Biographical dictionary of medallists: coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, &c., ancient and modern, with references to their works B. C. 500-A. D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer ...

- 510 -
"Francis X. Koehlerwas born in Swabish Gmund, Wtirttemberg,
on October 8, I8 8. He received his first instructions in the art of
engraving from his mother, who was an engraver of jewelry in his
native town. Later he went to Stuttgart, where he served an
apprenticeship as a goldsmith and die-cutter, and where he was
employed until i85o, when he came to Baltimore. For a short time
after his arrival in the United States he was in the employ of Jacob
Seeger, a silver-plater, with whose card all collectors are familiar.
In 85 r he began business as a manufacturing jeweller and die-cutter
on New Church street near Sharp. In 1853 he removed to I24
West Fayette street, and the following year to I40 West Fayette
tsreet, and remained there until I863. At that time the demand for
his services as a die-cutter caused himl to relinquish the manufacture of jewelry, and he removed to Liberty and Marion streets, and
later to i North Liberty street, where he remained until 1869. In
that year he removed to 54 German street, and in I879 to 20
German street, where he conducted the business until a year before
his death, which occurred March 22, I886.
"One of the earliest pieces of work by Koehler was the
Wreckers' Medal, struck for presentation to the lifesavers of our
sea coast for services in saving the lives and property of shipwrecked mariners.
" Other pieces by Koehler were the Award Medal of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co. for faithful services, on the obverse
of which is shown the railroad viaduct on the B.& O. at Relay,
Md.; the Award Medal of the Cape Fear Agricultural Association
of Wilmington, N.C., and the Award Medal of the Jackson-Hope
Virginia Military Institute, besides anniversary medals for local
institutions and commemorative issues.
" Koehler enjoyed the friendship of and an intimate acquaintance
with Anthony C. Paquet, one of the assistant engravers at the
Philadelphia Mint under Longacre, and frequently entertained him
at his home on the latter's visits to Baltimore.
" Koehler was a member of most of the German socities of
Baltimore, and was for a number of years vice-president of the
Concordia German Association. Most of these societies issued cards,
the work of Koehler".
KOELBEL, RUDOLPH (Germ.). Born at Berlin in 1826, studied
medal-engraving there under Professor Karl Fischer; was appointed
Court-medallist and Engraver at Oldenburg in I857, and filled that
post for many years. His signature R. KOLBEL occurs as late as 1878
on the silver Medal for Merit in Arts, instituted by the Grand Duke
Nicolaus Friedrich Peter.
B3IBLIOGRAPHY. - Hermann von Heyden, Ehrenzeicheu.