In 1862 in Muhlsdorf, Schlesien, Germany was born Robert Kunze, the first child of Franz and Bregidta Kunze. Nine more children were born to this couple in the next twenty years.

Robert grew to manhood and as he reached nineteen, the age of military service, it was decided that he should go to America. In 1881 he reached Dubuque, Iowa and shortly thereafter he came to Sibley Trail Township in Barnes County. As he acquired the money, he sent for members of his family; Joseph coming first and settling in Cuba Township. The two brothers then sent for Frank, Reinhold, Alois, and August over a period of years, all of them settling in Sibley Trail Township. They were instrumental in the founding of St. Mary's Parish of which the Wieland families became such an integral part.

Robert married Emma Czaia on September 20, 1892. Joseph married Mary Ann Gruman, July 21, 1891. Frank was wed to Bregidta Kutsche January 17, 1898. Reinhold married Emilie (Amelia) Engel on October 29, 1895 and later Johanna Fuchs in March, 1902. Anna Kunze, Robert's sister, married Joseph Gruman on July 10, 1894. Alois married Franziska Brendle on May 1 , 1905. August married Anna Fisher on May 16, 1906. Philemena, also a sister, remarried in Germany. John died at the age of eighteen.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 133