Koll, Peter

KOLL

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 9/5/2008 at 16:12:21

Peter Koll

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.143, Layton Twp.)
Peter Koll, implements, Walnut, is numbered among the early settlers of Walnut. He is a native of the northern part of Germany, and remained a resident of his native country until he was seventeen years of age. His early life was spent on a farm, though he received a good education in his native country. He settled first in the eastern part of Iowa after arriving in the United States. Being wholly dependent upon his own resources, he began work at almost anything that promised a reasonable compensation. He was industrious and economical, and gradually improved his prospect in securing a comfortable property. In 1874, he became a resident of Pottawattamie County. He settled in Walnut, and for about two years he did a bar business. He has proved himself to be a good business manager. He now owns a farm in Clinton County, Iowa, and has built two good buildings in Walnut, one of which is known as Koll's Hall, and the other is his residence. The two were built at a cost of $5,000. In 1866, he made a visit to his native country, and returned the same year. He is now largely interested in the agricultural implement business, in which he is doing an extensive business. He is a member of the order of A. O. U. W., Lodge No., 194, of Walnut. He is also a member of the order of L. of H. Lodge, No. 122, of Walnut. Politically, he has led a quiet life; is by no means an office-seeker, preferring to attend to his business interests rather than to hold an office. Mr. Koll has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Christina Kaufmann, to whom he was married in 1867, and who died in 1877. Three children are living of this marriage - Henry, Peter and Therese. In 1878, he married Miss Catharine Kaufmann, sister of his first wife, both ladies natives of Germany. There have been no children born of the last marriage.