The attention of the traveler through Silver Creek Township, in the southeastern part of Stephenson County, is invariably attracted to the finely laid off and well-cultivated farm of the subject of this sketch. The fields are enclosed with neat and substantial fences, while the farm buildings are of first-class description, admirably suited to the storing of grain and the shelter of stock. The residence is not by any means an unimportant feature, and serves to complete the substantial and homelike appearance of the place, and it being a representative farm homestead of Stephenson County, we present a view of it in this volume. The farm stock is of excellent quality, including a herd of Short-horn cattle, the chief of which is "Duke," a valuable and magnificent specimen of his kind.

Mr. Koller took possession of his present farm in February, 1882, to which he had removed from Ogle County. His residence in Illinois includes a period of over twenty years, with the exception of two years spent in Kansas. His first recollections are of a country across the sea and a Province in the Kingdom of Prussia, where he was born Oct. 23, 1852. His father, Frederick Koller, was a substantial German farmer, and lived and died on his native soil, breathing his last upon the day, in 1867, he had intended to set sail for America. This affliction materially altered the plans of the family, causing the postponement of the intended journey until the year following, when the mother came with her family and located first in Rock Run Township, this county, then removed to Johnson County, Kan., where she now resides and is fifty-nine years of age. Her maiden name was Louisa Renscha.

After the death of his father, our subject, although then but fourteen years of age, at once carried out his intention of emigrating to America, and set out alone on the long and tedious ocean voyage. After landing in New York he proceeded to Wisconsin, where he remained for a time and thence came to Rock City, in the eastern part of this county, where he employed himself at whatever his hands could find to do. His industry and intelligence secured him friends wherever he went. From Rock Run Township he went into Ogle County, where he settled down, saved what he could of his earnings, and in due time was enabled to purchase a part of the land included in his present farm. He was married in Ridott Township, March 17, 1876, to Miss Christine Ichman, a native of his own Province in Prussia, and who came to the United States with her father, Louis Ichman, when a child three years of age. She was orphaned at an early age, both parents dying in Ridott Township, where her father had been engaged in farming. Of her union with our subject there were born nine children, of whom two, Sarah and Louis, were some years ago laid to rest in the quiet country burying-ground. Those surviving are Frederick H., Eda, Emma, Henry, William, Lillie and Charles.

Our subject was particularly fortunate in his selection of a companion, securing a lady who was willing to live economically and make many sacrifices for the sake of a future home. Their industrious labors have been amply rewarded, and they are now surrounded with all the comforts of life. Since becoming a naturalized citizen, Mr. Koller has uniformly cast his vote in support of Democratic principles

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 387