California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


CARL E. KOCHER. One of the intelligent, practical and energetic business men of 
the San Joaquin valley is C. E. Kocher, who is identified with the industrial interests of that 
section of the state. He is one of the leading hardware merchants of Merced, the president 
of the Merced Chamber of Commerce, one of the organizers and the secretary of the Pacific 
Slate Company, which is successfully operating slate mines that are located about fifteen 
miles from this city, across the line in Mariposa county. A son of the late Abraham 
Kocher, he was born in Hornitos, Mariposa county, December 9, 1867. 

Born and brought up in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, Abraham Kocher, not satisfied 
with his future financial prospects in his native land, emigrated to the United States in 1852, 
and located in Mariposa county, Cal. Beginning his search for gold, he followed mining 
for a while, and then settled permanently in Hornitos, where he was engaged in business 
as a saddler and harness-maker until his death, in 1870. He was a man of irreproachable char- 
acter, strictly honest in all of his dealings, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Catherine Hunziker, who was born 
in Berne, Switzerland, and now resides in Hornitos, where she is carrying on a successful 
dry goods and millinery business. Two children were born of their union, namely : Emma, 
of Hornitos ; and Carl E., the subject of this sketch. 

After completing the district school course, Carl E. Kocher pursued his studies in the San 
Jose high school, and then entered the Garden City Business College, where he was graduated 
in 1887. Coming then to Merced, he entered the employ of his uncle, J. Kocher, a hardware 
dealer, and remained with him as bookkeeper for ten years. In 1897 Mr. Kocher began busi- 
ness on his own account, locating on Front street, where he occupies a two-story building, 
25x150 feet, carrying a complete stock of hardware of all kinds. He also deals in agricultural 
implements and tools of every description, and keeps on hand a full line of paints and oils. A 
man of decided push and ability, he has built up a large and remunerative business, his trade 
equaling that of other merchants engaged in his line of business, his store and warehouse 
being constantly replenished to satisfy the wants of his patrons. He resides in the Brad- 
ley addition to the city, on Central avenue, where he has erected a modern residence. By 
good management and wise investment he has acquired a good property, and in addition to 
his other interests has an orchard of twenty acres, and a vineyard, in the Yosemite colony. 

In Mariposa county, Mr. Kocher married Miss Fay Craighan, a native of that county, 
and they are the parents of three children, namely : Catherine, Viola and John Edward. 
Politically Mr. Kocher is identified with the Democrats, and for eight years, from 1896 until 
1904, he served as city treasurer, filling the position in an able and faithful manner.