John Kahrs, farmer, P.O.
Communia, was born in New York City in 1847. His parents,
John and Anna Kahrs, nee Van Staden, were natives of
Hanover, Germany. They came to the United States in 1841,
and located in New York City, where they both died, the
father in 1848, and the mother in 1864. The subject of
this record learned the trades of a confectioner and
butcher, in New York and followed them for four years. He
then engaged in gardening in the vicinity of that city
until 1878, when he came to Clayton County. Since his
residence here he has followed farming in Cox Creek
Township, and has made a financial success of it. His
marriage occurred in 1870, to Adeline, daughter of
William and Catherine (Strickfuss) Dierssen, natives of
Germany. They came to America and located in Charleston,
S. C., where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Kahrs have
seven children—Julia, Clara, Mabel, Louisa, John,
William and Anna. The latter two are deceased. Mr. Kahrs
enlisted in the regular army in 1866, and served three
years, fighting the Indians on the frontier. He was
wounded in the thigh on Sept. 12, 1867, at the battle of
Smoky Hill river by a minie ball. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 746-747 |