Ventura County Biographies

John H. Kuhlman

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
John H. Kuhlman was born in Germany, in 1827, received his education in his 
native country, and at the age of fifteen entered upon a three-years' 
apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. His term having expired, in 1845, he 
came to the United States, landing at Galveston, Texas, and worked at his trade 
for three months in that State. He then gave it up and was employed as a 
cabin-boy on a steamboat, continuing that business five years, and being 
promoted from cabin-boy to steward of the boat. While sailing on the steamer 
Palmetto, he was shipwrecked on Matagorda Bar, January 9, 1851. Fifty passengers 
were on board, and all were saved in a remarkable manner, which is worth 
relating here. Among other freight they had a bull on board - a fine large 
animal. One end of a rope they attached to him and the other end to the vessel. 
He was sent overboard and swam ashore, and they were thus landed before the ship 
was dashed to pieces. Mr. Kuhlman sailed on the schooner European, for Chagres, 
and was again shipwrecked at Algrat Keys. They were rescued this time by the 
Apalachicola and landed at San Juan del Norte, and taken to Chagres on the 
steamer Avon. He remained a month at Chagres and crossed the Isthmus in April, 
1851, working his passage on the steamer New Orleans. He returned to Panama May 
5th. The steamer was sold. For three months he acted as steward on the steamer  
Unicorn. After that he went into the mines, where he was engaged until 1859. At 
that time he came back to San Francisco, and went on a steamboat to Olympia. 
From there he went to Anaheim, and from there, in 1865, to Santa Barbara. In the 
latter place he opened a variety store, ran it three years, and, in 1869, 
started a branch store of the same kind in Ventura. He afterward sold his 
business at Santa Barbara and moved to Ventura, where he built a store, in 1870, 
on leased ground. This he traded to Mr. Hobson for his present store, and has 
since continued business in the same place.
    In 1870 he was married to Miss Maria Botilla, of Santa Barbara. They have 
six children: Christina, Charles, Rosa and Henry, born in Santa Barbara; and 
John and Flora, born in Ventura. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman and the children are all 
members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Kuhlman was brought up in the Lutheran 
Church.
    In addition to the business interests already mentioned in this sketch, it 
may be stated that Mr. Kuhlman has stock in the Anacapa Hotel, and is treasurer 
of the company which owns it. He is the owner of considerable valuable business 
property on Main street, Ventura, and has fifty acres in another place. He still 
retains a lot and brick store in Santa Barbara. Mr. Kuhlman has an extensive 
acquaintance throughout the county, and is regarded by all as a reliable man and 
a worthy citizen.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 470