Kochersperger of Philadelphia, collection of obituary notices
Free Library of Philadelphia [FLP], Main Branch, Logan Square
[extracted by Anita Coraluzzi, January 25th, 2006]
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper:
Thursday 6 November 1873, page 2, column 3. Also in the edition of 7 November.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—On Tuesday evening, Nov. 4th, DANIEL W. KOCHERSPERGER, aged 52 [?] years. The relatives and friends of the family, also Lodge No. 3, A.Y.M., Girard Mark Lodge No. 214, and Free Mason’s Relief Association of St. John, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral on Saturday afternoon, 8th instant, at 2 o’clock, from the residence of his son, S.E. corner Warnock and Hart streets, Twentieth Ward. To proceed to Mt. Vernon Cemetery.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Tuesday 19 January 1892 on page 4, column 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—On the 17th instant, GEORGE KOCHERSPERGER,
in his 77th year. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday, at 1 o’clock P.M. from his son’s residence, 5441 Vine street, West Philadelphia. Please omit [?] flowers.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
2 November 1896, page 9, column 1. A small mention was also found on the Front Page in edition of Tuesday 3 November 1896.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—Suddenly, on October 31, 1896, at his late residence, in Chicago, Ill. JOHN P., son of Mary Ann and the late Daniel W. Kochersperger, aged 51 years. Funeral services on Wednesday afternoon, November 4th at 2 o’clock, at the residence of his brother, W.S. Kochersperger, No. 1784 N. 7th street, Philadelphia. To proceed to Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Interment private.”
*NOTE: The Philadelphia Inquirer for November 1896, was also searched for this obituary. An obituary entry was found in the Inquirer edition of Monday 2 November 1896, on page 9, column 3. It is worded exactly as the obituary published in the Public Ledger.
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Tuesday 27 November 1906, page 9, column 4. The same obituary also ran on Wednesday 28 November
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—On Sunday, November 25, 1906. CLAYTON HAINES, eldest son of William S. and Rebecca Ann Kochersperger, aged 33 years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. precisely, at the residence of his father. No 1734 North 7th st. Interment private.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Sunday 8 September 1907, page 9, column 5 & 6. A small article accompanied the obituary, which included a photograph
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—On September 7, 1907, at his late residence, 1734 North 7th st., WILLIAM S. KOCHERSPERGER, aged 64 years. Due notice of the funeral will be given.”
The accompanying article reads as follows:
“KOCHERSPERGER DIES OF APOPLEXY
Magistrate Never in Good Health After His Son’s Death, Last Winter
SERVED IN CIVIL WAR
Held Several Appointive Positions Before Being Elected to the Minor Bench
Magistrate William S. Kochersperger died of apoplexy yesterday afternoon at his home at 1734 North Seventh street. He was in good health until his son, Clayton, a lawyer, died last winter. He never recovered from that blow. Two weeks ago he went to Beach Haven and was taken ill on his way back last Tuesday. He grew worse in the night and from then on was unconscious.
Mr. Kochersperger was born on August 31, 1843, in the old Spring Garden district, now the 14th Ward. His parents were Daniel W. and Mary A. Kochersperger. He was graduated from the Boys’ Central High School in 1859 and then entered the office of Abbot & Co., scale manufacturers, as a bookkeeper. There he remained until April 18, 1861 when he enlisted as a private in Company A, 19th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He re-enlisted in 1862, in the Second Regiment, and served with the Army of the Potomac. Later, while serving with the Union League Regiment, he was captured and sent to Libby Prison.
At the conclusion of the war Mr. Kochersperger started a produce business at Carlisle and Jefferson streets, and in 1868 became liquidating clerk in the naval office of the Custom House under General De Witt C. Baxter. When David H. Lane was a candidate for Recorder of Deeds Kochersperger worked in his interest and ever after was one of his most energetic lieutenants.
In 1873 Mr. Kochersperger was appointed a United States gauger [?], which position he held until 1878, when Judge Ashman made him his tipstaff in the Orphans’ Court. There he served until his election in 1890 as Magistrate. He was one of the committing Magistrates in City Hall until 1906, when Mayor Weaver transferred him to the Frankford court and later to a court in the 20th Ward.
Magistrate Kochersperger is survived by his widow and one son, Captain Stephen Morris Kochersperger, U.S.A., who is stationed at Des Moines. He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Irene Emma Graham, and three brothers, George W., Chief Clerk of Common Council; Hiram, vice-president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, and Harding L., of Chicago.
Captain Kochersperger is expected here today and not until his arrival will definite arrangements for the funeral be made.
Magistrate Kochersperger was a member of many organizations, among them Fred Taylor Post, No. 10, G.A.R.; War Veteran’s Club, Former Prisoners of War Association, Survivor’s Association of the 20th Pennsylvania Cavalry; Solomon’s Lodge No. 114, F.A.M.; Keystone H.R.A. Chapter, No. 75; St. John’s Commandery, No. 4, K.T.; Masonic Veteran’s of Pennsylvania, Centennial Lodge, No. 7, K. of B.; North Star Lodge No. 163 [?], A.O.U.W.; Columbia Club, Anti-Cobden [?] Club and the Republican Association, Republican Club and the Young men’s Republican Club of the 20th Ward.”
*Note- A small article was also found in the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper
Sunday 8 September 1907, page 7, column 1, the following:
“W.S. KOCHERSPERGER DIES FROM STROKE
Well-known Magistrate Claimed by Death After Attack of Apoplexy Last Week
Had Splendid Record in Minor Judiciary—Served With Bravery During Civil War
Following a stroke of apoplexy on his way from Beach Haven, Magistrate William S. Kochersperger died yesterday at his home, 1742 North Seventh street.
He had not been in good health since the death of his favorite son, Clayton, last winter. He started for Beach Haven for the benefit of his health two weeks ago. Last Tuesday he started home and arrived in a dazed condition, although not supposed to be seriously ill. He was attended by Dr. Chandler. He grew rapidly worse Tuesday night and soon became unconscious.
His son, Captain Morris Kochersperger, of the United States Army, stationed in the West, was summoned, but his train will not arrive in Philadelphia until tomorrow morning.
CIVIL WAR HERO
Mr. Kochersperger was born in Philadelphia, August 31, 1843, and received his education in the Hancock and Monroe Boys’ Grammar School, and the Boys’ Central High School, from which he was graduated in 1859. He entered the employment of R.H. Smith as a bookkeeper, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War.
Enlisting as a private in Company A, of the Nineteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, he served gallantly through his term. He re-enlisted in the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served through the severe campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. Later he fought in the Union League Regiment, the Fifty-second Pennsylvania, was taken prisoner and suffered the horrors of Libby Prison.
After the war he returned to civil employment as bookkeeper for Abbot and company, scale manufacturers, but a taste for political life soon led him to take the position of liquidating clerk in the Custom House under Collector General DeWitt C. Baxter.
Warm Lane Adherent
When David H. Lane became a candidate for Recorder of Deeds, Mr. Kochersperger, with his father and six brothers, joined their forces to that leader, and in the marching clubs organized in his interest, they always marched abreast. He has ever since remained a Lane adherent in the Twentieth ward politics. In 1878, Mr. Kochersperger received an appointment as tipstaff from Judge William N. Ashman, of the Orphans’ Court.
There he made himself so favorably known to the judge and members of the bar that he was nominated for magistrate and elected in 1885. He was re-elected in 1890 and 1895. His conduct in the magistrate’s court gained him credit for clear conceptions and impartiality.
The magistrate’s father died in 1874.
Mr. Kochersperger was the oldest of six brothers, including George W., Clerk of Common Council; Harding L., of Chicago; Hiram M., vice-president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad; Daniel H., formerly treasurer of Cook county, Ill., who died in 1907, and John P., a Chicago insurance man, who died in 1896. There is one sister, Mrs. Irene Graham, who is the youngest of the family.
He was identified with the following associations: Fred Taylor Post, No. 19, G.A.R.; War Veterans’ Club, Former Prisoners of War Association, vice-president of the Survivors Association of the Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Solomon Lodge, No. 114, F.A.M.; Keystone H.R.A. Chapter, No. 175; St. John’s Commandery, No. 4, K.T.; Masonic Veterans of Pennsylvania, Centennial Lodge, No. 7, K. of B.; North Star Lodge, No. 165, A.O.U.W.; Columbia Club.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Tuesday 12 December 1911, page 11, Columns 3 & 4. There was also a small article, both as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—On December 11, 1911, GEORGE W., son of the late Daniel W. and Mary A. Kochersperger, aged 64 years. Relatives and friends, also Shekinah Lodge, No. 264, F. and A. M.; officers and members of Select and Common Councils, Post No. 2 G.A.R., and all organizations of which he was a member, are invited to attend the funeral services, on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. precisely, at his late residence, 1841 N. 11th street. Interment at Mount Vernon Cemetery.”
The article reads:
“GEORGE W. KOCHERSPERGER
Clerk of Common Council During 35 Years
George W. Kochersperger, Clerk of Common Council 35 years, died yesterday at his home, 1841 North Eleventh street, following a stroke of paralysis. He was 65 years old. He was born in the Twentieth Ward and entered the War of the Rebellion at an early age. He served throughout the war and was later prominent in Grand Army affairs.
At one time he had three brothers in the city’s service, but two of them entered other fields of endeavor and became prominent. One of them, Hiram M. Kochersperger, is vice-president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, and Daniel H. Kochersperger is a well-known Chicago businessman. The late Magistrate William S. Kochersperger was also a brother.
Mr. Kochersperger was a member of Shekinah Lodge, No. 246 A.Y.M.; Post No. 2 G.A.R.; the Fidelity Republican Club, and several other political organizations. He is survived by a widow and one son.”
Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper
Tuesday 12 December, page 13, column 5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—On December 11, 1911, GEORGE W., son of the late Daniel W. and Mary A. Kochersperger, aged 64 years. Relatives and friends, also Shekinah Lodge, No. 264, F. and A. M.; officers and members of Select and Common Councils, Post No. 2 G.A.R., and all organizations of which he was a member, are invited to attend the funeral services, on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. precisely, at his late residence, 1841 N. 11th street. Interment at Mount Vernon Cemetery.”
The article from the Inquirer, also Tuesday 12 December 1911, page 6, column 1, reads as follows:
“G.W. KOCHERSPERGER SUCCUMBS SUDDENLY
Was Chief Clerk of Common Council for Seventeen Years Until Present Term
George W. Kochersperger, prominent in the political life of this city since the Civil War, died from a stroke of paralysis at his home, 1841 North Eleventh street, yesterday morning. Mr. Kochersperger was a clerk of Councils for thirty-five years, and was the chief clerk of the lower chamber until the reorganization of the body on December 4. He was at the time elected a committee clerk. He had been ill for some time, and the shift in his position was made at his request, to relieve him of the strain of work as chief clerk.
Mr. Kochersperger came of a family long active in Republican politics in the Twentieth ward. He was a brother of the late Magistrate Kochersperger, and was a veteran of the Civil War. He was 65 years old.
He entered the service of City Councils in 1877 when he was chosen assistant clerk of the lower chamber. In 1894 he succeeded John H. Eckstein as chief clerk. Mr. Kochersperger was a member of Shekinah Lodge No. 246 A.Y.M.; Post 2 G.A.R.; the Fidelity Republican Club, and other organizations. He is survived by his widow and son. The funeral services will take place tomorrow afternoon.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Saturday 7 July 1917, page 18, column 5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—July 6, DANIEL P., husband of Virginia A. Kochersperger, aged 68. Relatives and friends, Apollo Lodge No. 296 I.O.O.F.; Keystone Castle No. 1, K.G.E, invited to funeral services, Mon. 2 p.m. 2821 W. Oxford st. Int. private, Laurel Hill Cem.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Friday 8 February 1924, page 13, column 8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“KOCHERSPERGER—Feb. 6, FRANK H., husband of Marie A. Kochersperger (nee Mayer), and son of the late John P. and Sarah A. Kochersperger. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services, Sat. 11 A.M. precisely, at David H. Schuyler Bldg. Broad and Diamond sts. Int. private.”
Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper, obituaries ran in each edition of this newspaper from Tuesday 28 June through Friday 1 July 1881.There was also a small notice at the top of the front page in the edition of Thursday 30 June 1881
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Tuesday 28 June 1881, page 2, column 3-
“WANAMAKER—Suddenly, on the 27th inst., Mrs. ELIZABETH D. WANAMAKER in her 63rd year, at her residence No. 1511 Mount Vernon street. Due notice of the funeral will be given.”
*Wednesday 29 June 1881- Same as above
*Thursday 30 June 1881-
[Top of front page] “All the Wanamaker Stores are closed till Saturday on account of the death of Mr. Wanamaker’s mother.”
*Thursday 30 June 1881, page 2, column 3-
“WANAMAKER-Suddenly on the 27th inst., Mrs. ELIZABETH D. WANAMAKER, in her 63d year.
Funeral services will be held at her late residence, 1511 Mount Vernon street, on Friday, July 1, at 4 o’clock.”
Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper
Tuesday 28 June 1881, page 2, column 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Death of Mrs. Wanamaker.
At nine o’clock A.M. on yesterday, Mrs. Elizabeth D. Wanamaker, mother of John Wanamaker, Esq., died suddenly of apoplexy, at her residence, No 1511 Mount Vernon street. She was apparently in the enjoyment of excellent health on Sunday morning, when she attended Christ Reformed Church, Green street above Fifteenth, but was seized with an apoplectic fit in the evening. Mrs. Wanamaker, who had attained the age of sixty-three years, was a lady of lovely disposition and beautiful traits of character, among which broad charity was conspicuous. She leaves six children, John Wanamaker, William H., Samuel M, and F.M. Wanamaker, Mrs. P. Fry and Rev. Mrs. Fales, who now lives in Carthage, Missouri.
Soon after Mrs. Wanamaker died the Grand Depot, Oak Hall and Mr. Wanamaker’s Chestnut street store were closed and craped, and will remain closed until after the funeral, on Friday.”