Born in Germany on September 19, 1848. He came to this country when he was 19 years of age and located in Illinois where he remained for a few years before coming to Iowa. He was married to Lana Eifer of Richmond, Illinois in 1876. In 1900 he was married to Ella Funk. Mr. Kolthoff came to Chickasaw County. In the year 1876 and throughout the period of his active life has been closely associated with public interests and projects which have had to do with the development and upbuilding of this section of the state. After coming to Iowa, he engaged in the dairy business and this in turn created his interest in creameries. He took an active interest in politics and was elected State Representative on the Republican ticket in 1902 and served one term in the State House and was a credit to that body of public men. He was a member of the Congregational Church and identified with the Masonic Fraternity.