Picking up where we left off on Tuesday.

We were able to find information about the wife of the cigar manufacturer, Edward Bittner, whose cigars were FOR SALE AT THIS BAR at the corner of Fourth and Union Streets.

In this sketch of Columbian, George Sysvester Desch, we learn that one of his daughters, Elizabeth, was married to Bittner. Because it is interesting, here is the sketch of Desch.

“GEORGE SYLVESTER DESCH, one of the leading railroad men of Columbia, Pa., was born in that city, May 10, 1865, and has always been identified with its interests.

The father, Joseph G. Desch, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 10, 1833, and came to this country with his parents, Philip and Mary H. (Herr) Desch, in 1851, locating in Baltimore, where the latter died in 1875. Philip Desch died in 1870 while on a visit to his native land. His children were John and Peter, who died in Baltimore; Mary, wife of Leo Bruner, of Germany; Baldser, a traveling anent of that country; Anthony, who was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg during the Civil war; Joseph G., father of our subject; Gertrude, wife of George Smith, of Baltimore: George, who died in that rite; and Margaret, who married and lived in Baltimore.

After spending five years in Baltimore, Joseph G. Desch came to Columbia, Pa., where he engaged in the butcher business nine years, conducted a tavern thirty-six years, and operated a brewery six years, but is now living retired. He is a member of the German Catholic Church and a Democrat in politics. In 1858, in Columbia, he married Caroline Rider, who was born in that city, January 28, 1840, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Graft) Rider, also natives of Germany, who immigrated to America in early life and were married in Columbia. Her father, who was a carpet weaver by trade, died in January, 1850, her mother in 1890. They were members of the Lutheran and Catholic Churches, respectively. To Joseph G. and Caroline (Rider) Desch were born the following children: Frederick, who died in 1879; Elizabeth, wife of Edward Bittner, a cigar manufacturer of Columbia; Charles, George and Mary, all of whom died in childhood; George S.; Carrie, wife of Henry Glotfelder, a clerk of Columbia; Cecelia, at home: Jennie, wife of John Payne, a stove-molder of Columbia; Joseph A., proprietor of the “Exchange Hotel,” of Columbia; August, a clerk of that city; Stella and William, both at home.

In 1881 Mr. Desch entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as telegraph operator, but a year later spent six months as fireman on the road, and then was brakeman for three years. During the following twelve years he was again employed as fireman, and in January, 1900, was pro}noted to engineer, in which capacity he is now serving the company to their entire satisfaction. In religious belief he is a Catholic, and in his political affiliations is a Democrat.

At Columbia Mr. Desch was married, Oct. 19, 1886, to Miss Barbara Mulligan, and by this union seven children have been born, viz.: George F., Charles J., Edward J., Emma E., Carrol Leo, Mary C. and Joseph A. Mrs. Desch was born in Safe Harbor, Lancaster county, Oct. 5, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Young) Mulligan, also natives of Safe Harbor, where the father was born in 1844 and still continues to live. By occupation he is a farmer. The mother, who was a consistent and faithful member of the M. E. Church, died in 1876, at the age of thirty-five years. In their family were nine children, namely: Henry and Martha, both deceased: Elmer, a railroad brakeman of Columbia; Frank, a resident of Illinois; Barbara, now Mrs. Desch; Emma, wife of Carroll Foster, a bookkeeper of Williamsport, Md.; Milton and Howard, both bakers of Erie, Pa.; and Miles, a resident of Columbia. Mrs. Desch’s paternal grandparents, Richard and Rachel Mulligan, lived and died in Lancaster county, Pa.; the grandfather was a shoemaker by trade. The maternal grandparents, Jacob and Rachel (Munder) Young, were natives of York county, Pa., and on coming to Lancaster county, located in Safe Harbor, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Young followed the tailor’s trade.

Millie Mowry, Lancaster Co., PA.

To  be continued on Saturday.