After researching my family’s connection to early American history, I discovered that my fourth great-grandfather, Ludwig Wissinger, was a Revolutionary War veteran and is buried in the private Wissinger Family Cemetery in Johnstown, PA. I visited his gravesite and placed a wreath on his grave marker during the Wreaths Across America event.
While in the Continental Army, he served with the 3rd Battalion German Regiment of Maryland under the command of Col. Nicholas Hussecker and with the 3rd Battalion Bedford County Militia. He fought in numerous major battles, including the Battles of Concord, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Sullivan’s Campaign against the Iroquois Indians. He also served at Valley Forge in 1778 under the command of General George Washington.
He received his discharge on July 20, 1779, at the age of 23. Eighteen years later in 1797, Ludwig helped to clear 300 acres of wilderness in Cambria County. He worked with Joseph Jones to lay out the city of Johnstown, PA. He built a new house at what is now the corner of Bedford and Penrod Streets and gave land near his home for the first schoolhouse.
He expired on May 6, 1842, at the age of 86. Ludwig, his wife Susanna, and 17 family members are buried in the family cemetery at the corner of Riffith, Ruby, and Penrod Streets. This site is now a national historic landmark.
Roger Wissinger
Pennsylvania Society George Washington Chapter
Posted by Scott M. Helfrich, Ed.D. 
