Koch, John Henry

Koch, John Henry a German Methodist minister, was born of Lutheran parentage in Wollmar, electorate of Hessen, Germany, Feb. 14,1807, and emigrated in 1834 to this country. At New Orleans, La., he was attacked with yellow fever, and resolved on his sick-bed to serve God with his whole heart. He removed afterwards to Cincinnati, where brother Nuelson invited him to attend the meetings of German Methodists, and there, under the preaching of father Schmucker and Dr. William Nast, he was awakened and converted. He was licensed to preach in 1841, and in 1845 joined the Kentucky Conference. He was successively appointed to the following charges: West Union, Pomeroy, Captina, in Ohio; Wheeling, W.Va.; Portsmouth, Madison, New Albanv, Mount Vernon, Ind.; Louisville, Ky.; Madison Street, Lawrenceburgh, Batesville, Poland and Greencastie, La Fayette and Bradford. His health failing, he retired from the effective service, but re- entered the active work three years later, and served two years at Madison and one year at Charlestown, Ind., where he died Oct. 1, 1871. " Brother Koch was an earnest Christian and a faithful itinerant. Many were converted under his ministry, and great is his reward in heaven." Minutes of Conferences, 1871, p. 227.