USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; genealogy-family history-biography; containing historical sketches of old families and of representative and prominent citizens, past and present, Volume I > Part 21
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vania archives. Jacob Losch (2), son of Jacob, settled in the Lykens valley, in Dauphin county, Pa., and there two sons were born to him.
George Losch, youngest son of Jacob (2), was the father of the late Samuel Alfred Losch. He followed milling, and though industrious met with so many reverses that he was unable to accumulate any property, as he died when comparatively a young man. When the Mexican war broke out he went to Baltimore, and assisted in recruiting an independent company, with which he sailed for Vera Cruz, but the ship foundered on the way and all perished. Mr. Losch had married Eliza Gessner, and of the four children born to them two died young, Samuel A. and another son being left to the care of their widowed mother. Her father, Dr. Frederick Gessner, of Hanover, Germany, served as an army surgeon in his native land, and afterwards came to America, first settling at Bethlehem, Pa. There he married into the Zeigenfus family, and subsequently removed to Gratz, in Dauphin county, Pa., where he built up an extensive practice and passed the remainder of his days. Mrs. Losch died only a few years before her son Samuel.
Samuel Alfred Losch had to face the realities of life at an early age. His "was the poverty that develops the noble traits and enduring virtues in one ; that brings him in contact with experiences that enable him to master in life's highway of duty all struggles and circumstances so, looking back, he views with worthy pride the obstacles to his progress that he has overcome. It was the poverty-that blessing in disguise-that made the martyr Lincoln, the Moses of emancipation to enslaved millions, the poverty that developed Grant into a hero, the most brilliant military genius in history, the poverty that enlivened ambition in Garfield, and made him the chief magistrate of this great nation. He received such education as the common schools of his town could then afford, during a few winter months each year." He began to work before he was eleven years old, being employed on a farm for one year, and afterwards in a brickyard for a year. In the summer of 1857 or 1858 he worked on the Schuylkill canal. Being ambitious to acquire an education, he had attended school whenever possible, and he had one term under W. A. Fields, who worked for the Schuylkill Navigation Company during the sum- mer season and in the winter taught what was known as the "boat-boys' school."
Though not of age when the Civil war broke out Mr. Losch, true to the spirit inherited from his father, entered the service in the summer of 1861, his mother giving her consent for him to join the Union army. Becoming a member of Company C, 50th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, he was soon sent to the front, and he served until after the close of the conflict, being mustered out July 30, 1865. His active service included over thirty engagements, among them Port Royal, the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson ( Miss.), siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Cold Harbor. Petersburg, as well as others of lesser importance down to the final surrender of General Lee at Appomat- tox. From the address of Senator Magee, a feature of the memorial services held by the State Senate at the time of Mr. Losch's death, we extract the following account of the services of the 50th Regiment: "Little more than a month after his enlistment his regiment was sent on the expedition to Port Royal, S. C. The vessel on which it sailed, the 'Ocean Queen,' encountered a terrible storm, was nearly wrecked, part of its officers and crew deserted, and but for the efforts of the soldiers on board, who had been left without food Vol. I-9
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or water, the angry sea would have claimed her and them as its prey. Escaped from that peril, the 50th was the first regiment to occupy Beaufort, and in the succeeding January had a baptism of fire at the battle of Coosaw. Remaining in the South in the active discharge of duty until the following summer, the 50th was sent North and joined General Pope in Virginia. It fought at second Bull Run, Centreville, Chantilly, Turner's Gap, Antietam and Fredericksburg, and then went South to share in Grant's great victory at Vicksburg. A month later the 50th went to Knoxville, Tenn. Disease had wrought havoc in its ranks, and at one time only eight men were able to report for duty. In the following campaign it encountered many vicissitudes. It made a winter march during which many of its members, like their sires at Valley Forge, 'tracked the snow with their bleeding feet.' Participating in the siege of Knoxville, it was furloughed in February, 1864, and returned home to re-enlist as a veteran regiment. It returned to the front and fought at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, and at the famous explosion of the mine in the siege of the latter city was one of the regiments which charged upon the 'Crater.' From that time on it shared in all that led to the final triumph and was among the first regiments to enter Petersburg after its fall. Thus, from Port Royal to Antietam, Fredericks- burg, Vicksburg, Knoxville, Wilderness, Petersburg and Appomattox, all along the hard and bloody path that lay between these milestones on the road to victory and Union, the 50th Regiment did its duty with honor and renown. Nor did it fail of just recognition, for, the war ended, the 50th Pennsylvania Regiment on the recommendation of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was sent to repre- sent the infantry of the armies of the Union at the laying of the corner- stone, on July 4th, 1865, of the monument on the battlefield of Gettysburg inscribed with the deathless declaration of Abraham Lincoln, 'That govern- ment of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.' In all this Samuel A. Losch bore a manful part. He aided in these achievements and shared in the glory. His patriotism and his valor won their reward. The private of Sept. 9, 1861, became successively corporal and sergeant, was promoted to second lieutenant on March 17, 1865, and to first lieutenant on April Ist of the same year. * * While we were together he often dwelt upon the past and, among other reminiscences, told me of his regiment and its achievements. In the almost four years of its service it had never been in winter quarters. In summer duty called it to the northern extreme of the conflict; in the winter it was transferred to the South. Its history is perhaps unique in the roll of the regiments of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers." Mr. Losch was specially honored on the occasion of the laying of the cornerstone of the Soldiers' National Monument at Gettysburg, July 4, 1865, by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Pennsylvania : his regiment, the 50th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, as above mentioned, was selected by General Grant to represent the Union infantry in recognition of conspicu- ously honorable service during the war, and Lieutenant Losch was chosen by the commanding officer, Col. Samuel Schwenk, to command the color company. When the war with Spain broke out he again offered his services, and was one of the first to undertake the organization of volunteers in Schuylkill county.
Upon his return to civil life in 1865, Mr. Losch found employment in the yard of the Schuylkill Haven & Mine Hill Railroad Company, and while working there acquired a practical knowledge of telegraphy, so that before
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long he was given a position as timekeeper and night operator. Later he was made material agent for the company at Cressona, and then for a time was engaged as baggagemaster between Schuylkill Haven and Glen Carbon, con- tinuing in the employ of the railroad company until 1873. Meanwhile, in 1871, he had been appointed by Governor Geary commissary of the 6th Division, N. G. P., on General Siegfried's staff, with the rank of major. When the National Guard was reorganized Governor Hartranft commissioned him major of the 4th Division, and he declined reappointment when the term of his com- mission expired. General IIartranft had been elected governor in 1872, and when he took office Major Losch was appointed clerk under Mr. Quay, then Secretary of State. He held this position until 1874, when he became a can- didate for the State Assembly and was elected, serving in that body during the sessions of 1875 and 1876. Upon the expiration of his second term he was again appointed a clerk under Governor Hartranft, and served as such in different departments at the Capitol. During the last year of Hartranft's administration-1887-he was promoted to chief clerk, and he was' retained in that position throughout the administration of Governor Hoyt, who suc- ceeded Governor Hartranft. In 1884 Mr. Losch was chosen to serve on a special mission in the Southern States as post office inspector, and the same year was appointed by President Arthur as secretary to the Territory of New Mexico, in which position he served with honor and credit to the Territory and to himself. A portion of the time he acted as governor of the Territory. During Cleveland's administration he was removed because of "offensive partisanship," and returned to Pennsylvania in September, 1885. In 1887 the State Legislature elected him chief clerk of the House of Representatives, and his services were duly appreciated by all the members without regard to party ties. At the close of the session they presented him a handsome gold watch and chain as a token of their regard and esteem.
In 1892 Mr. Losch was again chosen to represent the Fourth district of Schuylkill county in the Lower House of the State Legislature, and he con- tinued to be a member of that body until he assumed the duties of State sen- ator, to which position he was elected in 1896, from the Twenty-ninth district. He served in that branch of the Assembly until his death, at which time he was the chosen candidate for auditor general. Mr. Losch endeavored to represent the interests of his constituents faithfully. During his earlier service in the Assembly he had the distinction of introducing and advocating the first labor arbitration bill ever presented to an American legislative body. Governor Hartranft thought so favorably of it that he commended it in his annual mes- sage. Throughout his career Mr. Losch continued to be known as one of the most effective workers enlisted in the cause of devising means of adjusting the differences between capital and labor. He was particularly popular in this connection because of his fairness, having no unreasonable prejudices, but anxious to get justice for both sides, his attitude winning him the respect and trust of all concerned in this vital matter. His work always was done with a conscientious regard for the responsibilities of his office, the securing of wise legislation. His familiarity with the conditions in the mining regions was of great assistance to him in his labors in this connection, and his personal interest became so strong that he used his influence to further the movement which resulted in the founding of the Miners' Hospital at Ashland, one of his most creditable achievements. Upon his return to the House, in 1893, he resumed his activities in behalf of the legislation to which he had given special atten-
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tion during his former terms, and he had the satisfaction of having the Act signed by Governor Pattison in 1893, "An Act to establish boards of arbitra- tion to settle all questions of wages and other matters of variance between capital and labor." Mr. Losch served on the following committees in the Assembly: City Passenger Railway, Counties and Townships, Legislative Apportionment and Railroads, and was chairman of the committee on Coal and Iron and of the special committee to investigate the Electrical Trust Com- bine of Philadelphia. The bill to form a new county out of a part of Luzerne and Schuylkill counties was referred to the committee on Counties and Town- ships, of which Mr. Losch was a member. Through his influence the bill was negatived by the committee after having passed the Senate; thus he saved the dismemberment of the county of Schuylkill.
Mr. Losch was a prominent worker in the Republican party for years, and from the time he began to take an interest in politics he attended almost all the State conventions as a delegate. In 1880 he was one of the 306 who sup- ported Grant at the National convention. In 1885 he was chosen chairman of the Republican county committee by acclamation, and reelected in 1886 and 1887.
Mr. Losch was one of the incorporators of the Schuylkill Electric Railway Company, organized in 1889, which built the main line and important exten- sions of the trolley system in and around Pottsville. Later it became the Pottsville Union Traction Company, controlled by outside capital.
Major Losch never lost his interest in his Civil war comrades, was one of the organizers of Post No. 26, G. A. R., of Schuylkill Haven, and in 1876 was honored with election as senior vice commander of the Department of Penn- sylvania. He also joined Encampment No. 19, Union Veteran Legion, of Pottsville, and was a charter member of Washington Camp No. 47, P. O. S. of A., of which he was a member before the war. He was a Mason, member of Page Lodge, No. 270, F. & A. M., at Schuylkill Haven, and Mountain City Chapter, No. 196, R. A. M., of Pottsville ; and was a charter member of Peace Tribe, I. O. R. M.
On Oct. 14, 1879, Major Losch was united in marriage to Fidelia Sum- mers, a daughter of Henry Summers, a wholesale merchant of Zanesville, Ohio. Seven children were born to this marriage: Amy Summers is the wife of Byron Quigley and lives in New York City ; Helen Gessner is living at home ; Henry Graffen is at home; Ruth Eliza A. is the wife of Nelson Run- nion, and resides in New York City ; Christopher L. Magee is at home, engaged as manager of Losch's Opera House at Schuylkill Haven, which his mother owns ; Naoma Palmer, who lives at home, is an expert teacher of all the modern dances and conducts private classes in Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville; Charlotte Marie died in infancy. Mrs. Losch continues to reside at the home- stead in Schuylkill Haven, No. 306 Main street.
Mr. Losch died Sept. 11, 1900, at "Galen Hall," Atlantic City, N. J., and was buried in the Union cemetery at Schuylkill Haven, on the hillside along the Schuylkill river. The funeral services, held at the time in Schuylkill Haven, were attended by one of the largest assemblages ever gathered here on such an occasion, and few citizens have been shown such honor at any time. As he was serving as president of the school board when he died the schools closed on the day of his burial. The societies in which he held membership took part in the ceremonies, and the Third Brigade Band of Pottsville con- tributed the music. It would seem that he was equally beloved in all his
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numerous associations, for his companions in all vied in expressions of estecm. His unselfish nature had manifested itself in courteous intercourse with all those he met, and his own wide experience enabled him to sympathize with every class. His sincerity impressed them and gained their confidence, which he never betrayed. He neither catered to wealth and position nor despised their advantages, endeavoring to give all things their true value in the general economy. The breadth of his spirit enabled him to capture friends in all the ranks of life and hold them, and his memory is honored wherever he was known.
On Jan. 22, 1901, on motion of Senator Quail, the following resolution was twice read before the Pennsylvania Senate, considered and agreed to :
Resolved, That a committee of eight be appointed to draft suitable resolutions on the death of the late Senator Samuel A. Losch, who died Sept. 11, 1900, while a member of the Senate, and present the said resolutions at a special meeting of the Senate, Wednesday, Feb. 6th next, at twelve o'clock M.
On Feb. 6, 1901, the Senate convened in special session, Lieutenant Governor Gobin in the chair, and Mr. Quail presented the following report from the special committee :
WHEREAS, Since the last session of the Legislature through the divine will of the Creator of all things, Hon. Samuel A. Losch, a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania, from the Twenty-ninth district, was called from his life work to rest; and
WHEREAS, Senator Losch was known as an active member of the Senate, a patriotic citizen, a loving husband and indulgent and affectionate father; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate profoundly regrets the death of Hon. Samuel A. Losch, late a member of this body, and extends to the family of the deceased Senator sincere con- dolence in their bereavement.
Resolved, That we are deeply conscious of the loss sustained by his death and desire to bear witness to his sterling worth as a man, his integrity and ability as a legislator and his courtesy and fidelity towards those with whom he was associated.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, with the action of the Senate thereon, be forwarded to the family of the deceased by the Clerk of the Senate, and as a further tribute of the respect to his memory the Senate do now adjourn.
CHARLES E. QUAIL, JAMES C. VAUGHAN, HENRY H. CUMINGS, D. S. LEE, JNO. M. SCOTT, WM. FLINN, J. C. STINEMAN, JNO. F. HIGGINS,
Committee.
At the exercises which followed many were the sincere tributes of affection and respect paid to the memory of one whose ambition to do right was recog- nized as the keynote of all his endeavors. Addresses were made by Lieutenant Governor Gobin, Charles E. Quail, Senator Magce (read by Mr. Snyder, Senator Magee being absent because of illness), D. S. Lee, Mr. Weller, Mr. Wentz and Mr. Heinle. We quote from the addresses of Mr. Gobin and Mr. Magee in part.
Mr. Gobin: "Samuel A. Losch was a familiar figure in the halls of legis- lation for many years, whether in a clerical capacity or as a member of the House or the Senate. He recognized all duty devolving upon him and filled it to the full measure of his judgment. Many of us knew him well as a senator, and still better as a citizen, and as a comrade in arms, whose heart
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was ever open to the appeals of his fellow man, and whose devotion to the interest of the soldiers was apparent in all legislation pertaining to their welfare and honor. His was a rugged manliness. He thoroughly appreciated the value of friendship, and also the inevitable fact that life was filled with opposition, and he dealt with both as with the conflicting elements which a man of his positive nature must necessarily combat. He was an excellent judge of human nature, and was able to impress his personality, not only upon legislative bodies with which he was associated, but also upon his constituency to a remarkable degree. Measures which he approved found in him an earnest advocate; those which he disapproved a bitter opponent. And yet with it all there was a tenderness of heart which never failed to manifest itself upon all occasions."
Mr. Magee : " 'Of the dead say nothing but good,' was a proverb of the ancients. It had its spring in the noblest and kindest impulses of the human heart. It covered with the mantle of charity the frailties and faults of our fellows. But when, in recalling the memory of the departed, we find in justice that good, and only good, leaving mere imperfections to the realms of forgetfulness, can be said, there is then a melancholy pleasure in dwelling upon qualities which endear their possessors to those who have known and esteemed them. Of Samuel A. Losch, only the captious and hypercritical could say anything but good. His life was so open, so plain to view, that nothing was hidden or concealed. He was what he seemed to be. No man had cause to doubt where he stood or what the reasons impelling him to take that stand. His whole life was an exemplification of a purpose as honest as it was stead- fast. During that life he played his part in many fields of human endeavor. * * * The whole life of Samuel A. Losch was a battle. No adventitious aids were his in the struggle. He carved his own way. Plain in speech and direct in manner, he scorned subterfuge and despised deceit. As a fighter he was brave, as a foe he was fair, and as a friend he was true, and being brave and fair and true he was also tender and kind. I speak these words from personal knowledge, based upon a friendship existing for more than a quarter of a century. Human affection can offer its tribute to the memory of no more loyal soldier, citizen and friend than was Samuel A. Losch."
On April 2, 1901, a resolution was passed in the Senate ordering that one thousand copies of the memorial proceedings be printed and bound in cloth for the use of the Senate.
KEAR. Shortly after the incorporation of Minersville, Schuylkill county, which took place in 1831, the Kears became established in the village, attracted hither by the mines. They emigrated from South Wales, where they had been engaged in mining, the brothers William and Richard Kear arriving first, and their father soon afterwards. Beginning as mine workers, they had the qualifications of experience and industry which soon drew them into the operation of coal workings on their own account, and from that period until the middle seventies, when the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company bought up the combined Kear coal interests, they were in the field as operators or managers of coal properties. In the forty years or more of their mining activities they also branched out into other channels of industry in this section, and all the representatives of the name have evinced versatility and adaptability to conditions which make it apparent that they are of the element which insures prosperous conditions in any locality. All
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of the sons of William Kear found their opportunity and field of labor where their father settled, and their personal prosperity has been shared by the community, their energies and capital being devoted to the promotion of useful enterprises and projects which have developed the local resources with the direct effect of increasing local revenues. Reference to their various enter- prises will suggest how important a place they occupy in the economy of this part of the State.
Richard Kear, father of Richard and William Kear, was of English lineage and born in the Forest of Dean, England. Subsequently he settled in the mining district of South Wales, where he was employed in the mines until his emigration to America, in the year 1830. The sons landed at Philadelphia and continued their journey to Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., by way of the Schuylkill canal. The father joined them a little later, and lived at Minersville, Schuylkill county, until his death, which occurred in 1836, when he was sixty- four years old. His family consisted of five children : William, Mary, Francis (who died in Wales), Thomas and Richard, Jr. The last named was a very successful coal operator. For some time he was associated with his brother William in the conduct of the Little Diamond colliery, and they then branched out more extensively, in 1847 beginning independent operations in the Wolf Creek district, where he continued to be engaged until his death, which occurred May 4, 1864, at Minersville. He had succeeded his father in the conduct of the Little Orchard plant on Oak Hill.
William Kear, son of Richard Kear, Sr., was born in Blaen Avon, South Wales, in 1808. Like his brother Richard he was engaged at mine work for a time before becoming an operator, the brothers, in 1832, undertaking the operation of the Little Diamond colliery, which has now long been abandoned. They carried it on until about 1835. After the death of the father he and his brother Richard carried on the Little Orchard colliery on Oak Hill until 1847, when William Kear turned to the operation of the Peach Orchard colliery, selling his coal retail at Minersville and in the surrounding territory. In 1856 he became overseer at his brother Richard's colliery at Wolf Creek, and was there engaged until he retired from active mine work, in 1860. After dissolv- ing his early association with his brother he did business under the name of William Kear & Company. Mr. Kear lived at Minersville from the time this region was practically a wilderness, was one of the leading spirits among its pioneer citizens, and had intimate association with the establishment of a num- ber of important enterprises. He was president of the First National Bank at Minersville until his resignation, May 28, 1877, when he was succeeded by Jacob S. Lawrence, and he by the present president, Charles R. Kear, in January, 1887. William Kear was a member of the borough council and gave public-spirited service in that office. He was a leading member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, opening his home for services before the congregation had a church building, held a number of offices in the church, and was acting as treasurer at the time of his death. Politically he was a Whig in his earlier years, changing to the Republican party upon its organization. His death occurred at Minersville in February, 1890.
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