Source: St. Joseph Gazette-Herald, 26 Aug 1889

Mrs.JOSEPH KUECHLE

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Mrs. Kuechle Commemorates Such an Event by a Family Reunion.

JOSEPH KUECHLE

Source:St..St Joseph Gazette, Nov.21, 1877

His Death Yesterday Afternoon at 5 O'Clock

For a week or more past the dangerous illness of Mr. Joseph Keuchle has been talked of in St. Joseph, and now we are called upon to chronicle his death, which occurrence took place yesterday afternoon a few minutes after 5 o'clock, at his residence, corner of Eighth and Charles streets. He was attacked with a combination of paralysis and softening of the brain in the early part of September, and it was not long before it was evident that his recovery was a thing not to be expected by his family and friends, although the best medical skill in the city was employed for his relief. Mr. Kuechle was born in Stockach Grand Duchy, Baden, Germany, on the 8th day of March, 1808, grew up to manhood in his native country, and emigrated to America in 1834, first settling in Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years, when he removed to New Albany, Indiana and made it his place of residence for twelve years. On the 25th of August 1839, he was united in marriage at Louisville, Ky., to Miss Elizabeth Schreiber, a sister of the late Judge Schreiber of this place, who was at that time a citizen by adoption of the state of Kentucky. In March of 1849, Mr. Kuechle brought his family to St. Joseph, and afterwards purchased the property which was his home at the time of this death. By economy and industry he accumulated a handsome fortune and leaves his wife and five children, the latter of whom all are grown, in comfortable pecuniary circumstances. Mr. Kuechle was an upright citizen, a good neighbor, a faithful friend to those who had reason to regard him in that relation, and a husband and father possessing that tenderness and affection for his family which always characterizes the true man. By his death the city loses one of her oldest and most respected inhabitants, while the bereaved members of the stricken home suffer a loss which is inestimable. They will receive the sympathies of all who were acquainted with the life and character of the deceased, whose enemies were as few as usually fall to the lot of man. The remains will be buried tomorrow afternoon, at two o'clock in Mount Mora cemetery.

The Funeral of Joseph Kuechle St. Joseph Gazette, Nov 23,1877

The funeral of Mr. Joseph Kuechle, yesterday afternoon, was an exceedingly large one. The hearse was taken to the German Catholic Church on Tenth street, where the funeral rights were performed over the body. It was then taken to Mount Mora cemetery, followed by a large body of friends and the Turn and Maennercher societies, of which he was a member. Arrived at the grave, the St. Joseph band played a dirge, and the Maennercher sang an appropriate hymn, and the family of the deceased having for the last time looked upon familiar features, Rev. Kaesmann, of the German Lutheran church, in a very effecting and substantial address, touched upon the numerous commendable qualities of the deceased, whereupon the grave was closed.

The story of how the first brewer ended up in St. Joseph, comes by way of a story told by his daughter, Mrs W B Lewis upon her death in 1947. She relayed the image of her strong-willed mother who refused to go any further west than this city, while on their way to California in 1849. The trip thus far from New Albany, Indiana was so bad, Joe's wife declared she would go no further. Possibly it was a premonition of the future because the Kuechle's traveling companions, and their large company of emigrants on their wagon train, only one person would survive the trip and make it to California with the rest of the party decimated by Smallpox and Indian attack. The brewery was named the St. Joseph Brewery and lasted in business until prohibition.