My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED C. KOSER, proprietor of the City Meat Market at Mechanicsburg, and an extensive dealer in live stock, is a worthy representative of one of the old and prominent families of Cumberland county. Mr. Koser was born May 12, 1847, at Mechanicsburg, son of John and Sarah (Rockafellow) Koser.

John Koser was born at Mifflin, Pa., and until the outbreak of the Civil war, engaged in butchering at Mechanicsburg. He was one of the first of the loyal men to shoulder his musket and go to the defense of his country, enlisting in the spring of 1861, in Capt. Dasheimer’s infantry Company, serving three months. He then re-enlisted as sergeant of Company C, 9th Pa. Vol. Cavalry, and after passing safely through many battles, was killed in the summer of 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., leaving his widow and four children.

Alfred C. Koser was but fifteen years of age when his father fell a victim to the fortunes of war. Determined to avenge his father’s death and to defend his country’s flag, the youth sought an opportunity to enlist and did so in Company D, 20th Pa. Cavalry, for six months’ service. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, he re-enlisted in Company A., 20th Pa. Cavalry, and made so good an impression that he was very soon promoted, and gave his service until the close of the war. His record is one which deserves repetition in a work of this kind: Private, Company C, 20th Pa. Cavalry, 181st Pa. Vols., enlisted as second lieutenant, Jan. 28, 1864, enlisted at age of 15 years; transferred to Company A; promoted to be corporal and commissary sergeant. Service: Assigned to 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 8th Corps, March 20, 1864; engaged at Newmarket, Va., May 15; Harrisonburg, June 4; Piedmont, June 5; Buffalo Gap, June 6; Staunton, June 10; Midway, June 11; Rose Mills, June 12; Cedar Creek, June 12; Lexington, June 13; New Glasgow, June 14; Otter Creek, June 16; Quaker Church, June 17; Lynchburg, June 18 and 19; Liberty, June 20; Salem, June 21. He was then detailed in charge of orderlies at Harper’s Ferry from July 3 and July 18; at Ashby’s Gap, July 19-21; Winchester, July 20; Kernstown, July 23-24; Martinsburg, July 25-26. Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division, Aug. 7; Berryville Pike, Aug. 10; Fisher’s Hill, Aug. 15; Front Royal, Aug. 16; Berryville, Aug. 21; Sept. 3-4, Smithfield; Aug. 25-26-29, Winchester; Sept. 19, Fishers Hill; Sept. 22, Luray Valley; Sept. 24, Brown Gap; Sept. 26, Waynesboro; Oct. 2, Tom’s Brook; Oct. 8-9, Cedar Creek; Oct. 19, Ninevah; Nov. 12, Rood’s Hill; Nov. 22, Somerset; Dec. 21, Gordonville; Dec. 23, Waynesboro; Feb. 28, 1865, White House; March 27, Stony Creek; March 30, Dinwiddie Court House; March 31, Hatcher’s Run; March 31, Five Forks; April 1, South Side R. R.; April 4-5, Harper’s Farm; April 6, Amelia Court House and Sailor’s Creek; April 7, Appomattox Station; April 8-9, Appomattox Courthouse. His first term of service was for six months, and he then re-enlisted for the war. That he escaped injury while taking part in so many engagements, is little less than miraculous, especially as he had two horses shot from under him.

After the close of the war in which he had taken so active a part, Mr. Koser returned to Mechanicsburg, and looked about for a good business stand. Finally he decided to establish himself in the butchering business, and with the small capital of fifty dollars, opened up a business, which, at present is one of the leading ones in this borough. His energy and perseverance accomplished much in a short time, and encouraged him to farther effort. At present Mr. Koser is a director in the Second National Bank of Mechanicsburg, and one of the substantial men of this part of the county.

In December, 1868, Mr. Koser married Annie M. Markley, born in Shiremanstown, Cumberland county, daughter of Henry and Susan (Rodabaugh) Markley, who were natives of Lancaster county. One daughter was born to this union, Grace, who married Bryan Schroeder, of Mechanicsburg, and has one daughter, Annie. In politics Mr. Koser has always been a stanch Republican, and he has held local offices at various times, serving as councilman fifteen consecutive years in a Democratic ward. At present he is one of the directors of the Mechanicsburg Cemetery Association. He was active in the organization of the Col. H. I. Zinn Post, No. 415, G. A. R., of Mechanicsburg, of which he is past commander. Mr. Koser is highly respected for his many sterling traits of character, and he is also held in honor as a veteran of the Civil war.