The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-12-31
DIED OF HEART FAILURE
Jacob Koch Died Suddenly Tuesda,
Afternoon While Cutting Hay in
Il Stack.

Considerable surprise was mani
tested Tuesday evening when it was
learned that Jacob Koch, one of
Mitchell's estimable citizens, had
suddenly passed away some time dur
ing the afternoon.
In the morning about 1880 O'Clock
Mr.. Koch went to his farm 3 miles
least of the city to secure a load of
hay. AS he did not return III the
evening at a time when the members
of his family thought he ought to,
they became uneasy and telephoned
to %neighbors living in the vicinity
of the farm to see if they knew my
thing about him. but elected no in
formation. Mrs. Koch was then con-
WINGED that something was wrong
and sent her daughter Gertrude
n cousin William, down to the
farm to make an investigation. Ar
irving at the farm they saw the team
standing in the field and on approach
ing the small mound of hay they
found Mr. Koch lying on his face and
dead. He vas in the act of cutting
some hay from the small stack when
he died, for the hay knife was lying
by his hands. They went over to
the residence of James Tobin and
telephoned to the city for assistance.
h body was removed to the resi-
dence of Mr.. Koch on Lawler street.
In the evening late Coroner Dun
das held an inquest, and the verdict
of the jury was to the effect that Mr..
Koch came to his death by reason of
heart failure, brought on through
extra exertion of cutting the hay.
1t is not known just what time Mr..
Koch was overcome. Several parties
drove past the farm during the after
noon and saw the team standing in
the field and one person saw Mr..
Koch at work.
Jacob Koch was born in Germany
near the Rhine, Jan. 16, 1S43, and
with his parents emigrated to the
United States in 1S49, locating i'm
mediately in the vicinity of Madison.
Wis. He was married to Sophia Berg
enhousen at Cross Plains, Wis, in
1868, and moved to the then terri
tory of Dakota in 1871, locating in
the vicinity of .Yankton. He went
Though the ulsilessing times of pio-
neer life and in 1879 his family was
stricken with d%iphtheria, six of his
children passing away within one
week. In 1882 Mr.. Koch, his wife and
two daughters moved to Mitchell,
and for 26 years they have lived
among us, honored and respected by
their many friends. Mr.. Koch built
the Germania house on Lawler street,
which he has conducted as a farmers
hotel and also looked after his farm
JUS east of town. Under the admin
%istration of Henry Swindler as sheriff
Mr.. Koch acted as his deputy. also
at the beginning of the administra-
ton of the late George III. Brooks he
acted in the same capacity. Mr..
Brooks died shortly after he entered
on the duties of sheriff and the board
of county commissioners appointed
Mr.. Koch to the position, making an
efiicint officer.
He leaves a wife and two daugh-
tiers, Mrs. John Wolff, and Miss Cert
rude Koch to mourn his death. He
also leaves three brothers, William
Henry and Joseph Koch, all of whom
live in this city.
The deceased was we'll known in
Mitchell and Dawson county. He lived
a quiet life at his home and on his
farm. He was a good friend, a man
who could be trusted implicitly and
a man who had the confidence and
respect of a large circle of friends.
1t could hardly be believed that
death had come to him, for during
the morning hours he appeared in
the same cheerful spirit that was his
naturally and those who saw him
were d~umbfounded in the evening to
learn that he was dead.
The funeral services will be held
in the Catholic church Friday morn
ing at 10 O'Clock.