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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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WILLIAM KOCH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Chenoa; is a native of Illinois; born in Tazewell Co., April 3, 1843. His father, Caspar Koch, one of the pioneers of Tazewell Co., is still living there, and is a prominent citizen of the county. Mr. Koch resided in Tazewell Co. till 1865, when he went to El Paso, Woodford Co., and, in 1867, came to McLean Co. and settled on his present farm on Sec. 28, in. Chenoa township, where he owns 170 acres of land. He was married, on the 6th of February, 1873, to Miss Lydia A. Groutsch, also a native of Illinois, born in Peoria Co., May 15, 1849; they have two children living — Emma Bell and Lui Franklin. Mr. Koch possesses the characteristics of his German ancestors, of industry, thrift, and careful management, combined with the intelligent progressiveness which marks the people of the West; and it is not, therefore, to be wondered at that, during the past half-dozen years, while others have succumbed to the pressure of the times, poor crops and low prices, he has made sure and steady progress on the road to success.
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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois
View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies
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