Koch, Rudolph A.; merchant, church supplies; born, Germany, March 19, 1870; son of John and Ann E. Gipperich Koch; educated, public schools of Germany and Parochial schools in Ohio; married, Youngstown, Aug. 16, 1893, Susanna Kleeh; issue, nine children, seven living; started in as dry goods clerk at $2 per week; after five years work and advancement, became traveling salesman in church supplies; in 1894, purchased his present business, developing same and adding department of Society goods, especially embroidered flags and banners; the firm is incorporated as The R. A. Koch Co., and is the largest of its kind in northern Ohio; pres. and mgr. The R. A. Koch Co.; member Knights of Columbus, C. M. B. A.; C. K. of O., Catholic Federation, Chamber of Commerce, and Civic League of Cleveland; active in charities; Baseball Fan; collector of rare books and student of Social Economics.
