Walter J. Kohler Sr.

Life & Legacy

Walter Jodok Kohler Sr., (March 3, 1875 – April 21, 1940) was an American businessman and politician from the Kohler family of Wisconsin. 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 of his party before and during the Great Depression. His son, Walter J. Kohler Jr., also served as governor, from 1951 to 1957.