Story of the "Laux" family

The following is taken from a speech given by Charles W. Loux from Philadelphia PA to the attendees of the 1910 Loucks National Reunion held in York PA.  I have printed only the part that talks about the Characteristics of our family.  Characteristics are highlighted in blue.

     "For my part, I am not surprised to find characteristics in the Loux family.  I shall confine my observations, however, to the distinguishing features traceable in the descendants of Peter Loux, the ancestor of the Buck County tribe.  As you are probably aware, I have no distinct personal recollection of old Peter Loux, who settled in Bucks County, this State, in 1738.  It is also a fact that there are a good many of you here before me whom I have not met for two hundred years.  That explains why I am so glad to see you all.  The limitations that I have been under made it necessary for me to draw my conclusions not only from what I have seen personally but also from what I have heard and read.
     Now, if I tell you the characteristics of the descendants of old Peter Loux, of Bucks County, it may have this genealogical value that if you find similar characteristics among the York County and other braches to those found in the Bucks County people, it would tend to prove the kinship of the several branches, and set the historican to work with renewed zeal to find a link which as yet seems to be missing.
     To put it in the broadest possible terms, the characteristic of the Bucks County Louxes is strength.  By the way, as strength and good looks are dependant upon each other, logic would require, as indeed inspection proves, that these descendants possess the quality of good looks in a superlative degree.
     The characteristic of strength in these descendants is either that of body or mind or character, or a combination of any or all of these.
     My own grandfather, George Washington Loux, a tanner by trade, was considered the strongest man physically in the locality in which he lived.  All his children inherited strong bodily frames.  Numerous instances of physical courage and bravery displayed by these descendants could be given.  It was partly this quality, I believe, which made them pioneers in every walk of life, gave them a somewhat independent spirit, and scattered them far and wide, all of which are characteristic of the family. (The speaker has since the address been reminded of the long noses of the Louxes, which is a marked physical characteristic of them.)
     They have strong minds, are close observers, very precise and logical, concise rather than voluble, and, whether it be fault or virtue, are sharp in their criticisms.
     They have strong opinions and are capable of defending them.  They are reasonable, nevertheless, and willing to give the other fellow a hearing.  In the younger generations they have as good a representation among the various professions as could be expected on any family.  I would have you understand by all this that the Bucks County Louxes are an exceptionally bright branch of the family.
     They have very strong wills, uncomfortably strong wills, both to themselves and to others. This is their most pronounced characteristic.  They beat the Scotch on will power, and the Scotch are very "sot" in their ways.  But I have heard it said, and I accept the doctrine, that it is a good thing to be "sot in your ways, " provided you are "sot right."  Our trouble seems to be often in getting "sot right."  When a Bucks County Loux believes he is right, nothing on earth will move him.
     This is the Bucks County Loux in the rough, thus as we find him in nature.  And I sometimes feel sorry for their wives, who endure so patiently these sterner qualities of their mates, and could, no doubt,  corroborate my statements.  But even in their natural state, untouched by the Christian graces, we must give these men credit for good intentions and strong attachments.
     They are inclined to be sensitive, which naturally follows from an independent or proud nature.  I was a little disappointed myself yesterday when I came to this town for the first time to attend this reunion and found there was no brass band to meet me at the station.  I thought I was entitled to this, if not by my good looks or intelligence, then at least by the money which I might be supposed to have. I had another setback this morning when I found my picture was not with the rest in the Philadelphia and York papers.  But I am getting over my disappointment, I am in my glory just now and you are getting the worst I can give you.  Therefore I feel better and have no fault to find.
     I see now that I will get through in little less than my allotted time, and I shall detain you only a few minutes longer.
     As I have said, these traits are those of the natural man.  But when such a man as I have described becomes touched with the grace of God, he becomes a character more lovable and more like the ideal.  It softens and modifies these sterner qualities, it smooths down the sharp corners of his nature.  The stubborn man becomes the patient and enduring Christian.  The opinionated man becomes a staunch courageous defender of the truth for truth's sake only.  The critic praised as well as blames and is mindful of the feeling of others as far as he should be.  Oh, friends, we can all learn a great deal from that wonderful twelfth chapter of Romans which was read to us this morning.  "In honor preferring one another;" "Avenge not yourselves;" "Be not wise in your own conceits, " etc.
     As already indicated, the Louxes are strong in their attachments.  Perhaps they are not quite so sociable as others or as they might be; at any rate they are no so much inclined to settle in colonies,  But when a Loux once makes a friend, he is a friend for life.
     It is these various elements that make up the strong character which we have portrayed.  The qualities no doubt were transmitted to us.  They were a part of the make-up of those ancestors whom we honor here this day.  We ought to honor them for their worth and emulate them.  In a certain sense we have a right to be proud of them.
     I believe as you go back to the earlier generation, while you do not find the ancestors so well educated as you may find present generations-and they cannot be blamed for that, because they did not have the opportunities we now have-yet find characters more fully and more strongly developed perhaps than you find now.    I am sorry for those people who think if they go back far enough in their genealogy they will find an ape for an ancestor.  I do not belong to that class of thinkers.  I accept the Bible statement that our common ancestor, Adam, was originally a perfect man.
     In conclusion, let me say that I am very glad to be here today.  I am glad to see so many here, glad to know that the name is in no immediate danger of dying out.  If we had brought some of our little ones with us, we could have made a better showing still.  I left eight at home myself.  They are of all sizes, and when properly arranged remind you of the pipes of a church organ.  I am proud of my children as I am of my ancestors, and think you all feel that way of yours.
     Now, if I have been a little severe with you, forgive me.  I thank you for your attention.  May God bless you all."