Dr. Joseph H. Bittinger ^{1 2 3}

   FamilySearch ID: K89C-XPD.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. He was educated at Gettysburg College from 1870 to 1871 in Gettysburg, Adams, PA.

2. Book: Biographical History of York Co., Pennsylvania, 1897. ⁴
Dr. J. H. Bittinger, a physician and surgeon, bank president and one of the leading citizens of Hanover, PA, was born in Berwick township, Adams county, a few miles from his present place of residence, 3 Feb 1852, the son of Henry and Amanda Bittinger. In politics he was a Republican and in religion a member of the Lutheran church.
Dr. Bittinger secured his preliminary education in the public schools and completed it with a course in Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. He then taught school in Illinois and Pennsylvania for five years. From some time during his residence in Illinois he was associated with his uncles in the foreign and domestic fruit business in Chicago and was located in that city at the time of the memorable fire which nearly destroyed it in 1871. After that he returned to his native State and began the study of medicine with Dr. A. J. Snively, at that time a leading physician of Hanover. After reading for some time under this preceptor he entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and pursued a course of study which terminated with his graduation in 1878. The class of that year has become one of the most distinguished ever graduated from the institution, and not inconsiderable part of the lustre which its achievements have reflected upon it has been contributed by Dr. Bittinger.
The doctor began the active practice of medicine in Hanover and two years after his graduation returned to Philadelphia on account of the superior advantages which the city could offer to an ambitious and energetic practitioner. He continued his practice in that city until 1883, when he returned to Hanover, resumed his old practice and has since resided there. He is one of the most skillful physicians in the county and is one of the leaders of his profession in surgery. Since 1887, he has been physician and surgeon for the Pennsylvania railroad at Hanover and holds a similar position with the Western Maryland Co. Besides this he has been connected with the leading life insurance companies as their local surgeon and examiner. He is a member of the York County Medical Society and takes an active part in its deliberations. He was a member of the Ninth International Congress which met in Washington in 1891 and is one of the censors of the Medico-Chirurgical college of Philadelphia. He is one of the Vice Presidents of the State Medical Society of PA and has been a member of the American Medical Assn since 1881.
He has always been an active citizen and greatly interested in local affairs. In 1893 he was one of the organizers of the People's bank at Hanover, an institution which, though its existence has been recent, has had a very successful career. In 1887 he assisted in organizing the Hanover and Littlestown Turnpike Company and has been its treasurer since 1889. He is a Republican in politics and for three years served as school director. He is also a director in the Penn Flouring Company, of Hanover, and VP of the Consumers Water Co., which he and others organized in 1896. Fraternally he is a member of these orders: of Patmos Lodge, No. 348, Free and Accepted Masons; Good Samaritan Chapter, No. 266, Royal Arch Masons; York Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templar; Hanover Lodge, No. 327, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Washington Council, No. 328, Patriotic Order Sons of America. With his extensive professional knowledge and his deep interest in public affairs, Dr. Bittinger combines a charming and intelligent personality that has made him many friends in and out of the profession. He stands today in the sight of every fellow townsmen, a type of the progressive, intelligent, and popular citizen.
In 1882 he married Clara E., a dau of Michael and Eliza Bucher, and a lady of culture and rare accomplishments. Mrs. Bittinger is a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Hanover. Their union has resulted in the birth of six children, four of whom are dead: Lyda M., Bryant Henry, Bertha and Clara. Those living are Ralph Emerson and Mary A.

Joseph married Clara Elisa Bucher, daughter of Michael Bucher Jr. and Eliza Barnitz, on 15 Jun 1882.¹ (Clara Elisa Bucher was born on 31 Dec 1854 in Hanover, York, PA ^{5 6}, christened on 11 Aug 1855 in Hanover: St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, York, PA,⁵ died on 18 Oct 1945 in Hanover, York, PA and was buried in Hanover: Mount Olivet Cemetery, York, PA.)