Paul Kohler Biography


	This biography appears on pages 432-435 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				PAUL KOHLER. 

	Paul Kohler is operating extensively in the real-estate field and 
is one of the most successful business men of Milbank, owning 
personally eight quarter sections of land in Grant county. He was born 
in southern Germany on the 11th of September, 1867, a son of Paul and 
Katherine (Pruender) Kohler, also natives of that locality. The father 
emigrated to America in 1872 and settled in Reading, Pennsylvania, 
where he established one of the first lithographing companies of that 
section. He equipped his plant well and was up-to-date and progressive 
in his methods, turning out work of a high order. After remaining in 
this country for four years he returned to Germany, where he is still 
living. In the latter part of his business career he practiced law for 
years but is now living retired. He is highly educated and speaks both 
English and French. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. 
His wife, who was born in 1839, died in 1868. They were the parents of 
four children: Anna, who died in South Dakota; Mary, who is living in 
Germany and is connected with the Red Cross Society; Paul; and 
Christian, who is field chaplain in the German army. 

	Paul Kohler received excellent educational advantages. After 
attending school in Stuttgart he entered Heidelberg University, where 
he studied for some time. In 1887 he emigrated to the United States 
and, settling in Wisconsin, found employment as clerk in a store, 
receiving a salary of fifteen dollars per month. After remaining in 
that connection for two years he went to Wilmont, South Dakota, and 
clerked in a store there. Later he removed to Corona and engaged in the 
mercantile business until he was burned out. He then located at Milbank 
and became connected with the farm implement trade. In 1894 he was made 
agent for the Walter A. Wood Harvester Company, representing them in 
the states of North and South Dakota and Iowa. In 1906 he turned his 
attention to the real-estate, loan and insurance business and is still 
active in those lines. He buys and sells realty all over the country 
and has business connections in the east, selling a great deal of 
property to eastern buyers. His business reaches a large figure 
annually and he is well known in real-estate and insurance circles 
throughout South Dakota. Moreover, he owns personally eight quarter 
sections of fine land in Grant county and also a good residence. 

	Mr. Kohler was married in 1892 to Miss Emma Ehrle, of Roberts 
county, this state, and to them was born a son Paul, who is now engaged 
in the grain, flour, feed and coal business in Redlyn, Saskatchewan, 
Canada. The wife and mother died in 1893. On the 27th of November, 
1910, Mr. Kohler married Miss L. E. Smith, of Marinette, Wisconsin, and 
they have a daughter, Gretchen. 

	Mr. Kohler is a republican and has taken quite an active part in 
politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Eagles, and his religious 
faith is that of the Lutheran church. Since coming to Milbank he has 
gained financial independence and is highly respected in business 
circles. His admirable traits of character have also won him the esteem 
of those with whom he has come in contact, and he is one of the most 
valued citizens of Milbank.