My Genealogy Hound

CHRISTIAN A. WISMER, one of the leading farmers of Perkiomen township, was born in that part of the township which is now Skippack township, November 6, 1856. He is the son of Abraham K. and Sophia (Allebach) Wismer.

Abraham K. Wismer (father) was the son of Abraham and Susanna (Culp) Wismer. He was born and reared on the old homestead, where he yet lives. He made many improvements on the farm, giving strict attention to the culture of the paternal acres, and attending market every week. He was reared in the Mennonite faith, and of later years has been an ordained minister in the church of the Brethren in Christ, and is prominently identified with the church. His first wife died in 1862. She was the daughter of Christian Allebach, a prominent farmer and elder in the Reformed church. He resided in Lower Salford township. The children of Christian Allebach: Benjamin; Ann, Mrs. Samuel Wismer; Lena, Mrs. A. B. Alderfer; Jacob, resides at Greenlane; Sophia, mother of Christian A. Wismer. The children of Abraham and Sophia (Allebach) Wismer: Christian A., subject of this sketch; Abraham A., farmer; Ansona, Mrs. A. Landes. Mrs. Sophia Wismer was a member of the Mennonite denomination. After remaining a widower three years, Abraham Wismer married a second time, Miss Frances Landes, who was born in Skippack township, being a daughter of Daniel Landes, a farmer, and in religious faith a Mennonite, but Mr. Wismer’s second wife worships with her husband. The children of Abraham and Frances Wismer: Frances, unmarried; Sophia, Mrs. C. Bean. Frances Wismer resides in the west, and is a minister of the progressive Mennonite church.

Abraham Wismer (grandfather) was the first of the family to settle in Skippack township. He was a Mennonite minister and bishop. He was an energetic farmer, and accumulated a competence for old age. He married Susanna Kulp. His children: Henry K., David K., Susanna, Mrs. Bergey; Abraham K., father. Christian Wismer (great-grandfather) was reared in Bucks county, being the captain of a company in the Revolutionary war. After that conflict was ended he settled on a farm in Montgomery county where he died. Jacob Wismer (great-great-grandfather) was the son of Jacob Wismer, the immigrant, who was born in Germany in 1684, and died in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1777. Because of religious persecution he joined a colony of Germans, and accompanied by a sister came to America in 1710. Thy landed at Charleston, South Carolina, and the colony settled in North Carolina. Some years later the Seminole Indians made war on them, and over a hundred of the colony were massacred. Jacob Wismer had some tobacco of which the Indians were fond, and by using it ingeniously he had an opportunity to make his escape. It is said that he walked and ran ninety miles on the first day. He reached safety, and settled in Bucks county, where he reared a family of nine children. From his son Jacob the Montgomery county branch of the family is descended.

Christian A. Wismer was reared on the homestead where his father still lives. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and obtained a fair education. He remained with his father until his marriage in 1879. In the spring of 1880 he removed to the farm he now occupies, opposite the village of Gratersford, and owns a valley farm, “Pleasant View.” He gives all needed attention to farming operations, and attended market for a number of years, but has abandoned this plan and instead maintains a dairy with a large number of cows, and sends milk to Philadelphia. He is one of the most careful farmers in that section of the county. Everything on the premises is kept in excellent order. Politically Mr. Wismer is a Republican, taking an active interest in all public questions. Although he has never aspired to political preferment, he has filled the office of school director for nine years. He is a director of the Royersford Trust Company.

He married Miss Emma Fry, born in Perkiomen township, December 20, 1857. She is a lady of superior culture, being the daughter of Eli and Anna (Essick) Fry. Her family is one of the oldest in Montgomery county. Eli Fry was the son of Jacob Fry, of German descent, a farmer and weaver, a member of the German Reformed church, and highly respected by all who knew him. The children of Jacob Fry: Eli, father of Mrs. Wismer; Susanna and Mary, both unmarried. Eli Wismer was a mason by trade as well as a farmer. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. He died December 26, 1902. His wife survives, making her home at Trappe. The children of Eli and Anna (Essick) Fry: Emma, Mrs. C. A. Wismer; Alice, Mrs. L. Wismer; Clement, United States revenue officer, residing on Lafayette street, Norristown; Susanna, unmarried; Jacob, who farms the homestead.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Wismer: Eli, born July 6, 1885, resides with his parents; Charles, born December 10, 1887. Both are well educated. Eli graduated from the township schools. Both parents are members of the Reformed church at Trappe, in which Mr. Wismer is a trustee, as well as leader of the choir.