August H. Koch

August H. Koch, who is numbered among the leading business men of Red Bud, conducts a harness establishment, and is also a dealer in road vehicles and farm implements. He is a native of the town which is still his home, his birth having occurred here in 1855. His parents, Henry and Sophia (Reinhart) Koch, were both natives of Germany, and in that country were reared and married. The year 1840 witnessed their emigration to America. They located in St. Louis, but after a short time came to Red Bud, where the father engaged in business as a merchant-tailor until his death. The family numbered six children, but with the exception of our subject all are now deceased. One brother Henry, grew to manhood and married, leaving at his death two children.

August H. Koch spent the first fourteen years of his life under the parental roof, and then went to St. Louis, where he served an apprenticeship of a term of four years to a harness-maker. He thoroughly mastered the business, becoming an expert workman, and then returned to Red Bud, where he opened his store. His trade has constantly increased from the beginning, and he now does as large a business as any harness dealer in the county. In 1889 he had purchased a stock of spring wagons, and the following year he added a stock of carriages, buggies, farm implements, etc. His enterprise and business ability have been the important factors in his success, and have placed him among the substantial citizens of the community.

In the year 1878 Mr. Koch was united in marriage with Miss Katrina Diehl, a native of Monroe County, Ill. By their union have been born eleven children, seven of whom are still living. The parents hold membership with the Lutheran Church, contribute liberally to its support, and take an active part in its growth and upbuilding doing all in their power to advance the cause. Mr. Koch exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and is a warm advocate of its principles. He served for one term as City Treasurer, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. A well and worthily spent life has won him the high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and we take pleasure in presenting to our readers this record of one of the native sons of Randolph County.