Born of German immigrants, Ehler enlisted in the revolutionary cause from Pennsylvania in 1776 at age 16. He first joined up with Captain Jacob Grosh’s Company of the Lancaster County Militia. Long marches and tough fighting during the New York Campaign found Ehlers broken down with what he called “camp fever and rheumatism.” After a respite, he reenlisted in 1777 and served until 1780. In the early 1800s, Ehler moved to Dearborn County, Indiana and was living there when he passed away. He was initially buried on his family farm but was moved to Fort Bliss National Cemetery on November 5, 2007. 

Fort Bliss National Cemetery

Biography of Johann Michael Ehler (from Texas Sons of the American Revolution)
 
Johann Michael Ehler (aka Michael Ehler and/or Eheller) is recorded born 2 Aug 1760 at Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania (PA).  His father, Hans Georg Eheller, is recorded as an immigrant arriving on 26 Sep 1752 aboard the (British) ship 'Richard and Mary' to Philadelphia, PA.

By the start of the American Colonial Revolution Johann (Michael) was age 16 when he mustered into Capt. Jacob Grosh's (9th) company, (2nd) PA Regt., for Lancaster County commanded by Col. Louis Bache.  During Private Michael Ehler's (PA) militia service, his Lancaster County, (PA) militia regt. was attached to the (1st) PA Bgde., (2nd) Division of the Flying Camp (Col. Thomas Hartley) which marched to Elizabethtown, NJ, where his 2 month term ended.  This march began the "Philadelphia Campaign 1777 - Taking the capital."  Michael Ehler is recorded as a Private in 1st company, 8th Bttn., Lancaster County, (PA) and he reenlisted at home in Lancaster County for 1777 - 1780 in Col. Jacob Klotz [sic- "Clots"], Lancaster County regt., Independent Command, Brig. Gen. Jas. Ewing's Bgde..

After concluding his US Military service during the Revolutionary War, Ehler received a Bounty-Land Warrant based upon Revolutionary War service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca1912.  He relocated his family to resettle upon bounty-land recorded at Manchester Township, Dearborn County, IN, where he died and was buried in a private family cemetery tract that was sold prior to 2001 for development.  A direct descendant, William A. Luckey, Sr., a resident of El Paso, TX since 1947 and a member of the Col. Turner R. Sharp Chapter #9 of the Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, found the private property tract and obtained permission from its owner to excavate remains, then re-inter them with permission by the Fort Bliss, Texas Commandant of the National Cemetery at El Paso on 5 Nov 2007.  Michael Ehler's last remains received a formal military burial with a United States Military Rifle Salute and white glove Honor Guard with a folded, U.S. Flag.  His grave was marked with an upright, US Military headstone that was inscribed “Johann Michael Ehler, Pvt. Continental regt., Revolutionary War, Aug 2, 1760 - Apr 23, 1838, From His Service Our Country Was Born.”  A Christian emblem was inscribed above his name.  Johann Elher's wife's name was also inscribed upon the reverse of the US Military headstone.

JOHANN MICHAEL EHLER

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