My Genealogy Hound

MILTON H. KOEHLER. Among the native sons of Northampton County is this representative and well known citizen of Hanover Township. He is the owner of a well equipped and cultivated farm, comprising one hundred and forty acres. The date of Mr. Koehler’s birth is January 20, 1849, his parents being Conrad and Julia A. (Fuchs) Koehler. The family came to Pennsylvania from Germany many years ago, and has been prominent factors in the upbuilding of this and adjoining counties. Gabriel Koehler, the great-grandfather of our subject, was one of three brothers who left the Fatherland, and to him belongs the honor of founding the branch of the family so numerous in this county. Conrad Koehler, whose death occurred in the year 1870, devoted his entire life to the pursuit of agriculture. Of his family only the following are yet living: Maria, who is the wife of John Ernst, and Milton H. The father was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church, and an industrious and upright man in every particular. His home was for many years on the very farm where our subject now resides. He was well known throughout the surrounding country, where he numbered many friends, and his death was felt to be a severe loss to the community in which he dwelt. His widow, who has reached the ripe old age of seventy-five years, is still living, making her home with our subject.

The opportunities of Mr. Koehler in an educational line were somewhat limited, though he attended the district schools more or less during his boyhood. He is mainly self educated, but has made the most of his facilities, and has therefore become well informed on all general and practical matters. His father instructed him in both the theory and practice of agriculture, and when quite young he engaged in general farm work. The farm which he now owns and cultivates is well improved and is one of the valuable ones of the township. In his business ventures he has met with a good measure of success, and being industrious and capable, is steadily reaping a good income.

Believing that it was not good for man to be alone, Mr. Koehler was joined in marriage with Sarah A. Lerch, November 7, 1871. The lady was born November 7, 1847, in Palmer Township, being a daughter of Amandus and Ellevina M. (Gold) Lerch. The former comes of an old and respected family of Northampton County, where his birth occurred. The mother was born in Bushkill Township, of the same county. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom survive. Emma is the wife of George M. Warner; Mrs. Koehler is next in order of birth; Eramanda is the wife of Thomas Wartman; Priscilla became the wife of Adam Grabwohl; Mary is now Mrs. Alfred Koehler; Levin is a resident of Bethlehem; and Edna is the wife of Henry Ehrgott.

In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Koehler are devoted members of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, respectively. In politics the former supports the Democracy, believing that that party best embodies the great questions of the hour. He is in favor of supporting everything which will be for the good of the community, and in his official capacities has carried out to the best of his ability his well founded convictions of what is best to achieve this object. For a number of years he served as a School Director of Hanover Township, and has always been found on the side of good schools and educated teachers. In 1880 the responsible position of United States Census Enumerator of Northampton County, which embraces Hanover Township, was conferred upon him, and the manner in which he performed the duties pertaining thereto won him the commendation of all. For one year our subject occupied the responsible position of Mercantile Appraiser of Northampton County, in which he acquitted himself well. In a social way Mr. Koehler is identified with Bethlehem Grange No. 504, of which he is Past Master, and is also a member of the Knights of Malta of Bethlehem. In addition to the orders already named, he is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men of South Bethlehem.