BIO:  Henry KOSER, Butler Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 384

HENRY KOSER, deceased (name formely spelled Kozer), was the founder of the 
family in America.  He settled on the place where his grandson, Henry, now 
resides, in the year 1808, and subsequently married Susanna Hartzell.  On the 
land he purchased (124 acres) he lived and died.  He was the first postmaster of 
Bigler, and as such served many years; was an enterprising man and accumulated a 
large property.  He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church.  They had 
four children:  Henry G., Alexander, Rachel and Eliza (twins), all of whom grew 
up, had families, and are now deceased.  Mr. Koser died in 1860 and his wife in 
1863.  Henry G., their eldest son, was born on the homestead, November 21, 1814, 
and married, October 17, 1839, Margaret, daughter of Andrew Brugh.  He was a 
successful farmer and held some of the offices of the township.  In early life 
he and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church, but later joined the German 
Baptists.  To them were born seven children, six now living:  Sarah Ann, Andrew, 
Henry, Margaret, Mary L. and Emma J.  Mr. Koser died July 12, 1884, and is 
buried on the place where he was born; his widow, who was born March 26, 1815, 
is still living.  Henry Koser, third in line of descent, was born on the 
homestead in 1847.  April 25, 1872, he married Frances, daughter of D. D. Gitt, 
who has borne him two children:  Henry F. and Clara Alberta.  In 1884 Mr. Koser 
erected buildings on the Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railroad, Biglerville, for 
trade in phosphates, lime, bark, etc.  He is an enterprising and public-spirited 
gentleman, and was active in soliciting subscriptions to aid in building the 
Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railroad; was a member of the building committee of the 
Evangelical Church, Middletown; was one of the founders of the Centerview 
Cemetery, chartered January 12, 1885, and was the first president.  Politically 
he is a Democrat.  His wife is an exemplary member of the Lutheran Church.