BIO: Joseph R. KESSINGER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  JOSEPH ROSS KESSINGER is one of the enterprising merchants of 
Hublersburg, Centre county, and his activity in business has been of 
material benefit to the village as well as to himself.  Gifts of money 
may be used in beautifying or adorning a town,, but the real 
benefactors of a corporate community are those who promote its business 
interests, for prosperity depends upon the exchange of commodities, 
whereby men are employed, and thus secure the means of establishing 
homes and caring, for their fam-

302  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ilies. Mr. Kessinger is a wide-awake, enterprising business man, and 
well deserves mention among the representative citizens of Centre 
county.
  Our subject was born in Clinton county, March 18, 1834, and is a son 
of Adam and Elizabeth (Hunsicker) Kessinger.  The father was born in 
Lancaster county, Penn., and was married there to Miss Hunsicker, a 
native of Switzerland, who came to America when about fifteen years of 
age.  About 1828 they removed to Centre county, and Mr. Kessinger built 
the Lamar furnace for the firm of Kurtz & Irvin.  He finally located in 
Mill Hall, Clinton county, where his death occurred in 1858.  Just 
thirty-six years before, to the day and hour, he was married, and by 
that union were born ten children: (1) DeWitt Clinton wedded Miss Mary 
Ann Fetterhaff, and has six children.  He served through the Civil war, 
and now receives a pension in compensation for injuries sustained.  His 
trade is that of an iron molder, and he lives in Lock Haven, Penn. (2) 
Thomas M. also served in the Civil war; he was an iron molder, but is 
now retired; he is married, and resides in Mill Hall. (3) Joseph R. is 
the next in order of birth. (4) Francis M., who is married and has a 
family of six children, served throughout the Civil war, and is now a 
traveling salesman for the house of Strickler & Co., of Mifflinburg, 
Penn. (5) Fannie R. is the widow of George Roffe, of Mill Hall, Penn., 
and has a family of eight children. (6) Mary P. is the wife of George 
Bowers, an axe-maker of Mill Hall, where they live with their family. 
(7) Jacob G. was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor during the war of 
the Rebellion.  Three of the children died in infancy.
  Under the parental roof Mr. Kessinger, the subject of this review, 
spent the days of his boyhood, and is indebted to the common schools 
for his educational privileges.  Like his father he learned the foundry 
business, becoming a proficient workman in that line.  His life has 
been a busy and useful one, and from humble surroundings he has 
steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence, overcoming 
the difficulties and obstacles in his path by resolute and honorable 
purpose.  He is now engaged in merchandising in Hublersburg, and his 
enviable reputation as a straightforward business man insures him a 
liberal patronage.
  On May 22, 1857, Mr. Kessinger married Miss Julia, daughter of Peter 
Heller, a prominent citizen, who served for more than thirty years as 
justice of the peace of Walker township, Centre county. They have eight 
children: (1) William E., who was born October 30, 1858,and is an iron 
molder by trade, wedded Mary Tucker, and has eight children; (2) Thomas 
L., born October 6, 1862, is also an iron molder by trade, but is now 
assisting his father in the store; (3) Laura B. is the wife of James H. 
Rathmell, a bookkeeper residing in Germantown, near Philadelphia, 
Penn.; (4) Harvey A., born May 27, 1866, married Minnie M. Decker, by 
whom he has a daughter, and now resides in Pitcairn, Penn., where he 
follows the machinist's trade; (5) George C., an iron molder, married 
Gertrude Struble, and has two children; (6) Sarah J. is the wife of 
Joseph Emerick, a farmer of Walker township, Centre county, by whom she 
has two children; (7) Maud A., born in July, 1878, and (8) Arthur D., 
born in August, 1883, are still at home. 
  In his political views Mr. Kessinger is a Republican.  Both he and 
his wife hold membership in the Methodist Church, and are people of 
sterling worth.  He is a self-made man, industrious and intelligent, 
his sterling worth gaining him the confidence of all, while his genial 
manner has made him a popular citizen.