Edwin Ruthven Kissell

EDWIN RUTHVEN KISSELL. The grandfather of Edwin Ruthen Kissell, of Ligonier township, was William Kissell, who was born and reared at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and was a stonemason by trade. He moved to Westmoreland county and settled in the Ligonier valley, where he followed his trade during the remainder of his life. William Kissell married Sarah Witter, and their children were: George, deceased; Frederick, deceased; Danial C., mentioned hereafter; Franklin; John Wesley, deceased; Matilda, deceased; Lucinda, who became the wife of Solomon Grisword, and is deceased; Jerome; and William Albert; both of whom are deceased. The father of the family died in 1858.

Daniel C. Kissell, son of William and Sarah (Witter) Kissell, was born March 28, 1838, in Lancaster City, and when a child was brought to Westmoreland county by his parents. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for some years in Pittsburg. For seven years he was car inspector at Irwin for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1871 he purchased the property where he now makes his home and which is known as the Kissell Spring Hotel. It was opened by him about 1877 and continuously conducted by him until 1899, when he resigned the management to his son Edwin Ruthven. Mr. Kissell married Mary Ann, daughter of Frederick Snyder, and their children are: DeWitt Clinton; Edwin Ruthven; mentioned hereafter; John Wesley; William S.; Mildred D., married a Mr. Jack, of Pittsburg; Luella Montrose, married Robert Gilligan; Ralph; Ray B.; and Kenneth Kingsley. Mrs. Kissell died in 1898.

Edwin Ruthven Kissell, son of Daniel C. and Mary Ann (Snyder) Kissell, was born September 15, 1866, at Irwin, Pennsylvania, and when about fourteen years old started for Scotland, but decided to go west, where he spent five years as a cow boy. At the end of that time he returned to Pennsylvania and worked as a carpenter and builder until after the death of his mother. About a year after that event he succeeded his father as proprietor of the Kissell Spring Hotel, a position which he has since successfully filled. The hotel is situated five miles northeast of Ligonier and is one of the best-known summer resorts in western Pennsylvania. Mr. Kissell is a member of the West Fairfield church. He is a Republican in politics. He married Annie Esther, daughter of Noah H. and Mary Jane (Ross) Clarke.

Source: Page(s) 138, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed March 2006 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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