El Dorado County
Biographies
JOHN BARTHOLO KOCH
Was born November 2d, 1827, in Baden, Germany. His boyhood days were spent on a farm and in attending school. In 1855 he crossed the ocean to America, coming direct to California, and began mining at Ringgold. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Margaret Rickert, who was also born in Baden, on April 23d, 1828. The wedding took place at Diamond Springs. Mrs. Koch came to the United States in 1854, spent one year in New York city, and on October 20th, 1855, arrived at Diamond Springs, in California. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. Koch purchased from Michael Rickert the boarding house on the same spot where the Diamond hotel now stands, and began keeping a public house. It was then a small building little better than a cabin, but there was a large business done in it. He was prosperous in business, and two or three years later bought the farm in front of the hotel, on which was then a small vineyard, and a few years later added another piece of land to his possessions, making 160 acres, on which there is about 17,000 vines, from which brandy and wine is manufactured to the amount of about 4,000 gallons annually. The present hotel was erected in 1878, is a two and a-half story frame structure, 52 feet long by 32 wide, with a good cellar; contains twelve rooms and dining and office rooms, making fourteen, besides pantries and closets all thoroughly furnished inside, with a double veranda or porch extending full length of the building. Mr. Koch died on the 24th day of April, 1879, and is interred in the burying ground at Diamond Springs. Mr. Koch was successful in business and had accumulated a good property at the time of his death.
There are five children living and one dead, viz.: Mary E., born April 25th, 1857; Anna M., born September 11th, 1858; Carl, born May 15th, 1860; Johann A., born July 25th, 1861; Margaret, born March 31st, 1863 and Emilie C., born October 20th, 1868, and died August 15th, 1869.
The hotel and distillery are carried on by Mrs. Koch, assisted by her two sons. The building was erected at a cost of about $5,000., is the best on the road from Folsom to Placerville, is well and tastefully furnished; and the weary traveler who stops therein will always find comfort and plenty, combined with courteous treatment. The wine and brandy are of the best quality, etc. The wine cellar is built of brick and capable of holding 20,000 gallons.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 226
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler