In the 1860, 1870 & 1880 Census he is living in Adam County Indiana.1506,1508,1507


Johann P. Kohler & Maria Anna Steiner


Johann P. (Peter) Kohler, b: 15 Dec 1827 in Canton Berne, Switzerland 1, d: 9 Mar 1900, a. 72j 2m 14t, burial in Vera Cruz, Wells Co., IN. 2

Father: Abraham Kohler, b: 6 May 1823 in Canton Berne, Switzerland.
Mother: Anna Rudy, b: 2 Mar 1826 in Canton Berne, Switzerland.

Maria Anna (Steiner) Kohler, b: 15 May 1837, d: 15 Feb 1890; a. 52j, 9m, burial in St. John's Reformed in Vera Cruz, Wells Co., IN. 2 ; married in Wayne Co., OH in Aug 1855.

Children:

1. John (Johann), b: 11 Jul 1856, d: 14 Sep 1874, a. 18j, 2m, 3t 2.
2. Peter S., b: 6 Oct 1857 3
3. Sevilla, b: 18 Nov 1859, d: 16 Sep 1917
4. William (Wilhelm), b: 14 Apr 1862, d: 17 Jun 1863; a. 1j, 2m, 3t 2.
5. Phillip (Phillipp), b: 27 Feb 1864, d: 1 Oct 1874; a. 10j, 7m, 2t, diphtheria 2.
6. Celestina (M.), b: 11 Apr 1866, d: 20 Feb 1893; a. 26j, 10m, 9t 2.
7. Calvin, b: June 1868, d: 26 Mar 1900; a. 31j, 9m, 14t 2.
8. Mary (Maria Anna), b: 12 Dec 1870, d: 24 Apr 97; a. 26j, 4m, 12t 2.
9. Josephine (Josephina), b: Mar 1872, d: 6 Oct 1874; a. 2j, 6m, 25t, diphtheria 2.
10. Daniel, b: Feb 1874, d: 18 Jan 1875; a. 10m, 11t, diphtheria 2.
11. Edward, b: 1867 4

Note: Josephine, Phillip, and Daniel have the same “marker” in Vera Cruz Cemetery.

Note: Maria Anna's marker:
Heir ruhet in Gott
MARIA ANNA
eine Tochter von
Johann und Marianna Kohler
Born 12 Dec 1870,
Died 24 Apr 1897
26 Jar, 4 Mo, 12 Tag

Extract from Biography of Herman W. Sellemeyer 5:

“Her (Miss Savilla Kohler) father (John P. Kohler) was a native of Switzerland, from which he came to the United States early in the last century (1800s). Mrs. Sellemeyer was one of a family of eleven children born to her parents. Of this large family Peter and Mrs. Sellemeyer are living. William (Wilhelm), John (Johann), Philip (Phillipp), Celestina, Calvin, Mary, Josephine, Daniel and Edward are dead. John Kohler after coming to America located for a time in the east. Later he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where he lived and farmed for about five years. In 1858 he disposed of his Ohio place and removed with his family to Indiana. He purchased land in French township, Adams County, and continued to farm. In addition to his work on the farm he followed his trades of mason and plasterer and added to his income each year through the medium of the work he did for various farmers in the township. His wife lived on the Indiana homestead and was a faithful and able helpmate to her husband until her demise. She died in 1890. After the death of his wife, Mr. Kohler lived with his daughter and Mr. Sellemeyer until his own death, March 9, 1900. He was one of the most highly respected men of the township and his life had been of great benefit to the community in which he lived.” 6

General Information:

Johann was a brother to Abraham Kohler from Switzerland. They were from Canton Bern, Switzerland. Abraham's son, Frederick A. Kohler was a cousin to Celestine, Sevilla and the others. 7

Extract of Biography on Frederick A. Kohler 8:

“His (Frederick A. Kohler's) father, the late Abraham Kohler, was born, May 6, 1823, in Canton Berne, Switzerland, where he lived and labored for many years. Immigrating to the United States in 1859, he made his way directly to Wayne County, Ohio, where he soon found remunerative employment. Subsequently, looking for a good place to invest his earnings, he came to Adams County, Indiana, and having purchased land in French Township began the improvement of a farm. Successful in his undertakings, he was here a resident until his death, March 6, 1888. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Rudy, was born, March 2, 1826, in Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and as a girl came with her parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where she lived until her marriage. She survived her husband a few years, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Steffen. Four children blessed their union, as follows: Frederick A., of this brief sketch; Magdalena, wife of Toba Steffen; and Anna, who married Fred Bear, died in early womanhood.” 9

Abraham Kohler, b: 6 May 1825, d: 4 Feb 1888 10

References & Notes:

1. Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana; page 2671.
2. St. John's Reformed Church [closed] in Vera Cruz, Wells Co., IN
3. Reverend Peter S. Kohler relocated to Lincoln or Sutton, Nebraska; not verified.
4. No records.
5. Son-in-law; married Sevilla.
6. Snow's History of Adams County, Indiana; page 267.
7. Interview with Agnes (Sellemeyer) Yager, 28 Aug 1979.
8. Brother.
9. Tindell's History of Adams/Wells County, Indiana; page 711.
10. Christian Apostolic Cemetery (Old) tombstone.1501