Biographical Sketch of

William H. Kahl

Transcribed by Jaimee Hedlund

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 567 - 568 - 569

William H. Kahl, a well known and enterprising farmer of Springville Township, Adams County, Wisconsin, who 
through his own well-direct efforts has achieved success in life, was born in Booneville, Clinton County, 
Pennsylvania, April 24, 1859 and is the son of Joseph K. and Elizabeth (Sheets) Kahl, also natives of Clinton 
County, and of German descent. There the father took up four hundred and six acres of government land, and 
succeeded in placing three hundred acres of this under a high state of cultivation. He erected thereon 
commodious and substantial buildings and also a large saw-mill, being quite extensively engaged in the 
manufacturing of lumber. Later the farm was divided into smaller farms and now a village covers a portion 
of it. The father was a very prominent and successful farmer and one of the foremost citizens of the community, 
taking an active part in organizing schools, churches, etc.  One church was located upon his farm. There he 
died in 1882, and the mother died in 1854.  She was a daughter of John Sheets, who was born in Pennslyvania,
of German ancestry, and was a well-to-do-blacksmith.
 
William H. Kahl, of this review, is indebted to the public schools of his native state for his educational 
advantages, and during his youth he worked with his father in a blacksmith shop and on the farm, aquiring an 
excellent knowledge of both occupations.  At the age of twenty he left home for the first time and went to 
Freeport, Illinois, displaying his characteristic energy by borrowing the money with which to do so. He landed 
there March 3, 1879, and the following day began work on a farm at fifteen dollars per month.  Two years later 
he went to Iowa, where he worked for the same length of time at his trade and at farming. Being industrious 
and economical, he had managed to save quite a snug amount during the four years spent in the west.
 
After living two years in Iowa, Mr. Kahl returned to Freeport, Illinois, where he was married, February 27, 
1883, to Miss Clara J., daughter of Thomas J. and Anna (Keller) Kahl, natives of Clinton County, Pennsylvania, 
who removed to Freeport in an early day.  Near that city the mother died in June, 1862, but the father, a 
wagonmaker by trade, is still living.  The wife of our subject was educated in the common schools of Illinois.  
They have two children,  Frances Irene, born in Stephenson County, Illinois, November 17, 1893, and Murl 
William, born September 9, 1900.
 
After his marriage, Mr. Kahl secured the position of foreman of a farm of six hundred acres, and most creditably 
and satisfactory filled it for four and a half years. In 1888 he bought twenty-one acres near Freeport, and turned 
his attention to the culture of tobacco, in which he was very successful.  Two years later he bought a larger 
farm and engaged in dairying, farming and the raising of hogs and horses for five years.  Believing that he could 
operate cheaper land more profitably, he sold his farm in Illinois in 1894, and came to Adams County, Wisconsin, 
where he bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Springville Township.  Although this tract was all wild 
and entirely unimproved, he has cleared away the forest and placed acre after acre under the plow, until he now 
has one hundred and fifty acres under excellant cultivation and improved with a large and beautiful residence and 
good barns and outbuildings.  He is one of the men who seem able to meet any emergency, and by perservance and 
industry has accumulated a good property.  He has ever made the most of his advantages and takes advantage of 
every opportunity for promoting his own interests without injuring others. At national elections he supports the 
Democratic party, but in local affairs, is independent in politics, voting for the best man. He has most capably 
and satisfactorily filled the office of supervisor in his township.

Transcribed by Jaimee Hedlund






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