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Henry Rishe – Blacksmith in the Lykens Valley
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on December 30, 2019
Henry Rishe, who served in the 192nd Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War, died at his son’s home in Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania, on 31 December 1904. However, he spent most of his life in the Lykens Valley area, and as can be seen by his obituary, was associated with several communities, including Tower City, Millersburg, Berrysburg, and Tremont.
The obituary appeared in the West Schuylkill Herald, 6 January 1905:
HENRY RISHE
Henry Rishe, a well-known blacksmith and a veteran of the Civil War, departed this life rather unexpectedly at the home of his son, Frank Rishe, who resides at Altoona, on Saturday afternoon at 4:55 o’clock. The deceased left here several months ago. Most of his time since then he spent with his son at Altoona. On Friday morning of last week he was stricken with apoplexy. He became unconscious, lingering that way until the following day when he passed away. His family here were notified by telegram of his serious illness and his son Nelson Rishe, at once left for this bedside and was with him when he died. On Monday he brought the remains to Tower City, arriving here on the 6:30 p.m. train.
Funeral Director Dresiigacker was in waiting and conveyed the remains to his late home on Grand Avenue, where they were prepared for burial. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at 2 0’clock. Rev. Charles M. Wolfe, of Williamstown, conducted a service at the house. The pall bearers were selected from members of the G.A.R. Interment was made in Greenwood Cemetery.
Deceased, whose age was 69 years, one month and eighteen days, was born at Tremont, Pennsylvania, was a son of Jacob Rishe and Mary Rishe. His mother died when he was but eight years of age. He was early thrown on his own resources and when a boy he drifted to Millersburg, where he learned the blacksmith trade. When the war broke out he resided at Berrysburg. He enlisted as a Private in Company H, 192nd Pennsylvania Volunteers [192nd Pennsylvania Infantry] at the end of his term of enlistment he returned to Berrysburg.
After this he carried on the blacksmithing trade at various places, locating at Tower City about 16 years ago. Here he opened up a blacksmith shop on the site now [1905] occupied by the handsome residence of President of Council William Elliott. He later sold his business to his son, Nelson Rishe, who removed the building to Hand Street, where the latter is still carrying on the business. Of late years, owing to failing health he was unable to do much and he spent most of his time visiting his sons and relatives at various places, his family residing here [Tower City] in the mean time.
On January 3, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary A. Kines, of Perry County. Seven children were born to them, who with the widow survive, he being the first out of the family to pass away. The children are: Edgar Rishe, of Lime Ridge; Frank Rishe, of Altoona; Mame [Rishe] Anderson wife of L. E. Anderson, State Run; Charles Rishe, Nelson Rishe, Cora Rishe, Anna [Rishe] James, [the] wife of Clair James, all of Tower City.
For his Civil War service, Henry Rishe is recognized on the Tower City Veterans’ Monument.
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News story from Newspapers.com.
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