BIO: Jesse WINGERT, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 312-313.
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  WINGERT, JESSE, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., March 4, 1833.  He is a 
son of John and Mary (Heckendorn) Wingert.  The Wingert family are of 
German ancestry.  John Wingert was born in Georgetown, D. C., came to 
Harrisburg with his parents when a boy, and resided here continuously 
until his death.  He served in the war of 1812.  He was a weaver, and 
followed that occupation.  He died in 1837.
  The Heckendorn family are of Swiss extraction.  They settled at 
Jonestown, Pa., at an early date.  On account of troubles with the 
Indians, they abandoned their home there, and located in York, Pa.  
Mary Heckendorn, mother of Jesse Wingert, came with her parents to 
Harrisburg in 1804, and resided here until her death.  John and Mary 
Wingert had a family of eight children; a daughter, Mary, widow of 
Michael Goodwin, residing in Philadelphia, and their son Jesse are the 
only living members of the family.  Joseph, a son, was killed at the 
battle of Vicksburg; Charles died in Harrisburg in September, 1889; 
Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Martin, died in Harrisburg in 1850.  Three 
other children died young.
  Jesse Wingert has spent his whole life in Harrisburg.  He received 
his education in the city schools.  He learned bricklaying, but 
followed that occupation for only one year after his apprenticeship.  
For the next seven years he was engaged in the sale of building sand.  
Since that time he has been in the real estate business.  In August, 
1864, he enlisted in company L, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania volunteers, 
as a private.  In the same year his company was attached to the One 
Hundred and Ninety-ninth regiment, becoming company E of that regiment, 
and Mr. Wingert was promoted to be its second lieutenant.  He served in 
this regiment until the close of the war, taking part in the 
engagements around Petersburg, Va.
  Jesse Wingert was married in East Pennsboro' township, Cumberland 
county, November 20, 1865, to Barbara, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary 
(Renninger) Blust.  They have no children.
  Mr. Wingert has been assessor for one year.  He has represented the 
Sixth ward for one term in common council.  He is a director in the 
Merchants' National Bank, and in the Central Safe Deposit and Guarantee 
Company; also in the Safe Deposit Building and Loan Association.  In 
politics Mr. Wingert is an independent voter, aiming always to support 
the most worthy men, irrespective of party.  Mr. Wingert is executor of 
the Downey estate, and is committee for George W. McKee, in the McKee 
estate.  He has also settled other estates to the entire satisfaction 
of every one concerned.  He is a member of Grace M. E. church.  Mrs. 
Wingert is a member of St. Lawrence's Roman Catholic church.
  Dr. Joseph Blust, the father of Mrs. Wingert, is one of the oldest 
residents of Harrisburg, and the oldest physician.  He was born in 
Baden, Germany, October 28, 1804, received his education in his native 
land, came to America with his parents in 1817, and lived in Lebanon 
county, Pa.  There he read medicine under Dr. Mish and other eminent 
physicians.  He began the practice of his profession when he was 
twenty-nine years old, in Cumberland county, and remained there until 
1865.  In this year he removed to Harrisburg, and practiced until a few 
years ago.  He was married, January 4, 1838, to Mary Renninger, who 
died in Harrisburg, July 8, 1889.  They had three children:  Margaret, 
born January 15, 1839, died March 18, 1869; Barbara, wife of Jesse 
Wingert, born June 4, 1840; Joseph, born May 15, 1846, married Mary 
Webber, May 14, 1870, and resides in Hampton township, Cumberland 
county.
  Mary Renninger, mother of Mrs. Wingert, was born in Cumberland 
county, March 18, 1808.  She was the daughter of Martin and Margaretta 
(Rupp) Renninger.  Martin Renninger was born in Lancaster county in 
1764.  He served in the State Legislature.  For many years he was an 
officer in the Lutheran church.  He died October 29, 1841,and is buried 
in Zion Lutheran church, near West Fairview.