Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 156, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1920 — OBITUARY. [ARTICLE]

OBITUARY.

John Kohler, elder son of Christopher and Joannette Kohler, was born in Kisselbrock, . Saxony, Germany, Sept. 12, 1848, and departed thia life, at hi* home, one mile west of Rensselaer, June 19, 1920, at the age of seventy-one years, nine months and seven days. At the age of six he migrated with his father and only brother to America —his mother . having died ;t sea. They located in Lafayette, nd., where he attended a Lutheran school and united with the Lutheran church, but during his last illness he embraced the catholic religion, dieing in faith, of his forefather. In this city he grew to manhood and was married July 25, 1871, to Eva Catherine Minicus. The following year he and his wife came with other pioneers to Jasper county, which was then a swamp, and Rensselaer was scarcely more than a name. After rescuing a few years south of town he purchased the tract of land now owned by Mr. Van Hook, one mile west of Rensselaer. Here he engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile. His tile served greatly in reclaiming the marsh lands of Jasper county, while in Rensselaer, most of the business section, public schools, jail, Indiana school, College and all of our older brick dwellings will stand as mementoes of his brick industry. After disposing of his factories in the year 1900 he engaged in other pursuits, but for the past few years has led a retired life.

He leaves to mourn their loss a wife and seven children, namely: Wright, of Chicago Height*; John, Peter, George and Mrs. J, H. of Chicago; Mrs. Ellis Hiss. of Hoopeston, UI.; and Mrs. Fred Chapman and Leonard, of Rensselaer; five grandchildren and one brother, Balsar Kohler, of Kansas City, Mo. His was a kind and sympathetic nature —generous almost to a fault. In him the sorrowing always found a comforter, and the poor, a friend. Funeral services were held at the home by the Rev. Father Krull and interment made in Mt. Calvary cemetery.