He was born in Bern Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, on August 10, 1821, and christened on September 18, 1821. He and his second cousin, Elizabeth Kissinger, were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, Pennsylvania, on January 23, 1845.
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According to the headstone his birth would be May 11, 1821, but all known records have it as August 10, 1821.
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Washington was accounted a man of unusual natural force and broad business capacity. After receiving but an imperfect common school education, at Reading, he became employed, while still quite young, on the canal near the city. Later he located in Reading, and in time become prominent in the lime and sand business, building also the famous Farmers' Market House. Washington Kissinger become prominent in the lime and sand business, building also the famous Farmers' Market House in Reading. At the time of his death in November, 1873, he was not only an acknowledged business leader and a progressive citizen, but the owner and operator of several valuable farms in Berks county.
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Kissinger-In this city, on the 1st instant, Washington S. Kissinger, in the 53d year of his age. The relatives and friends of the family, also St. John's Lodge, No. 435, A. Y. M., are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from his late residence, No. 929 Penn street, on Thursday morning at half-past ten o'clock, to proceed to the Universalist Church, from thence to the Charles Evans Cemetery.

We'll miss thee sadly, father dear,
We never can forget thee, never;
Thy name will oft call the parting tear,
'Tis hard such ties as ours to sever.

We'll miss thee, oft we'll seem to hear
Thy footsteps as in days gone by,
And gentle voice in words of cheer;
We can but know that thou didst die.

We'll miss thee sadly, yet we know
Thy son still lives forever blest,
And there where healing waters flow,
We hope to meet when we're at rest.