"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 471.  Grant County.

PETER KUHL

     At least in two different lines of industry the gentleman whose name
initiates this article has gained distinction since he has been in the region
now embraced in Grant county.  >From an early day he has been in the vanguard of
the developers and advancers of the county and has wrought here with a display
of energy, industry and wisdom that are commendable in a high degree.
     Lie many of the most industrious and substantial of our citizens, Mr. Kuhl
was born in Germany, and there was educated and learned his trade,
blacksmithing, gaining both in it an in educational discipline the advantage to
be sought after and that is found in the older countries where a great premium
is placed on thoroughness rather than on skimming over things.  The date of his
birth was 1847, and at the age of twenty he was ready to bid "good by" to the
father land and try his fortunes in the land of the free, and indeed to one so
full of energy and guided by wisdom and well fortified for the battles of life
in the mechanical line as Mr. Kuhl nothing short of the best success could await
him.  So it proved, for from the beginning he has steadily increased in the
goods of this world and also has gained the esteem and confidence of his fellows
in an unstinted measure.  He settled first in Davenport, Iowa, and wrought at
the forge for one year, and then migrated to Grand Island for a one year's stay,
whence he set out in 1868 on the long trip overland with ox teams that ended
successfully in the regions of the coast, and in 1870 was at Canyon City, where
he immediately established a shop, and also in connection therewith a feed
store.  These he successfully operated and in the meantime settled on a
government claim where he now lies, twelve miles east from Canyon City.  He has
steadily added to his estate until he has now the generous domain of twelve
hundred acres.  For eighteen years he gave his first attention to the shop,
stocking up the farm as occasion provided, and in about 1890 he removed from
town to the estate and has since been actively engaged in the raising of cattle
and practicing the art of the agriculturist.
     Mr. Kuhl and Miss Julia Sels, the daughter of H. I. Sels, an old pioneer
who has passed away, were married in 1878, and to gladden their happy union
there have been born four children:  Henry, Ernest, Hermon and Philip.  In
fraternal circles, Mr. Kuhl is prominent, being identified with the I.O.O.F.,
Canyon City Lodge, No. 22, and the A.O.U.W., of the same place.  In his long
career here Mr. Kuhl has maintained a dignity and uprightness that have won for
him the encomiums of his fellows and that justly entitles him to the position he
holds as one of the most substantial citizens of our population.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.