Wissingers' Great Reunion of 1909

Many Hundreds Enjoy Elaborate Program of Exercises at Jacoby's Park - People from City and Country in Attendance - Commissioner Osborn Speaks

With nearly 1,500 of the clan in attendance the annual reunion of the descendants of Ludwig Wissinger, one of the earliest German settlers in Pennsylvania, at Jacoby's park, Walnut Grove, yesterday proved a most unusual gathering. all sections of the city and county and parts of Somerset county were represented in the throng. Life's cares had been forgotten and all day the park was the scene of one continuous jollification.

The exercises opened about 10:30 o'clock in the forenoon with the singing of the selection, "sweet Bye and Bye," by the assemblage. Miss Jessie Wissinger read a short scriptural lesson, after which a prayer was offered and an address delivered by the Rev. J. W. Wilson, pastor of the Walnut Grove U. B. church, in the absence of the Rev. W. M. Howe, who had been scheduled to speak. Following the singing of "Sweet Hour of Prayer" adjournment was taken for dinner.


Cyrus L. Wissinger	Albert Congleton
A Prominent Member of Yesterday's Gathering and a Great-Grandson of the Pioneer Ludwig Wissinger.	Active Participant in the Reunion.

The afternoon's program was opened at 1:15 o'clock with the hymn, "A Child of the King," and a short address by the Rev. Dr. J. Q. A. Curry, pastor of the Beulah U. E. church, who spoke in the absence of the Rev. W. A. Wissinger of Greensburg, Miss Gladys Strayer recited "Discontent" and Miss Jessie Wissinger, "Brown's Examination." The remainder of the afternoon program was as follows: duet, Eva and Bruce Lehman; recitation, "Grandma's Anger," Miss Bertha Temple; recitation, "Be Careful What You Say," Harry Wissinger; solo, Miss Margaret Schmadel; recitation, "The Gambler's Wife," Miss Hazel Powell; song, chorus of girls; recitation, "A Sock in a Rum Barrel," Miss Mildred Ream; dialogue, Orville Leverknight and Clement Thatcher; recitation, "A Leak in the Dike," Miss Jessie Sharp; recitation, "The Minuet," Miss Hazel Brown; recitation, "The Church and the World," Mrs. Adam Wissinger, supper.

The evening's session was featured with an address by County Commissioner T. A. Osborn, who had many interesting things to say. This session opened with the singing of "While the Days are Going By." The remainder of the program was as follows: Song, by the Jr. O. U. A. M. of Dale; solo, Miss Margaret Schmadel; recitation, "Gingeegg," Miss Jessie Sharp; recitation, "The Irishman's Dream," Miss Carrie Rininger; duet, Ethel Shively and Hazel Brown; recitation, "Nobody Knows but Mother," Miss Freda Mink; duet, Eva and Bruce Lehman; song by Jr. O. U. A. M. of Dale; recitation, "The Ducktor's Drubbles," Mrs. Adam Wissinger.

Following the afternoon session officers were elected for the ensuing year and to prepare for the reunion next year. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Wissinger of Walnut Grove were the leaders in preparing for yesterday's gathering. They were ably assisted by Mrs. L. D. Wissinger of Adams township, George Thomas of Walnut Grove and Louis Kauffman of Coyle township.

The oldest member of the Wissinger clan at yesterday's reunion was Mrs. Catherine Reynolds of Summerhill, who is in her 87th year. John S. Wissinger, who was the oldest in attendance last year, died in this city in February. Others of the older people present yesterday were Mrs. Nancy Hoffman of Morrellville, Eli Wissinger of Walnut Grove, Hiram Wissinger, also of Walnut Grove; John Wissinger of Jackson township, Sylvester Wissinger of Johnstown, Harry Wissinger of Richland township, Isaac Wissinger of Blacklick township, Samuel Wissinger of Morrellville and I. N. Wissinger of Ebensburg. These people, whose ages range from 70 to 86 years, represent different families of the clan, all of which trace their lineage back to Ludwig Wissinger, the pioneer.

Ludwig Wissinger was the pioneer ancestor of the family in America, emigrating to America from Germany some time prior to the American revolution. He located in what is now known as the Griffith settlement, about a mile southeast of Johnstown. He served with distinction throughout the war for independence and was honored by the government in recognition of his valuable services with a grant of 300 acres of land. The country at that time was practically a wilderness and Mr. Wissinger cleared it of timber, commenced its cultivation and soon had a productive and comfortable farm. He subsequently sold the entire tract for the very modera6te sum of $300, which at that time was considered a good price. At his death his remains were buried near what is now Moxham. He married and raised a family, among whom were John Lewis, who lived to the remarkable age of 103 years and died in Conemaugh; George W., at one time constable of Stoneycreek township; Daniel, who was a farmer and married Miss Goughnour; Esther, married to Jacob Snyder; Isaac, who lived near Scalp Level; Samuel of Westmoreland county and David who resided near Plum Creek, Indiana county. John Wissinger, the eldest child of Ludwig Wissinger, was born in this county about 1785 and was a farmer by occupation. He at one time owned considerable land in what was at that time Richland township, and which is now Adams township. He won great renown as a hunter and for his fine markmanship [sic] in general. He married Eva Stineman and reared a large family. These children were the parents of many of those who attended yesterday's reunion.

First row (left to right) - Mrs. Nancy Hoffman of Adams township, Mrs. Catherine Reynolds of Summerhill, John S. Wissinger, deceased; Daniel Kauffman of Croyle township, Mrs. Sarah Kauffman of Croyle township, Mrs. Ester Baumgardner of Scalp Level and Mrs. Susanna Wissinger of Morrellville.

Rear row (left to right) - Samuel Wissinger of Morrellville, Harry Wissinger of Richland township, Eli Wissinger of Walnut Grove, Hiram Wissinger of Walnut Grove, John Wissinger of Jackson township, Isaac Wissinger of Blacklick township, Jonathan Wissinger of Scalp Level.

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