Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 3. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 428. J. B. KOOCH who for twenty-six years has resided four miles south of Enterprise, where he engages in general farming, is one of the foremost ranchmen of the Wallowa valley. He is a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in Wayne county that state on the 27th of January, 1857, and is a son of David and Fannie (Collier) Kooch. The parents were born, reared and married in Tennessee and there the mother passed away in 1863. Seven years later the father with his family moved to Kansas, remaining there until 1875, when the lure of the west again called him and he crossed the plains to Oregon. The journey was made with wagons and horse teams and occupied several months. On the 10th of September, 1875, he arrived in the Grande Ronde valley, Union county, and remained there until 1877. In April of that year he removed with his family to the Wallowa valley, settling on Aldee slope, where he had previously homesteaded the land now owned by his son, J. B. Kooch. The improvement and cultivation of this land engaged his entire attention during the succeeding ten years, at the end of which time lie sold his property to his son and removed to Enterprise. While residing in Kansas, David Kooch married Mrs. Ross, who thus became his second wife and who passed away in Enterprise in 1896. He thereafter made his home with his son, our subject, until his death in 1898. From his earliest youth he had manifested much independence of thought and had pronounced views on right and wrong, so despite the fact that he was the son of a strong southern sympathizer and had two brothers in the Confederate army, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of a Tennessee regiment and went to the front, where he remained for four years. He was republican in his political views and always conversant with the principles of the party but never sought public office. In matters of faith he adhered to the teachings of the Baptist church. A man of much strength of character and determination of purpose he was one of the highly esteemed pioneers and assisted to the best of his ability in promoting the development of the country. In both the maternal and paternal lines our subject is descended from old Tennessee families. J. B. Kooch was a lad of six years when his mother passed away and his father was still at the front fighting for his country. As the schools had been disrupted by the unsettled conditions then prevailing in the south, his education was not commenced until he had attained the age of nine years, and was then pursued irregularly and for only a brief period as he early left home and went out to make his own way in the world. He first worked as a farm hand, but subsequently engaged in teaming, while later he clerked in a general store for eighteen months. After his marriage, however, he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, settling on Trout creek where he had previously preempted a claim. He energetically applied himself to the operation of his ranch until 1885 when he disposed of it and purchased his father's homestead, and here he has ever since resided. Mr. Kooch is a very capable agriculturist, whose progressive ideas and practical methods have brought him prosperity. He has always given his personal supervision to the tilling of his fields on which he plants such cereals as are best adapted to the soil. In connection with general farming he raises hogs and has met with very gratifying returns from both. As the years have passed he has made extensive improvements on his ranch, which is now in a high state of cultivation and fully equipped with such modern conveniences and appliances as will expedite the work and minimize the labor of its operation. In 1882, Mr. Kooch was united in marriage to Miss Dora Basim of this county, and a native of Missouri, and they have become the parents of seven children: Delia, the wife of Everett Stubblefield, of this county; Elmer, a ranchman of Baker county; Etha, who married Grover McClain, of Roberts, Idaho; Burl, who is engaged in farming, in this county; and Lora, Mamie and Mildred, all of whom are at home. The family worship in the Baptist church in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Kooch is a republican, and although he takes an active interest in all public affairs he, like his father, has never sought public office. A man of positive aim and definite purpose, he has always directed his undertakings with foresight and clear judgment and is known as one of the most substantial agriculturists and stockmen of Wallowa county. The most salient factors in his prosperity have been his marked enterprise and integrity, which have won him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has had dealings and the commendation of the community where he has resided for more than a quarter of a century and has many stanch and loyal friends. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.