THOMAS S. RISINGER, who is a member of the enterprising firm of Risinger & Ellis, merchants and manufacturers in Carlisle, Indiana, is a native of Wynder township, Knox county, Indiana, born November 19, 1858, son of Charles W. and Martha B. (Snapp) Risinger. The father was born in Jeffersonville, Kentucky, January 13, 1822, and died January 8, 1873, Knox county, Indiana. The Risingers are of German extraction. Daniel Risinger, the grandfather, also a native of Kentucky, born at the same place as was his son, married Sarah Miers, a native of Kentucky. They were united in marriage in that state and very early in life took up a quarter section of land. He was a farmer and operated a water-power sawmill and tread-wheel. Daniel and wife reared seven daughters and one son. In their religious profession they were Methodists.
Charles W. Risinger remained a resident of Wynder township after his father moved to Knox county, Indiana, and was a farmer and engaged in the sawmill business with his father. When they first moved to Knox county, they operated a pottery and made crocks and jugs, as well as other vessels made from clay. Charles W. Risinger was a soldier in the war with Mexico, and politically affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife, Martha (Snapp) Risinger, was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, March 14, 1836, in Haddon township. She grew to womanhood in her native township, and was there educated, teaching school a year. Her parents were Abraham and Martha (Baird) Snapp. Her father, born in Kentucky in 1793, was of English descent, while her mother was of Irish extraction. They were married in Knox county, Indiana. Abraham Snapp was a miller by trade and ran a gristmill and sawmill combined, at Scottville, Haddon township. He served as colonel in the war of 1812. He was thrice married, and reared a family of eleven children. He died in Haddon township in 1847, his wife dying many years previous.
The children born to Charles W. Risinger and wife were: Aurelia, wife of Herman Vaughn, a bookkeeper for Risinger & Ellis; Thomas S.; John, deceased; Catherine, wife of Frank Minich, residing in the township in which Carlisle is situated; Leonard, deceased; Frank, residing in Evansville, Indiana.
Thomas S. Risinger was reared to farm life and educated in the public schools. After his marriage, he purchased a sixty-one acre farm in Haddon township, just over the Knox county line, and there resided until he moved to Carlisle to engage in business. In March, 1892, he sold out and went to Carlisle, uniting with his brother Frank, under the firm name of Risinger Brothers, undertakers and dealers in hardware and furniture. Thomas S. learned the art of embalming and the undertaker's business of Tutwiler & Sons, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is now a licensed embalmer. He is a member of the Funeral Directors' Association of Indiana, and is now the only undertaker in Carlisle. After a partnership of one year, the Risinger Brothers dissolved, Thomas S. buying his brother out, and continuing for one year alone. In the month of February, 1894, C. A. Ellis (see his sketch in this work), was taken in as a partner, since which time the firm has gone under the title of Risinger & Ellis. This firm is extensively engaged in the manufacture of the patented Hygienic Cabinet, which article is having such a large sale at this date. Politically, Mr. Risinger is a supporter of the Democratic party and has been a member of the town board. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 50, belonging to the Encampment degree of that fraternity. No. 139. He has filled all chairs in this lodge, and been to the grand lodge of the state. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Carlisle. Besides his many other business cares, Mr. Risinger is one of the directors of the Carlisle Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Risinger was united in marriage October 14, 1884, to Miss Judah Belle Hooper, born in Haddon township and educated in the district schools of the same. She is the daughter of Pinckney C. and Nancy (Corbin) Hooper. (See sketch of Dr. D. F. Shake). Mr. and Mrs. Risinger are the parents of two children: Edna, born July 8, 1886, unmarried and at home and Aurelia, born January 1, 1890, unmarried and will graduate with the class of 1909, from the Carlisle high school. Mr. Risinger and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Risinger is a trustee of the parsonage. He has served as trustee of the church at Bethlehem for several years, but has recently given it up to others.