Biographical Profile: Pvt. James A. Lostetter, Company B, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 100th Regiment
Transcribed by Tami McConahy, 2nd great-grandniece of Corp. Thomas John Martin, Co. F. from "History of Lawrence County, Wick Wood, 1887.
History of Lawrence County, compiled by Wick Wood, 1887
Page 67
James A. Lostetter was born March 20, 1827, in Martinsburg, Va. His father, John Lostetter, was a millwright, who died at the age of 64, in the city of New Castle, about the year 1833. Mr. Lostetter attended school at Beaver, Allegheny and New Castle, as well as at Pulaski, and received more than a common school education. At the age of 16 years, in 1843, Mr. Lostetter came to Pulaski to learn the tailoring trade. He entered the shop of Wm. Stitt, now living in Pulaski, and worked with him about four years. Mr. Lostetter then took a tour of the country, going to Wisconsin, and seeing much of the western Territories. He worked in New Castle at his trade for Stewart & Tidball, of which Robert Stewart and David Tidball were partners. In about the year 1858 Mr. Lostetter located permanently in Pulaski and opened a tailoring establishment. He is still engaged in the same business, and has made the clothes of three generations in this vicinity. Mr. Lostetter is a practical man and has work all the year round. He is a much younger man in appearance than he is in years, and has always enjoyed good health. Mr. Lostetter is a veteran of the late war. He enlisted in 1861, in the 100th Regiment and served with that regiment three years. He was wounded in the leg above the knee by a musket ball, in front of Spottsylvania, 12th of May, 1864, from the effects of which he is still disabled. James A. Lostetter was married to Melissa King, of Pulaski, January 1st, 1850, and to them seven children were born, all living, as follows: Elmer C., Pulaski, married; William H., Pulaski, married; Maud and Anna, at home; John A., at home, but now attending college at Grove City; Lizzie, at home, teaching school, and Blanche, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lostetter are the grandparents of four grandchildren. Mr. Lostetter's mother died a few years since at the age of 100 years.