The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is manager of the Marion branch of the Terre Haute Brewing Company, at Marion, and he is numbered among the energetic and successful business men of that city. He is of German extraction, his grandparents having emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania, where his father, John Kocher, was born.

        John Kocher learned the trade of carpenter, and was united in marriage with Maggie Moeler. They came to Indiana and became pioneers of Huntington county, settling on government land. Here John Kocher improved a home and followed his trade successfully for many years. He accumulated a competency, but placing too much confidence in his fellow men he lost much of his property by acting as surety for others.

        In 1886 he was stricken with partial paralysis and thus became incapacitated for further work at his trade. He still resides at Fort Wayne.

        George M. Kocher is one of the six children born to John and Maggie (Moeler) Kocher. He was born in Huntington county, Indiana, October 26, 1869, where the early years of his life were passed. He attended the common schools but his school days were limited to his early childhood days, as he left the school room when eight years old. As a boy he worked for the neighbors and subsequently was employed in a box factory at Fort Wayne until 1885, when he accepted a position with the Centliver Brewing Company of that city, whom he served about three years, and, being promoted as manager of the bottling department, proved his ability and trustworthiness to such an extent that the firm made him their representative at Marion, and he here faithfully cared for their interests for three and one-half years. His business qualifications were noticed by others, and when the Terre Haute Brewing Company decided to locate a branch at Marion they entrusted its management of Mr. Kocher and he has looked after their interests in Grant county since that date. Under his able management the business has steadily increased until now there are distributed from this point about six thousand five hundred barrels of beer annually, and the business gives employment to five men and ten horses. The main plant of the Terre Haute Brewing Company is located in the city from which it takes its name, and has a capacity of four hundred and fifty thousand barrels per year.

        George M. Kocher was united in marriage October 28, 1896, with Miss Daisy Slack, and they have one daughter, Margaret M., born April 28, 1899. Mr. Kocher has been frugal, industrious and consequently successful. He commenced a poor boy and without being aided by any one financially he has accumulated considerable property. His comfortable home, located at 307 North Adams street, was built by him and is worth several thousand dollars. He also owns other residence property in this city. Socially he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Royal Arcannum. In politics he acts independent of party ties.