Henry Kissinger crossed the Atlantic alone when a youth of sixteen years. He had already been providing for his own support for three years and thus from the early age of thirteen he has been dependent upon his own resources. Today he is at the head of an extensive and growing business, in which he is associated with Henry F. Ockert in the manufacturing of picture frames and picture frame mouldings, their plant being located at the corner of Hill and Whiting streets in New Haven. Mr. Kissinger was born January 15, 1851, in Rhine-Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Jacob Kissinger, who was also a native of that province and spent his life in Rhine-Bavaria, where he conducted business as a successful agriculturist to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-four years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Geisler, was also born in Bavaria and after the death of her husband came to the United States in 1883, making her way direct to New Haven, but she was not long permitted to enjoy her new home, for she died the following year at the age of sixty-five. In the family were three children: Jacob, who is a resident of New York; Henry, of this review; and Katherine, who is living in Germany.

  Henry Kissinger obtained his education in the public schools of his native country but when a lad of only thirteen years started out to provide for his own support. The tales which reached him concerning America and its opportunities led him to the determination to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and in 1867 he arrived in New York, having crossed the water alone. In the metropolis he learned the trade of a gilder and picture frame maker and was employed as a journeyman until 1879, in which year he removed to New Haven and immediately entered business on his own account. He was the first to establish a business of the kind in this city. He started in a very small way but his trade has gradually increased until he is now at the head of a growing and profitable enterprise. In 1889 he purchased his present site and thereon erected his factory, which is thirty-five by eighty feet and is three stories in height. The building covers the entire ground space and is constructed of brick. He uses the entire building for his business and employs throughout the year about five skilled workmen. The product of his plant is shipped throughout New England and he finds a ready sale for the output, which is of fine quality and meets the demands of the trade in every particular.

  On the 24th of May, 1913, Mr. Kissinger was united in marriage in New Haven to Miss Emma Hoeplinger, a native of Ludwigsburg, Wurtemberg, Germany, Mr. Kissinger has membership in several German aid societies and in the Excelsior Association of New York city. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of New Haven, cooperating with that organization in many movements for the city’s benefit. He belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church, while in politics he maintains an independent course. After forty years’ residence in America he returned to the fatherland on a visit and made a second trip to Germany in 1913. He is an honest, honorable and highly respected citizen, capable in his line of business, and his enterprise is acknowledged by all.