Night Sergeant Christopher Kolhoven | Newport Police Department

Age: 50½
Served: 1½ years
January 16, 1916 to July 11, 1917

OFFICER

Chris was born on December 31, 1866 in Kentucky, the fourth child born to John (of Belgium) and Margaret (Welch, of Germany) Kohlhoff. Very soon after, and maybe at the date of immigration, John “Americanized” his, and thereby his family’s, name to Kolhoven.

By 1894, Chris was living in Cincinnati at 88 Pearl Street and working as a cutter, probably at Ettlinger and Company. He continued to work in the industry as a trimmer, cutter, and/or foreman for decades. During 1898, he was living at 23 West Third Street in Newport. By 1902, he had moved to 325 West Seventh Street. During 1900, he was living at 118 West Third Street.

During October 1903, Chris was listed as a candidate for the Campbell County School Board from the 4th Ward. At some point he had also served on Newport’s City Council.

During 1914, Chris was living at 1109 Central Avenue and still working as a cutter.

He joined the Newport Police Department as a Patrolman on January 16, 1916, along with Patrolmen Harry Buschmiller, John Hearn, and Victor Martin. By mid-1917, he had been promoted to Night Sergeant and was still living at 1109 Central Avenue in the 6th Ward. He was also a member of the Newport Order of Elks and a charter member of the Madison Club.
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