Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameCelestine M. Kohler 
1258
1258Birth11 Apr 1866, Vera Cruz, Wells County, IN1501
Death20 Feb 18931501
FatherJohann (John) Peter Kohler (1827-)
MotherMaria Anna Steiner (1837-1890)
Misc. Notes
Died of Tuberculosis.
Celestine met Heinerich while working as a housekeeper for her uncle Reverend Calvin Kohler in Crestline, Crawford/Richland County, Ohio. After marriage, Heinerich and Celestine lived in Ohio where Heinerich was employed. Heinerich never actually lived in Adams County. They had one child, Hulda Francis (b. 13 May 1891) in Crestline. 5
Celestine died of Tuberculosis when Hulda was 18 months old (c. Nov 1902) and was brought back to Vera Cruz for burial. Celestine, on her deathbed, asked her sister, Sevilla (Kohler) Sellemeyer 6 to take care of baby Hulda. The Sellemeyers reared Hulda as their foster daughter on their farm, south of Decatur, Adams Co., Ind.
After Celestine died of tuberculosis, Heinerich lived with a bachelor brother (Jakob). He returned to the Sellemeyer farm during Christmas (Abt. 1916) when Hulda reached 16 years of age. He brought a gold watch for Hulda and a bracelet for Agnes Sellemeyer, Hulda’s cousin. Heinerich wanted Hulda to move to Ohio and become housekeeper for him and his unmarried brother. Hulda didn’t want to go and asked Mr. Sellemeyer to not let Heinerich take her. Mr. Sellemeyer stated since Hulda was 16 years old it was her decision to make. Ms. Yager stated that there was “so much ado and commotion” in the house that finally Mr. Sellemeyer opened the front door and told Heinerich to leave. Heinerich left, walking to the train station in Decatur and left. He was never heard from again.
Heinerich spoke little English and attended Uncle Calvin Kohler’s 7 church in Crestline. (Note: Olga Munsinger recently wrote that her mother had told her that Heinerich was a "Baptist" minister and spoke English well and often acted as a translator.)
Later, Hulda’s husband, Rolland G. Poling and Calvin Peterson, a family friend, went to Ohio to look for Heinerich. They were told, by unknown persons, that Heinerich returned to Germany. (Probably not true).
Agnes Yager recalled that “Uncle Henry” (Heinerich) was a very handsome man. “He had dark hair and a moustache … a very dashing figure.” She also stated that the Christmas of Heinerich's last visit was the “worst Christmas she ever had. Hulda cried the whole time he was there because she couldn’t decide what was the right thing to do.”1502
Celestine met Heinerich while working as a housekeeper for her uncle Reverend Calvin Kohler in Crestline, Crawford/Richland County, Ohio. After marriage, Heinerich and Celestine lived in Ohio where Heinerich was employed. Heinerich never actually lived in Adams County. They had one child, Hulda Francis (b. 13 May 1891) in Crestline. 5
Celestine died of Tuberculosis when Hulda was 18 months old (c. Nov 1902) and was brought back to Vera Cruz for burial. Celestine, on her deathbed, asked her sister, Sevilla (Kohler) Sellemeyer 6 to take care of baby Hulda. The Sellemeyers reared Hulda as their foster daughter on their farm, south of Decatur, Adams Co., Ind.
After Celestine died of tuberculosis, Heinerich lived with a bachelor brother (Jakob). He returned to the Sellemeyer farm during Christmas (Abt. 1916) when Hulda reached 16 years of age. He brought a gold watch for Hulda and a bracelet for Agnes Sellemeyer, Hulda’s cousin. Heinerich wanted Hulda to move to Ohio and become housekeeper for him and his unmarried brother. Hulda didn’t want to go and asked Mr. Sellemeyer to not let Heinerich take her. Mr. Sellemeyer stated since Hulda was 16 years old it was her decision to make. Ms. Yager stated that there was “so much ado and commotion” in the house that finally Mr. Sellemeyer opened the front door and told Heinerich to leave. Heinerich left, walking to the train station in Decatur and left. He was never heard from again.
Heinerich spoke little English and attended Uncle Calvin Kohler’s 7 church in Crestline. (Note: Olga Munsinger recently wrote that her mother had told her that Heinerich was a "Baptist" minister and spoke English well and often acted as a translator.)
Later, Hulda’s husband, Rolland G. Poling and Calvin Peterson, a family friend, went to Ohio to look for Heinerich. They were told, by unknown persons, that Heinerich returned to Germany. (Probably not true).
Agnes Yager recalled that “Uncle Henry” (Heinerich) was a very handsome man. “He had dark hair and a moustache … a very dashing figure.” She also stated that the Christmas of Heinerich's last visit was the “worst Christmas she ever had. Hulda cried the whole time he was there because she couldn’t decide what was the right thing to do.”1502
Spouses
Marriage26 Jun 1890, St John's Reformed Church, New Ville, Wells County, Ind1502
ChildrenHulda Francis (1891-1969)