Isaac Sitlinger, farmer and stockman, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, 15 September 1833.
George Sitlinger, the father of Isaac Sitlinger, was born in Germany, and formerly spelled his name Zitlinger. He came to America when a young man and located in Schuylkill County, where he followed the occupation of harness making. He was a well-educated man and taught subscription schools in the county, both in English and in German. He married Sarah Klinger, a native of Schuylkill County, by whom he had only one child, Isaac Sitlinger. George Sitlinger died in Schuylkill County. His politics were Democratic. He was a member of the Lutheran church. He was well-known, genial and popular, enjoying the confidence and good will of his neighbors.
Isaac Sitlinger was in his early youth instructed by his father and also attended the subscription schools of the township. When quite young he came to Dauphin County, and found work as a farm hand in Lykens Township until he was fifteen. At this age he began work as a coal miner, and was in the employ of the Lykens Coal Company for over forty years. He was a faithful and diligent worker, intent on earning a support for his family, and accumulating money for business purposes.
1874 Mr. Isaac Sitlinger bought a farm of fifty-two acres in Lykens Township, on which he built a fine farm, costing over $1000 and which he substantially improved in other ways. Since that date he has been engaged in general farming.
Isaac Sitlinger was married in Lykens Township in 1852 to Maria Shade, born in Schuylkill County, 23 June 1834, a daughter of Jacob Shade, a farmer, and Catherine [Klinger] Shade, his wife. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sitlinger are:
Sarah Sitlinger, wife of Benjamin Shadle, Washington Township;
Clara Sitlinger, wife of Joseph Raspatch, Wiconisco;
George Sitlinger, farmer, Lykens Township;
Alvin Sitlinger, farmer on the homestead;
Ida Sitlinger, wife of Uriah Daniels;
Samuel Sitlinger, a miner;
Elsie Sitlinger, housekeeper, at home;
Lettie Sitlinger, died young; and
Maggie Sitlinger, died young.
Mrs. Maria [Shade] Sitlinger died 23 October 1889. She was a devout member of the Reformed church and was zealous and active in all church work. She was exemplary as a wife and mother, a lovely Christian woman.
Mr. Isaac Sitlinger is a Republican. He was supervisor of roads for five years and gave general satisfaction in office. He is one of the local party leaders, and is always active in political movements. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and has been an elder for three years. He was formerly connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Isaac Sitlinger has an honorable record as a soldier in the late war [Civil War]. He enlisted at Harrisburg, in March 1865, in Company G, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania volunteers [103rd Pennsylvania Infantry], Captain Cornelius C. Harper and Colonel Theodore F. Lehman. He was detailed on guard duty at Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, and Roanoke Island, North Carolina. His enlistment was for three years, and he was mustered out at New Bern, North Carolina, at the close of the war. He returned home much broken in health and was for one year an invalid. The sight of his right eye is seriously impaired from exposure in the service. He is well worthy of a pension but as yet none has been granted to him. He is a substantial and reliable man, well liked by his neighbors.
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The above information was modified/edited from Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, published in 1896 by J. M. Runk and Company of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A free download is available from the Internet Archive.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.
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Findagrave Memorial #69667612. Isaac Sitlinger died 26 September 1808. He is buried at the Gratz Union Cemetery, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.