Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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


JACOB KUHRTS, 
 
capitalist, corner of Main and First streets, Los Angeles, was born in Germany, 
August 17, 1832. At the age of twelve years he stepped on board of an English 
vessel and went to England, thence to America, Australia, China, and other 
foreign ports. He followed the sea for about five years, and came from China to 
California in 1848.  Soon after his arrival here he went to work at the Mission 
Dolores. Upon the discovery of gold in this State he was among the first to 
reach the mines in Placer County, and was engaged in mining until 1858 and then 
went to the Slate Range, 200 miles from here, where he continued his mining 
operations and was back and forth between this place and that for five or six 
years. In 1864 he engaged in mercantile trade in this city, on Spring street, 
where the new Shoemaker Block now stands, and two years later removed to the 
corner of Main and First streets, the location of his present block, which was 
erected for him in 1866.  He carried on a large and successful business until 
1878, and since then he has not been engaged in active business,  but has given 
his attention to the care and improvement of his property. Mr. Kuhrts has been 
actively and prominently identified with the municipal government of the city 
for many years. He has been a member of the city council fourteen years, serving 
in every position from president down. He held the position of chief of the fire 
department, also that of superintendent of streets, and now holds the office of 
fire commissioner. There are few persons in any community who have received such 
abundant evidence of the confidence of its best citizens as has the subject of 
this sketch. He has traveled extensively throughout the State and is familiar 
with its every portion; and there are few persons better known all along the 
coast. Mr. Kuhrts was united in marriage, May 29, 1864, to Miss Susan Buhn, a 
native of Germany. They have four children: George, Emily, Grace, and William.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 530
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler