Jacob R. Cressinger (b. 1844) was born in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, to Reverend John B. Cressinger (b. 1812) and Mary Baumgardner (b. 1806). His father was a Baptist minister and descendant of Michael Cressinger, a German count who immigrated to America in 1768 and settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Cressinger’s grandfather, Henry Cressinger (b. 1784) was an officer in the War of 1812. The youngest of four sons, Cressinger studied dentistry and attended Oberlin College until he joined the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the 41st Ohio Infantry Regiment in August 1861. During his service, he fought in the battles of Shiloh and Chickamauga, the siege of Corinth, and various engagements in Tennessee and Georgia. In addition, he did garrison duty at Murfreesboro. Cressinger mustered out at Blain’s Crossroads, Tennessee, on December 31, 1863, but immediately re-enlisted as a veteran and engaged in the battle of Dandridge. He remained with the 41st regiment through various engagements in Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas. Two of his brothers, Isaac (b. 1844) and Daniel B. (b. 1840) also fought during the Civil War. After his discharge, Cressinger completed his study of dentistry and returned to Sunbury. On May 31, 1869, he married Mary A. Brice, with whom he had four children.
Source:
Bell, Herbert C. History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania . Chicago: Brown, Runk and Co., 1891. Accessed November 16, 2010. http://www.webroots.org/library/usahist/honcpa19.html .
From the guide to the Cressinger, Jacob R. Papers 62-66., 1861-1865, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
