There are few idle hours in the life of Charles B. Kahler, for with persistent diligence he devotes himself to the cultivation and improvement of the farm of one hundred acres, which he owns on section 12, Pioneer township. In its control he displays good business ability as well as a practical understanding of the best methods of tilling the soil so as to produce good crops. Cedar county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Mechanicsville, February 6, 1870.
His father, Martin Kahler, was a native of Stark county, Ohio, born in 1842, and was there reared. He enlisted when nineteen years of age for the defense of the union, joining Company E of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned home with a creditable war record. Another year was spent in Ohio, at the end of which time he came to Cedar county, Iowa, and settled in Mechanicsville, where he engaged in teaming and farming. He afterward purchased the land upon which his son Charles now resides, becoming the owner of about eighty acres, which was covered with brush and timber. This he cleared away and in the course of time was plowing and cultivating his fields, his energy and perseverance enabling him to transform the tract into a productive property. He located on the farm in 1874 and after a time erected a good residence there and further improved the place by building good barns and sheds for the protection of grain, stock and farm machinery. Thus, one by one, the improvements of a modern farm were added. He was married in this county to Sarah E. McKay,
who was born in Ohio and came to Iowa in childhood. Here she was reared and spent her childhood days in the home of her father, David McKay, one of the early settlers of this district, coming from Ohio to Iowa in pioneer times. Mr. Kahler died upon the home farm in 1895 and is still survived by his widow, who is now a resident of Mechanicsville. Their family numbered three children: Charles of this review; Arthur R., living on a farm in Delaware county, Iowa; and Clara E., the wife of Lincoln Risley of Pocahontas county, Iowa.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Charles B. Kahler in his boyhood and youth. The duties of the farm and of the schoolroom claimed his time and attention and like most boys he indulged heartily in youthful sports. He was early trained, however, to habits of industry and diligence and assisted in clearing the farm and making the place a well developed property. He remained with his father until the latter’s death and afterward purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home place, which he now owns in connection with his mother. His early school privileges had been supplemented by a course in the Mechanicsville high school, from which he was graduated, and by a commercial course at Des Moines. So liberal a training has produced an alert, receptive mind that is manifest in his sound judgment and keen discrimination concerning business affairs. After his school days were over he entered the Mechanicsville Savings Bank as bookkeeper, there remaining for five and one-half years, or until March, 1910, and his undivided attention is now given to his agricultural pursuits.
In Red Oak township, in January, 1910, was celebrated the marriage of Charles B. Kahler to Miss Dora H. Smith, who was born and reared in this county and was a daughter of C. C. Smith of Red Oak township. In March, 1910, the young couple returned to the farm and Mr. Kahler put in a crop of thirty-three acres of corn and some smaller grain. He is a member of the Mechanicsville Methodist Episcopal church, to which his father had previously belonged. His name is on the membership rolls of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he has served in various official capacities in the Mechanicsville lodge, including that of secretary and vice grand. Both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekahs. Politically he is a republican and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never sought nor desired office, feeling that his time and energies are fully occupied with his business affairs and social interests. He has a large circle of friends in Mechanicville and other parts of the county and wherever known enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. There are no esoteric phases in his life record, his entire history being an open book which all may read.
