Columbia-Luzerne County PA Archives Biographies.....KOCHER, William R. unknown - living in 1899
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  Author: Biographical Publishing Co.
  
  WILLIAM R. KOCHER. There are few who would recognize the beautiful and thrifty
  town of Bloomsburg, with its many factories, business houses, and other plants,
  as the little village which was founded in 1810 and then contained a postoffice,
  a store, and a few dwelling houses. The steady growth and rapid development of
  the town reflects great credit upon the men who have had charge of its affairs,
  but none deserve greater praise than William R. Kocher, who is at this date
  president of the town council. Since assuming the duties of that office in 1897
  he has instituted many reforms, and has been instrumental in bringing a number
  of important enterprises to the town. He is also general freight agent for the
  D., L. & W. R. R. at Bloomsburg, and operates a large coal yard and a retail
  store. He was born in Luzerne County and is a son of Thomas T. Kocher, a
  millwright and farmer of Harvey Lake, Luzerne County.
  
    Our subject was reared on a farm, but when young left his parental roof and
  entered the employ of the railroad. He became assistant station, freight and
  baggage agent on the D., L. & W. R. R., from Scranton to Bloomshurg, and served
  in that capacity for two years, performing his duties in such a manner as to
  gain the approval of his superior officers ; his faithfulness to the interests
  of the company was rewarded by promotion to the office of general freight agent
  at Bloomsburg, which is one of the largest shipping points of the division. He
  also conducted a retail coal supply-house for the company for several years, but
  in 1889 he embarked in the coal business on his own account, forming the firm,
  W. R. Kocher & Company. He built an office and a coal yard on Seventh street,
  between Iron and Catherine streets, and a large coal-house on the corner of East
  Sixth and Iron streets. The latter has a capacity of 300 tons, twenty shutes for
  quick loading, and has an elevated track leading up to it which is connected
  with the main line by a switch, and the facilities for shipping are of the best.
  This business has been under the management of David M. Sheep, who by giving his
  prompt attention to all orders received, and by his courteous treatment of
  customers has established a large retail trade. The firm is one of the largest
  in Columbia County and its members are deserving of the success with which they
  are meeting. Mr. Kocher was one of the organizers of the Bloomsburg Creamery,
  formed in 1896, and is its treasurer. He is also secretary of the Bloomsburg Ice
  Company, another of the leading enterprises of the town.
  
    Mr. Kocher formed a matrimonial alliance with Geraldine Benscoter, a daughter
  of Joseph R. Benscoter of Luzerne County, Pa., and they are the proud parents of
  two children, Hazel and Myron, both of whom are attending school. He is a stanch
  Prohibitionist in his political belief; in 1896 he was elected to the council
  and in 1897 was made president of that body. Many noted improvements have been
  made since Mr. Kocher entered the council, chief of which is the general mail
  delivery for the entire town of Bloomsburg. Socially our subject is a member of
  the Knights of Malta, and the Heptasophs. Mr. Kocher lives in a fine residence
  at No. 15 East Sixth street, and also owns two tenement houses on Eighth street.
  He is a man well and favorably known throughout Columbia County.
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  Extracted from:
  
  Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
  Published by 
  Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
  
  
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