USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II > Part 142
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Dr. William S. Kohler, eldest son of Peter Kohler, second, was born at Egypt, Sept. 8, 1804. He graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania and located at his native place where he enjoyed a large practice and was held in high esteem. He married, in 1831, Mary Magdalena Kern, daughter of Michael Kern. She was born Nov. 5, 1803, and died Jan. 27, 1842. They had five children, three of whom died in childhood and two who reached matur- ity: Willoughby F., who died single in 1866, aged 30 years; and Dr. John P. K. Kohler. Dr. Kohler married, the second time, Catharine Laury. She was born Sept. 22, 1818, and died June 9, 1892. They had five children: Alfred C. W., now in Kansas; Silas D. G .; Alice D., born 1855, died 1893; Maria J., died Aug. 13, 1907, the wife of Dr. J. Dallas Erdman, of Allentown ; and Sarah. Dr. William S. Kohler died Dec. 6, 1870, at Egypt.
Dr. John Peter Kohler, son of Dr. William
S., was born at Egypt, Aug. 4, 1841. At the age of nine years he was sent to Dr. Vanderveer's Preparatory School at Easton, and later entered Franklin and Marshall College, where he grad- uated at the age of seventeen. He graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania at the outbreak of the Civil War, and like all young men at that time whose first thought was duty to their country, entered the army. He applied at Harrisburg, where, out of thirty applicants he was one of three that passed. He was made a contract surgeon and had charge of all the hospitals at Camp Curtin and Camp Capitol, and was in charge of three brigades. Dr. Kohler stated in a letter written Sept. 23, 1862, that he had 800 wounded men under him, with eight assistants, and that in the last 72 hours he had performed 42 amputations. He afterward en- listed in the 153d Regiment as assistant surgeon and served in hospitals under the command of the medical director, and was given charge of all the hospitals of the Eleventh Corps encamped at Aquia creek. After the battle of Fredericksburg he was stricken with typhoid fever and was sent home. He recovered in time to rejoin his regi- ment and assist in the care of the wounded at Gettysburg, and was mustered out with his com- mand at Harrisburg. He died May 27, 1866, from a recurrence of the same disease he had been afflicted with three years before. Dr. Kohler married Miss Emma E., daughter of Stephen Balliet and had two children: (1). Francis N., who married, Nov. 22, 1899, Dr. Thomas Leidy Rhoads, a prominent surgeon in the United States army, who was physician and military aide to President Taft. Mrs. Rhoads died June 16, 1904, leaving one son, T. Collier Rhoads.
(2). J. Herbert Kohler, son of Dr. John P. Kohler, was born April 14, 1865, at Egypt. He was educated in the schools of Allentown, Black- man's Business College, Muhlenberg College, and the Peirce Commercial School, in Philadel- phia. He then became a clerk in Trexler & Hartzell's book-store, where he remained two years, when, in 1887, he became bookkeeper for Fichter & Martin at Bethlehem, with whom he remained 21 years. He was elected register of wills in 1908, and served from Jan. 1, 1909, to July 1, 1910, when he was appointed postmaster of Allentown, which office he held until 1914. He is a member of Greenleaf Lodge, No. 561, F. & A. M .; B. P. O. E .; F. O. of Eagles ; Mac- cabees, Woodmen of the World, Mystic Circle, Good Will Fire Company, Keystone Athletic Association, John Hay Club, Saengerbund, and Mckinley Club. Mr. Kohler married M. Nellie Seip and has one son, Edwin L. Kohler.
Aaron Kohler, son of John Peter Kohler, and
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his wife, Catharine Steckel, was born at Egypt, June 1, 1809. He received his education in the schools at Egypt, and in New Jersey, and after leaving school entered his father's mill and learned the miller's trade which he followed for over fifty years in the mill built by his father in 1809, on the site of the original mill built by his great- grandfather. He was a member of the Egypt Reformed congregation, and served it as deacon, elder and trustee. He was also a member of the building commitee to which he gave 220 days of his time and an active member of the Sunday school. He was also school director for several years. He died Jan. 20, 1899, aged 89 years. He married Esther Swartz, who was born April 28, 1809, and died Jan. 5, 1883. They had two children : Lewis A .; and Peter James, born Nov. 15, 1842, and died July 16, 1847, aged 4 years, from a fall in the mill.
Lewis A. Kohler, son of Aaron, was born Jan. 16, 1839. He was educated in the schools at Egypt, and in a private school at Easton. He assisted his father at the mill and on his farm until it passed into his hands and the farm is still under his management. He was one of the first Sunday school teachers of Egypt church and took an active part in Sunday school work. He has served as deacon, elder and trustee of the Egypt Reformed congregation and is a member of the building committee to rebuild the church. He married, April 28, 1863, Pauline, daughter of James Newhard and his wife, Salome Kline. They have seven children : Elmer P .; George A .; Laura A., married Joseph P. Mickley; Clara A., married James Peters; Dallas R .; Annie M., married Frank Apple; and Irwin J.
GEORGE A. KOHLER was born at Egypt, July 26, 1870, and educated in the public schools of the vicinity. Until the age of eighteen he was employed on his father's farm when he took charge of the Kohler grist-mill, which he still conducts. In 1910 he entered into a partner- ship with his brother Dallas in the coal and feed business, under the name of Kohler Brothers. He is a member of Egypt Reformed church, of Le- high Lodge, No. 83, I. O. O. F., and of the Improved Order of Red Men, and is a Republi- can in politics.
DALLAS R. KOHLER was born at Egypt, May 4, 1875, and was educated in the township. He remained at home on the farm for some years and later learned the trade of a plumber. In 1900, he engaged in the coal business with his father at Egypt. In 1909, with his brother George, he established the coal, feed and grain business, which they still conduct, known as Koh- ler Brothers. Mr. Kohler is a member and dea- con of the Egypt Reformed congregation. He is
a member of the Modern Woodmen, P. O. S. of A., and Improved Order of Red Men, and is a Republican in politics. He married Alphena, daughter of Lewis Leh, and his wife, Charlotta Hartz.
Peter Kohler, son of Peter, 2d, was born April 24, 1807. He married a Miss Biery, and re- moved to Seneca county, New York, where he died in 1900. Josiah Kohler, another son, was born Oct. 8, 1813. He married ( 1) Regina New- hard, born 1814, and died 1849, and (2) a Miss Schneck. He later moved to Indiana.
Jacob Kohler, younger son of the emigrant Jacob, was born at Egypt in 1739, and died there Nov. 1, 1830. He was a farmer all his life and cultivated the land received from his father.
He married (first) Mary Barbara Newhard, who died in 1780, and (second) Mary Elizabeth Frey. He had fourteen children:
(1). John Kohler, born Sept. 6, 1766, died March 9, 1790.
(2). John Peter Kohler, born June 8, 1768, died May 24, 1848. He was an educated man and well esteemed in the locality. For many years he ran the mill for his uncle. He married, in 1801, Susanna Kern, and had children : Judith, born Feb. 1, 1803, died April 7, 1805, buried at Allentown; Edward, born July 8, 1806, died Nov. 22, 1882, for many years a justice of the peace at Egypt, and surveyor; and Euphemia, born Nov. 16, 1807, died Nov. 15, 1896, un- married. Squire Edward Kohler married Lydia Remaly and had children: Edward Xenophon, born 1836, died 1878; Celista R., married Ab- raham Schadt; Lydia M. F., married Aaron Rit- ter ; Emeline O. P .; George P .; Victor Z .; Rev. Phaon, of Glasgow, Pa .; and Rev. Sidney A. Kohler, of Mifflinburg, Pa.
(3). Susanna Kohler, born Feb. 5, 1772.
(4). Anna Margaret Kohler, born Jan. 17, 1774.
(5). John Jacob Kohler, born Aug. 13, 1778, died Feb. 10, 1817. He married Anna Maria Kretchman and had children: Joseph, who mar- ried Maria Saeger and removed to Indiana; Anna, married Michael Kelchner; Jacob; Mary ; Euphemia, married Solomon Kratzer ; Mrs. Mar- garet Kratzer ; and Mrs. Reuben Semmel.
(6). Mary Elizabeth Kohler, born Dec. 16, 1779.
(7). Eva Maria Kohler, born May 31, 1781.
(8). Mary Catharine Kohler, born Jan. 31, 1783, died Oct. 31, 1866, married John Jacob Scheurer.
(9). Benjamin Kohler, born June 10, 1785, married Catharine Burkhalter. He removed to Carbon county and had children: Catharine, Manasses, Lucas, Luciana, Henrietta, and Eliza.
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
(10). Abraham Kohler, born Aug. 6, 1787, died single, April 1, 1861.
(II). Daniel Kohler, sixth son of Jacob, 2d, was born Sept. 5, 1789, and died June 14, 1865. He was a farmer and married, in 1814, Mary M. Hensinger, who was born Nov. 30, 1793, and died Oct. 5, 1859. They had seven children : Debora, born 1815, married Eli Laubach; Eph- raim, born 1818; Tilghman, born 1821; Joshua, born 1824; Charles, born 1828; Edmund, born 1830, died 1897; Louisa S., born 1836, and died 1901, married John Gracely; and Sarah Ann, born 1833, died 1902, married Moses C. Wood- ring.
Joshua Kohler, third son of Daniel, born Aug. 3, 1824, was educated in the schools of Egypt and in a private school in New Jersey. He farmed a portion of the Kohler homestead all his life and also followed the occupation of a shoemaker. He was supervisor of Whitehall township for ten years and served also as tax collector. He was a Republican in politics, and in religion a member of the Egypt Reformed congregation, which he served as deacon, elder and trustee. He died Feb. 8, 1895. He married Sarah E. Knauss, who was born July 14, 1823, and died April 30, 1896. They had nine children: Calvin, de- ceased; Ellen, died in childhood; Maria, mar- ried William Fogel; Sarah, married Tilghman Roth; Mary; Rosa, married John Heberling ; Josephine; Anna, married James Frantz; John O .; Edwin; and Willoughby.
JOHN O. KOHLER was born in Whitehall township, July 26, 1863, and secured his educa- tion in the native schools. He was employed on his father's farm until the age of twenty years, when he entered the employ of the American Cement Company, with whom he remained for twenty years. In 1903, he built a bakery at Egypt and conducted it for three years. He is a carpenter and cooper by occupation, and is em- ployed as a cooper by the Lehigh Portland Ce- ment Company,
He is a member of Egypt Reformed congrega- tion, of which he has been deacon, elder for two terms, and trustee for ten terms. He is a mem- ber of the Red Men and the Whitehall Benefi- cial Society, and is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Kohler married, May 12, 1883, Fianna, daughter of Thomas Yehl, and his wife, Sarah Graul. They have one son, Nero J. Kohler, who was born Dec. 8, 1883, in Rockdale, North Whitehall township. He was educated in the Whitehall township schools and in Siegfried high school. He became a baker and is now head baker for the Egypt Baking Company, by whom he has been employed for twelve years. He mar- ried, Aug. 16, 1902, Eva S., daughter of Chester
Newhard and his wife, Rebecca Wenner, and has two children: Walter N., and Kenneth N .. Mr. Kohler is a member of Egypt Reformed church, a Republican in politics and past sachem of Tribe No. 97, I. O. R. M.
Edmund Kohler, son of Daniel, had children: William, James, Tilghman, Mrs. Tilghman Scholl, and Mrs. Thomas Farrell.
(12). John Kohler, born Feb. 21, 1793, re- moed to Michigan about 1820. He was a manu- facturer of peppermint oil.
(13). Isaac Kohler, born Jan. 24, 1796, was a blacksmith. He married, March 18, 1821, Catharine Scheurer and had children: William, Horace, Charles, James and Ephraim.
(14). Joseph Kohler, youngest child of Jacob, 2d, was born May 19, 1799. He located in the West at the same time as his brother John.
KOCH FAMILY.
The ancestor of the Koch family in Lehigh county was Adam Koch, who arrived at Philadel- phia from Germany, on May 30, 1741. He set- tled in Whitehall township, where he was taxed £7 in 1762. His daughter, Maria Christina, was baptized Dec. 8, 1741, at the Jordan Lu- theran church. His wife, Anna Maria Koch, was born in 1701 and died in 1776. Among his chil- dren were Adam and Henry Koch. Henry Koch removed to Macungie township, where he owned a 250-acre farm and was a blacksmith as well as farmer. He was a deacon in the Jordan Luther- an congregation and married Dorothea Knedler. They had children: Henry, born 1778; John, born 1782; Solomon, born 1789; John Leonard, born 1786; and Daniel, born 1792.
John Koch, born Nov. 7, 1782, died Nov. 29, 1862, married Susanna, daughter of Peter and Catharine Rabenold. She was born Oct. 28, 1782, and died Jan. 22, 1853. He was a farmer and blacksmith and was a member of the Jordan Lutheran church, where he and his wife are buried. Among their children were: John, Sam- uel, and Thomas.
Samuel Koch, son of John, was born in Upper Macungie township, Oct. 30, 1817, and died March 23, 1879, aged 61 years, 4 months and 2 days. He is buried at Jordan Lutheran church, of which he was a member. He was a farmer and had a 125-acre farm. In politics he was a Demo- crat and held local offices. His wife was Sarah Snyder, of South Whitehall township. She was born Sept. 26, 1819 and died Jan. 25, 1875, aged 55 years, 3 months and 29 days. Mr. and Mrs. Koch had thirteen children: Amanda, wife of Henry Kern; Elmira, wife of Tilghman Schneck ; Mary, wife of Alexander Guth; Elemina, wife
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
of James Troxell ; Alfred J., of North Whitehall township; Sarah, who died single; George J .; Francis, who died in infancy; William, of Chap- man Station; Emma, wife of William Zeigler; Dr. Morris, of Lyon's Station ; Rosa, wife of Al- len Wenner; Jeremiah, who died in Allentown; and Samuel, deceased, who married Irene Hen- singer. Both Jeremiah and Samuel died in the spring of 1886 in a typhoid fever epidemic.
ALFRED J. KOCH, a substantial farmer of North Whitehall township, was born in Upper Macungie, Jan. 2, 1846, and lived in that district until he was twenty-six years of age. In the spring of 1876 he moved upon a farm near Wen- nersville and the following year he settled upon his 43-acre farm situated in the southern part of the township, where he lives to this time. This farm was the Daniel Gross homestead and was in that family about 110 years. The house still standing is one of the land-marks of that district. Mr. Koch is a director of the Lehigh Mutual Fire Insurance Company since 1886 and has served this company as its treasurer since 1899. Politically he is a Democrat and was elected as- sessor of Upper Macungie, and auditor of South Whitehall, serving both offices with marked ability.
On May 24, 1868, he married Annie M. Wen- ner, a daughter of Charles and Judith (Gaumer) Wenner. They are members of the Jordan Lu- theran church, which Mr. Koch served as a dea- con, elder and trustee for a number of years. They have five children: Alice, wife of Prof. E. J. Flexer, of Allentown; Edith J .; Warren E., married Cora Peters and is a post office clerk at Allentown; John G., married Goldie Biery, who live at Siegfried; and Samuel J., who was educated in the public schools and at the normal school at Kutztown, and is married to Mabel Handwerk.
George J. Koch, a retired citizen of Allen- town, was born Dec. 26, 1849. He learned the milling trade, and for thirteen years followed that trade at Sieger's Mill and at Kernsville. Later he operated a farm for six years and in 1886 he came to Allentown, where he engaged in the retail shoe business, having his store at 805, 815 and 742 Hamilton street up to Dec. 1, 1909. He had a large trade and was at three places in order stated.
In 1876, he was married to Mary A. Hunt- zinger, daughter of Owen Huntzinger. They have five children, as follows: Harry I .; Luella, who married A. A. Kunkel, resides at Detroit, Mich., and has a son, Ambrose K .; Sadie; Sal- lie; and Mazie, who married Raymond Serfass. Mr. Koch and his family are members of St. Michael's Lutheran church.
HARRY I. KOCH, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the firm of Brown & Koch, insurance and real estate brokers of Allentown, was born near Siegersville, Nov. 29, 1876. When a mere lad, his parents came to Allentown, where he attended high school and was graduated in 1892. The following spring he was graduated from the American Com- mercial School of Allentown, and later was en- gaged by the Krall Furniture Company and the Yeager Furniture Company, both of Allentown, for a period of fifteen years. With the latter con- cern he occupied a position of an executive nature involving considerable responsibility. In 1908 he severed his relations with the Yeager Furniture Company to become associated with his present partner, Ray S. Brown, in the real estate business under the firm name of Brown & Koch. Their offices are located at No. 729 Hamilton street. The firm is of no long standing but by energy enterprise and sound business methods, together with unquestioned integrity and character, they immediately forged their way to the front amongst the insurance and real estate brokers of the city.
In the spring of 1909 the Chamber of Com- merce felt the need of a secretary, one of sufficient standing in the community to properly care for the many important matters continually present- ing themselves before the body. From a list of more than sixty applicants, it unanimously elected Mr. Koch, who since serves this position with merit. Through the efforts of Mr. Koch the membership has been increased and interest has been awakened. Numerous enterprises of various kinds have located here through the publicity campaign, pointing out the excellent advantages of Allentown and vicinity as a manufacturing center, among which was the Lehigh Valley Steel Co., which was started here in the spring of 1910, through the personal efforts of the secretary. This concern from a small beginning has already grown to such proportions as to necessitate the payment of $50,000 in wages per annum.
Mr. Koch is prominently identified with the Allentown Lodge of Elks, No. 130, having served in all its official capacities and being one of its most active and influential members, having been the Exalted Ruler during the years 1911 and 1912.
During 1894 and 1895 Mr. Koch was one of Lehigh county's prominent bicyclists and attained the highest speed during that year. As an ama- teur, he won a number of races in Allentown, Reading, Harrisburg, Hazelton, etc. He was also connected with the Allen Wheelmen.
He and his family are members of Christ Lu- theran church, Mr. Koch having served in the
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
vestry for several years and was one of the organ- izers of its Sunday school in January, 1904, since which time he served as its secretary.
On September 14, 1898, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie E. Miller, one of the city's school teachers for several years. Their chil- dren are: George, Herbert, and J. Walter.
Thomas Koch, son of John and his wife, Eliza- beth Snyder, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Schantz) Snyder, had children: Willoughby, born 1844, died 1912, a farmer at Kuhnsville, who married Elemina Guth, and had nine chil- dren: William H., of Koch & Person; Ray; Robert, of Bethlehem; Thomas, deceased; Mrs. Alvin Faust, of Ambler ; Lillie E., wife of John H. Lichtenwalner, of Allentown; Mrs. John Shoemaker, of Breinigsville; Mrs. Maggie Kerschner, deceased; and Mrs. Hattie Kuhns, deceased ; Horatio B., of H. Leh & Company, Allentown; Frank W., deceased ; Thomas J., of Allentown; Mrs. Benj. F. Kuhns; Mrs. Samuel Ritter ; and Mrs. Richard Kuhns.
FRANK W. KOCH.
Frank Walter Koch, son of Thomas and Eliza- beth (Snyder) Koch, was born Dec. 10, 1850, on a farm near Kuhnsville, Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania. He attended the local country schools and worked on his father's farm until he was some fifteen years or more of age, and then de- termined to learn the tailor's trade. For that purpose he worked under a Mr. Lohrman for two or three years at Claussville, and then went to Allentown, where he secured employment with Breinig & Leh, as a garment cutter. This firm was afterward succeeded by H. M. Leh & Com- pany. Young Koch continued in their employ- ment until early in the year 1876; meanwhile, he became not only an expert garment cutter, but familiarized himself with the details of the entire clothing business as then conducted.
He formed a partnership with Wilson Shank- weiler, March 3, 1876, and they began a retail clothing business at 618 Hamilton street, Allen- town, under the name of Koch & Shankweiler. The enterprise proved to be a profitable venture, the business increased rapidly, and became per- manent. In 1884 or 1885, the firm bought the old Allen House site at the corner of Seventh and Hamilton streets and erected the Hotel Allen building thereon, using the upper floors for a hotel and the first floor for a clothing store. They moved into the new quarters in the hotel building on Feb. 1, 1886, and in July following, Mr. Shankweiler died. The Shankweiler interest was soon purchased by Thomas J. Koch and Lewis Shankweiler, and later the business was
conducted under the firm name of Koch Brothers. This arrangement was continued until the death of Frank W. Koch, and was uniformly success- ful in the years that followed; in a few years it - became the largest retail clothing business in eastern Pennsylvania. The firm at different times bought adjoining lots and expanded their build- ing until it became the most valuable piece of real estate in the city.
Frank Walter Koch married Mary Irene Hel- ler, daughter of Peter and Anna ( Hartz) Heller, the 24th day of July, 1886, at Allentown, Penn- sylvania. She was born April 3, 1860, at Allen- town, and is descended from the Christopher Hel- ler family. She travelled extensively with her husband during his life-time, spends her days out of doors in recreation and in the management of the varied interests of her husband's estate and towards fostering many private charities. In 1907, she had a large memorial window erected in Christ's church, Lutheran, to her deceased hus- band, and still resides in the elegant home at 1208 Hamilton street, which he built during his life- time for their domicile.
They have one daughter, Anna Elizabeth Koch, who was born July 5, 1891, at Allentown, Penn- sylvania; was graduated in June, 1908, from the Allentown Woman's College; and afterward at- tended Dana Hall, at Wellesley, Mass. She mar- ried Norton Louis Lichtenwalner, of Allentown, on Oct. 15, 1912. He was born June 1, 1889, at Allentown, and is the son of Frederick and Jennie (Seiple) Lichtenwalner, of Allentown. Mr. Lichtenwalner was engaged in the brokerage business in his native city for some years, and is now a member of the firm of J. M. Grimley Co.
Mr. Koch was the owner of much real estate in Allentown; was one of the largest stockholders and a director of the Allentown National Bank ; a trustee of Muhlenberg College, and of the Al- lentown Hospital ; also a member of the Living- stone Club ; and of the Lutheran church at Allen- town. He contributed generously to church and charitable enterprises and always took an active interest in such enterprises that had for their ob- ject the good and welfare of the community. He travelled extensively in America during the later years of his life, and was on his third trip to Europe when he lost his life in the great Salis- bury, England, railroad disaster. He and his wife had planned the trip as a duplication of their honeymoon trip of twenty years before; and to give their daughter, Anna Elizabeth Koch, then fifteen years old, her first glimpse of foreign lands. They had sailed from New York on June 23, 1906, to join the Raymond and Whitcomb party in London on a tour through the British Isles
Eng by E & Williams & Bro.NY.
Tho & Koch
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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
and the continent of Europe when the fatal acci- dent occurred. His wife was seriously injured in the same wreck, but she recovered.
Frank Walter Koch died on Sunday, July I, 1906, at Salisbury, England. His remains were shipped to the United States aboard the steam- ship Minneapolis, and the body arrived in Allen- town July 17, 1906, where the funeral services and interment took place. In passing, it may be added that many prominent citizens of Allentown paid tribute to the dead in both public and private eulogy.
The deceased was the city's most distinguished and successful merchant; he was always a leader in the development of every laudable public enter- prise ; and a citizen noted alike for his piety and benevolence. He was a member of Christ's Lu- theran church, in Allentown, but had formerly attended St. John's church, of which he was a member of the vestry, and held the office of ruling elder of Christ's church at the time of his death. He was ever alert in the advancement of the Christian religion, liberal in his charities, and at- tained the respect of all who knew him. In his demise, the community and state lost an honored citizen, and the church a pillar of strength in the passing of a noble Christian character.
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