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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Craighead County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Herman Koehler, a well-known farmer, stock raiser and carpenter of Buffalo Island, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 1, 1826. His father, John Henry Koehler, was also a Hanoverian by birth, and stood high in the estimation of those who knew him. Herman, like all German boys, received a good common-school education, and also served a four-years’ apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade. In 1848, thinking to better his condition, he emigrated to the United States; and after working at his trade in New Orleans for five years, he went to St. Louis and to Iowa, where for some time he worked at carpentering and building, and then went to Memphis, Tenn., where he resided working at his trade for nineteen years. Here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Ann M. Meyer, who became his wife July 9, 1854. This lady was a native of Germany, but was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio. To this union have been born two children: Adaline and John August. In 1877 Mr. Koehler moved to Mississippi County, Ark., where he farmed and worked at his trade some three years, and then moved to his present location on Buffalo Island, which has since been his home. He at first purchased forty acres of unimproved land, to which he has since added until he now owns 184 acres, 100 of it being under a good state of cultivation. He also owns valuable property in Florida and California. Like most of his countrymen, Mr. Koehler is frugal and industrious, and has made what he has by his own exertions. He is unassuming in his manner, charitable and honest in his thoughts and dealings with his fellow-men, and is one of Craighead County’s most substantial citizens. His wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 98 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Craighead County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Craighead County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Craighead County, Arkansas family biographies here: Craighead County, Arkansas Biographies

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