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Biographical sketch of WILLIAM KOCH from the book entitled, "Biographical Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Publishers in Logansport, Indiana.
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This bio spans two (2) pages: 634-635
WILLIAM KOCH
William Koch, postmaster at Peters, Casco township, St. Clair county, Michigan, was born December 8, 1867, a son of John and Minnie (Schroeder) Koch, the former of whom was born in Germany about 1844, and when fourteen years of age was brought to the United States by his father, who settled in Casco township, St. Clair county, Michigan, where he died the following year. The father of William Koch was reared to manhood in Casco township, and here married Minnie Schroeder, who bore him seven children, viz: William, whose name stands at the opening of this biography; Charles A., Bertha, Alvena, John H., Minnie and Louis. The mother of this family was called away, however, December 19, 1882, and the father subsequently married Miss Lena Deutsch, who bore him four children, viz: Anna, Edward (deceased), Henry and Laura. John Koch is a hard-working man and a general farmer, and gained all he owns by his own labor. He is not active as a politician, but is nevertheless very popular and was elected to fill the office of township treasurer for one term by the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in the faith of which his wife passed away.
William Koch was reared on his father’s farm in Casco township, and on January 20, 1895, married Alvena Schroeder, a daughter of Chris and Johanna Schroeder, who came from Germany to the United States about the same time the Koch family came. He purchased land and settled in China township, where he afterward resided until death. He also owned a saw-mill, and for twenty years operated a threshing machine. Mr. Schroeder was a Republican in politics, and in religion a Lutheran, in which faith he died March 1, 1899, leaving ten children, namely: William, John (deceased), Lena, Charles, Julia, Alvena (Mrs. William Koch), Gustave, Bertha, Anna and Lizzie.
William Koch, for a few years after marriage, continued to wok on the farm, and then opened a general store at Peters, which he has since conducted with success. He is also identified with the manufacture of cheese to a considerable extent, buying his materials from the farmers of the neighborhood, and in this industry has acquired quite an enviable reputation. Although he is independent in politics, and votes for the candidate he deems most suitable to carry out or fill the duties of the office to which he is to be chosen, he has himself been elected township treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and is the present postmaster at Peters, St. Clair county, having been appointed under the administration of President McKinley in 1899. He has filled this office to the entire satisfaction of the people and the postoffice department, and although the duties are not very onerous, they are still of quite a responsible character. Mr. and Mrs. William Koch are consistent members of the Lutheran church, and stand in high esteem of the social circles of Peters and Casco township.
While William Koch has led the somewhat quiet life of a villager, he has exhibited a capacity for business seldom equalled by those who are reared amid surroundings of so secluded a character, but he is still a young man, and there is doubtless much even in the near future that will develop into broader and more diversified opportunities for the exercise of his undeniable business talents. The ability is within him; the opportunities alone are lacking, but that they will be forthcoming is hardly a matter of a shadow of a doubt.
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PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the KOCH surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community. Therefore, please do not contact me with regard to research interests in the above. Thank you.
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