OBIT: Samuel KISSINGER, 1899, Penn Township, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynn Ayers Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ________________________________________________ Recent Deaths SAMUEL KISSINGER Was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, May 20th, 1819 and died in Penn Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania on February 23, 1899 aged 79 years, 9 months and 3 days. His mother died when he was but three days old and his father when he was eight years old. An orphan from the beginning almost, all of his earthly life, making it impossible for him, though he did live until the stern cares of life had made marked impressions upon his brow to talk of an experience in a mother's love. A word says Pollok that sums all bliss. How inestimable the wealth - the recollections of a mother - her form, voice, step and chair, Bible, spectales, lullabys with a thousand other things leading Beecher to say that "A mother's heart was the child's school room" to which the writer would add, "A refuge, that not only afforded protection from pursuing foes, but panaceas for every ill of life, not only in ointments and goodies, but in kisses and prayers." Of such things, Samuel Kissinger had no recollections, in such he had no experience. His heart never felt the inspiration such affords as with brawny arm and firm step he walked into the forests of Penn township, more than half a century ago, and with saw and axe, carved out material which became the nucleus of the comfortable environments of his old age and in the midst of which he laid himself down to die. After the death of his father, when Samuel was but nine years old and without any earthly kin save that of step-brother and step-sister. He was brought to the attention of the Orphan's Court of Washington County, Maryland, and an indenture ordered by that court in which he was to be bound to Isaac Clymer, a cooper by trade - for the term of twelve years, or until he had attained his majority - at the age of fourteen he was brought by Clymer to Penn township, where the latter located himself on a tract of land immediately south of James Creek Mills a tract of land largely covered with timber, part of which was subsequently purchased by Mr. Kissinger which with an adjoining tract he owned at his death. For twenty five years after his indenture with Clymer ceased, he followed his trade as cooper. Within three years after he attained his freedom. On October 6, 1842, he was married to Mary Snare, to them were born six children, two of whom died when quite young. Another daughter, Margaret who married to T. Wilday Black of Huntingdon. After a few years in that relation she departed this life leaving with her husband two sons that have since grown into manhood. Three daughters survived the deceased. Mrs. Isaac Lamp of Huntingdon. Mrs. Frank Martin of Bruning, Nebraska and Miss Kate at home. The wife and mother having preceded her husband to the spirit land three years ago. After a married life of more than half a century. Upon Kate fell largely the responsibility of caring for the parents in their last years which she did with the greatest possible degree of tenderness and love. And today is comparatively alone in the home where once a large family of parents and children for years dwelt together. But a little time after his marriage - like Moses when he had come to years - he wisely concluded, as should every other young man and specially when entering into the relation of married life a relation not only made specially sacred became of God's appointment - but signifies unto us the mystical union between Christ and his church - he identified himself with the Methodist Protestant church which at that time more than fifty years ago had an organization and preaching appointment in the school house near James Creek Mills - which organization was sustained until about twenty years ago. His name however was retained on the records of that church - at Cassville, Pa. All the members of that organization at James Creek have passed away. Samuel Kissinger was the last to depart. He had a high regard for the Church of Jesus Christ in all her branches and for the truth taught therein. He expressed great sympathy with the writer in his work in that locality twelve years ago. Samuel Kissinger was evidently a land mark in the community in which he so long lived, a land mark not only to success in life and the enjoyment of the confidence and respect of the entire community, showing us what possibilities God has put within us and placed within our grasp, no matter how humble our origin or obscure our early years be, or discouraging circumstances in laying the foundation for success - if fidelity characterise us, even in the least. God will entrust us with the greater things. Funeral services were conducted by the writer, on Sabbath February 26 at 10:30 A.M. in the Reformed church at Marklesburg despite the great rain storm that prevailed - he had a respectable following to his grave made up very largely of aged persons indicating the high esteem in which Samuel Kissinger was held by them. His body sleeps by the side of his wife - both awaiting the resurrection of the just. M.L.S clipping