Johann Friedrich Koch
was born in Rackau in the district of Züllichau, Brandenburg
on November 18, 1793. Little is known about his early life [1]. He married Anna Dorothea Baum
sometime before 1823. Three children, Wilhelm August (b 22 Sep
1823), Johann Friedrich Wilhelm (b 10 Dec 1826) and Johanna Louise (b 4
Mar 1830) were born in Rackau and one, Johann Gottlieb (b 25 Aug 1833)
was born in Kranz, Posen [1].
In 1838 the Koch Family embarked on the Catharina
departing Altona in Sep 1838.
They arrived in South Australia on 25 Jan 1839.
The family settled in initially in Glen Osmond [1] before moving to Klemzig. In the land
returns for Klemzig in 1843, Friedrich is recorded as possessing 19
acres of wheat, 1/4 acre of barley, 1/8 acre potatoes, 2 cattle and 1
goat
[6]. Friedrich and Anna's fifth child Johann
Christian
was born at Klemzig on 7 Apr 1842.
Friedrich became an Australian citizen on 24 Aug
1841 and on 31 Aug 1844 purchased land at Rowland Flat and there built
his home. He is recorded as being a member of
the congregation of the Lutheran church at Hoffnungsthal .
In 1853, following the decline
of Hoffnungsthal, he helped found the Lutheran church at Rowland Flat
with the early services, prior to the church being built in 1867,
taking place in his home.
Johann Friedrich died, aged 74, on 1 Dec 1867
following a stroke. Dorothea Elisabeth died, aged 91, on 4 Nov
1893. Both are buried at Rowland Flat cemetery.
Descendants of Johann Friedrich Koch and Anna Dorothea (nee
Baum)
References and Notes
[1] Koch Connections Koch Family Reunion Committee: Adelaide,
1997 [2] A family bible brought to Australia by Johann Friedrich
contains the handwritten inscription: "Christoph Koch geb.
1767/gesorban
1806/Joh. Friedrich Koch geb. 1795" (i.e.
Christoph Koch born 1767/died
1806/Joh. Friedrich Koch born 1795). It is believed Christoph is
the father
of Johann Friedrich [1] (p 21).
[3] Mattner, M.; Ross, D.; Coleman, L. The Mattners in Australia
1839-1980 Mattner Family Reunion Committee: Adelaide, 1981, p 558.
[4] Brauer, A. Under The Southern Cross Lutheran Publishing
House: Adelaide, 1956 (facsimile edition 1985), p. 87.
[5] Schubert, D. Kavel's People Lutheran Publishing House:
Adelaide, 1985, pp 99, 104, 170-176.
[6] Twining A., Twining S. South Australian Land Returns for 1843
(first compiled by James Allen in 1844) Twining's Secretarial:
Woodcroft, SA, 1992, p. 22 (name is given as F. Keoh).
For other reference sources see individual person cards.
Biography