Biography of George W. Kuhlman, pages 592/593/594.  History 
of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



The family of which the subject of this review is a 
creditable representative has been known in DeKalb county 
for many years, and, without invidious comparison, it can 
with propriety be said that no other name is better know or 
more highly esteemed in DeKalb county. Honored and 
respected by all, there is today no man in the county who 
occupies a more enviable position in commercial circles 
than George W. Kuhlman, not alone because of the success he 
has achieved, but also by reason of the commendable and 
straight forward business policy which he has ever pursued 
and the upright life he has lived.  George W. Kuhlman was 
born in Auburn, Indiana, on February 22, 1876, and is the 
son of Enos and Amanda  (Rhodefer) Kuhlman.  Enos Kuhlman, 
who was of German descent, was born at Canton, Stark 
county, Ohio, and was a son of William and Mary (Hoover) 
Kuhlman. Enos Kuhlman was reared at Canton and in young 
manhood he came to Auburn. Here he enlisted in Company K, 
One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, of which company ex-Governor Winfield T. Durbin 
was also a member. Mr. Kuhlman’s military record was a 
creditable one in every regard and after his return home he 
became a salesman, traveling a part of the time. In 1900 he 
went into business for himself at Mulhall, Oklahoma, where 
he now has a general store and where he is meeting with 
splendid success. Soon after his return from the army Enos 
Kuhlman married Amanda Rhodefer, who was born and reared 
near Auburn, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Feagler) 
Rhodefer.  Her mother was a granddaughter of Henry Feagler, 
who was a captain in the war of 1812. Amanda Rhodefer’s 
parents were from Holmes county, Ohio, coming to DeKalb 
county, Indiana, in an early day and locating about three 
miles northwest of Auburn.  Later he moved to a farm about 
two miles southwest of that town, where he and his wife 
spent the remainder of their lives. To Enos and Amanda 
Kuhlman were born three children, namely: Aubrey L., 
William O. and George W., all residents of Auburn.  George 
W.  Kuhlman was reared under the parental roof and until 
fourteen years of age he received the advantage of a public 
school education. Out of school, his hours were well 
occupied, his mornings and evenings being spent as a chore 
boy for Dr. S. B. Johnston, while during his summer 
vacations he was employed as a gardener by Elder S. B. 
Ward, consequently he had but little time in which to 
indulge in the sports and recreations common to boys his 
age. He was carefully reared, his mother being a strict 
Baptist, with positive conviction of right and wrong, and 
who inculcated in her sons high ideals and worthy 
ambitions. In 1890 George W. Kuhlman began work in the dry 
goods store of W. P. Harter as errand boy, at a wage of two 
and a half dollars a week.  By strict honesty and careful 
attention to every duty assigned to him he earned the 
confidence of his employer and was given charge of the 
domestic department.  Under the strict discipline and wise 
instruction of Mr. Harter, he there laid the foundation for 
a practical and successful business career. At the death of 
Mr. Harter, in 1893, the store passed into the hands of 
Bishop & Lackey, and Mr. Kuhlman remained with the new firm 
until 1895, when, being offered an advance in salary and 
being desirous of gaining a broader knowledge and wider 
experience in business affairs, he accepted a position in 
the clothing house of G. H. Yesbera, with whom he remained 
seven years. In 1902 Mr. Kuhlman started in business on his 
own account, though in a modest way, opening a men’s 
furnishing and clothing store on North Main street. A year 
later, his increasing business requiring a larger stock and 
more room, he moved to the Sherman Hollister building, on 
Main street, on the west side of the public square.  By 
careful attention to the wants of his patrons, he courteous 
treatment of them, and his sound business methods, Mr. 
Kuhlman prospered to even a more notable degree in his new 
location, so that in 1907 he felt justified in buying  the 
building in which he was located, and two years later the 
store was completely remodeled. A new and attractive front 
was placed in the store room, better lighting and 
ventilating facilities were provided, while at the rear of 
the main store room a large balcony was erected for the 
accommodation of stock. The second story of the building 
was also improved, being used as a sales and stock room, 
while the third floor and basement are also devoted to 
different purposes pertaining to the business. Furnace heat 
was installed and other improvements made, so that it 
became the largest and most complete exclusive clothing and 
furnishing house in northeastern Indiana.  Mr. Kuhlman has 
done practically a cash business from the start, at the 
same time adopting the policy of giving the utmost value 
for the money. He has demonstrated business ability of a 
high order, and his success can be attributed to his 
careful study of the requirements of his business and his 
close application to his affairs, successfully mastering 
each difficulty as it presented itself.  On April 27, 1898, 
Mr. Kuhlman was united in marriage to Olive McClure, who, 
for six years prior to her marriage, had been connected 
with the dry good and millinery trade, in the store in 
which Mr. Kuhlman had been employed. To them has been born 
a daughter, Ethelmae. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are regular 
attendants and to which they give earnest support. Mr. 
Kuhlman is an active member of the Auburn Commercial club 
and take a deep interest in every movement for the 
advancement of the best interest of the community. A man of 
genial disposition and kindly impulses, he has won and 
retains to a notable degree the friendship of all who know 
him.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com