WI BIO - Dane Co - KUEHNE, A. J.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 506-507

Father A. J. KUEHNE, pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Sun Prairie, 
Dane County, WI, came here in 1880. His grandfather, Anthony KUEHNE, was a 
native of Switzerland, where he passed his life and died. Our subject's 
father, also Anthony, was born in Switzerland in 1820, and as he lost his 
father at an early age he was principally reared by his uncles in that 
country. He was given fair opportunities for obtaining an education, worked 
at various trades and became a good shoemaker.

The father of our subject, Anthony KUEHNE, was married in Switzerland to 
Catherine Annie ZAHNER, in 1845, and two years later they came to America on 
a sailing vessel. They encountered severe storms and consumed sixty-two days 
on the voyage. This was a new English vessel and had a large passenger list, 
and among them were twenty from Switzerland. Landing was made at New 
Orleans, whence Mr. and Mrs. KUEHNE went to KY, where they remained five 
years, he working at his trade of shoemaker; and thence to IN, where he 
rented a farm and engaged in farming. On account of the prevailing malarial 
fever and consequent unhealthiness in the locality, Anthony KUEHNE removed 
North, settling in Milwaukee, WI, in 1856. There they remained until 1883, 
when he located at his trade, opening a shop here and engaging extensively in 
the boot and shoe business. At this place Mr. KUEHNE had a shop of his own, 
also a store, and worked for a wholesale dealer, thus leaving no stone 
unturned to honestly increase his business.

In 1873 Anthony KUEHNE he was selected, on account of his many admirable 
traits of character, as janitor of the St. Joseph Church, where he remained 
until 1883, when he removed to the place of his son in Sun Prairie [Dane 
County, WI]. Both father and mother are now living here. There were eight 
children, of whom only three are still living: (1) Josephine, who married 
Joseph ROEHL, of Milwaukee, WI; (2) Mary A., of Sun Prairie, WI; and (3) A. 
J., our subject.

Father KUEHNE was the eighth and last child born in the family, 19 Jul 1857, 
and attended the parochial school in Milwaukee, WI, until his thirteenth 
year, and then continued study under private instructors until he was 
sixteen, when he entered St. Francis College at Milwaukee, and began study 
for the priesthood, remaining there until he was ordained on 27 Jun 1880. He 
was then sent to Franklin and St. Martin's post office, where he took charge 
of the Church of the Sacred Heart for about three months. On 17 Sep 1880 he 
took charge of the Sacred Heart at Sun Prairie, WI, and under his care and 
management the church has greatly prospered. [p 507]

When he came to this charge the building for service was a small frame 
structure, still standing at present, being used as a schoolhouse. It was 
among the first of the buildings constructed in Sun Prairie, WI. Everything 
has seemed to prosper under the fostering care of this efficient priest. 
When he came 60 families made up the congregation, while now 125 families are 
under his pastoral care. In 1886 a large, commodious brick church was 
erected, 45x105, at a cost of $15,000, and it is beautifully and artistically 
finished throughout. In 1891 a brick teachers' dwelling house was erected at 
a cost of $2,000, and now the congregation is building a brick parsonage to 
cost $4,000, which is designed to be a modern structure, with two stories, 
attic and basement. He opened a parochial school, with an attendance of 85 
pupils.

The families under the charge of Father KUEHNE are of German and Irish 
nationalities, the most of them having been American born. They live within 
a radius of four miles. The Reverend Father has the respect and confidence 
of the community, and is adding material wealth to his congregation, and is 
giving the best of his life to their spiritual welfare.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly