Thomas J. Koch, leading clothing merchant, banker, and real estate owner of Allentown, was born Aug. 8, 1861, at Kuhnsville, Lehigh county, son of Thomas Koch.

In 1876, at the age of 15 years, on a cold March morning, he left his Kuhnsville home, full of vigor, with a robust constitution, a clear brain, and a determination to make his mark in the world.

He began his business career in Allentown as a clerk with his brother, Franklin W. Koch, and Wilson C. Shankweiler, who established, on March 30, 1876, a clothing store, in a humble way, at 618 Hamilton Street, under the name of Koch & Shankweiler. At that time Thomas J. Koch was the only clerk in the store. From the outset the firm prospered, and in 1886, desiring to enlarge their headquarters, the erected the Hotel Allen building, where they moved, occupying the entire ground floor.

Mr. Shankweiler, the associate of Mr. F. W.. Koch, died while the latter was abroad on his wedding tour, from which he returned on Aug. 15, 1886, and soon thereafter Thomas J. Koch became a member of the firm. In 1891 the firm name was changed to Koch Brothers, and the business grew with wonderful strides, until a total of 86,ooo square feet of floor space was utilized.

In 1906 alterations for Hotel Allen were made at an expense of $100,000. On July 1, 1906, while these improvements were in progress, Frank W. Koch was killed in a railway accident at Salisbury, England, while on a European tour. Subsequently, Thomas J. Koch purchased his late brother's interest in the hotel and clothing business, becoming thereby the sole owner thereof.

On Jan. 1, 1907, Mr. Koch effected a reorganization of the business, admitting his two nephews, Willis E. Kuhns and Harry W. Jordan, who share in the profits of the firm. Mr. Koch appointed E. S. Shankweiler as manager of the advertising department and decorator, and inaugurated a system by means of which every employee of the establishment shares in the prosperity of the business, each according to his merits.

The Koch Brothers store is replete with interesting features, chief among which is the lighting scheme supplied by a privately owned plant from which current is secured for a myriad of electric lights. To stop to speak of the extent, worth, exclusiveness or other characteristics of the stock with which each department of the store is supplied, has no place here. Thirty-five years of steady growth tells its own tale. In the various departments over 6o people are employed, independent of the garment makers. In 1900, Mr. Koch made 97 per cent, of all the clothing sold in the large establishment.

Mr. Koch has been vice-president of the Merchants' National Bank of Allentown since April 1, 1903, at which time he became a member of the board of directors.

Thomas J. Koch married Miss Lydia Morgan Moore, daughter of Hon. John M. Moore. of Clayton, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Koch reside in their fine residence at No. 448 Hamilton Street, Allentown.

The three Koch brothers, Frank W., Thomas J., and Horatio, have always taken an active interest in church work and they have done much in the organization and erection of the beautiful and costly edifice of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran church at Thirteenth and Hamilton streets, Allentown.