of August, I857, and is a daughter of John F. and Catherine (Hickathorn) Kline, residents of Prairieburg, Linn county, Iowa. Five sons and one daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kohl; Mrs. Lona Smith, of Blunt, South Dakota; Eldon Lewis, who lives north of Martelle; Harry Amos, a resident of Blunt, South Dakota; and Dewitt, Lowell Delos and Otto Albert who are living at home. A firm believer in the doctrines of the Methodist church, Mr. Kohl has reared his children in that faith and those of the family at home are members of the congregation at Martelle. Politically he is a democrat, having faith in the measures advocated by that party, and while not a politician he has held offices in the township, namely that of trustee, a position he has occupied for six years, and that of a member of the school board. In educational matters he is especially interested and has ever been zealous in working for the increased efficiency of the instruction given to the youth of the locality. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the White Rose Lodge, No. 279, K.P., at Martelle, for whose welfare and that of his fellow members he is always deeply concerned.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 567.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 673.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, 1879, page 612, and submitted by Lori J. Mentzel

NOTE FROM LORI: Cora married my relative, Wayne Yousse. Note that census research shows Adam’s parents to be Adam Sr. and Elizabeth, while his wife was Catherine. It looks like the book mixed the two generations together. In the biography below, Adam's father is given as Jacob. The daughter of Cora Kramer and Wayne Yousse said that Adam’s father was also named Adam. The siblings listed for Adam (Jr) do not match other sources and could actually be Adam Sr’s siblings.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 656.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 587.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 562.

Philip Kuhns had advanced well along the highroad of his life before he left the state of his birth and took up his residence in Jones county. In those years of his young manhood he enlisted in the army that carried the Mexican war serving under General Scott. Of the many engagements in which he participated during that struggle, the one that gained the greatest fund of memories was the siege of Pueblo which lasted twenty-eight days, before the enemy succumbed to the onslaught of the American troops. It was in 1860 that Mr. Kuhns came to Jones county, settling in Scotch Grove township, where he purchased a tract of land. This he greatly improved in the course of years, and as he was able added to it until now he owns over one thousand acres in this township. While much of his time was devoted to purely agricultural pursuits he was always a heavy feeder and shipper of cattle and other stock, winning a wide reputation as a man of good judgment in his estimate of quality of animals, and of I integrity in his business negotiations

On the 17th of May, 1849, Mr. Kuhns, was united in marriage to Savilla RUGH, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1831. For more than three score years the couple have passed along life's highway together, sharing alike its joys and its sorrows. Four children were born to them: Elizabeth, William R. Joseph A. and John L. The eldest has passed away, and the two older sons are residing in this township. All his life Mr. Kuhns has been an advocate of the republican party and has not infrequently taken part in public affairs, although he was never a conspicuous aspirant for popular distinction. Fraternally enjoys membership in the Monticello Lodge, No. 173, A. F. & A. M. and has lived in accordance with the teachings of the Presbyterian church of which he was a member. He has always been a man of honor and integrity and has gained the confidence, respect and good will of all those with whom he has been associated.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 650.

Joseph Kulhavy was about eighteen years, of age when his parents came to this country. He had received a fair public-school education in the land of his birth, and after he arrived in Iowa he assisted his father in making a home for the other members of the family. When he was twenty-five years of age he left the parental roof, obtaining employment as a section foreman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Twelve years later he bought a farm in Oxford township. It consisted of one hundred and seventy-eight acres and was his home for seven years, when he purchased the place on which he is living today. There were but one hundred and six acres when he acquired possession of it, but in addition to making many valuable improvements in the buildings and increasing the productiveness of the soil he has been able to add to its area until now it embraces two hundred and eighty-four acres. This has been tilled in accordance with the most advanced methods, yielding annually good crops, and an income that is gratifying to its possessor and but another indication of the great power of unremitting industry united with thrift and good management. In the husbanding of his resources, Mr. Kulhavy has had the valuable assistance of his wife, who has cheerfully toiled and saved that her children might have the enjoyment of many comforts and advantages.

On the 3d of February 1879, Mr. Kulhavy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bees, who was born in Bohemia, August 29, 1857. Her parents, Frank and Anna Bees, were also of Bohemian birth, but came to America in 1863, locating in Jackson county, Iowa, where both passed the remainder of their lives. One of six children born to her parents, through her marriage Mrs. Kulhavy has become the mother of an equal number: Anna T., who is the wife of Charles Motcheck, of Guthrie county, Iowa; Mary, who married A. L. Eldred, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Julie, who is a stenographer in Chicago; Joseph, Jr., who married Vinnie Tyrrel and lives in Oxford township; Emma, deceased; and Frank, who is at home and is a graduate of the Oxford junction high school. All the children, in fact, received a high-school education and two of the girls were engaged in teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Kulhavy are devout members of the Catholic church and are regular in their attendance at its services. Politically Mr. Kulhavy is a democrat but he has never sought public office, although he is interested in local affairs and never fails to cast his ballot as a citizen of this republic. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of Oxford junction Lodge, NO. 285, while he keeps in close touch with his brethren across the seas through his affiliation with the Western Brotherhood of Bohemia.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 598.

NOTE: Joseph B. Kulhavy sends the following additional information: "Joseph's brothers Michael and Frank, and his sister Katie were also Oxford Junction residents. A number of Kulhavys are buried in the Oxford Junction cemetary.

"Joseph's son, Joseph Jr. (my great-grandfather) was born in Oxford Junction on November 4, 1885 and graduated from Oxford Junction High School in 1903 as the class valedictorian. He was a lifelong resident of Oxford Junction, and died in 1986 at the age of 101. When he was in his late 90s, he was featured as the oldest resident in the area, and his oral history (taken by my late grandfather, Joseph T. Kulhavy) is now in the Oxford Junction library. My grandfather grew up in Oxford Junction before going to college, and wrote entertaining memoirs of his experiences as a child going to the one-room elementary school in Oxford Junction."