Big Crowd Attends Reunion
of the Wissinger Family at Maple Park
The Weekly Democrat - Johnstown,
Friday, October 2, 1908
Rear row (left to right) - Samuel Wissinger, Harry Wissinger, Eli Wissinger, Hiram Wissinger, John Wissinger, Isaac Wissinger, Jonathan Wissinger
First row (left to right) - Mrs. Nancy Hoffman, Mrs. Catherine Reynolds, John S. Wissinger, Daniel Kauffman, Mrs. Sarah Kauffman, Mrs. Ester Baumgardner, Mrs. Susanna Wissinger
Fully 1,400 men, women, and children whose lineage is traced back to Ludwick [sic] Wissinger, one of the earliest German settlers in the country, or at least in Pennsylvania, gathered at Jacoby's Maple park in Walnut Grove Saturday and spent the day and early evening in the height of enjoyment - a happy reunion. Ludwick [sic] Wissinger was born in Germany in 1756, moving to this country and settling here when very young. He died in 1842 at the age of 86 years.
Scattered throughout the country will be found relatives of this sturdy and thrifty family. In Johnstown and surrounding districts the Wissingers and their marital relations are many and are widely respected. All who could by any means be present were at the reunion Saturday and a most happy gathering it was. During the morning the relatives of the family name in a steady stream and at noon one of the big features of the day occurred - the dinner. In the chapel, on the lawn, under tress and in pavilions, basket dinners were spread.
Before noon a small part of the day's program was enjoyed. The singing of an old hymn by the large crowd opened the service. Then followed scripture reading by Harry Wissinger. Prayer was offered by the Rev. J. W. Wilson, pastor of the Walnut Grove Brethren church, after which an address, dealing pricipally [sic] with the Wissinger and its consistent allegiance to the church, was delivered by the Rev. W. M. Howe, pastor of the Johnstown Church of the Brethren.
At 1:15 o'clock the second session was begun. A masterful address on "Reunion Reflection and Anticipations," by the Rev. J. Q. A. Curry, pastor of the Beulah United Evangelical church, headed the afternoon program. On of the features of the afternoon was an eloquent address by George M. Wertz of this city in the form of an historical sketch of the Wissingers. A similar address was delivered by Albert Congleton. The other parts of the program were rendered as follows: Duet, Eva and Bruce Lehman; recitation, "Guilty or Not Guilty, " Hazel Brown ; recitation, "The Little Teacher," Bertha Temple; duet, Nellie Lehman and Ethel Snively; recitation, "In the House of Too much Trouble," Walter Repp; recitation, "The Last Hymn," Ruth Heilman; song, by chorus of 12 Wissinger cousins; recitation, "I Want to Go Tomorrow," Elsie Constable; recitation, "Popping Corn," by Orville Grumling; solo, Ruth Heilman; dialogue, Grumling twins; recitation, "A Sack of Flour," Pearl Baumgardner; recitation, Ester Grumling; instrumental selections, Ruth and Elmer Heilman; recitation, "The Only Child," Dorris Rose; recitation, "Old Age," Jessie Sharp; recitation, "St. Peter at the Gate," Mrs. Adam Wissinger.
It was decided to form a Wissinger Reunion association for the purpose of having annual reunions. Cyrus L. Wissinger of Dale borough was elected president; Ephraim Wissinger of Scalp Level, vice president; Walter Wissinger of Conemaugh, secretary; L. D. Wissinger of Dale, treasurer. Adam Wissinger, William B. Wissinger, Albert Congleton and Louis Kauffman were appointed as a general or executive committee. Mrs. L. D. Wissinger and Mrs. Adam Wissinger were appointed to make arrangements for the reunion of next year. They will decide the time and place for the gathering and lay the plans.
The Democrat is fortunate in presenting a picture of the older people at the Wissinger reunion. Those who attended who are above 60 years of age were: John S. Wissinger of Lovett, aged 86; Mrs. Catherine Reynolds, near Summerhill, aged 84; Mrs. Hoffman, near Salix, aged 79; Daniel Kauffman, aged 79, and his wife, Sarah Wissinger Kauffman, aged 78, of Lovett; Mrs. Susan Wissinger, aged 78; Jonathan Wissinger, aged 72; Mrs. Esther Wissinger Baumgardner, aged 70; John Wissinger, 72; Eli Wissinger, 74; Hiram Wissinger, 69; I. N. Wissinger, 64; Harry Wissinger, 67; Samuel Wissinger, 61; George Wissinger, 65.
The young and old at the reunion joined together in the pastimes of the day. Relatives met each other for probably the first time and old friends joined for the first time in many years. Stories of the old settling days were rife, and here the younger folks found the most enjoyable event of the affair.
The Conemaugh Glee club and a choir from the Jr. O. U. A. M. of Dale were present in the evening and sang several selections before the crowd dispersed. The handsome silk quilt which was given away at the reunion was won by Sylvester Reynolds, near Dunlo, aged 64 years. Mr. Reynolds is a great-grandson of Ludwick [sic] Wissinger.