Frederick KOCH, whose well appointed farm in the southwest corner of Richland township is not excelled by any and equaled by few in this part of Marshall county, has through an active life demonstrated the fact that labor is an excellent foundation upon which to build the superstructure of success. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 18, 1852, and was a youth of sixteen years when he came to America. His father, Louis KOCH, was also a native of Bavaria and crossed the Atlantic with his family in 1868, landing at New York. He made his way to Peoria, Illinois, and during the first year thereafter Frederick KOCH of this review was employed at Washington, in Will county, Illinois. In 1869 he turned his attention to farming in Lacon township, Marshall county, about a mile west of his present place, beginning the development and improvement of a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres. Both of his parents died at Washington and were laid to rest in the cemetery there.
Frederick KOCH, concentrating his attention upon his farming interests, has developed a property which in its equipments and accessories is second to none in Richland township. He is practical in all that he does, and yet works toward the ideal in his farming pursuits. The fields are richly tilled and the buildings are substantial and commodious. He also keeps good grades of stock upon his place and annually harvests rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.
In 1880 Mr. KOCH was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth WAGNER, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John WAGNER. Unto them have been born eight children : Mary, Lena, Katherine, Elizabeth, Annie, Louis, Louisa and Emma. The second daughter, Lena, is now the wife of Phillip BECKHARDT, a farmer residing near Washington, Illinois, and they have one son, Roy Francis. Katherine, the third daughter, is the wife of Louis KAMP, a farmer residing near Lacon.
Mr. KOCH is identified fraternally with the Loyal Americans of the Republic and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Reformed church. In politics he is an independent democrat, desiring the triumph of the leading principles of the party, yet at local elections casting his ballot without regard to party affiliations, for at such elections no issues are involved and only the capability of the candidate should be considered. He has served as school director for fifteen years and as constable for nine years. Coming to America when a youth of sixteen, he readily mastered the language of the people and familiarized himself with customs and methods which hitherto were unknown to him. Through the passing years he has made good use of his opportunities, and reasoning back from effect to cause, we see in his success the elements of industry and perseverance which brought about the excellent result that he is now enjoying.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
