The sturdy German element in our national commonwealth has been one of the most important in furthering the substantial and normal advancement of the country, and the perseverance and determination so characteristic of the race have brought to many of its citizens creditable success in the affairs of life. Mr. Kuhnle is numbered among the native sons of the Fatherland, his birth having occurred in Wurttemburg, Germany, on the 18th of April, 1854. He is a son of Philip A. and Margaret (Schester) Khunle, and in 1855 he was brought to America by his parents, the voyage of forty-two days being ended when anchor was dropped in the harbor of New Orleans. The father and his family made their way up the Mississippi river and on to Ohio, and, after a few months spent in Cincinnati, took up their abode on a farm in Montgomery county, where the parents spent their remaining days.

Mr. Kuhnle was there reared on a farm and at the age of twelve years he began earning his own livelihood, being employed as a farm hand by the month. He was thus engaged until he had attained his majority. On the 15th of March, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Simons, and to them have been born eight children: Calvin I., Dora, Harry, Clara, Ruth, Margaret, Hazel and Mabel.

In 1885 Mr. Kuhnle came to Miami county, locating in Monroe township, where he followed farming for five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Elizabeth township, where he lived for six years, after which he located upon a farm which is now his home. It consists of a tract of sixty acres on section 1, Staunton township, and here he carries on general farming, also raises garden vegetables for the city markets. His marked industry in the active affairs of life have been the means of bringing to him a comfortable competence. He certainly deserves the proud American title of the self-made man and merits the credit of those who are forced depend entirely upon their own efforts in early youth, and who wrest fortune from the hands of an adverse fate. He gives his political support to the Democracy, and in 1890 he served as road supervisor. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is a man whose well known probity and integrity of character commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he comes in contact.