Jackson County
ILGenWeb

Biography - Frederick A. C. Kuehle

FREDERICK A. C. KUEHLE, one of the self-made men of Murphysboro, who is now serving as its efficient Postmaster, is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Cairo, September 17, 1863. His father, Fred A. Kuehle, was born and reared in Germany, and there learned the shoemaker's trade. At the age of seventeen he crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans, and after a short time went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and thence to Cairo, Ill., where he engaged in merchandising. In 1870 he came to Murphysboro, and as a member of the firm of Kuehle & Son still carries on mercantile pursuits. He wedded Mary Gilhofer, who was born in Germany, and with her parents came to this country. They went first to Chicago and thence to Cairo, Ill. Her father served in the late war.

Mr. Kuehle, whose name heads this record, is the eldest of a family of ten children, eight of whom are yet living. He completed his education in the high school of this place and became a competent and practical bookkeeper. He was first employed by the Bryden Coal and Coke Company, serving as their head bookkeeper for eight consecutive years, when the firm made an assignment. He then continued with the assignee for four years, in charge of the shipping department and as book-keeper, after which he resigned to accept the position of Deputy Circuit Clerk, in February, 1889, having been appointed by R. W. Watson. He resigned that office October 1, 1893, for he had been appointed Postmaster on the 23d of September by President Cleveland. Soon afterward he entered upon the duties of the position, which he has since faithfully and promptly performed.

On the 18th of December, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kuehle and Miss Edna C. Pigott, a native of Alabama. They have a pleasant home on Second Street, which is the abode of hospitality. With the Methodist Episcopal Church they hold membership. In politics Mr. Kuehle is a stalwart Democrat, and in 1891 was elected on that ticket as City Treasurer for a term of two years. He has been Secretary of the County Democratic Central Committee for the past four years, also of the City Committee, and is an active worker in his party's interest. He belongs to the Odd Fellows' society, and to Hope Lodge, of the Mystic Circle. He is a warm-hearted, generous man, who manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and is ever found in the front ranks of enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit. His success in life is due to his own efforts, and his example is one worthy of emulation.

Extracted 26 Mar 2020 by Norma Hass from 1894 Biographical Review of Jackson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 623-624.