Notes for Richard Dewey KISTLER
06/01/98 Sydney L. Kistler to Charles Edwin Kistler (Co. A, 1st Regt Penna. Vol., Chickamauga, GA) "We named the new boy and the minister, Mr. Yeager and his wife were up to see us on Tuesday and christened him Richard Dewey Kistler." Letter in personal collection of Bruce Kistler, Winter Haven, FL
Marriage: Copy of marriage certificate in personal collection of Bruce Kistler, Winter Haven, FL
Paraphrased from church testimonial:
Enjoyed hunting and fishing along Conestoga Creek and Susquehanna River as a boy. Family became members of Emanual Lutheran Church. Skipped the third and fifth grade and graduated high school at age of 16. Was a stenographer, typist and bookkeeper. Helped his "oldest brother" prove his claim in Chippewa Co., WI. Enlisted April 6, 1917, the same day the U.S. declared war on Germany. Assigned to 9th Infantry, San Antonio, TX then 47th Infantry, Syracuse, NY. Later trained at Camp Greene, Charlotte, NC. Became Brigade Sergeant Major at Headquarters, 7th Infantry. Shipped to Brest, France. Involved in Marne campaign. Fought at St. Mihiel. On September 27, 1918, during fighting near Septarges, assumed command of assault battlion which had lost its officers and held line. As a result, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant. Assisted Military Governor of the Coblenz Bridgehead in writing the history of the Bridgehead. Chest with his war memorabilia was lost.
Back home he worked for Star Shirt Co., in NY. He and Mollie were married May 19, 1921. He then worked for Armstrong Cork Co. linoleum division in Lancaster. In 1925 worked as salesman for Analomik Paper Co. of Stroudsburg. In 1927 went into business with a Mr. Eddie. During partnership, they obtained a patent for the DeWalt Woodworking Machine but a third partner formed his own company and sold the rights to the patent resulting in Eddie's suicide and bankrupting the partnership. Dick set up a photography studio in his home (farmhouse on Rt. 30 east of Lancaster built in 1705) to pay off the business debts. Moved to Narberth and worked for U.B. Barkley Nursery & Garden Co. until 1929 when he went to work as an agent for the Prudential Insurance Co. Mollie died in 1956. Contracted asthma in 1956 and was forced to retire in 1958 due to poor health. Moved to Tucson, AZ and was treated at Tucson Medical Center. Became active in St. John's Methodist Church and Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship. Met and married Pearl Sterling in 1965.
Lived 572 Barrett Ave., Haverford, PA
Buried Paoli Cemetery near Ada, OK
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