Waldo Emerson Kahler
Of Teutonic descent, Waldo Emerson Kahler has in his practice as a lawyer shown the national traits of perseverance and endurance which command respect the world over. These characteristics have materially assisted him in becoming established as a successful practitioner at the bar of Crawford county.
He was born at Traer, Tama county, Iowa, July 13, 1880, a son of Marcus and Lena (Kuehnle) Kahler. The father was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, July 12, 1843, but the mother is a native of Dubuque, Iowa. Marcus Kahler was reared in his native land and received a good education, graduating from an architectural school. He learned the carpenter's trade and for one year served in the German army as lieutenant of artillery.
In 1868, at the age of twenty-five years, he came to America and after spending two years at Reinbeck, Iowa, went to Waterloo, where he worked for two years for the Barnes Implement Company. He then became bookkeeper and assistant cashier of the Brooks & Moore Bank at Traer and displayed such excellent ability that he continued with that concern for eleven years. After retiring from the bank he went into the lumber business at Traer and later established a branch lumberyard at Buckingham, being connected with that business at the time of his death, which occurred March 1, 1905. His wife is still living and makes her home at Traer. He was a member of the school board for more than twenty years and one of the prominent citizens of his locality. Religiously he was identified with the Congregational church.
Our subject's grandfather Kahler was a forester in Germany, holding his position under authority of the government. There were four children in his family, two sons and two daughters, namely: Marcus, Carl, Sophia and Julia. The grandfather Kuehnle on the maternal side married Mary Von Eschen. They came to America and lived at Dubuque, Iowa, where he was expert machinist in the Illinois Central Railroad shops for several years. Subsequently he removed to Waterloo and was made foreman in the Illinois Central shops, continuing in that position for twenty years. On account of the encroachments of age he finally retired. There were three children in his family, Carl F., Lena and Amanda.
Eight children came to bless the union of Marcus and Lena Kahler, six of whom are now living, namely: Hugo Victor, a physician of Reinbeck, Iowa; Waldo Emerson, the subject of this review; Elsie M., a teacher of Reinbeck; Gertrude, now engaged in teaching in Tama county, Iowa; Herbert B., who is attending school; and Zenaide, at home.
Waldo Emerson Kahler was reared at Traer and received his early education in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1898. He taught school for three years, and, having decided to devote his attention to the practice of law, he matriculated in the law department of the State University at Iowa City.
In 1904, having completed the full course, he was graduated with the degree of L.L.B. He was admitted to the bar of Iowa soon after leaving the university, and in July, 1904, came to Denison and was identified with the firm of Shaw & Kuehnle, and with the Bank of Denison until October 1, 1906. He then went to Charter Oak and took charge of Shaw & Kuehnle's office there for one year, at the end of which time he returned to Denison and entered into partnership with Parker W. Harding in the practice of law under the title of Harding & Kahler, an association which has proven entirely satisfactory to those most concerned, the firm now enjoying a large and growing clientage.
On the 30th of October, 1907, Mr. Kahler was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Edna Stevenson, a native of Traer and daughter of Hugh W. and Elizabeth (Preston) Stevenson. The father was born in Scotland and the mother in England. They are both now living at Traer. In their family were four children, namely: Marione, Margaret Edna, Nelle and Hugh Raymond.
Mr. and Mrs. Kahler are active members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Improved Order of Red Men, and politically he gives his earnest support to the republican party. Although a young man and in practice only seven years, he has demonstrated an adaptability to his calling and a success in the conduct of important cases that are highly gratifying to his clients and friends. He is a fluent speaker and a clear thinker, a good judge of human nature, and, as he most thoroughly searches out the law in every cause entrusted to his care, he is an opponent who is respected even by the most experienced lawyers. It is scarcely necessary to add that he ranks high in the profession in Crawford and adjoining counties.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.