John Koehn

John Koehn was born in Ersfield, Germany on January 20, 1866 to Nicholas and Anna (Dries) Koehn. John's father was a teacher.

Some time after John's birth, the family migrated to Michigan, then to La Mar, Iowa and then to a homestead west of Valley City. Here, on May 1, 1881, John's mother passed away. Nicholas later remarried, to Marie Wagner, and moved to Canada.

John grew to manhood and married Henrietta Matilda Wolski on November 17, 1890. She was born in Germany on May 28, 1873, the daughter of Sam and Minnie (Heinst) Wolski.

Farming not being, for them, a fruitful existence, John wrote the Civil Service examination for the job of Rural Mail Carrier and, having very high grades, was awarded the position, beginning in March of 1903, the first rural mail carrier in Valley City.

The family moved to Valley City, with all of their possessions, including four children;

  1. Gertrude,

  2. John Jr.,

  3. Elizabeth and

  4. Tony.

    John Sr.'s rural route covered an area to the west of Valley City and he used horses, a buggy or sleigh to cover the route. He, of course, not only delivered the mail but brought medicine and supplies and was richly rewarded for his efforts by gifts of farm produce. 

    John Koehn retired in January of 1931. He passed away May 16, 1951. Mrs. Henrietta Koehn passed away in June, 1966.

    Nine children were born to the Koehns:

  5. Gertrude (Mrs. Louie Nicoli),

  6. Kathryn (Mrs. Fred Nicoli, Seattle, Washington),

  7. John W.,

  8. Ralph,

  9. Elizabeth (Mrs. Joe Barstad - deceased).

There are two grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren living.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 129