Alexander Kissinger

Alexander Kissinger, deceased, son of David and Mary (Marks) Kissinger, was born at Martinsburg, Pa., in 1821. His father was a native of Heading, Pa., but moved to Martinsburg in 1819, where he carried on a tailoring house until his death, in 1878, in his seventy-ninth year. His mother, like his father, was of German ancestry. Alexander Kissinger's youth was devoted to school and in learning the tailor's trade; again, he taught school near Martinsburg, and later engaged in the tailoring business there. On February 23, 1845, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of John P. and Esther (Baker) Snare, and two years after settled in this township, but in 1848 purchased property at Henry, Marshall county, Ill., where he followed his trade and dealt in real estate for six years. Returning to this township, he purchased 160 acres on section 20; on which he .resided some years, when he added eighty and moved thereon, where he made his home until his death, October 18, 1880. Of his twelve children, eleven are living: Luema, who married Robert Woods, deceased; Charlotte, wife of William Holgate; Arthur S., residing in Osceola; Josephine A., Mrs. John Drawyer, of Osceola; Frank; Ella V.; James E.; William A., all of this county; Ida B., wife of Leslie Foster, of Osceola: Jennie L.; Albert D., and Lena L. residing at home. Mr. Kissinger was a Democrat, but in later years accepted the principles of Greenbackism. In church affairs he was undenominational yet very liberal, and in township matters always earnest, filling several offices as well as being identified with school interests here. His widow resides on the old homestead with three of her daughters and two of her sons.