Henry Kahler Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kahler that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Kahler, Hill, Beyer, Calkins, Bergert, Malone, Hasse, Nutting, Bath. Henry Kahler, who is now living retired at No. 422 Marquette street in Davenport, was in former years prominently identified with building interests as a carpenter and contractor and his labors in this connection contributed materially to the he growth and development of the city. His birth occurred in Holstein, Germany, on the 20th of June, 1834, his parents being Hans and Charlotta Kahler. The father, who was a laborer and also engaged in farming on a small scale, participated in the Schleswig-Holstein wars from 1848 to 1850. In 1855, in company with his wife and children, he embarked on a sailing vessel bound for American shores and landed at Galveston, Texas, after an ocean voyage of about eight weeks. They remained in Galveston for only two days and then boarded a cattle ship for New Orleans, whence they took passage on a boat which brought them to Davenport on the 26th of June, 1855. Hans Kahler continued to reside in this city throughout the remainder of his life, pa! ssing away on the 1st of April, 1900, when he had attained the venerable age of ninety-four years and he became well known and highly esteemed as a substantial and representative citizen. The demise of his wife had occurred soon after their arrival in Davenport. Their children were six in number, as follows: Henry, of this review; Charles F., a retired agriculturist residing in Davenport; Dora, who is deceased; Mary, the wife of John Hill, of Davenport; Louisa, who has also passed away; and August, who makes his home in Ottumwa. Henry Kahler spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his nativity, turning his attention to farm work after he had completed his education. In 1854 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with friends, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana. He then made his way up the Mississippi river to Davenport, stopping for a few days at St. Louis enroute. After arriving in this county he secured employment as a farm hand during the harvest season but as his wages were only eleven dollars per month, he soon abandoned the position and began learning the carpenter's trade. To that occupation he devoted his time and energies throughout his active business career and many evidences of his skill as a builder are seen in the residences of Davenport and vicinity. In 1862 he journeyed westward to California, where he remained for two years, working at his trade and also in a quartz mill. On returning to this city he enlisted for service in the Union Army, joining co! mpany C, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1864. He did detail duty around Davenport until the close of hostilities and was honorably discharged on the 14th of May, 1865. On once more taking up the pursuits of civil life he resumed his business as a carpenter and contractor and thus remained an active and successful representative of building interests until the time of his retirement. On the 5th of May, 1866, Mr. Kahler was united in marriage to Miss Julia Beyer, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 2d of November, 1846, and was a representative of one of the oldest families in Scott county. Her father, William Beyer, who was native of Hildesheim, Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1845 and ten years later located on a farm in Hickory Grove township, Scott county, Iowa, where he made his home until the time of his death. In the fall of 1878 he was awakened one night by the glare and crackling of fire and found his barn in a mass of flames. He entered the burning building in an attempt to save at least a few of his horses and on leaving the barn one of the horses stepped on him, pinning him to the ground and breaking one of his legs. He managed to escape from the barn but died after several months of suffering, passing away in 1879, when sixty-five years of age. Mrs. Henrietta Beyer, who survived her husband for many years, was cal! led to her final rest on the 2d of May, 1907, her demise occurring in Davenport. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kahler were born ten children, the record of whom is as follows. Amelia, whose birth occurred May 26, 1867, gave her hand in marriage to Richard Calkins, of Davenport. Charles, who was born in 1868, passed away in 1894. Minnie, whose natal day was May 4, 1871, wedded Herman Bergert and has a son, Harold, who was born on the 16th of November, 1895. Henrietta, whose birth occurred in 1873, was called to her final rest in 1892. Louie, who was born April 10, 1875, is a resident of Davenport. By his marriage to Miss Margaret Malone he has four children, namely: Henrietta, LeRoy, Edna and Vesta. Henry, whose birth occurred in 1876, died in the year 1881. Clara, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 22d of August 1878, is the wife of Otto Hasse, of Davenport. Paula, born February 12, 1883, wedded Charles Nutting of Rock Island, Illinois. Ella, who was born June 9, 1885,! married Otto Bath of Davenport and has a daughter, Loretta. Leander, whose natal day was November 15, 1887, lives in Davenport. Mrs. Julia Kahler, the mother of these children, passed away on the 28th of February, 1909, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Fraternally Mr. Kahler is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in August Wentz Post, G. A. R. He also belongs to the old volunteer fire department and is a well known member of the German Pioneers Association. He is widely and favorably known throughout the community qualified confidence and regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized, for thorough the wise utilization of his opportunities he has steadily worked his way upward and has won a competence that now enables him to spend his remaining days in well earned ease, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES