Kohler, Henry E.

KOHLER, LANG

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 3/19/2005 at 11:49:28

Henry E. Kohler

Diversified farming is essential to profitable production and maintenance of soil fertility, but it is necessary to specialize on something to secure a superior standard of excellence. While Henry E. Kohler, one of the leading farmers of Fredonia township, Plymouth county, carries on general farming he has long specialized in certain standard breeds of live stock.

Mr. Kohler was born, March 6, 1874, at Elgin, Iowa, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Lang) Kohler, both natives of Switzerland, from which country they came, single, with their parents to America, locating near Elgin, Iowa. The father learned the tailor's trade in Europe, but after coming to the New World he worked at the carpenter's trade and farming. He was born in Berne, Switzerland, November 21, 1833, and his wife was born on February 9, 1842. He died January 11, 1913. She died April 25, 1914. Nicholas Kohler was one of a family of four sons and one daughter. He came to Fredonia township, Plymouth county, in 1879, and brought up his family of eight children on the farm where his son, Joseph, now lives, and where he resided for a period of twenty-eight years, then retired from active life, moved to California, but came to Le Mars a year later and he and his wife spent their last days there. They belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran church at Remsen. He was first a Democrat and later a Republican. His children were named as follow; Alfred, who owns twenty-eight hundred and eighty acres in Moody county, South Dakota, married Matilda Miller, and they have seven children; Rosa married Gotfried Zangger, of Larchwood, Iowa, and they have five children; Lydia is the wife of A. J. Stang, of Le Mars, and they have five sons; Emma is the wife of C. C. Banghman, of Palo Alto, California, and they have one son; Henry E., of this sketch; Pauline lives at Palo Alto, California; Joseph, who is operating the old homestead in Fredonia township, married Lucy Hodapp and they have five children; Julia married Peter Tonsfeldt, of Meadow township, and they have four children.

Henry E. Kohler was educated in the public schools of his home community and in Le Mars Normal School. He started out for himself in 1897 and farmed two years before his marriage, which took place on March 2, 1899, to Lucy Weber, a native of Moline, Illinois, and a daughter of C. L. and Catherine (Hacksett) Weber, both natives of Berlin, Germany, from which country they came with their parents to America, single, and located at Freeport, Illinois. C. L. Weber was a blacksmith by trade, and he worked in the plow works at Freeport for some time, later moving to Moline, where he worked in the shops for a number of years. He came to Plymouth county in 1882 and bought five hundred and sixty acres in Fredonia township, on which he made his home for twenty-eight years, then lived in Le Mars six years, where his death occurred, August 2, 1915, at the age of sixty-four. His widow died at the home of Mrs. H. Kohler, Remsen, Iowa, on December 17, 1916. Their children were named as follow: Lena married John Ollimon, of Soldier, Idaho, and to them ten children have been born, two of whom are deceased; Anna married William Kilker, of Le Mars, and they have three sons; Sarah married William Reeves, of Le Mars, and they have four children; Lucy, wife of Mr. Kohler, of this sketch; Agnes married Charles Ladenberger, of Bismark, North Dakota, and they haves three children; Louis, who lives on the home farm, married Cerelia Mullong, and they have one child; Frank lives on the old Weber place, and he married Carrie Reintz, and they have one son; Della married Edward Detloff, who is farming just north of Le Mars, and they have one son.

To Henry Kohler and wife three sons have been born, namely; Elmer N., whose birth occurred on April 18, 1901; Frank A., born on December 3, 1907; and George H., born on November 1, 1912.

Mr. Kohler has lived on his present place in Fredonia township since his marriage. He owns three hundred and twenty acres in sections 25 and 26, and one hundred and sixty acres in section 14. He has kept his land under modern improvement, and in 1905 he built an eight-room residence, of hard pine finish, cement foundation, and he has gas lights and other modern fixtures. He has also built up-to-date outhouses, including a garage. In connection with a general farming business he raises Hereford and Shorthorn cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs, and formerly raised some of the finest Percheron horse in the county. He is now living practically retired from active life.

Politically, Mr. Kohler is a Republican. He has served as justice of the peace, road boss, as township clerk for two years, and school director for eighteen years. He belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church at Remsen, of which he is a liberal supporter. With three others he installed the electric lights in the church edifice. He is one of the leaders in his community.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917