Jacob Franklin Wiser
JACOB FRANKLIN WISER, of No. 142 Queen street, Kittanning, now living retired, was a carpenter in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for thirty-five years, is a Civil war veteran, and for his services to his country and his useful and industrious career as a private citizen has always had the respect of all who know him. He was born Jan. 29, 1838, in what is now Burrell township, Armstrong county, son of Jacob and Jene (Rolley) Wiser.
Jacob Wiser, the father, was born in Berks county, Pa., and was of German descent. In the early days he drove team, hauling supplies from Philadelphia to points east of the mountains. He was still a young man when he came to Armstrong county, Pa., where he married, and settling on Cherry run began to clear the farm in what is now Burrell township, where his son, Jacob F., was born. In association with his brother-in-law, John Johnson, he leased the salt works on Crooked creek, but the enterprise did not prove remunerative and he returned to farming, which he followed the remainder of his life. He died aged ninety-one years, and his wife, born on the old Rolley farm in Plum Creek township, died in 1872. They had four children: John, Isaac, Ellen, and Jacob Franklin.
Jacob Franklin Wiser received a common school education, and learned the carpenter�s trade. After his marriage he entered a rolling mill, where he was employed until he enlisted, in 1862, for service in the Civil war. Joining Company B, 46th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, he was first with the Army of the Potomac, and took part in the battle of Gettysburg. The command then returned to Virginia, and on leaving there to join the Western Army went by rail to Bridgeport, Ala., where the 11th and 12th corps were consolidated into the 20th corps and proceeded to Lookout Mountain, taking part in the battle there. It also participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and there went into winter quarters. In the spring it was engaged in the battle of Resaca, after which it was almost continually under fire until Atlanta was reached, also taking part in the battle there. At Atlanta Mr. Wiser received a wound which prevented him joining in Sherman�s march to the sea, but nevertheless he continued in the service until the close of the war, being mustered out June 22, 1865.
Returning to his trade Mr. Wiser did general carpenter work for two years, and was engaged in the oil fields a year or so, before he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railway Company, being employed in the bridge department on the Allegheny Valley road. He was with the Pennsylvania Company continuously for a period of thirty-five years, retiring at the age of seventy. He was always an efficient and highly satisfactory workman, esteemed by his associates and employers alike, and did his duty faithfully whatever it was. Mr. Wiser formerly held membership in the Order of United American Mechanics, Royal Arcanum, Red Men and Knights of Pythias, but at present retains only his connection with the last named organization.
On July 11, 1960, Mr. Wiser married Mary Ellen Meekling, who was born Dec. 3, 1834, and died Aug. 31, 1899, in Kittanning. They had a family of ten children, born as follows: William H., Nov. 16, 1861; Jacob M., Feb. 29, 1864; Hannah Jane, May 19, 1866; Rebecca Ellen. Jan. 31, 1868 (died Aug. 24, 1876); John Franklin, July 24, 1870 (died Oct. 21, 1882); Mary Martha, Feb. 2, 1872 (died Oct. 25, 1874); Anna Bell, Aug. 21, 1874; Samuel James, March 11, 1876; Myron A., Oct. 6, 1878; Louisa Bell, Jan. 25, 1884.
Source: Pages 942-943, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed November 1998 by Kathy Zagorac for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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