John J. Kouhn (1854-1917), Architect
According to his passport application in 1907, John J. Kouhn was born in Lemberg, Austria (now Lviv, Ukraine), on April 7, 1854, and emigrated to the U. S. in 1882.[6] He married Julia Louise Russell in New Orleans in 1883; she died in Chicago in 1896.[9][10][d] The passport application noted his places of residence in the U. S. as Chicago and New York. However, he also resided in Crete, Plattsmouth, York, and Lincoln, Nebraska, in the mid-1880s, [2][c] and a report on Lincoln's rapid growth in 1886 noted that Kouhn, Artemas Roberts, and J. H. W. Hawkins "have been the principal architects" of that year.[31] After John Kouhn remarried in 1898, he and Anna resided at least briefly in Pittsburgh (at the time of the 1900 census). Living with them in 1900 were John and Julia's two daughters.[30]
Kouhn was a Fellow of the Western Association of Architects from 1884-1889 and a Fellow and Member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), beginning in 1889 (on the merger of the Western Association of Architects with The American Institute of Architects in 1889, all AIA members were made Fellows because WAA members were known as Fellows).[1:302] He died in New York City July 15, 1917.[7]
This page is a contribution to the publication, Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. See the format and contents page for more information on the compilation and page organization.
Contents
Compiled Nebraska Directory Listings
1884: architect, Plattsmouth, Nebraska.[11][b]
1885: architect, York, Nebraska.[2]
1885-1886: architect, superintendent & civil engineer, Lincoln, Nebraska.[23][b]
Educational & Professional Associations
1885: candidate for Lancaster County surveyor.[55]
1885-1889: Fellow, Western Association of Architects.[1][22]
1889: Fellow, American Institute of Architects.[1][a]
1889-1899: Member, American Institute of Architects.[1]
1887-1891, 1909: architect, Chicago, Illinois.[1][4]
1893-1894: applicant for appointment as Supervising Architect of U. S. Treasury.[29][g]
1900: candidate for alderman, 34th Ward, Chicago.[50]
1905-1906: Commissioner, 43rd District School Board, Flushing, New York.[51][52]
1906: architect, Flushing, Brooklyn, New York.
1910-1917: architect, New York City.[5][7][i]
Buildings & Projects
Early Work
"several of the hospitals and other buildings which lie along the route of the [Panama] canal," c. 1880-1882.[49][56][h]
Nebraska and Kansas
Catholic school (1884), Plattsmouth, Nebraska.[8]
Plans for a Turn Halle for Oswald Miller (1885), Fremont, Nebraska.[28]
J. W. Barnes residence (1885), Block 37, York, Nebraska.[54]
Festival hall for Saengerfest (1885), "Historical square," Lincoln, Nebraska.[12][15][f]
Two-story brick "tenement" (1885), north side of P Street between 12th & 13th Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[13][e]
Two-story residence with stone basement for S. G. Owen (1885), M Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[14][17]
Stock Yards Hotel (1885), West Lincoln, Nebraska.[16]
Owens Building (1885), northeast corner of Fourteenth & O Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[17]
Design for equestrian monument of General Grant (1885), Lincoln, Nebraska.[18]
Two two-story business buildings (1885), north side of O Street opposite 15th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[19]
L. W. Billingsley house (1886), 10th & H Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.[3][24][c]
Remodeling upper floor above "Louie Meyer's Tenth street store" into nine "desirable office quarters" (1886), Lincoln, Nebraska.[20]
Three-story brick block for Dr. M. E. Jones (1886), corner of 12th & P, Lincoln, Nebraska.[21][24]
Business block (1886), Fifteenth & O Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[24]
Residence for D. Lauer (1886), Sixteenth & N Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[24]
Residence for John Gaiser (1886), Fourteenth & T Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[24]
Six "splendid cottages for Hon. Allen W. Field" (1886), Sixteenth & W Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska.[24]
Three-story brick block for Hall & Lansing (1886), "East O street," Lincoln, Nebraska.[25]
Design for remodeling "postoffice fountain" (1886), Government Square, Lincoln, Nebraska.[26]
Two-story, four-room, brick school house (1886), Long Island, Kansas.[27]
Chicago
"...for E. T. Mason and T. E. Bergman, a $22,000 dwelling..." (1887), 476 West Adams Street, Chicago.[32]
"...building for Mr. Gazzolo, a $50,000 three-story block, with corner tower" (1888), Madison and Leavitt Streets, Chicago.[32]
Seven "four-story and basement store and flat buildings, 120x103, to cost $100,000...for W. W. Henderson" (1888), Southeast corner of Van Buren Street and Centre Avenue, Chicago.[33]
Four "three-story and basement flat buildings...70x90, for Henry Cohn" (1888), Warren Avenue near Western, Chicago.[33]
A "three-story and basement flat building...20x65 feet...for L. Conrod, to cost $15,000" (1888), "on Warren avenue near Robey street," Chicago.[34]
Six "two-story and basement residences" (1888) "on the corner of Forty-sixth street and Champlain avenue," Chicago.[34]
Apartment building for Hubard Parker "50x90 feet and cost $75,000" (1888), "on Thirty-first street, near Cottage Grove avenue," Chicago.[35]
A "large hotel containing about 400 rooms" costing $150,000 (1888), overlooking State Street, Chicago.[35]
A "three-story flat building, 25x70...to be built...by A. Schonberg" costing $24,000 (1888), North Market Street, Chicago.[36]
"Architect J. J. Kouhn has prepared plans for a two-story and basement residence...for himself...at a cost of $7,000" (1889), 168 Warren Avenue, Chicago.[37]
Eight-story warehouse "devoted to the wholesale dry goods trade" (1889), east side of Franklin near Madison, Chicago.[38]
Three-story flat building...for C. F. Jacobs (1889), Fremont Street near Garfield Avenue, Chicago.[39]
Three-story flat building...for Rudolph Houk (1889), Warren Avenue near Western, Chicago.[39]
Two-story residence...for J. W. Hersey (1889), 213 Warren Avenue, Chicago.[40]
Residence, 36x83, for W. H. Hull (1889), corner of Prairie Avenue and Twenty-sixth Street, Chicago.[40]
Three-story store and hall building, $100,000, for Pythian Building company (1889-1891), corner of North Halsted and Wilmington Streets, Chicago.[41][44]
Three "elegant residences to be erected at Longwood" for L. Franklin, T. Bowen, and M. Schiller (1889), Chicago.[41]
Six-story apartment building for Howard and Berwin, $175,000 (1890), Wabash, State, and Thirty-fifth Streets, Chicago.[42]
$80,000 edifice for J. Howard (1890), State Street and Forty-second Place, Chicago.[42]
Forty buildings "mostly completed" in Englewood for Mr. L Thoreau (1890), Chicago.[42]
Twenty-three buildings for Dr. McCormick (in Englewood?) (1890), Chicago.[42]
Residence for Mr. Hilliard (1890), Longwood, Illinois.[42]
Stone residence for L. J. Blum (1890), Forty-second Place, Chicago.[42]
Store and flats for Mr. Shanousky (1890), North Avenue, Chicago.[42]
Six three-story dwelling for N. Jackson (1890), Shields Avenue, Chicago.[43]
Nine stone-front residences in Hyde Park (1890), Chicago.[45]
Seven-story factory (1891), corner of Fulton and Desplaines Streets, Chicago.[46]
Three-story and basement flat (1891), Aberdeen Street, Chicago.[46]
Seven stories and flats, three-stories and basement, 100x100 feet, for C. E. Waters (1891), Vernon Avenue and Twenty-ninth Street, Chicago.[47]
Three-story flat building, 25x90, $6,000, for R. Rothschild (1891), Dearborn and Thirty-second Streets, Chicago.[48]
New York City
Two-story stable at Jumel Place (1912), New York City.[53]
Notes
a. Upon the merger of the Western Association of Architects with The American Institute of Architects in 1889, all AIA members were made Fellows because WAA members were known as Fellows.[1]
b. In December, 1884, a Lincoln newspaper reported "Mr. John J. Kouhn, a talented architect, late of Chicago, is in the city with a view to location of the lookout suits him. He has spent some time and erected some buildings in Plattsmouth and Omaha where he has given perfect satisfaction."[11] The "outlook" apparently was not to Kouhn's immediate liking, because the next month the same newspaper reprinted a brief account from Plattsmouth Journal stating: "J. J. Kouhn, the architect, together with his estimable better half, will tomorrow take their departure to establish a residence for the future at York. Mr. Kouhn will, however, continue his business in this city, coming around occasionally to rake in any work that may be waiting for a first-class architect. Plattsmouth Journal. Mr. Kouhn is personally known to The State Journal folks as a careful and competent architect, as well as a No. 1 citizen in every respect. The citizens of York are to be congratulated." The busy architect also corresponded with the Crete Vidette, announcing "that he will visit this city at stated intervals, and will be pleased to furnish plans and specifications to any parties desiring his services."[2] Kouhn began advertising in Lincoln newspapers early in 1885, listing his address as York, Nebraska; then in May, 1885, his advertisements for "John J. Kouhn, Architect and Superintendent," switched to a Lincoln address. His only entry in tthe Lincoln city directory was in 1886, listing "Kouhn John J., architect, supt., and civil engineer 1233 O, r. same," with the acronym: "F. W. A. A. C. E. M. E.," signifying "Fellow Western Association of Architects, Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers." (EFZ)
In November, 1886, Nebraska State Journal noted that "Architect Jno. J. Kouhn will leave in a few days for southern Alabama, where he has a number of buildings for the winter season planned in his Alabama office. He will return to Lincoln in the Middle of February, 1887, to all his building engagements for next year. Mrs. Kouhn will accompany her husband. Mr. J. Consoul will be Mr. Kouhn's sole agent in town during his absence.[23]
c. A note in Lincoln Daily News reported "Through the courtesy of Architect Kouhn, a News reporter was shown the plans for L W Billingsley's new residence, corner of H and 10th streets. It will be a beauty, or as our slangy contemporary would say--a dandy. It is in the modern renaissance style of architecture, and cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 or $30,000." A "Notice to Contractors" in March, 1886, listed the parcel as Lots 11 and 12, Block 128, [Original Plat]. [3]
d. Julia L. Kouhn died in 1896 in La Grange near Chicago, Illinois and is interred in Gilkes Cemetery in Livingston County, Michigan. Her obituary described Pinkney, Michigan as "Mrs. Kouhn's old home."[10]
e. Gerner's "tenement edifice" was described in the Nebraska State Journal: "The building will be a very substantial and rather handsome one. It will be of brick, two stories high and 24 by 64 in size. The plan will be nearly the same for the first and second floors, each of which will be divided into two completely separate parts, each containing parlor sitting room, bed rooms and kitchen. The different rooms will be connected by folding doors so that the whole can be thrown into one large apartment."[13] H. Gerner built on Lot 9 of Block 37, Original Plat of Lincoln, and the property was encumbered by numerous Mechanics' liens which were released in early 1886.
f. The "Historical square" location refers to the block bounded by 9th, 10th, Q and R Streets in downtown Lincoln, designated on the 1867 Plat of Lincoln as "Historical society & Library association." A long article on the opening of the 1885 Saengerfest noted that "The main audience room will seat four thousand people comfortably. This is most attractively arranged, and was the admiration and wonder of the visitors yesterday. The architect, Mr. Kouhn, well understood what was wanted of him when he designed this building."[15]
g. When Jeremiah O'Rourke was released from the post of Supervising Architect of the U. S. Treasury in 1894, "John J. Kouhn of Chicago" was among nine architects listed as applicants for the appointment in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article. Kouhn had applied for the position a year earlier. Kouhn was mentioned again in a much longer list of 31 applicants for the job in 1895, when there were rumors of possible retirement of O'Rourke's successor, William Martin Aitken.[29]
h. A Chicago Tribune account in 1893 states that Kouhn was "well acquainted with Count Ferdinand de Lessep [sic] and...did considerable work in designing and supervising the buildings of the Panama Canal....Mr. Kouhn accompanied the old Count on the first expedition to Panama, in 1872...Later on he designed several of the hospitals and other buildings which lie along the route of the canal."[49] As Lesseps' attempt to repeat his successful building of the Suez Canal in Panama did not begin in earnest until 1880, Kouhn may have misspoken or been misquoted in citing 1872. However, Kouhn's U. S. Passport application in 1907 notes that his first entry into the U. S., in 1882, was from Panama. Lesseps' Panama attempt failed and declared bankruptcy in 1888.[6][56] When J. J. Kouhn's first wife (Julia) died in 1896, her obituary mentioned that "Mr. Kouhn is an architect and civil engineer, and at one time served as consulting engineer under de Lesseps on the Panama Canal."[10]
i. A notice in the New-York Tribune announced the death of John J. Kouhn "on July 15, 1917" and that he was "beloved father of Mrs. Dorothy Marin and Mrs. Loraine Alvizda." [7] The U. S. Census of 1900 lists John J. Kouhn, architect, and his family in Pittsburgh including wife Anna (age 22) and daughters Laura L. (13) and Julia C. (7). There are several discrepancies in names, ages and other particular between this listing and other sources (particularly JJK's 1907 passport application), including John J.'s year of birth (1856 vs. 1854), country of birth (France vs. Austria), and daughter's names.[6] On the other hand, no other listing for an architect named John Kouhn has been found in the 1900 census, and the accuracy of census listings was dependent upon the knowledge and inclination of the individual providing the information. John and Anna were said to have been married for two years (c. 1898), coinciding well with the death of his first wife Julia in 1896. A Chicago paper reported in 1912 (as a "Special Dispatch" from New York) that both daughters of architect John J. Kouhn were then engaged to Latin-Americans "who at one time held responsible positions for their respective countries"--Dorothy to Manuel R. Marin, son of General Marin of "Porto Rico," and Lorraine to Jose Alvizua [sic], "one time consul general in Chicago from Venezuela."[57]
j. The Sanborn Map Co. atlas of Lincoln (1891) labels a building at the southwest corner of 12th & P Streets as the "Jones Block," addressed as 135-143 North 12th Street. A matching building (according to its footprint) attached to the south is labeled "M. I. Bond" and "Transit Hotel" at 125-133 North 12th. (EFZ)
References
1. The AIA Historical Directory of American Architects, s.v. “Kouhn, J. J.," (ahd1024742), https://aiahistoricaldirectory.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AHDAA/pages/36896395/ahd1024742 Accessed February 14, 2022.
2. “Architect,” Crete (Nebraska) State Vidette-Herald (January 29, 1885), 5.
3. Lincoln (Nebraska) Daily News, (March 6, 1886), 1; "Proposals...Notice to Contractors," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 6, 1886), 7.
4. Chicago city directories include Kouhn as an architect in 1889, 1890, and 1891; and list his office in the Dexter Building in 1909.
5. New York City directories list Kouhn as an architect from 1910 to 1918, but not in 1920.
6. U. S. Passport Application, February 11, 1907; Ancestry.com. U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925 [database on-line], s.v. "John J. Kouhn" residing NYC. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.
7. "Deaths...Kouhn," New-York Tribune (July 18, 1917), 7; Ancestry.com. New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948, s. v. "John Kouhn, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
8. From Plattsmouth Herald in (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (October 5, 1884), 5.
9. Ancestry.com. New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., Marriage Records Index, 1831-1964, s.v. "John J. Kouhn," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2002.
10. "Mrs. John J. Kouhn" (obituary), Chicago Tribune (March 20, 1896), 12; Ancestry.com. Web: Illinois, U.S., Select Deaths Index, 1877-1916, s.v. "Julia L. Kouhn" [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015; and Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current, s.v. "Julia L. Kouhn," [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
11. "Personal...Mr. John J. Kouhn...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (December 19, 1884), 8; "J. J. Kouhn, the architect...", (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (January 15, 1885), 8.
12. "Proposals," Daily Evening News (Lincoln, Nebraska) (May 24, 1885), 8; and (May 25, 1885), 3.
13. "Henry Gerner's New Building," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (May 26, 1885), 7.
14. "Notice to Contractors," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (June 20, 1885), 7.
15. "The Saengerfest. A Grand Gathering of German-Americans for a Week's Season of Song," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (June 24, 1885), 5.
16. "The Stock Yards Hotel," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (July 28, 1885), 8; "Architect Kouhn asks us to correct the notice in yesterday's paper in regard to the stock yards hotel...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (July 29, 1885), 4; "The Stock Yards Hotel," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (August 5, 1885), 8; "Lincoln. Detailed Description of the Nebraska Stock Yards Plant," Omaha (Nebraska) Daily Bee (August 5, 1885), 5; "The Stock Yards Hotel," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (November 29, 1885), 8.
17. "Still Another. S. G. Owen Will Erect a Handsome Building on O and Fourteenth Streets," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (August 13, 1885), 5.
18. "Design for the Grant Monument," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (September 8, 1885), 7.
19. "The Building Boom. S. W. Little Will Join the Procession with Two Fine Business Houses," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (September 23, 1885), 7.
20. "Mere Mention...Workmen are changing the long hall...Architect Kouhn made plans for the improvement," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 9, 1886), 8; "Proposals...Notice to Contractors," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 17, 1886), 7.
21. "Mere Mention...The contract was let yesterday for a three story and basement brick block...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 24, 1886), 8; "Mere Mention...From the plans which a reporter saw yesterday..." (column 2), (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (March 27, 1886), 8.
22. "Elected a Member," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (November 21, 1885), 8.
23. "Mere Mention...Architect Jno. J. Kouhn will leave in a few days for southern Alabama..." (column 2), (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (November 5, 1886), 4; "Personal...J. J. Kouhn, the architect, has returned to the city," Lincoln (Nebraska) Evening Call (February 17, 1887), 4; "Personal...John J. Kouhn was called to Chicago on an important mission yesterday. He expects to return at the close of next month." (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (February 25, 1887), 4.
24. "Building Notes. Structures That Architect Kouhn Has Under Way," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (May 16, 1886), 4.
25. "Messrs. Hall and Lansing will at once begin...," Lincoln (Nebraska) Evening Call (June 22, 1886), 4.
26. "Architect John Kouhn has completed plans for remodelling of the postoffice [sic] fountain. The architecture is gothic..." (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (August 27, 1886), 8.
27. "Long Island, Kansas...Bonds were recently voted for a two-story brick school house...," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Capitol (September 28, 1886), 4.
28. "Early Days in Fremont. Twenty-Three Years Ago," Fremont (Nebraska) Daily Herald (February 18, 1908), 4.
29. "Fear in Their Hearts--Illinois Democrats Are Very Anxious," The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) (March 18, 1893), 1; "O'Rourke is Fired. The Supervising Architect Was Too Big for His Office," Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Post-Gazette (September 19, 1894), 1; "Big Shortage Unearthed," St. Joseph (Missouri) Weekly Gazette (October 29, 1895), 1.
30. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census, s.v. "John J. Kouhn," [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
31. "A Year of Prosperity. Lincoln's Growth in Population, Buildings, Railroads, Real Estate Transfers, Schools. Churches, Banks, Business Blocks, Dwellings, Street Railways, etc., etc.," Lincoln (Nebraska) Daily News (December 31, 1886), 1.
32. "New Buildings. Latest Permits," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (September 11, 1887), 10; and "Other Construction," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (June 3, 1888), 18.
33. "Among the Architects," Chicago Tribune (August 12, 1888), 7.
34. "Among the Architects," Chicago Tribune (October 14, 1888), 30.
35. "Among the Architects," Chicago Tribune (October 21, 1888), 30.
36. "Among the Architects and Builders," Chicago Tribune (December 23, 1888), 7.
37. "Unclassified News," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (February 24, 1889), 10.
38. "Among Architects and Builders," Chicago Tribune (March 31, 1889), 29.
39. "Among Architects and Builders," Chicago Tribune (May 19, 1889), 32.
40. "New Buildings," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (June 30, 1889), 18.
41. "Among Architects and Builders," Chicago Tribune (October 6, 1889), 11.
42. "Architect J. J. Kouhn," The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois) (February 25, 1890), 9.
43. "Among the Architects," Chicago Tribune (May 4, 1890), 29.
44. "A $200,000 Building Being Erected by the Pythian Order," Chicago Tribune (September 12, 1890), 7 (illustrated with sketch of rendering).
45. "Among the Architects," Chicago Tribune (November 30, 1890), 29.
46. "Among the Architects," Chicago Tribune (February 1, 1891), 28.
47. "Among the Architects," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (March 1, 1891), 9.
48. "Gathered from Architects," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (March 22, 1891), 10.
49. "De Lesseps An Honest Man. Architect Kouhn Says the Engineer Was Not a Party to the Panama Steal," Chicago Tribune (January 30, 1893), 9.
50. "Local Political Notes," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (March 4, 1900), 5.
51. "Jamaica High School Robberies to be Probed...A Number of Other Matters," Brooklyn (New York) Times Union (February 5, 1905), 8.
52. "Flushing Press Club. Royally Entertained at Home of Leon S. Case, of Flushing Times," Brooklyn (New York) Times Union (December 10, 1906), 8.
53. "The Building Department. List of Plans Filed for New Structures in Manhattan and the Bronx," The New York Times (August 15, 1912), 15.
54. "Mr. J. W. Barnes, of Plattsmouth, was in town on Monday..." York (Nebraska) Republican (February 25, 1885), 2 (column 4); "Mr. J. W. Barnes who has built a fine house, and moved here from Plattsmouth..." York (Nebraska) Republican (September 9, 1885), 3 (column 2).
55. "The Democratic Ticket," (Lincoln) Nebraska State Journal (September 20, 1885), 5.
56. "Ferdinand de Lesseps" in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed February 12, 2022 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Lesseps#Panama_Canal_attempt
57. "Hospital Meeting Results in Pretty Little Romance," The Inter Ocean (Chicago) (March 15, 1912), 3.
Page Citation
E. F. Zimmer & D. Murphy, “John J. Kouhn (1854-1917), Architect,” in David Murphy, Edward F. Zimmer, and Lynn Meyer, comps. Place Makers of Nebraska: The Architects. Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, February 14, 2022. http://www.e-nebraskahistory.org/index.php?title=Place_Makers_of_Nebraska:_The_Architects Accessed, November 22, 2024.
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