KOHLER, FREDERICK (2 May 1864-30 Jan. 1934), police chief, Cuyahoga County commissioner, mayor of Cleveland, and sheriff, was born in Cleveland to Christian and Fredericka Kohler. He left school in the 6th grade to help his father in Kohler Stone Works. After his father's death, the business failed, and Kohler worked several laboring jobs. In 1887 he was appointed superintendent of WOODLAND CEMETERY. He married Josephine (Josie) Modroch in 1888. The couple had no children.
Kohler joined the police force in 1889, rose rapidly, became a captain in 1900, and in 1903 was appointed chief of police by Mayor TOM L. JOHNSON. Kohler was a strict disciplinarian demanding a neat appearance and full day's work from all policemen. He became involved in a scandal growing out of a divorce suit brought by a traveling salesman against his wife, and in Feb. 1913 the Civil Service Commission removed him as police chief on charges of neglect of duty and gross immorality. Kohler was elected county commissioner as a Republican in 1918, serving 2 terms. He was mayor in 1922-24, emphasizing economy in city government, cutting payrolls and city services, and persuading private agencies to care for families on relief. In 1924 Kohler was elected sheriff. He was accused of underfeeding the prisoners in jail, found at fault by the legal board of jail governors, and ordered to improve prison meals and return any unused money to the county. He left office in 1926. He died in Cleveland.