OTTO KOCH
Otto Koch was born in Germany, July 15, 1849, and received his education in the schools of his native country. His parents, Andres S. and Mary (Moll) Koch, were also born in Germany. Mr. Koch came to the United States and settled in Peoria, July 16, 1868, and there secured employment in a brewery, retaining that position for four months. He then went to St. Louis, where he was employed by a railroad company, still later going to Greencastle. In September, 1869, he came to Pekin and for eighteen months worked for Lewis Birkenbusch. In 1887, in company with Mr. W. A. Boley, he formed an ice company, which was incorporated under the State laws in March, 1888, as the W. A. Boley Ice Company. Mr. Koch was made Treasurer of the company on its organization, and on the death of Mr. Boley, in 1895, became President and General Manager of the concern; a position which he still holds; is also President of the Union Ice & Coal Company of Rock Island. The company Is. the largest of its kind in Illinois outside of the City of Chicago, its houses at Pekin having a storage capacity of about 50,000 tons. The company manages the ice trade, while Mr. Koch and his son conduct the coal trade. Mr. Koch is a member of the Pekin Lodge No. 18, D. O. H., and of the Tazewell Club, and is a director of the Pekin Loan & Homestead Association. He was married at Peoria, Ill., December 28, 1871, to Miss Ida Sparry, who was born April 13, 1850, and to them have been born five children: Lena, Henry, Anna, Ottolea and Albert.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1034