Hon. Theodore H. Koch, cashier of the bank of C. J.
Keiser & Company of Mount Olive, Macoupin County, and a prominent and
substantial citizen, was born November 26, 1863, in St. Louis, Missouri, and
is a son of William and Minnie (Sewing) Koch.
The parents of our
subject, both of whom were natives of Westphalia, Germany, came to America
in 1845 and settled in St. Louis, where they resided all their lives. They
married in St. Louis, where Mr. Koch was employed as calker on the dry
docks, which he later bought and successfully operated until he retired from
business activity in 1875. The family continued to live in St. Louis, where
Mr. Koch died in 1884, aged 65 years, and where Mrs. Koch died in 1899, aged
72 years. Both parents were most worthy members of the Evangelical Church.
Theodore Koch had the advantages offered by both the English and the
German schools. His boyhood was passed before his father had attained
business success, and from the age of 12 years he was thrown mainly upon his
own resources. In 1876 he entered the employ of Keiser & Niemeyer, general
merchants at Mount Olive, where by fidelity to his employers' interests he
gained their attention and good will to such an extent that they permitted
him to take a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College in St. Louis,
where he graduated from the commercial course. In 1880 he returned to Mount
Olive and took charge of the books of the firm, which position he retained
until 1882, when he was made cashier of the bank of C. J. Keiser & Company.
Mr. Koch has always been identified with the Republican party and
has been the recipient of many political rewards. In 1889 he was appointed
postmaster of Mount Olive by President Harrison, and was succeeded by
William H. Whitehouse, of whom a sketch will be found in this volume. That
his administration of office met with the approval of his fellow citizens,
was shown by his almost unanimous election to the office of mayor in 1903.
He has filled other responsible positions, his aldermanic services being of
great value to the city, his record being that of a fearless, upright
upholder of the law. In April, 1902, he was elected president of the board
of trustees, all his public services being of a character to reflect credit
upon himself and honor on the city. He was elected in April, 1904, a
delegate to the National Republican Convention, which will convene in
Chicago, Illinois, in June, 1904. In association with G. G. Simpson, he owns
and operates the Mount Olive telephone plant. Fraternally Mr. Koch is a very
popular member of the Knights Templar, Knights of Pythias and the Elks.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 411-412.
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