Herman Koch Biogrpahy


	This biography appears on pages 1836-1837 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	HON. HERMAN KOCH is a native of Germany, born in Thuringia on the 
6th of October, 1853. He received his early education in the schools of 
his native land and was about thirteen years old when his parents came 
to the United: States. He attended a number of terms of school after 
coming to this country, grew up to habits. of industry and at the age 
of twenty-eight was united in marriage. Meanwhile he accompanied his 
parents to South Dakota and later took up a claim of one hundred and 
sixty acres in McCook county, on which he lived for a period of two. 
years, and at the expiration of that time he purchased a quarter 
section of land in the county of Lincoln, which was his home during the 
succeeding nine years. Subsequently Mr. Koch discontinued the pursuit 
of agriculture and' moved to the village of Tea, where he has since 
been handling coal, wood and lumber, doing an extensive business and 
becoming widely knows as an enterprising and progressive man of 
affairs. He has been influential in public matters ever since becoming 
a citizen of South Dakota, served several years as justice of the 
peace, and for a long period held the office of town clerk. Mr. Koch is 
a Republican in politics and as such was elect to represent Lincoln 
county in the legislature, in which capacity he served four years.

	Fraternally Mr. Koch is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows; also belongs to the local organization of Woodmen at Tea, and 
in religion he is a faithful and active comqnunicant of the Lutheran 
church. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Koch consists of four children.