John Koelle
b. 12 June 1880, d. 27 September 1961
- Father: Georg R. Kölle b. 12 July 1849, d. 4 August 1898
- Mother: Cäcelie Walter b. circa 3 December 1849, d. 28 June 1942
- John Koelle was born on 12 June 1880 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
- He was baptized/christened on 29 August 1880 at Zion Lutheran Church in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, sponsored by George Seitz and Margaretha Walter.
- Cäcelie Walter appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1415 Whirlpool Street. Other members of the household included John Koelle, George Koelle, Margaret Koelle, Christian Koelle, Marie Koelle and Wilhelmina C. Koelle.
- He was a barber, according to the 1900 census.
- He married Catharine Grace Marshall, daughter of David S. Marshall and Margaret (?).
- John Koelle became a widower at the January 1924 death of his wife Catharine Grace Marshall.
- The following appeared on 24 January 1924 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: The funeral of Mrs. Catharine Grace Koelle, wife of John Koelle, who died in Baltimore, Maryland, after undergoing an operation, will be held on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the late residence, No 558 Twelfth street. The Rev. Albert S. Bacon will officiate and burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.
Although Mrs. Koelle had been ill for some time her death was unlokked for and proved a great shock to her wide circle of friends. The deceased was a daughter of the late David S. and Margaret F. Marshall and a sister of Mrs. W. H. Woodbury, Mrs. W. J. Jennings and W. Frank Marshall. Mrs. Koelle was born in this city and was held in the highest esteem by a wide circle of friends here. - At the time of his death John Koelle was living in Lewiston, Niagara County, New York, at Spruce Avenue.
- John Koelle died on 27 September 1961 at age 81 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Memorial Hospital.
- He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
- The following appeared on 28 September 1961 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: John Koelle, formerly of 558 12th St., a barber here for 56 years in the same North End shop, died Wednesday (Sep 27, 1961) in Memorial Hospital at the age of 81.
A Niagara Falls native, Mr. Koelle is believed to have set a record for long-service barbering here, starting his shop at 2126 Main St., next to the Silberberg Building, just before he was 18 years old. He retired in 1954.
When he reached his 50th anniversary as a barber he was honored at a testimonial dinner by his colleagues in the Journeymen Barbers International Union of America, Local 780. He was one of the first members of the local and aided in its organization.
Mr. Koelle was a newspaper carrier here before entering the business and he recalled at the time of his 50th anniversary that he got into the barbering business more or less against his will. While delivering newspapers in the North End a barber in Main Street would yell at him almost daily: "Hey kid, how would you like to be a barber . . ." He finally took him up on it after more persuasion.
He also recalled that in the early days, barbering entailed more tasks than today, such as curling and trimming mustaches and beards.
In addition to the barbers' union, Mr. Koelle was a member of Niagara River Lodge No. 785, F and AM, and the Zion Lutheran Church.
His wife, the former Grace Marshall, died in 1925. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. William Zinter and Mrs. Bert McConnell, both of this city. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cornell and Daggett Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Alvin H. Butz Jr., pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Niagara River Lodge will conduct memorial services at 7 p.m. Friday at the chapel.
- Last Edited: 14 Mar 2014