Walter J. Kohler Sr.
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.[citation needed] Kohler was highly active in civic affairs and Republican Party (GOP) politics, but devoted almost all of his time and considerable energy to his growing and successful company.Kohler reduced work hours for his employees, paid above-average salaries, provided group life and health insurance and workingmen's compensation, and presented holiday and retirement gifts.The following year, the Company opened The American Club across the street from the main factory, a Tudor-style living and recreational facility for some 250 newly arrived immigrants.Kohler was a staunch believer in the "open shop" and, along with many other industrialists, did not want national unions to represent all employees and dictate company policy.Bullets and tear gas entered the scene on July 27, and two men were killed and 43 injured before the National Guard arrived and restored peace.In March 1940 a federal grand jury indicted 104 companies, unions, and individuals on charges of conspiracy to freeze high plumbing prices.Kohler put on a vigorous campaign, noting his success in business, his lifelong commitment to hard work, and promising to ignore the spoils system when making appointments and promotions.Despite serving only a single two-year term as Governor, Kohler made five appointments to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, due to four deaths and one retirement.Kohler's political career ended as both Progressives and Democrats enjoyed the national landslide that put Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House.
Governor of WisconsinLieutenantHenry A. HuberFred R. ZimmermanPhilip La FolletteSheboygan, WisconsinKohler, WisconsinRepublicanWalter Jodok Kohler Jr.John Michael KohlerKohler family of WisconsinKohler CompanyCalvin CoolidgeHerbert HooverGreat DepressionWalter J. Kohler Jr.Walter Jodok Jr.RiverbendVillage of KohlerThe American ClubKohler strikesopen shopcompany unionAmerican Federation of LaborKohler striketear gasStalwartsLa Follette Progressivesspoils systemMadison, WisconsinWisconsin Supreme CourtFranklin D. RooseveltJoseph D. BeckDemocraticAlbert G. SchmedemanSocialistProhibitionSocialist LaborCommunistCharles E. HammersleyFrank MetcalfeFred Basset BlairThe Capital TimesNewspapers.comFind a GraveGovernors of WisconsinTerritory (1836–1848)TallmadgeCatlinState (since 1848)FarwellBarstowMacArthurBashfordRandallHarveySalomonFairchildWashburnTaylorLudingtonScofieldR. La Follette Sr.DavidsonMcGovernPhilippBlaineZimmermanP. La FolletteSchmedemanLoomisGoodlandRennebohmKohler Jr.ThomsonNelsonReynoldsKnowlesSchreiberDreyfusThompsonMcCallumWalkerKohler Kitchen & BathKohler InteriorsDestination KohlerAmerican ClubWhistling StraitsBlackwolf RunKohler Design CenterOld Course HotelWaelderhausJohn Michael Kohler Arts CenterKohler Distinguished Guest SeriesKohler FoundationNoble FlaireThe Vollrath CompanyWindway2021 Ryder CupPGA ChampionshipU.S. Women's OpenU.S. Senior OpenDavid KohlerKohler familyMarie Christine KohlerHerbert Kohler Jr.Terry KohlerMarie Kohler