Otto Koehler was born in Alfeld, Germany, on April 28, 1855, a few hours after his twin brother Karl. Otto was educated at the Seminary School of Alfeld and although his father was a grain and coal merchant, Otto had little interest in the trade. After securing a substantial education, including business and military training, he crossed the Atlantic in 1873 and began his career working a variety of jobs in St. Louis. He quickly mastered English and ventured into extended business opportunities. His brothers were in St. Louis, but it was his experience with the Griesedieck Brothers Brewery that provided the foundation for his future career. In St. Louis, Otto dedicated himself to mastering all aspects of the brewing industry and was later tapped by none other than Adolphus Busch to help lead a new brewing venture in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1884, Koehler joined the Lone Star Brewing Company, serving as secretary and manager. However, a few years later Koehler partnered with some other business leaders in town to form the San Antonio Brewing Association. Koehler’s practical spirit drove the enterprise, which bought the Belohradsky Brewery (also known as City Brewery), San Antonio’s first commercial brewery in 1887. Under his leadership, the company grew rapidly, expanded, and became the largest brewery in the South for several years, known for its products across the Southwest. Koehler, often credited with founding the brewing industry in San Antonio, served as president, with Col. Otto Wahrmund as vice president.
Around 1900, Koehler bought a block of land in San Pedro Place, Laurel Heights, before it became exclusive. He built an attractive and beautiful residence there, which has long been a landmark in San Antonio. It was considered the most costly private residence in the city for several years. Koehler took great pride in his home and grounds, adorning them with landscape gardener’s art. He also planted trees around the brewery.
Koehler married Miss Emma Bentzen, a member of an old and respected family in St. Louis. Though Mr. and Mrs. Koehler had no children, they had two of his nephews, Charles and Otto A., sons of his twin brother. After Emma is injured in an automobile accident, the Koehlers bring a German nurse, Emmy Dümke, into the mansion to take care of her. Within a short-time Koehler begins an affair with Dümke, which lasts until she is married to another man. Koehler then begins a second affair with her roommate, another German nurse, Hedda Burgemeister. After Koehler returns home from a trip to Germany during the beginning of World War I, tensions rise in the relationship, sparking a feud that can only end in murder. On November 12, 1914, Burgemeister shot and killed Koehler in south San Antonio, thus ending the life of one of San Antonio’s greatest businessmen.
