My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. KOEHLER, proprietor of the Joplin City Bakery, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, April 23, 1854. Our subject remained in the “old country” until about thirteen years of age, and acquired a liberal education, not only in the German, but in the Latin and French languages. He immigrated to America in 1867, sailing from Havre, France, in March of that year, and after a voyage of twenty-one days arrived at New York harbor. He remained in New York City about one year, and then engaged on the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. for two years. After this he traveled for a time, going from New York to Galveston, Texas, by water, and thence through the Southwest. He came to Joplin in the spring of 1871, and engaged in mining for about four years. In 1874 he commenced clerking for Mr. G. W. Keller in the bakery and confectionery business, and remained with him three years. On Aug. 1, 1881, he, with Mr. Bierrig, purchased the interest of his employer and continued the business under the firm name of Koehler & Bierrig. Five months later our subject purchased the entire interest and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. K. was married in this city, April 23, 1879, to Miss Paulina, daughter of L. and Emily Geier, of Crawford county, Kansas. Mrs. K. was born in Germany, Dec. 28, 1858. They have one child, Emily, born in May, 1882. They are both members of the Lutheran Church.