Biographies
BERNHARDT P. KOCH
With the inheritance of a name indicative
of his Teutonic ancestry Mr. Koch also inherited the national characteristics
of thrift, industry and unwearied perseverance; and although he came to the new
world in young manhood and identified himself thoroughly with the interests of
his adopted country, he never lost the attributes of character which are found
in the German race the world over. In the German town, where his birth had
occurred in 1857, it was his good fortune to attend the national schools, which
prepared him for the responsibilities of life and enabled him to conduct his
own business affairs with accuracy and promptness. After he had left school he
learned the trade of tailor, and this he followed for some years in his home
land. Meanwhile he had heard much concerning the opportunities offered by the
new world and finally he decided to cast in his fortunes with those of the
people beyond the sea; accordingly he bade farewell to old friends and
relatives, took passage on a ship bound for New York and landed in due time in
the metropolis of the new world, where he found employment without delay. After
a time he removed to Pennsylvania and there in August of 1887 he was united in
marriage with Miss Engla Yahm,
who like himself claimed Germany as her native land. Their union was one whose
mutual happiness and helpfulness was broken only by his death in May, 1896, ere
yet old age had claimed him for its own and while the
future had seemed to offer many more years of usefulness in his chosen work.
Subsequent to the demise of Mr. Koch his
widow and children came to California and settled in Sacramento where now they
reside at No. 3211 W street. There were four children in the family and all of
them were born in Pennsylvania, where the eldest of the four died at an early
age. The three now living are with their mother in Sacramento, where the older
son, Harry B., is employed by the California Wine Company, and the only
daughter, Elsie, acts as stenographer and typist for one of the leading
business firms. The youngest child, Karl W., is a student in the Sacramento
high school.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 892-893. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.