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Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. William Kahmann, editor of the Franklin County Observer, is a native of Washington, Franklin Co., Mo., born in 1856, and is a son of C. H. and Mary (Mense) Kahmann. [For further particulars of parents see sketch of George H. Kahmann.] J. William was the third of ten children born to his parents. He was educated in Milwaukee Normal School, graduating in 1872, and after that taught school at Mount Carmel, Iowa. The following year he was elected principal and organist of the Catholic schools in Washington, Mo., and held that position for three years. In 1878 he began the study of law under Hon. John R. Martin, and in 1879 entered the law department of Union University at Albany, N. Y. May24, 1880, he graduated with the honors of his class and with the degree of Bachelor of Law. The following day he was examined before the supreme court of the State of New York, and was duly admitted as attorney and counselor for the several courts of the State of New York. He at once returned to Washington, and after passing an examination, was admitted to practice in Missouri. This he began at once, but not being satisfied with his practice, abandoned it and went to Mexico, New Mexico and Arizona, where he engaged in mining and prospecting for two years. November 6, 1883, he married Miss Sophie M. Horn, a native of Washington, Mo., born in 1861. Two children were born to this union: Mary and Sophie. In 1884 Mr. Kahmann was in the insurance business, being a partner of W. H. Hugebusch. Toward the close of 1885 he made a second mining venture in San Diego County, Cal., which panned out disastrously. In 1886 he established the Kahmann Soap Company, remaining in the soap business one year. April 26, 1887, he became editor of the Franklin County Observer, and since then has edited the columns of the paper very successfully. The circulation is upwards of 1,800, and it is the best local paper in the county. He is a Democrat in politics.

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This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Franklin County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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