Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920
Biography of Margaret Koch, 1865-1928
By Ashley Kay and Layna Zahrt, students, University Oshkosh Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Margaret was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, on December 11, 1864, to German-born parents, Andrew and Anna Koch. Margaret had five siblings: Charles, Henry, Magdalena, Andrew, and Gesina. In 1896, she graduated from the University of Minnesota's College of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery, becoming Dr. Margaret Koch.
During the early twentieth-century, Koch was one of Minnesota's best-known female physicians. Her contributions to the medical field were recognized by Governor John Albert Johnson, who appointed Koch to the State Medical Board in 1906. Koch was also an active supporter of the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association (MWSA) and her office served, for a period, as the MWSA headquarters. From 1900 to 1910, she served as MWSA's treasurer, also stepping in as auditor, reporter, and chairman at various MWSA annual conventions. From 1910-1913, she served as MWSA's first Vice-President.
In 1920, Koch moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, California. She died on July 8, 1928, and is buried in San Jacinto, Riverside County, California.
Sources:
Harper Husted, Ida. History of Women Suffrage. Vol. 6, National American Women Suffrage Association, 1922. [LINK]
"Minnesotans Awarded National Suffragist Honors Valiant Deeds." Minneapolis Sunday Tribune, 15 Feb. 1920. Minnesota Historical Society. (Accessed 9 Nov. 2017.) p.8
"For the Young People: Interesting Addresses Delivered at Baptist Convention," Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 16 Oct. 1896. p.1.
"Honor Mrs. Stockwell: Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association Choses Minneapolis Woman President," The Saint Paul Globe. (Saint Paul, Minnesota) 13 October 1900. p. 3.
"General News," The Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy Vol. XIII, Sept. 1920, No.3 p.222
"Margaret Koch: in the Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929," Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929 [database on-line].
"Margaret Koch: in the California, Death Index, 1905-1939," Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1905-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records-Vitalsearch (www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com). The Vitalsearch Company Worldwide, Inc., Pleasanton, California.
"Margaret Koch: in the 1880 United States Federal Census," Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. 1880; Census Place: Lake, Wabasha, Minnesota; Roll: 635; Page: 397A; Enumeration District: 175
"Margaret Koch: in the 1900 United States Federal Census," Year: 1900; Census Place: Minneapolis Ward 2, Hennepin, Minnesota; Page: 10; Enumeration District: 0013; FHL microfilm: 1240766. United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
"Margaret Koch: in the 1910 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"Margaret Koch: in the 1920 United States Federal Census," 1920; Census Place: Minneapolis Ward 4, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll: T625_833; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 76 Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
"Margaret Koch," Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 14 October 2018), memorial page for Margaret Koch (11 Dec 1864 — 8 July 1928), Find a Grave Memorial no. 90461158, citing San Jancinto Valley Cemetery, San Jacinto, Riverside County, California, USA; Maintained by Dan Tripp (contributor 47160099). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90461158