Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Kislingbury, Frederick Foster

KISLINGBURY, Frederick Foster, soldier, b. in Ilsley, near Windsor Castle, England, 25 Dec., 1847; d. at Cape Sabine, Greenland, 1 June, 1884. When a mere boy he came to this country with his parents and settled at Rochester, N.Y. He received a common-school education, and began a mercantile career, which was cut short by his enlistment in a cavalry regiment during the civil war. He served two years, and after the war was stationed at Detroit as chief clerk of the Department of the lakes. A few years later he was placed in command of a band of scouts engaged in fighting the Indians, and later he became 2d lieutenant in the 11th infantry, serving on the plains. When, in 1881, the U.S. government decided to send an expedition to the far north (see Greely, Adolphus W.), Lieut. Kislingbury was among the first to volunteer, was made the second officer in the expedition, and participated in the scientific work of the next two years. In May, 1884, the supplies became exhausted. There had been one death early in the year, and others now followed in rapid succession, and when the relief-vessels reached the cape, 22 June, 1884, only seven of the party were found alive. One of the last to die was Lieut. Kislingbury. His remains were taken to Rochester, N.Y., and buried in Mt. Hope cemetery. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a lodge of that order has been formed in Rochester as a monument to his memory. Gen. "Greely has joined other members of the party in testifying to his courage, ability, and enterprise.