My Genealogy Hound

OTTO KUEHN, M. D., a prominent and successful physician of Burksville, has here engaged in practice since 1865, and has won an enviable reputation, which has placed him in a leading position among his professional brethren of Monroe County. A native of Germany, he was born on the 26th of July, 1842, and is one of seven children whose parents were Frederick and Barbara (Kuehn) Kuehn. They were also natives of Germany. Of their family, four are now living, namely: Ottilie, Otto, Lillie and Frida. The Doctor’s father acquired a most excellent education in his native land and was a graduate of a medical college in Germany. He served as Surgeon in the German army throughout the greater part of his life and was a prominent and well known man. His death occurred at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to which his wife also belongs. She is still living in Germany, at the age of eighty-one. She is a most highly educated lady, cultured and refined, and her mental faculties are yet unimpaired.

Dr. Kuehn spent the days of his youth in his parents’ home and was provided with excellent educational advantages, which he improved, thus becoming a well informed men. Determining to take up the pursuit to which his father devoted his energies, he began studying medicine, and after a time was graduated from the Munich Medical College, of Germany. Wishing to seek a home and fortune in the New World, he bade adieu to home and friends in 1864 and sailed for the United States. He was then twenty-two years of age. He at once made his way to Wisconsin. The Civil War was in progress, and he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry. He served for two months with that regiment and then made a contract with the Government, becoming Acting Assistant Surgeon of the United States army. He was thus employed until November, 1865, when, as before stated, he came to Burksville, where he has since made his home.

Dr. Kuehn was united in marriage with Miss Antonia Hesse, a native of Illinois, who was born, reared and educated in St. Clair County. By a former marriage the Doctor had six children, five of whom are yet living: Louisa, Ottilie, Wilhelmina, Emily and Johanna. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and he is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge of Waterloo. He takes a very active interest in political affairs, and is a stalwart advocate of the Republican party and its principles. He has held the office of County Coroner, was Justice of the Peace for ten years and has served as School Director. In these various positions he has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity that have won him the high commendation of all concerned. In his business life he has met with signal success, and has built up a very large practice as the result of his skill and ability. He is a pleasant, genial man and throughout the community has won many warm friends.