Joe Kohler, Jr.

Joe Kohler, Jr. was born on May 16, 1900 to Joseph and Rosalia Kohler. He was the youngest of ten children. His parents immigrated from Austria Hungary in 1883. They settled in the Fingal community in 1885 where Joe was born. In 1912 they moved to the Oriska area where Joe finished his education. In 1927 he married May Schwehr, daughter of William and Mary Schwehr, also of Oriska. She was born on May 11, 1908.

Mr. and Mrs. Kohler farmed in the Oriska and Tower City community until 1970 at which time they retired and moved to Valley City. They had a family of twelve children:

  1. Kenneth,

  2. Eileen,

  3. Harold,

  4. Marlys,

  5. Lyle,

  6. Lorny,

  7. Joanne,

  8. Richard,

  9. Betty,

  10. Robert,

  11. Mary Lynn, and

  12. Ronald.

Eileen, Joanne and Lorny passed away at an early age. All their living children are now married. Joe and May are still actively engaged in church and community work.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 129