KUHLMAN, GEORGE F., who is largely interested in the business life of Beardstown, and is taking an important part in civic matters, is recognized as a representative man of Cass County. He was born in Cass County, March 28, 1871, a son of Casper and Mary (Stucke) Kuhlman, who were born in Lohne, Germany, and came to the United States in 1858, traveling direct to Cass County. They lived for some years in the Sangamon bottoms, and then bought a farm south of Beardstown. When his adopted country had need of his services during the Civil War, Casper Kuhlman enlisted in Company I, Third Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and served eighteen months. Later he joined the regular army and saw much active service among the Indians. During all this time his family resided at Beardstown. After his terms of enlistment expired he returned to Beardstown and resumed his farm work. His death occurred June 12, 1888, and his wife passed away August 23, 1900. Their children were as follows: Minnie, who is deceased; Mary, who is Mrs. August Huss, of Jacksonville, Ill.; Lousia, who is Mrs. Charles Hoffer, of Beardstown, Ill.; Ella, who is Mrs. Benjamin Hiles of Cass County; Henry C., who died August 29, 1906, aged forty-one years; William H., who is of Crockett, Tex.; George F.; and Emma, who is Mrs. L. F. Crum, of Beardstown, her husband being an engineer on the C. B. & Q. Railroad.

George F. Kuhlman resided with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, and had but few educational advantages, those being confined to a short attendance in the district schools. After his marriage, he operated the homestead until 1900, when he bought the place of 320 acres, and carried on truck and general farming. In 1900 he bought his present residence at Beardstown, and since coming here was connected with the M. K. & T. Immigration Bureau, of St. Louis, Mo., until 1911; was also employed by Nelson & finch of Peoria, Ill., in the produce business from 1900 to 1903; and from 1903 to 1905 conducted a feed and produce business, and then branched out in the real estate business. He served two years as city treasurer, and in November 1908, was elected county commissioner and re-elected in 1911 and again in 1914. For eleven years he was overseer of the poor, and served for three years as a school director. Since 1909 he has been agent for the Studebaker automobiles. For years he has been a heavy shipper of watermelons and sweet potatoes. His agricultural prominence made him eligible for the secretaryship of the Chamber of commerce, and he held that office for two years. A director of the Mutual Loan & Savings Association, he is now chairman of its appraising board, and he is also collector for the Clover Leaf Casualty Company, of Jacksonville. Fraternally, he belongs to Beardstown Lodge No. 1007, B.P.O.E.; Ark Lodge No. 16, I.O.O.F., and the Court of Honor.

On August 24, 1893, Mr. Kuhlman married Clara Bolton, a daughter of Henry C. and Fannie (Stucke) Bolton, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bolton lives at Jonesburg, Mo., but Mrs. Bolton died in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman have two children: Vilas C., who is now deputy county clerk of Cass County, and Gerald Lloyd, who is attending the University of Illinois at Champaign, Ill.