John Koshir, engaged in the dry goods business at Rock Springs, is a native of Austria. He was born on the 5^th of January, 1869, and is a son of Michael and Agnes Koshir, who were likewise natives of that country, where they have spent their entire lives, the father being still engaged in farming there. In the family were five children.
    John Koshir in his boyhood days attended the schools of Austria and for three years was in the Austrian army, rising to the rank of sergeant. He was then discharged, after which he remained for a year with his parents and on the expiration of that period came to the new world, attracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed he might secure on this side of the Atlantic. He located first at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in connection with railroad work and also in the mines. There he remained until 1898, in which year he removed to the west with Rock Springs as his destination. He arrived in Sweetwater county on the 27^th of August of that year and secured employment in No. 1 mine, where he worked until July 5, 1904. In the meantime, however, ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he carefully saved his earnings until his capital was sufficient to enable him to establish a dry goods store. He began with a very small stock of goods, which, however, he has increased in order to meet the growing demands of his trade and he today has a large and well appointed store. He began business in a room ten by twenty-five feet and today occupies a building fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, having a very complete stock of new merchandise, representing the latest output of the manufacturers. He also owns the building in which he conducts his business and in addition he is the owner of one of the most attractive modern residences of Rock Springs, erected at a cost of ten thousand dollars. His business methods have been most progressive and his enterprise and persistency of purpose have carried him steadily forward to the goal of success.
    On the 13^th of January, 1900, Mr. Koshir was united in marriage at Rock Springs to Miss Mary Zust. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, of which he is a stanch champion. In 1909 he was elected to the state legislature and was again chosen to represent his district in the general assembly in 1915. He has given careful consideration to the vital questions which have come up for settlement and his reelection to office is proof of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen and their recognition of his public spirit.
    Mr. Koshir is numbered among the self-made men of Sweetwater county. He arrived in Rock Springs with a cash capital of but fifty cents and today he is one of the prosperous residents of the city, his success being indicated not only in his mercantile establishment but also by his investments in real estate, which are considerable. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has advanced steadily, step by step, to the goal of success.