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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
ISAAC KALBACH, senior partner of I. Kalbach & Son, the pioneer lumber firm of Oskaloosa, was born in Berks County, Pa., Nov. 13, 1822, and is the son of John A. and Sarah (Wenrich) Kalbach. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and descendants of the early settlers of that State. His father's family was originally from Switzerland, and settled in Pennsylvania before the Revolutionary War. His father, John A., was a soldier of the War of 1812 and 1814. The subject of our sketch was reared in his native State, where he learned the trade of cabinet- making, and engaged in that business. He was married in Schuylkill County, Pa., in November, 1843, to Miss Christina Koch, a daughter of George Koch. Mrs. Kalbach was born in Schuylkill County, in November, 1821. Nine children were born of their union, five daughters and four sons, seven of whom are now living: John A., the eldest, is the managing partner of the firm of I. Kalbach & Son; he married Lonie Patterson, and resides at Oskaloosa, Iowa; Sarah, the eldest daughter, is now Mrs. Shinnick, and is also a resident of Oskaloosa; Zachariah T. married Rosa Cole, and was in partnership with his father and brother at New Sharon in the lumber and banking business; he died Dec. 25, 1878; Emma R. died in June, 1886; Clara F. is the wife of William H. Hawkins, of Oskaloosa; Alice is single, and resides with her parents; William H. married Nellie Seevers, and is a junior partner of the firm of Huber & Kalbach, hardware dealers of Oskaloosa; George W. is single, and employed in the lumber business with his father and brother; Nellie M. is unmarried and living at home. The three eldest children were born in Peunsylvania. Mr. Kalbach removed to Terre Haute, Ind., in 1849, and from there to Muscatine, Iowa, in 1850. While making his home at the latter city, Mr. Kalbach was employed on the construction of the Government buildings at Ft. Dodge. He removed to Oskaloosa May 13, 1851, and has since been a resident of the city, covering a period of thirty-five years. For several years after coming to Oskaloosa, he was employed in cabinet-work and various other occupations until 1864, when he engnged in the lumber business. The following year he admitted his son, John K, to partnership, and under the firm name of I. Kalhach & Son they have since carried on an extensive and profitable business. On the completion of the Central Iowa Railway through Mahaska County, he established a branch yard at New Sharon, and also engaged in the grain trade and banking business at that place, under the firm name of I. Kalbach & Sons. having associated with him Mr. Kalbach's second son, Zachariah T., who died, as already stated, Dec. 25, 1878. The business was continued at that place by Mr. Kalbach, his Sons, John A. and William H., and his son-in-law, W. H. Hawkins. until 1885, when that branch of the business was closed out by mutual consent, Mr. Kalbach And his eldest son continuing the lumber business at Oskaloosa, while W. H. and Mr. Hawkins have engaged in other lines of business in the same city. Mr. Kalbach and son, John A., established a branch lumber-yard at Rose Hill, which they still operate, under the managment of W. S. Hart. Mr. Kalbach in early days was City Marshal of Oskaloosa for several terms, and has often served in the City Council. He is a member of Commercial Lodge No. 128, I. O. O. F., of Oskaloosa. Mr. K. has retired from active business, and is enjoying the well-earned ease of honorable old age in his tasty and commodious residence in the northeastern part of the city. He has his children settled about him, and is happy in the enjoyment of the friendly regard and high esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy