Charles Kohler
Charles Kohler, a veteran of the Civil War and a well known farmer of Oxford Township, now living in retirement in the village of Ashley, was born November 29, 1832, in York County. Pennsylvania. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Morningdoyler) Kohler, who were the parents of 12 children.
Henry Kohler was also a native of York County. Pennsylvania, and never resided in Ohio. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and during his early days was a weaver by trade. He also operated a shad fishery for about twenty years, and owned a farm, which his son Charles operated.
Charles Kohler was reared on his father's farm in York County, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the township schools. He remained at home until 24 years of age, when he came to Oxford Township, Delaware County, and resided with bis brother-in-law. John McCurdy, until his marriage, when he purchased a tract of 50 acres in Oxford Township, and started to housekeeping in a log house on that place. He subsequently increased his 42 farm to 110 acres, and later bought 50 more acres, which he gave to a daughter. He has since added 40 acres to the home farm on which his son now resides, and continued living there until tyoo when he came to Ashley and purchased a home. He made all of the improvements on the farm and partly cleared it. Mr. Kohler was a carpenter by trade and during his early days devoted much of his time to that work. In September, 1862, Mr. Kohler enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Ashley, and was mustered in at Delaware and served for three years, until the close of the war. He served in the Central Army under General George H. Thomas, and was all of the battles of the Army of the Cumberland, and afterwards was with General Sherman's forces on the march to the sea. At the close of the war he remained at Washington for three weeks, and participated in the Grand Review. He was discharged and mustered out at Columbus.
Mr. Kohler was married December 20, 1866, to Phoebe Whipple, a daughter of Noah and Margaret (Elliott) Whipple, and a sister of F. E. Whipple. Mrs. Kohler was born in Peru Township, Morrow County, now Delaware, and attended the old log school houses of Brown and Peru Townships. She recalls the building of the Big Four Railroad through here and saw the first train go through. The farmers volunteered assistance in its construction, and she often carried dinner to her father when he worked on it. Mr. and Mrs. Kohler bad two children—Louie Gertrude and Frank Noah. The former was born February 10, 1868, married Frank P. Barton and lived on a farm adjoining that of her father. She died June 21, 1898, leaving one son. Charles Frederick Barton. The son, Frank Noah, was born October 22. 1870, and has always lived on the home place. He married Maude Raines has four children—Thelma Lucille, Harry Wallace, Merle Marie and Ruth Esther.
Politically, Mr. Kohler is a Republican. and has served as constable and supervisor. He was formerly a member of Coomer Post, G. A. R., of Ashley.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908