Born in Holstein, Germany, July 31, 1838, his parents being James and Margaret Muhs, both of whom were natives of the fatherland. On coming to America in 1849 they located at Davenport, Iowa. The father was a tailor by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family. The captain is the eldest of their twelve children. He was a lad of eleven summers when he came with his parents to the new world, and in the schools of Davenport he continued his education, which had been begun in Germany. In 1853 the family removed to Camanche township, Clinton county, where Captain Muhs made his home. In 1861, at the country's need, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in the Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was elected lieutenant of Company A, and with his regiment was in much active service, including the battle of Shiloh on the 6th of April. 1862. He was there captured, and about six months later was paroled. In the spring of 1863 he participated in the Vicksburg campaign, and was also in the Jackson 18 campaign, and took part in a number of important battles in the Mississippi valley. Captain Muhs was mustered out April 20, 1866, but the regiment did not disband until May 6, 1866. Captain Muhs at once returned to Clinton county, and on the 20th of February, 1868, was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana Mary McClosky, a daughter of Robert and Margarette (Smith) McClosky, who were natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage Captain Muhs became interested in farming and purchased eighty acres of land in Eden township. To this he added from time to time until he now owns a valuable tract of two hundred acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation and which he continued to improve until 1880, when he came to Camanche. Here he engaged in the grocery business for five years, and on the expiration of that period he retired from business-life. From 1869 until 1871 he served as township supervisor, and for seven years was county supervisor. He was also elected on the Democratic ticket to the fifteenth general assembly in 1873, and served on the judiciary, military and railroad committees. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Iowa Workmen and to the Baker Post, G. A. R., at Clinton, while his wife is a member of the Catholic church. His record is that of one who is true to duty in every relation of life. As a public official he was as true and loyal as when he followed the starry banner on the battlefields of the south, and in business he sustained an irreproachable reputation.
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