Uncle Josh was a stock character in amateur theatrical and minstrel shows. One man is in blackface, a racist imitation of African American skin color. The Philadelphia Inquirer ran this photograph on March 2, 1902, page 9, with the following headline…
Used in Soldiers’ and Sailors' Monument composites, AP-8248 and AP-8249, which were used in commemorative booklet for dedication of the monument in 1903. Wearing cap with 149 and several medals.