JOHN M. KOHL, a leading grocery man of the east end of Sterling, was born in
Cologne, Germany, July 26, 1863, a son of Hermann and Sophia (Frenkus) Kohl. The
father came alone to the new world in 1869, and was thirty-three days in crossing the
Atlantic. He located in Sterling and six months later was joined by his wife, who
brought with her their five children, which made it a hard journey for her. Shortly
after his arrival here the father learned the cooper's trade, and for about eighteen years
was employed in making flour barrels, and for a few years butter tubs. He bought
and fitted up a home in the west end of town, where he still continues to live. He
and his wife are active members and liberal supporters of the German Catholic church,
and he also belongs to the German Maennerchor, having always taken quite an interest
in music, especially vocal music.

By a former marriage he had two sons, Joseph and Frank, now residents of Chicago. Our
subject is the oldest of the eight children born of the second union, five of whom
were born in this country. They are John M.; Gertrude, now the wife of D. P. Crook,
of Kansas; Adam and Matthew, residents of Chicago; Peter, of Sterling; Isabella, wife
of Frank Boehn, of Sterling; Rosa, at home with her parents; and Henry, of Sterling.

John M. Kohl received only a limited common-school education, not being able to
attend school more than six.\ months in all,as his mother needed his services at home.
Later he worked on a farm for a few years, and while visiting friends in Chicago, who
were in the grocery business, he was persuaded to stay and enter their employ.
During the five years he remained with them, he thoroughly learned the business in
all its departments. At the end of that time his family insisted on his return home
as he was ever a favorite with them, and he found employment with the firm of Beien &
Detweiler, grocers of Sterling, for whom he clerked for eight years. He made a valuable
assistant, as during his Chicago experience he had learned to skillfully arrange the
show windows and could wait on two customers while the other clerks were waiting
on one. He also did much of the buying in certain lines for his employers. In partnership
with J. K. Eshelman, who recognized his ability, he purchased the store of
his employers, but after one year in business down town, Mr. Kohl sold his interest and
purchased a small store where he is now located, believing it to be a good opening
and his predictions have been true. He carries a well-selected stock of staple and
fancy groceries, and by his courteous treatment to customers has built up one of the
best and most paying trades in his line in the city. He is also a wholesale and retail
dealer in flour and feed.

Besides his business property he owns a good home and a tenement house, which are fitted up with
the latest in improvements. His success in life is due entirely to his own well-directed
efforts, for he started out in life for himself with no capital and until he attained his
majority he gave his wages to his parents.

Religiously he is a member of the German Catholic church.

On the 24th of November, 1885, Mr.Kohl married Miss Mamie Ramsdell, a
daughter of D. H. Ramsdell, of Sterling. They have one child living, Ethel, and an
adopted son. Clar, a child of Mrs. Kohl's sister Clara, who is now deceased. They
also lost one child, Paul, who died at the age of four years