Lieutenant Valentine Koehler, 32nd Indiana
By Michael A. Peake

Valentine Koehler was born in Münchberg, kingdom of Bavaria, July 23, 1842, to Carl G. and Barbara (Huth) Koehler. He received a fine education up to college level, and then served a three year apprenticeship in a Münchberg mercantile business. Prior to meeting military age, he immigrated to the United States in 1860, landing at New York in April of that year, and later arrived at Aurora, Indiana to begin clerking for John Hornberger, who operated extensive grocery and contracting businesses in Lawrenceburg. In August 1861, Koehler enlisted as a sergeant in Company “D” and rose through the ranks, serving as an aide-de-camp on Willich’s staff. He survived the war, earning commendation for bravery, industry and good judgment in the arduous performance of his duties during the Atlanta Campaign, despite wounds. On the 22d of May, 1864, Capt. Koehler received a slight wound in the head, and was hit with a spent ball of the right side of the collar bone, he was also wounded in front of Atlanta on the 22d of July, 1864, by the explosion of a shell which killed his horse from under him, and by which the Captain sustained a broken leg. Valentine died June 5, 1894, at Lawrenceburg, survived by wife Marie Louise Hornberger Koehler and three children.

Photograph, Portrait by T. M. Schleier’s Photograph Gallery, Corner Cherry & Union Streets, Nashville.

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Library of Congress: LC-USZ62-129668