Walter J. Kohler, Sr.
| Walter J. Kohler Sr. | |
|---|---|
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Kohler as depicted in 1929's Wisconsin Blue Book.
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| 26th Governor of Wisconsin | |
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In office January 7, 1929 – January 5, 1931 |
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| Lieutenant | Henry A. Huber |
| Preceded by | Fred R. Zimmerman |
| Succeeded by | Philip La Follette |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Walter Jodok Kohler March 3, 1875 Sheboygan, Wisconsin |
| Died | April 21, 1940 (aged 65) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Charlotte Henrietta "Lottie" Schroeder |
| Children | John Michael Kohler III Walter Jodok Kohler Jr. Carl James Kohler Robert Eugene Kohler |
| Profession | Businessman |
Walter Jodok Kohler Sr. (March 3, 1875 – April 21, 1940) was a member of the Kohler family of Wisconsin and was an American businessman and politician. He was an innovative and highly successful Wisconsin industrialist. The Kohler Company was founded by his father, John Michael Kohler. Walter Kohler served as the company's president from 1905 to 1937. Walter Kohler was elected the 26th Governor of Wisconsin as a Republican, serving one term from 1929 to 1931. A moderate, pro-business Republican who admired Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover, Kohler sparred with the Left and Right in his party before and during the Great Depression. His son, Walter J. Kohler, Jr., also served as governor, from 1951 to 1957.
Walter Kohler was born on March 3, 1875 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the third of six children born to industrialist and civic leader John Michael Kohler II (1844–1900) and his wife, the former Lillie Vollrath (1848–1883). John Michael headed a prosperous company selling iron and plumbing products, as well as enamelware. Lillie's father was a wealthy local businessman in the same general field. The Kohlers and the Vollraths have enjoyed close family and business relations to this day.
Walter grew up in the family's home in Sheboygan. His formal education stopped at the eighth grade when at age 15 he persuaded his father to hire him full-time in the company business.
Five years after his father's death in 1900, 30-year-old Walter took over what would soon be called the Kohler Company. A few days before his father died, Walter married Charlotte Henrietta "Lottie" Schroeder (1869–1947), a Kenosha school teacher. They had four sons: John Michael Kohler III (1902–68), Walter Jodok Jr. (1904–76), Carl James (1905–60), and Robert Eugene (1908–90).
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