BIOGRAPHY: Louis J. KOCH, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 455-456.

  LOUIS J. KOCH, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., son of Magnus and Thekla 
(Breiler) Koch, was born in Huntingdon, Pa., June 12, 1849.  His parents came to 
America from their native province of Hesse Cassel, in which they had their home 
near the city of Fulda, in the year 1847, landing after a tedious voyage of six 
weeks in Baltimore, Md.  Magnus Koch was a miller, and soon after his arrival in 
this country, traversed the valleys to find employment at his trade in some one 
of the Maryland or Pennsylvania mills;  at that time they were for the most part 
run by water power.  In this quest, Mr. Koch made his way by canal to 
Huntingdon, and, as he could find no situation as miller, obtained instead 
employment upon the construction of the Pennsylvania railroad;  and making his 
home in the vicinity of Huntingdon, he soon became known as an industrious and 
honorable man, so that although his only capital was his excellent reputation 
and the help and encouragement of his faithful wife, he was able to maintain his 
family in comfort, and to lay up for them a fair provision.  The children of 
Magnus and Thekla Koch are:  Louis J.;  Elizabeth, born September 26, 1851, 
resides with her brother H. W., in Huntingdon;  Ferdinand B., born May 8, 1854, 
married Susan, adopted daughter of Edward McHugh, and has six children;  George, 
born July 19, 1859, married Emma -------, has one child, resides at Vineland, N. 
J.;  and Harry W., born May 25, 1865, resides with his sister in Huntingdon.  
Mrs. Magnus Koch, who was born September 18, 1823, died September 5, 1883;  her 
husband, who was born September 8, 1820, died May 23, 1895.  Both were devout 
members of the Catholic church, were hospitable and kind, and enjoyed the esteem 
of their neighbors. 
  Being reared in Huntingdon, Pa., Louis J. Koch attended the common schools of 
the borough.  At the age of sixteen, he began to learn telegraphy, and was first 
engaged as an operator on the Pennsylvania railroad, Middle division;  in 1869, 
he was assigned to a position in the superintendent's office at Harrisburg, Pa., 
where he remained until 1872.  His next assignment was at Middleburg, Pa., where 
he assumed the position of freight and ticket agent on the Lewistown division of 
the Pennsylvania railroad.  In 1873, he was promoted to his present position, 
that of yard master at Lewistown Junction.  In 1874, he became freight and 
ticket agent on the Texas and Pacific railway, in Texas.  His health failing 
there, he returned in 1876 to his former position as yard master.  In 1880, his 
health again failing, he was absent about a year at the seashore and in the 
Carolinas, and upon his return, was reinstated in his former position.  Mr. Koch 
has been steadily faithful and efficient in the performance of duty, and has 
well merited his promotions.  He is a good citizen, taking an active interest in 
the progress of the community.
  Louis J. Koch was married November 21, 1882, to Laura J., daughter of Thomas 
J. and Jane E. (Scott) Cameron.  Their children are:  Louis Joseph, Jr., born 
September 16, 1884;  Thekla, born August 30, 1885, died very young;  Thomas, 
born September 11, 1886, also died young;  Charles Francis, born September 8, 
1887, died October 29, 1889;  Mary Anna, born July 2, 1889;  Clare Elizabeth, 
born August 4, 1891, died April 8, 1892;  and James Richard, born August 15, 
1894.  Thomas J. Cameron, father of Mrs. Koch, is descended from the same family 
as Hon. Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania.  Mrs. Koch is one of four children;  her 
mother died while she was still in infancy.  The other children are:  Anna M., 
died in 1874;  Sarah (Mrs. Stewart Walker), of Post Falls, Idaho;  and Isabella 
(Mrs. David Scherry), of Altoona, Pa.