The glazier

Donald Schoser of Hatboro, Pennsylvania was glazier. He worked in particular at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral near Philadelphia, PA which belongs to the New Church congregation.

The cathedral was built in the early 20th century and is famous for its stained glass windows. To manufacture these windows the medieval technique of making stained glass had to be revived.

In his book 'Bryn Athyn Cathedral: The Building of a Church' published in 1971, Bruce Glenn describes the making of the stained glass. The book also features a photo of Donald assembling a stained glass window. While the book does not mention Donald's name, the link is made by a member of the New Church congregation. He personally knew Donald and has published some memories of Donald alongside some other 'wise and happy thoughts'.

Going to war

Many Schoser men went to war during the two World Wars. Some fell in battle.

Karl Schoser and Hermann Schoser are remembered on the Trochtelfingen cemetery as two of 128 inhabitants who 'did not come home' after the first or second World War. Hermann for example died in Northern France in March 1918 at the age of 20 after being wounded.

In the US, Horace Henry Schoser of Luzerne, Pennsylvania went to war towards the end of WWI. At the time, he and his wife Blanche had four small children: Grace M. (*1907), Ruth E. (*1909), Donald P. (*1911) and Elisabeth (*1916). Horace returned safely home. Some 24 years later in 1941, it was his son Donald who was enlisted to fight in WWII. Donald also survived the war and lived another, most probably more peaceful 42 years.