Jacob Kissinger, farmer and stockman, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was born in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 14 November 1843.
His grandfather, John Kissinger, was a native of Lykens Township, farmer, who lived and died in that township. He married Elizabeth Klinger, of Lykens Valley. Their children were:
John Kissinger;
Jonas Kissinger;
Peter Kissinger;
Angeline Kissinger;
Susan Kissinger;
George Kissinger; and
Kate Kissinger.
George Kissinger, father of Jacob Kissinger, was born in Lykens Township in 1817, and educated in the subscription schools of the township. His life was spent in farming. He owned a farm of sixty acres in Lykens Township, which he cultivated and improved, and on which he was engaged in stock raising. He is still an active business man. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church. George Kissinger was married in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, to Sarah Knerr, born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1822. Their children were:
John Kissinger, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania;
Jacob Kissinger;
Catherine Kissinger, wife of Benjamin Hoffman;
Jane Kissinger, wife of Reuben Steely, Lykens Township;
Amos Kissinger, farmer, Lykens Township; and
Amanda Kissinger, died young.
Mr. and Mrs. George Kissinger still reside in the township. Mr. Kissinger took an active part in the Sunday-school by serving as a teacher and treasurer for many years.
Jacob Kissinger attended the Kissinger School House in the winter and worked on the farm during the summer. He continued work at home until 1 July 1863, when he enlisted in what was called the “Home Guard,” at Gratz, Pennsylvania. He was in Company c, Thirty-sixth regiment of these militia troops, and served eight weeks at Gettysburg [Civil War]. Being then discharged he returned home and remained on the farm until February 1864, when he re-enlisted at Gratz for three years in Company K, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry [9th Pennsylvania Cavalry], Colonel Thomas J. Jordan and Captain J. Frank Miller. He was in the Atlanta Campaign and went with Sherman to the sea, and remained with Sherman’s army, participating in marches and battles, until the surrender of Johnson, having been in forty-two battles and skirmishes. At the close of the war Mr. Jacob Kissinger was honorably discharged from the service at Harrisburg, returned home, and for two years assisted his father in cultivating the home farm. After this he cultivate a rented farm of eighty-five acres until 1885, when he bought the farm he now owns and occupies for $8000. He has built upon it a dwelling costing $1500, and made other important improvements. Besides farming, he carries on a stock and dairy business.
Jacob Kissinger was married in Lykens Township, in August 1867, to Amanda Williard, daughter of a farmer of that township, George Williard, and his wife, Lavinia [Deibler] Williard. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kissinger have eleven children:
Harvey F. Kissinger, born 11 November 1868, farmer, Lykens Township;
Mary Kissinger, born 8 February 1870, wife of Frank Hoffman, Lykens Township;
S. Katie Kissinger, born 9 June 1872;
Daniel Kissinger, born 10 January 1874, farmer;
Edmund O Kissinger, born 9 November 1876, at home;
Ida Kissinger, born 9 January 1878;
Dora Kissinger, born 13 December 1880;
Annie Kissinger, born 21 September 1882, died in 1891;
Charles W. Kissinger, born 4 September 1884;
Jacob Kissinger, born 12 August 1886; and
Thomas H. Kissinger, born 6 October 1888.
Mr. Jacob Kissinger is a member of Kissinger Post, No. 376, G.A.R., at Gratz, was commander of the post one year, and has officiated as chaplain, vice-commander, and lieutenant vice-commander. He has also been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Grange. He is a Republican, has been four terms supervisor of roads and judge of elections, and has served in other township offices. Mr. Kissinger is also prominent in church affairs, being a member of the Reformed church at Gratz. He has been an elder for three years, and has represented the congregation at synods. he has served in all officers of the church, and is a diligent worker and an honorable and influential citizen.
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The above information was modified/edited from Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, published in 1896 by J. M. Runk and Company of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A free download is available from the Internet Archive.
See also:
Findagrave Memorial #39823954. Jacob Kissinger died on 16 November 1921 in Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He is buried at the Gratz Union Cemetery, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The Findagrave site also has an article from the Millersburg Sentinel, September 1932, and a transcription of his obituary.