No better example of the zealous religious worker, disinterested
benefactor and talented journalist can be cited than the subject of
this sketch, Louis Klopsch. He was born in Germany, March 26, 1852,
receiving only a common school education. In 1886, after having removed
to New York, he married May E., daughter of the Rev. Stephen Merritt.
Becoming interested in newspaper work, he became the proprietor of the
Daily Reporter, New York. He was also owner of the Pictorial Associated
Press from 1884 to 1890, and has had charge of the Talmage sermon
syndicate since 1885. On his return from Palestine, in 1890, he became
connected with the Christian Herald, which he purchased in 1892. Since
that time he has, through his paper, raised and distributed nearly
$2,000,000 in international charities. In recognition of his relief
work, during the Russian famine of 1892, he was received by the Czar
of Russia, and in 1898 the English and Indian governments extended
official thanks to him for his services in behalf of famine-stricken
India. President McKinley appointed him one of the three commissioners
in charge of the relief of the starving Reconcentradoes in Cuba, and
for this purpose he raised nearly $200,000. In the spring of 1900,
accompanied by Gilson Willets, Mr. Klopsch visited the famine and
cholera fields of India, and through his paper, in six months’ time,
secured a fund of $700,000 for their relief. He has also guaranteed the
support of five thousand famine orphans in India.