Elias Peissner
Biography:
Born on September 5th, 1825 in Vilseck, Bavaria, Elias Peissner immigrated to America in 1849 from Bavaria in the wake of a rather public scandal. By 1850, he had traveled to New York, seeking a teaching position at an upstate private boys college. On April 2, 1856, Elias married Margaret Lewis, yielding a child one year later, his daughter Keziah. In 1861, Elias became a brother in the Sigma Phi Society. During the Civil War, Colonel Elias Peissner led the 119th New York State Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 2nd, 1863.
Peissner Memorials:
The Class of 1883 lovingly donated a bronze bust of Col. Elias Peissner to Union College, along with a marble column, later donated by the Class of 1890, bearing an inscription. In 2004, as the brothers of the Alpha of New York were in transition from their place at 1 Library Lane to their new home at Davidson South, the commemorative Peissner Bust was stolen from the Place. It was recovered, by the school, in a pile of rubble down the street. The school then sent the bust off to be refurbished, as it had suffered significant damage during its theft. Union College, most specifically the Special Collection department, has roundly rejected the possibility that the original bust, which was technically school property, might be returned to the Hall of the Alpha.
Goals of the Drive:
In cooperation with school officials, we, the brothers of the Alpha of New York, have agreed to commission a replica of the original bust for the price of $5000. The school has agreed to split this cost with us, leaving a final total of $2500 to be raised. As the original bust was a symbol of our values, this amount is minute, and we must once again honor our fallen brother.
Please fill out a pledge card, and help us to accomplish this goal.
Questions? Contact:
Matt Kearney U'06
(860)-478-0169
kearneym@union.edu