Zissa, Frank F., 1878-1957

Frank Zissa (1878-1957) was born in Germany, but his family emigrated to the United States in 1889 and settled in Stowe, Pennsylvania. Zissa married Flora May Huetter (1884-1954) of Pottstown. The couple had 3 children.

Zissa fought in the Spanish-American War, then joined the Marine Corps and served on campaigns in Nicaragua, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, China, Japan, and many other countries. He assisted during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, and was with the first group of Marines who established the Marine Base at Quantico, Virginia in 1917. Zissa continued in the Marine Corps Reserve starting 1919, while working as a machinist for Dana Corporation.

Bibliography:

Some of the information in this note is from a document in the collection titled, "Family Backgrounds of Frank F. and Flora M (Huetter) Zissa," which was compiled by Robert F. Zissa, son of Frank and Flora in 1987.

Obituary. "Marine Veteran, Frank Zissa, 78, Dies in Hospital." Pottstown Mercury, April 17, 1957.

From the guide to the Frank Zissa letters, Bulk, 1901-1919, 1901-1987, (Historical Society of Montgomery County)