Michael Killinger was born about 1789 in Pennsylvania, the son of George Killinger and Mary Margaret Wampler. The parentage of George Killinger has not been absolutely proved. Mary Margaret Wampler was the daughter of George Wampler and Maria Elizabeth Steffey (Stephan).
George, who was born about 1756, and Mary, who was born about 1764, had the following children:
Elizabeth Killinger, born 10 February 1782, died 27 July 1861 in Knox County, Indiana, married John Steffey on 29 December 1800 in Wythe County, Virginia.
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Elizabeth Killinger |
Catherine Killinger, born 8 September 1783, died 4 May 1865, married John Anderson on 4 September 1803.
Mary Killinger, born 19 December, died 21 September 1867 in Knox County, Indiana, married Peter Steffey.
George Killinger, born 20 August 1787, married Barbara Snider on 19 November 1808.
Michael Killinger, born about 1789, died 24 February 1866 in Smyth County, Virginia, married Susan Morris before 1826.
Peggy Killinger, born about 1791, married Robert Crow.
Molly Killinger, born about 1793, died 20 May 1864 in Smyth County, Virginia.
John Killinger, born about 1797, married Rachel Atkins on 16 October 1817 in Wythe County, Virginia.
Jacob W. Killinger, born about 1799, married (1) Betsy Staley on 2 August 1827 in Washington County, Virginia, married (2) Ann Cullop on 13 January 1831 in Wythe County, Virginia.
Sally Killinger, born 15 August 1800, died 15 May 1862, married Thomas T. Fulcher.
Christina Killinger, born about 1803, married Jacob Anderson on 9 May 1862 in Washington County, Virginia.
Ann Killinger, born 8 December 1805, died 18 February 1861, married (1) John Green and (2) William Sturges.
Peter Killinger, born 29 February 1808, died 1 January 1880, married Minerva Atkins on 23 April 1833 in Smyth County, Virginia.
George Killinger died in 1841 and was buried in the Royal Oak Cemetery in Marion, Virginia. His wife, Mary Margaret Wampler, died on 15 July 1826 and was also buried in the Royal Oak Cemetery. George served in the Philadelphia County Militia during the American Revolution.
No marriage record has been uncovered for Michael and Susan (Morris) Killinger. In the 1850 Smyth County, Virginia Census, Michael is listed as having been born in Pennsylvania, while Susan was born in Virginia. However, no marriage record has been found in Wythe, Washington, or Montgomery counties, where the Killingers have generally left records.
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This photo of three children of Michael Killinger was taken about 1900 in Radford, Virginia. Pictured are (seated at left) Paulina Jane (Killinger) Allen, (seated at right) Andrew Jackson Killinger, (standing at left) unidentified Killinger sister, either Sarah Ann or Elizabeth F., (standing at right) Elizabeth (Mitchell) Killinger, wife of Andrew J. Killinger. |
Susan's maiden name is known because she is mentioned in George Killinger's will by her maiden name as being the wife of his son, Michael. Also, the marriage records of at least of their younger daughters include Susan's maiden name. Susan (Morris) Killinger died in Smyth County, Virginia on 25 March 1879, but her death record does not include any information as to her parents names. When George Killinger died in 1841, his will directed that the land upon which Michael lived (which still belonged to George) would go to Michael's children. The reason given for the bequest was Michael Killinger's "intemperate" ways. Goodrich Wilson's well-known history of Smyth County relates how, during the War Between the States, when the Battle of Marion occurred in the vicinity of the Killinger house, old Michael sat in his rocking chair while other family members hid behind feather mattresses. Bullets from the battle were coming through the walls of the house, while old Michael cursed the fact that he was too old to get into the fight. The place of burial of neither Michael nor Susan is known. While other family members were buried in the Royal Oak Cemetery, there is no evidence that the Killingers were buried there. It is possible that they were buried on family land but no formal headstones were ever placed to mark their graves.
Michael and Susan Killinger had the following children:
Paulina Jane Killinger, born 2 November 1827, died 7 February 1903 (buried Mt. Carmel Cemetery outside Marion, Virginia), married Robert B. Allen on 10 May 1849 in Smyth County, Virginia. (See further records in Allen Family Archives.)
Mary Margaret Killinger, born about 1830, died 17 February 1859 (buried in Royal Oak Cemetery, Marion, Virginia), married Sylvester Daniel Sprinkle.
Sara Ann Killinger, born 1834, died 1918 (buried Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Marion), married (1) William I. Sprinkle on 12 February 1856, and (2) Stephen Porter Scott on 25 November 1869.
Andrew Jackson Killinger, born 13 March 1835, died 10 January 1901 in Radford, Virginia (buried Central Cemetery, Radford), married Elizabeth J. Mitchell on 12 September 1867 in Smyth County, Virginia. Andrew served as a cavalry sergeant-major in Kentucky for the Union Army.
Elizabeth F. Killinger, born 8 May 1839, died 24 March 1908, married Stephen A.H. Groseclose on 8 December 1870 in Smyth County, Virginia.
Eliza Harkrader Killinger, born 13 March 1840, died 4 February 1892 in Tazewell County, Virginia (buried Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Marion), married James W. Tarter on 2 December 1857 in Smyth County, Virginia.
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