His birth certificate reveals that John KOCHLY was born 20 September 1796 in Lutzelbourg, Lorraine in the Republic of France to Jacques Jacob and Appollinia (HOEFFEL) KOCHLY. Located in the northeastern border region of France, Alsace-Lorraine has for centuries been a source of bitter conflict between France and Germany because of its fertile land, rich mineral deposits, and central location. John's birth, according to a cousin, Louis KUCHLY, took place "during the French Revolution when the republican calendar was in force in the year 4...." which translates approximately to 1796. Both John and his father Jacques Jacob were shoemakers by trade. John's wife, Marianna, known as Marie Anne, was born at Walscheid, France in 1799, the child of Asa and Pamela ROHR. John and Marie Anne were married 26 April 1825 at Walscheid. Three daughters were born to the couple there: Marie Barbe (Barbara) 17 February 1826; Marie Anne 21 February 1828; Catherine (Katerina) 8 March 1830.
The date John and Marie Anne settled in Huron County , having emigrated from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, is estimated using two sources. According to the 1898 obituary which appeared in the Firelands Pioneer for their second daughter Mary Ann: "...1829 her parents, John and Mary KOECHLE, with their children, Barbara and Mary, emigrated to this country and settled in Peru Township, Huron County. " Also the book, "A History of the Cleveland Diocese Vol. I", places "... the HEFELE and KOECHLE families" in Peru Township . "in 1828 and 1829". There, the KOECHLEs were members of St. Alphonsus Church in nearby Bronson Township. Jean bought land in Peru Township first in 1831, then 1834, 1849, and 1858. He became a naturalized citizen 2 June 1835 at which time he renounced allegiance to the King of France. The 1850 US Census lists the family as follows: John Cackley age 55, his wife Mary age 54, John Jr. age 14 and Catherina age 12, the daughter who was named in honor of her sister who died on the passage to America. John KOCHLY's occupation at that time is listed as farmer; the value of his farm as $700. Among his assets listed in the 1850 Agricultural Census are: 27 acres improved; 8 acres unimproved. 2 horses, 1 cow, 6 sheep, 7 swine, 110 bushels of wheat, 30 bushels of oats, 18 lbs. of wool, 100 bushels of Irish potatoes, 100 lbs. of butter, 5 tons of hay and 1 lb. of hops.
The couple had five children who survived to adulthood: Barbara 1826-1876 married Franz Josef Lorentz, 1850; Marie Anne 1828-1898 married Henry Miller, 1849; Veronica 1832-1900 married Leonard SICKINGER, 1850; John Jr. 1836-1887 married Margaret RUBECK; and Catherina 1838-1912 married Philip SICKINGER 1857. Two other children died at an early age: Jacob 1834; and Margarritta 1840-1841. John KOCHLY died in 1866 at age 70 following an accident in which a chain holding a wagonload of logs broke, causing the logs to fall on him. In his will he wrote: "I give and bequeath to my affectionate wife Marianne KOECHLE, with whom I happily lived for a period of 49 years, all my household furniture, beds, tables, and other furnitures which she may use undisturbed and in peace until her blessed end. Of my children, I expect that they will love and respect their mother, whom she has carried beneath her heart, and raised, that they also will provide her with all the necessary wants of life." He is buried in the cemetery at St. Alphonsus Church.
Marie Anne died two years later in 1868 at the age of 73, a victim of drowning, and is buried beside her husband.
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