JOHN KOEHLER, liquor-dealer, on the corner of Twentieth street and Commercial avenue, and one of Cairo's pioneers, was born on the 23d of June, 1831, in Germany. Fred Koehler and Mary Statler were both natives of Germany, where they grew to maturity and married, and to these parents were born five children, John Koehler being the third of this family. In 1836, the mother died and the following year the father also died, leaving the children dependent almost entirely upon their own exertions for their sustenance. John was reared in the family of a friend and sent to school until he was fourteen years old. From that time until he was of age, he was engaged as a farm laborer, and in 1852 he came to this country, and for two years made his residence in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the baker business. About 1854, he came to Cairo, Ill., in the capacity of cook for the Taylor House, and has made this his home ever since. On the 25th of April, 1857, he was married to Miss Louisa Ritter, daughter of Abraham Ritter. She was born June 11, 1838, in Ohio. For nearly twenty years Mr. Koehler has engaged in the produce trade, in which he was very successful. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Fire Department. He has a family consisting of William, born February 13, 1857; George G., born December 17, 1858; Kittie, born July 10, 1860; John B., born February 8, 1862; Mary, born June 15,1864; and Annie Koehler, born on the 8th of August, 1867. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Koehler owns a quantity of valuable city real estate.
Extracted 31 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 26.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
