Chris Kahre

    Chris Kahre, who is associated with his brother Fred, is a thorough going farmer of Gill Township, Sullivan County, where he has made a success as an agriculturist. He was born in Germany, near Bremen, in 1850, a son of Henry and Mary Kahre, both natives of Germany. The father died in his native land when his boys were both small, and soon after his death the mother and family came to America and settled in Knox County, Indiana, where they all worked out for others. The mother died within a few years after her arrival in the country. The sons had but little opportunity to attend schools, as they were compelled to work for their maintenance. From the time he was sixteen years of age during the next fifteen years Chris Kahre worked out for others, and then purchased fifty-two and a half acres of land, to which later he added twenty-two acres more. This constitutes his present farm of eighty and a half acres, upon which he has made all the improvements. Here he does a general farming and stock raising business. The twenty dollars which had been loaned him in Germany by an uncle who came with the family had to be paid form out the first money he earned after coming to America. This was the cost of his transportation from his native land. Mr. Kahre was united in marriage, April 24, 1892, to Sarah Jane Engle, born in Sullivan County, Indiana, a daughter of Alexander and Patsy Engle, natives of Virginia and early settlers here, but both are now deceased. By this union one child was born -Frank, on May 26, 1893, and now living with his father. Mrs. Kahre died in 1895. In his church faith Mr. Kahre is of the Christian denomination, and politically is a supporter of the Democratic party.

    Fred Kahre, who is the brother associated with Chris Kahre, mentioned above, was born in Germany in 1847, a son of Henry and Mary Kahre. The father died in Germany and the family on emigrating to this country located in Knox County, Indiana. The sons had to shift as best they could for themselves, but have always aided one another in their life's conflict. When eighteen years old Fred Kahre, having worked for others for two years, then bought sixty-one and a half acres of land, upon which he lived until February 5, 1906, but now makes his home with his brother Chris. While on his own farm he carried on general farming and stock farming, but has now disposed of all of his property, for he was bereft of his wife by death March 5, 1901.

    Mr. Kahre was united in marriage September, 1881, to Hannah Skidmore, a native of Sullivan County and a daughter of Abe Skidmore and wife, who came from Kentucky, and both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Kahre were born twins, but both died in infancy. The sad affliction has cast a gloom over the otherwise bright pathway of Mr. Kahre and at this time his plans for the future are unsettled.

Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 311-312.