Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Kahler, Clarence H ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 29, 2008, 12:10 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 CLARENCE H. KAHLER. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch will at once be recognized as one who was formerly connected with the commercial interests of Wilmington. He is now serving his city as mayor, and his service in the office is marked by a progress that reflects credit alike upon himself and the constituency that elected him, for his public services are proving acceptable to the entire community. He is one of the native born citizens of Illinois and is carrying on the work of advancement along various lines which were begun by his father. Mr. Kahler was born in Will county, January 16, 1861, a son of Townsend W. and Emily (Price) Kahler, the former born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, August 15, 1836, while the latter was born in the same county on the 13th of January of that year. They were reared and married there, their wedding being celebrated on the 10th of November, 1858. The father engaged in teaching in the Keystone state, where he lived until the year following his marriage, when, in May, 1859, he made his way westward to Illinois, establishing his home in Florence township, Will county, where he continued his profession for a time, while later he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1872, however, he removed to Wilmington and in partnership with Mr. McQueen engaged in the grocery business under the firm style of McQueen, Kahler & Company. Two years later Mr. Kahler disposed of his interest in the store and engaged in business on his own account, so continuing until 1903, when he retired. He was one of the most successful merchants of this city and through his honesty and reliable business methods secured a gratifying patronage both in his home locality and throughout the surrounding districts, so that he became a very prosperous and wealthy man, owning at the time of his death six hundred acres of valuable land. Although he led a very active and busy life in the conduct of his private business interests, he yet found time and opportunity to aid in many public movements and measures for the general good. His fitness for public service being recognized by his fellow townsmen, he was elected to the mayoralty of Wilmington,, filling the office in a most capable and efficient manner for two terms, so that he retired from the office with the confidence and good will of all. He likewise served as clerk of Florence township for two years, while for a number of years he was a member of the board of school trustees. He was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to lodge No. 301, at Wilmington. He served as noble grand of the order and represented the fraternity as a delegate to the grand lodge of Illinois on numerous occasions. He gave stalwart support to the republican party, having been elected to the office of mayor on that ticket. There has perhaps no man lived in Wilmington who was more closely associated with her commercial and political interests than was Townsend W. Kahler, so that his death, which occurred October 4, 1905, came as a personal loss to the citizens of his community. His widow owns a beautiful home here and the income from her large landed holdings supplies her with all the comforts of life. She is an estimable lady, hospitable and genial, and has won the friendship and love of all with whom she has come in contact. Clarence H. Kahler, the only child of his father's marriage, was reared in his parents' home and acquired his early education in the public schools of Wilmington, supplementing this by a course of study in Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illinois. Having finished his studies at the early age of eighteen years, in 1879, he engaged in the grocery business with his father, so continuing up to the time of the latter's retirement, covering a period of more than a quarter of a century, so that he is well known in commercial circles. In 1905 he became a director in the Commercial National Bank of Wilmington, while in April of the same year he was elected on the republican ticket to fill the office of mayor of the city. He at once assumed the new and responsible duties connected with the position and is now giving to the city a public-spirited and business-like administration. Mr. Kahler was happily married, June 25, 1885, to Miss Alice Shircliff, who was born in Sheffield, England, September 12, 1865. Her parents, Henry and Emma (Caldwell) Shircliff, were likewise natives of that country, the former born January 17, 1844, and the latter December 3, 1845. They were married in their native city in 1863, and the father was there engaged in the manufacture of cutlery until 1871, when he emigrated with his family to the new world, their home being established in Connecticut. After a residence of about four years in that state, the father removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, spending a similar period there, when he came to Wilmington, the year of his arrival here being 1881, but he now makes his home in Chicago. The children in this family are: Mrs. Kahler, Emily Y., Charles H., Arnold and Anna E. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three sons and one daughter, namely: Eugene C. who was born April 19, 1886; C. Julian, born May 19, 1888; Marcel C., May 9, 1891; and Helen Z., whose birth occurred December 24, 1897. Mr. Kahler served for one term as school inspector. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Wilmington lodge No. 208, and to Wilmington chapter, No. 142, R. A. M., of which he is now serving as high priest, while both he and his wife belong to Eastern Star chapter, No. 176, at Wilmington. Mrs. Kahler is now serving the order as matron. Mr. Kahler likewise holds membership with Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 615, and in this order has filled a number of chairs, while at the present time he is serving as chancellor commander. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kahler are prominent in social circles and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by a large number of friends. Mr. Kahler possesses excellent business ability, keeps thoroughly informed concerning the world's progress, and has gained the reputation of an honest, reliable and straightforward man. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/kahler2721nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.0 Kb