John Wissinger (1836 - 1928)

Born 27 Feb 1836 in Conemaugh Twp, Cambria, Pennsylvania (Now Lower Yoder Twp). on the Strayer property)

Ancestors

Husband of Sophia (Mackall) Wissinger — married 4 Nov 1858 in Cambria, Pennsylvania

Husband of Harriet H. (Mackall) Wissinger — married 19 Aug 1896 in Cambria, Pennsylvania, USA

Descendants

Died 8 Feb 1928 at age 91 in Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Robert Wissinger [send private message]

Biography

John Wissinger served in the United States Civil War.
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 135th Pa Cc A

JOHN WISSINGER AN OCTOGENARIAN - The Johnstown Tribune, 2/28/1916

Prominent Morrellville Resident Was Born In Lower Yoder Township February, 1836

John Wissinger, one of the oldest residents of this vicinity, was born in the Strayer property in Lower Yoder Township 80 years ago yesterday. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wissinger and was born February 27, 1836. For about 50 years John Wissinger made his home on his farm in Jackson Township, returning to Morrellville about three years ago. Mr. Wissinger is residing in his property at 123 Leslie street with Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hoffman. A dinner was served yesterday for the octogenarian, among the guests present being Miss Mabel C. Findley, his granddaughter, with Mr. and Mrs. Delwin Harris, of the South Side, other relatives. Mr. Wissinger is enjoying excellent health.

JOHN WISSINGER'S 90th ANNIVERSARY - The Johnstown Tribune, Monday Evening, March 1, 1926

Veteran Morrellville Resident Is Enjoying Good Health; At Church Yesterday [photo] John Wissinger, one of the oldest residents of this city, quietly celebrated the 90th anniversary of his birth on Saturday, when his children paid him a visit at his home., 123 Leslie avenue, Morrellville, where Mr. and Mrs. Gotshall reside with him. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. Eli Wissinger, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wissinger, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Gillen, Mrs. Harry Griffith, Harvey Thomas, Guy Wissinger, Mrs. Stephen James, Miss Freda Gillen and Mr. and Mrs. Watson Gramling.

Mr. Wissinger was born in Lower Yoder township on February 27, 1836 and spent his boyhood days in Morrellville and Rosedale. Over 68 years ago Mr. Wissinger plowed a field on the present site of Cambria's lower mills, but he never worked for the local industry. In the 60's he removed to Jackson township and was engaged in farming for a period of 50 years. He returned to Johnstown about 14 years ago and has since been living near where he was born. His father, Lewis Wissinger, died in Conemaugh Township 25 years ago at the age of 102 years. John Wissinger's grandfather [Ludwig Wissinger] was a drummer boy in a regiment that served under Washington in the Revolutionary War and three of his grandsons are now in training in the U. S. Services.

Mr. Wissinger was married twice, both wives preceding him to the grave. He has seven sons and daughters, 43 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. The nonagenarian is enjoying excellent health and was present at the services yesterday in the Morrellville Church of the Brethren, where he is a communicant.

Johnstown Tribune, c 2/2/1928

JOHN WISSINGER, A NONAGENARIAN, CALLED BY DEATH _____________________________ Well-Known Resident of Morrellville Had Been Bedfast Since November _______________________ BORN IN FEBRUARY, 1836

John Wissinger, one of the oldest residents of Johnstown, passed away this morning at his residence, 123 Leslie Street, Morrellville, where he had been bedfast since November. His death was due to a complication of diseases. The deceased was born in Lower Yoder Township on February 27, 1836, and was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wissinger. Lewis Wissinger died in Conemaugh Township 32 years ago at the age of 102 years and his grandfather, who served in the Revolutionary War, was a nonagenarian at the time of his death. The latter was a drummer boy under Washington in a regiment of Germans that was recruited in Philadelphia. John Wissinger's mother died when he was a mere child and he was reared by the Eli Benshoff family, of Minersville, now the Fourteenth Ward, where he spent his boyhood days. Early in the 50's Mr. Wissinger plowed a field at the present site of the Cambria Steel Company's mills, but he never worked for the local industry. For over 50 years Mr. Wissinger was engaged in farming in Jackson Township, this county, returning to Johnstown many years ago and had since resided in the vicinity of his birthplace. Mr. Wissinger was married twice, both times to sisters. His first wife was Sophia Mackall and his second wife was Harriet Mackall. All his children were born to his first wife, whose death occurred 31 years ago. His second wife's death occurred in 1914. His children are Mary, wife of Timothy Gillen, of Jackson Township; Albert Wissinger, of Walnut Grove; Sarah, wife of Watson Grumbling, of Morrellville; Eli H. Wissinger, of Roxbury, this city; Lucy, wife of Stephen James, of Conemaugh; Hannah, wife of Harry Griffith, of Jackson Township; and Walter E Wissinger, Richland Manor. In addition to the above he is survived by 43 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. John Wissinger was a member of the church of the Brethren for many years. He was the oldest member of the Morrellville congregation.

Will of John Wissinger

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN

I, John Wissinger, of the City of Johnstown, in the County of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

And first, I direct that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life, and that all my just debts and funeral expenses be full paid and satisfied mas soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

As to such estate, as it hath pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows, viz:

SECOND: I give, devise and bequeath all the real estate that I may own and possess at the time of my death to the following children share and share alike, namely, Mary, intermarried with Timothy Gillin; Albert Wissinger, Sarah, intermarried with Watson Grumbling; Eli B. Wisisnger; Lucy, intermarried with Stephen James; Hannah, intermarried with Harry Griffith and W. E. Wissinger; and to my grandchildren their share Per Stirpes, namely, Ernest Horner, surviving son of my daughter Emma, intermarried with Harry Horner, now deceased; Helen Thomas, Lillian Thomas and Dean Thomas, surviving children of my daughter, Jennie, intermarried with Harvey Thomas, now deceased; Jennie Van, now intermarried with Delmar Harris, surviving daughter of my daughter, Harriet, intermarried with Harry Van, now deceased.

THIRD: I give and bequeath all the personal property which I may own and possess at the time of my decease, of whatsoever kind or character and wheresoever the same may be situate, to my children, above named, share and share alike, and to my grandchildren, above named, their share per stirpes.

And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Eli B. Wissinger, Executor of this, my last will and testament, without bond, and as such Executor he shall have full power and authority to sell the real estate which I may die seized of, at public or private sale without petitioning the Orphans' Court, and he shall have full power and authority to make a deed or deeds for the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof.

I also nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Eli B. Wissinger, Testamentary Guardian of any grandchildren who are not of age at the time of my decease, and he to act as their guardian until such time as they become of full age. It is my request and I hereby direct that my son, Eli B. Wissinger, as such Testamentary Guardian shall not be required to give bond, but only to keep an account of the money paid into his hands from the sale of said real estate, or the sale of the personal property and pay it over to those entitled thereto, after all the expenses incident thereto have been deducted.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, John Wissinger, the Testator, have to this my will written on three sheets of paper, set my hand and seal this seventh day of June, A.D. One thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty-seven (1927).

Signed - John Wissinger <SEAL>

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named, John Wissinger, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said Testator and of each other.

Signed - J. J. Kirstner and Anna Mulvehill

John was born on 27 February 1836 in Conemaugh, Cambria Co., PA. He was the son of Lewis Wissinger and Barbara (Strayer) Wissinger.

Sources

• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Death Certificate #17100 - certified copy on file
• Johnstown Tribune, Cambria Cnty, Pa, 2/2/1928. Obituary - John Wissinger, A Nonagenarian Called by Death

Acknowledgments

• Profile Wissinger-25 was created through the import of Wissinger-Hastings_book_EN.ged on Mar 30, 2012 by Virginia McIlroy.