From the Lebanon Daily News, Tuesday, April 20, 1909, Page 1, Column 1: DR. REDSECKER DIES AT NOON ------- Succumbs to Paralysis at Hospital After Lingering Illness ---- A PROMINENT CITIZEN ---- Manifested Deep Interest in Education and Welfare of Lebanon Dr. J.H. Redsecker, of the firm of Dr. George Ros and Co., druggists, of this city, died at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Good Samartian hospital. Dr. Redsecker had been in failing health for the past three years, during which time he had been several times stricken with paralysis. Up to the time of the final stroke this morning he was conscious, but thereafter he never revived. Dr. Redsecker had been under treatment at the hospital since last November and his condition was such that only on one occasion, and then only for a short time, was he able to leave the institution. PROGRESSIVE CITIZEN During his residence of a little more than a half century Dr. Redsecker was prominently identified with the progress of Lebanon. His activity was not confied to his business interest, but he found time to give his attention to matters relating to the advancement of the people and municipality. He manifested a deep interest in educaton and was at all times up to the beginning of his fatal illness, a leading spirit in the Pennsylvania Chautauqua of which he was one of the organizers. In his death the city loses one of its leading and progressive businessmen. CAME HERE IN 1857 Jacob H. Redsecker was born 69 years ago at Elizabethtown, Lancaster county. He was the son of Jacob Redsecker, who was the head of a large family. His mother's name was Sweitzer. At the age of 19 years, In September, 1857, he came to Lebanon and entered the drug store of his cousin, the late Dr. Geo. Ross, which was then located in the room now occupied by the Umberger shoe store, adjoining the Ross building on the east, directly opposite the court house. BECAME A PARTNER He learned the drug business and in 1873 was admitted to partnership with Dr. Ross. Following the death of Dr. Ross he formed a partnership with Dr. Ross' sons, George R. and Will R. Ross, and later he, with Dr. George R. Ross, took over the business each having a half interest, which partnership was continued up to the time of his death. In 1885, the business of the firm, which then was and still is trading under the name of Dr. eorge Ross & Company, removed from he old building to the present substantial three story building adjoining it on the west. HEALTH BEGAN TO FAIL His health began failing him three years ago up to which time he had been engaged in making regular trips into Central and Eastern Pennsylvania in the interests of the firm. He, however, continued to make trips until last Spring, when paralysis seriously affected his entire side. Since last August there was a gradual decline noted in the condition of the sufferer and since then he was confined principally to his room in the Ross' residence, except for a brief stay at the Labanon Sanatorium, where he received treatment until his admission to the Good Samaritan hospital. ENLISTED TWICE. Dr. Redsecker twice enlisted in the service of the United States during the War of the Rebellion. In both instances he was in the three months service and on the day before the opening of the battle of Gettysburg, he was captured by Early's cavalry and marched passed the door of his father's home, which was then located in the Cumberland Valley, as a prisoner of war. Later he was sent to the parole camp at West Chester, Pa. HIS LIFE WAS A BUSY ONE He was one of the organizers and a member of the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Chautanqua and the Lebanon County Historical Society, was one of the first directors in the Cornwall & Lebanon railroad and for a time served on the board of directors of the old Dime Savings bank, succeding Dr. Ross. He was Treasure of the Economy B. & L., associateion and also identifeid with the National and State Pharmaceutical Associations. From the Philadelphia college of pharmacy he received the honorary degree of Ph.M. He was the donor of the Maisch prize, consisting of $20 in gold awarded annually at the Philadelphia college. He was a member of the Church of God at Elizabethtown and never married. THOSE SURVING. A sister and one brother survive as follows: Mrs. Sarah Greenawalt and Abraham R. Redsecker, the latter residing at Pittsburg. ----------------- The following was taken from the Lebanon Daily News, Friday, April 23, 1909, page 1, column 1: REMAINS COULD NOT BE VIEWED ---- Simplicity Marked the Obsequies of the Late Dr. J.H. Redsecker ---- DRUGGISTS ATTEND ---- Dr. Dippell Conducted Services and Interment Made at Elizabethtown ---- Simplicity marked the funeral services held over the body of the late Dr. Jacob H. Redsecker, of this city, at 1 o'clock this afternoon at his late residence, 808 Cumberland Street. there, in the presence of the immediate family, personal friends, and the members of the Lebanon retail druggist's association, Rev. Dr. V.W. Dippell, pastor of St. John's Reformed church, conducted a brief service, following which the funeral cortege proceeded to the Cornwall and Lebanon railroad station, boarding a train for Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, where interment was made. NOT PRESENTED TO VIEW Out of respect of the the wish of the deceased there was no public viewing of the body and during the service the coffin was closed. There were a number of floral tributes including a wreath from the Pennsylvania Chautauqua managers and a cross from the Druggists' associate Members of the latter assembled at the store of Dr. J.L. Lemberger and Co. in Market Square and proceeded to the house in a body and afterward formed an escort to the body from the house to the depot. During the service all the local drug stores were closed. It was the wish of the deceased that there should be no eulogy and that there should be no women at the burial. Both wishes were respected. THE PALL BEARERS The pall bearers were C. Shenk, Dr. J.L. Lemberger, Henry C. Grittinger, A.D. Smith, John F. Rockey, this city; Dr. S.P. Heilman, Heilmandale, W.L. Cliffe and Mahlon Kline, of Philadelphia. Messrs. Cliffe and Kline, in addition to having been personal friends of Dr. Redsecker represented the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the State Pharmaceutical Association. Among the out of town attendants on the funeral were, Mrs. Sarah Greenawalt of Pittsubrg, a sister of Dr. Redsecker, Mrs. Epply of Washington D., C, a niece, and J. Redsecker Beetem, of Philadlphia, a nephew. Mrs. and Mrs. W.L. Cliffe, Mahlon N. Kline, Miers Bush, Johseph W. England, Miss Helen Hunter and Geo. Maisch, all of Philadelphia; Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. George, Harrisburg, A.R. Redsecker, a brother, of Pittburg. Mr. Maisch is a son of the late Prof. John M. Maisch, of the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, in whose memory Dr. Redsecker, who was a personal friend, annually offered a prize of $20 in gold, known as the Maisch prize, to be contested for by students of the college. Mr. George is a member of the state pharmacy board. D.A. Frantz was the undertaker. ------------------------------------------- Lebanon Daily News, April 21, 1909, Wednesday, page 2, column 3: IN MEMORIAM ---- At a meeting of the Associate of Retail Druggists held April 20, 1909 the following action was taken relative to the death of J.H. Redsecker. Whereas, we deeply delore and feel sad over the demise of our late member and associate friend, Jacob Henry Redsecker, we would not murmur at the dispensation of God that has removed his body after weary physical trial, to the rest he now enjoys, yet we meet in sadness and pause to lay this passing tribute to the memory of one endeared by many valued associates. We realize he was a good citizen, had the interests of this city at heart and for nearly half a century has been identified in various ways in its advancement, has assumed positions of responsibility and acceptably filled places of trust and has wone the confidences of his friends, but we know him best as a fellow Pharmacist and in this closer affiliation we offer our tribute. Therefore be it Resolved: That this association appropriate a page upon our minute book engrossing this minute of the life and service of Jacob Henry Redsecker, our fellow member, Resolved: We hereby testify to the valued service he has always willingly rendered in season and out of season for the advancement of the interests of the profession throughout the State of Pennsylvania and we are not unmindful of his great activity and intelligent ability in the service of Pennsylvania Pharmacutical Association as a member of the Legislative committee in the formulating and the enactment of the Pharmacy laws now upon the Statue books of the State, Resolved: We tender to the family, of which he was a member, and the firm he represented as the senior head and manager, our profound sympathy to the loss that has come to them, and that a copy of this memorandum be sent to them as a token expression of the same, Resolved: That this minute to present to the press of Lebanon for publication. Resolved: As a final tribute, we close our stores and suspend business during the funeral services.