NEW YORK MILLS MINNESOTA
CENTENNIAL 1884 – 1984
Page 41
ERNEST AND EMMA KOEHLER
Ernest Koehler was born in Dresden, Saxony, Germany in 1854. In 1877 he married Emma Winkler. She was born in the same city in 1855. With three small children, Alvin, Richard and Lena, they immigrated to the United States in 1882. They settled in Ashland, Kentucky where Ernest worked as a coal miner. Their son Arnold was born there.
While they were still living in Germany, Ernest and Emma were friends of Herman and Minnie Rothiger. Both families came to America in 1882. They decided to keep in touch with each other. The Rothigers wrote to the Koehlers and told of the opportunities in Minnesota. The Koehlers then decided they would come to Minnesota too. (Thirty years later, the RothigerÂ’s daughter Martha and the KoehlerÂ’s son Adolph were married.)
Ernest and Emma homesteaded in Pine Lake in 1885. Though life in the wilderness was difficult, they did well. Also, eight children were born on the homestead. They were: Hilma, William, Ida, Adolph, Bruno, Rose, Rudolph and Rudolph. Two of them, Rose and the first Rudolph, died in childhood. They are buried in the small cemetery in Pine Lake township that has recently been restored. Next Emma lost her husband in 1912 and her son Richard in 1919. She lived on for many years making her home with her children. She died in 1936.
Surviving is the KoehlerÂ’s youngest son, Rudolph. He lives with his wife T, they did well. Also, eight children were born on the homestead. They were: Hilma, William, Ida, Adolph, Bruno, Rose, Rudolph and Rudolph. Two of them, Rose and the first Rudolph, died in childhood. They are buried in the small cemetery in Pine Lake township that has recently been restored. Next Emma lost her husband in 1912 and her son Richard in 1919. She lived on for many years making her home with her children. She died in 1936.
Surviving is the KoehlerÂ’s youngest son, Rudolph. He lives with his wife Taimi on the home place. BillÂ’s widow Anna lives in New York Mills. There are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren living in this area.