My Genealogy Hound

JOHN L. KUTZ, who is successfully engaged as a farmer, stock raiser and butcher in Middlesex township, Cumberland county, Pa., lives near Carlisle Springs.

Mr. Kutz is a son of Joseph Kutz and a grandson of Gideon Kutz. Joseph Kutz married Elizabeth Keihl, daughter of George and Mary Keihl, and the following children were born to them: John L., George E., Joseph J., Mary A., Eliza E., Sarah J. and Anna M. The family is of German descent, and the great-grandparents when they came to this country settled east of Carlisle. They became large land owners.

John L. Kutz was born Feb. 3, 1852, in South Middleton township, and in 1853 his parents moved to North Middleton. He lived with his parents and grandparents up to the age of twenty-four years, and received a common-school education at the Werts schoolhouse. In 1874 he bought part of his grandfather Keihls farm, and in 1877 he built a house and barn. In 1880 he bought another tract of land, to which he and his family moved in 1881. In 1882 they moved back to the first home. In 1885 Mr. Kutz bought the Miller farm, in Middlesex township, to which he moved with his family in 1887, and there they still reside. In 1893 he purchased the Dale and Bosler farms, in Middlesex township, and in 1897 he bought the Wingeret farm, in Silver Spring. That year (1897) his big barn in Middlesex township, with all its contents, was destroyed by fire, and he rebuilt it in 1898. In 1899 he bought the Gill farm in Silver Spring township; in 1901 he bought the Schuchman property, and also the Ruggles tract, and in 1902 he bought the Fisher lot. During this time he erected four large barns. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Kutz has, by steady industry and good judgment, prospered in his material affairs. He has been willing and self reliant and believing that God helps those who help themselves, has tried to work out his own advancement without other aid than his natural abilities.

In 1876 Mr. Kutz married Miss Alice Lightner, of Perry county, and they have had three children: Clara M., born Aug. 9, 1877; John H., born Aug. 20, 1881; and Lila E., born Oct. 30, 1891. They are all in good health and living happily at home at this writing. In political belief Mr. Kutz is a Democrat, and in religious connection the family are members of the Lutheran Church.