Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 1371:

KOHL, JOHN - a prosperous farmer of Springfield Township, Sangamon County, Ill. was born in Germany, son of John and Julianna Kohl, both natives of Germany, the father born March 19, 1820 and the mother November 4, 1825. The father was for many years a successful farmer and stockman in Sangamon County. He and his wife brought their family to the United States in 1863, and settled at Old Berlin, Sangamon County, where they lived for a time, then purchased a farm north of Springfield, and lived there until 1892, when they moved to Bisssell, Ill., and later located at 1048 North Seventh Street, Springfield, the present family home. They were parents of nine children, of whom the following survive: William, a farmer living ten miles west of Springfield; Godfrey, a miner; Mary, wife of John Feulner, a bartender; Julia, wife of John Stremsterfer, died twenty-six years ago.

John Kohl, subject of this sketch, attended Sand Hill School when a boy and lived on his father's farm until nineteen years of age, then worked in the rolling mills in Springfield a short time, worked two years in a brick yard, and for nineteen and one-half years worked for Springfield Water Works as fireman and engineer. In 1889 he purchased his father's homestead, where he has lived ever since.

Mr. Kohl takes an active interest in public affairs and movements of progress and improvement. In politics he is a Republican and he is a member of Grace Lutheran Church. In 1907 he was elected School Director and served two years. He is well known in the community where he resides, and is considered a representative, useful citizen. He is an energetic farmer and has been accordingly successful.

September 8, 1880, Mr. Kohl was married, in Sangamon County, to Miss Amelia Hahn, who was born November 9, 1860, daughter of Abraham and Wilhelmina Hahn. Mr. Hahn was born October 18, 1833, and his wife May 5, 1832, both in Germany. She came to America in 1847 and he came about the same time. They had seven sons and three daughters, and Mrs. Kohl has two brothers living in Sangamon County, one brother in Dundee, Ill., and a sister in Chicago. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kohl, namely: Herbert J., married Anna M. Younker, live on father's farm in Christian County and have three children living: Mildred A., Margaret I. and Harlan O.; Reuben E., at home on his father's farm; Walter G., married Anna B. Klor and has one child, Alma V., and he is employed at the United Zinc & Chemical Works, in Springfield; John W., on a farm, near Lanesville, Ill., as is Chester J.; Amelia J., married Oscar O. Churchill and lives in Sangamon County, and Marie L., married Robert S. Curry and lives east of the home farm; and one died in infancy. Mr. Kohl has a farm of about eighty seven acres, devoted principally to general farming, fruits and truck farming. He also owns 140 acres in Christian County, Ill, near Edinburg. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association and North Western Life Insurance Company.