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Casper Kuhn / Kuhn Bros.

  • County: La Porte County
  • Location: Michigan City
  • Years Active in the Business: c. 1898–1905

The Kuhn family’s history can be a little confusing because Casper Leo Kuhn Sr., who died on November 4, 1903, had a son with the same name. Resources suggests that Casper Sr. was the proprietor associated with the bottle bearing the 602 E. Michigan Street address, while his sons, William and Casper Jr., later operated under the Kuhn Bros. name.

The 1899 city directory lists 602 E. Michigan St. as a meat market owned by Peter Schmidt. With no 1900 directory available, the earliest likely date for a Casper Kuhn bottle bearing this address would be c. 1900, and the latest would be 1903, the year of Casper Sr.’s death.

A South Bend Tribune article from January 18, 1902, reports that “Casper Kuhn of Michigan City has accepted a position in the Kuhn Bottling Works,” indicating that Casper Jr. had begun working in the family business by that time.

By the 1905 Michigan City directory, Casper Jr. and William were operating as the Kuhn Brothers, serving as agents for the Schlitz Brewing Co. at 616 W. 9th Street.

Based on these records, the Casper Kuhn bottle with the 602 E. Michigan Street address likely dates from c. 1900–1903, while the Kuhn Bros. bottles date from c. 1903–1905.

By 1905–1907, Fred Umlauf was operating a saloon and bottling business at 602 E. Michigan Street.

1905 – Kuhn Bros. bottlers of Schlitz Milwaukee Beer, 616 W. 9th Street
– Kuhn, Casper Kuhn Bros.; residence at 616 W. Ninth Street
– Kuhn, William (Anna) Kuhn Bros.; residence at 616 W. 9th Street

Bottle Photos

#1

Bottle Type: Quart hand-tooled blob. 
Embossing: CASPER KUHN & Co. / 602 E. MICH. ST. / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: WF&S MIL (embossed on base), William Franzen & Son, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to research published by the Society for Historical Archaeology, William Franzen & Son began operations in 1898. 
Other Marks: 
Notes: This is the only known Michigan City soda or beer bottle that includes a street address.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#2

Bottle Type: Pint that appears to be a hand-tooled blob. 
Embossing: CASPER KUHN & Co. / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: SB & G Co, Streator Bottle & Glass Company
Other Marks: A number 3 is embossed near the heel, which may indicate the year 1903, fitting the known date range of this bottler.
Notes: 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#3

Bottle Type: Pint that appears to be a hand-tooled blob. 
Embossing: KUHN BROS / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: SB & G Co, Streator Bottle & Glass Company
Other Marks: A number 4 is embossed near the heel, which may indicate the year 1904, fitting the known date range of this bottler.
Notes: 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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#4

Bottle Type: Quart
Embossing: KUHN BROS / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: SB & G Co, Streator Bottle & Glass Company
Other Marks: A number 4 is embossed near the heel, which may indicate the year 1904, fitting the known date range of this bottler.
Notes: 
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors

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