Elmer Ellsworth Bissell

BISSELL, HAKE, LATTIN, MARQUART, STEWART

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 14:21:44

Among the native sons of the county who have fully realized its opportunities and are now residing here is Elmer E. Bissell, who was born June 6, 1871, of the marriage of Orrin and Caroline (Lattin) Bissell, the former a native of Portage county, Ohio, and the latter of Trumbull county, Ohio. Orrin Bissell was born on the 14th of December, 1829, and as he grew older assisted his father more and more in the conduct of his dairy farm, becoming an expert cheese maker. He resided near Aurora, Ohio, until 1856 and then removed with his wife to this county, driving across the country and bringing their household effects with them. He entered government land and the family home was at first a log cabin. Mr. Bissell, like many of the early settlers, was afflicted with ague and as that at times rendered him unable to work his wife helped to build the log cabin. The homestead was near the timber, as the early settlers considered such land to be more valuable than that on the prairie. The neighbors were few and far between and each family was compelled to rely upon its own resources to a great extent, although the settlers were always willing to help each other whenever assistance was needed and it was possible to give aid. Mr. Bissell gave the land and helped to build the schoolhouse in his district and gave the privilege of holding church service in his house although he himself was not affiliated with any religious organization. He had one of the largest residences in the county and was an extensive landowner, holding title to over one thousand acres. He raised a great deal of stock in addition to the cultivation of his fields and in all that he did employed the most advanced methods. He was among the first to buy improved farm machinery, owning the first binder and mower in his county and also the first self-rake. His holdings were situated in Jackson and Penn townships and he continued to reside upon his land until his death. He believed in the efficacy of organization and was quite active in the Grange, which enabled the farmers to cooperate in matters of general concern.
His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he held various local offices. In 1874 he represented his district in the state legislature, proving an able and conscientious lawmaker. He was drafted for service in the Union army but hired a substitute—Al Dabney, who used the money paid him in acquiring a law education. Mr. Bissell passed away on the 22d of February, 1894, and his death was deeply regretted, as he was generally recognized as one of the leading citizens of the county. His first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Caroline Lattin, was born on the 30th of August, 1831, and died on the 1st of January, 1889. To them were born eight children, of whom our subject is the youngest. The father was married a second time and by that union was born one child. A brother of our subject, F. L. Bissell, is a prosperous farmer of Jackson township.

Elmer E. Bissell attended the Shuck school in Jackson township and supplemented the education thus acquired by study at the Dexter Normal School, from which he was graduated. When twenty years of age he began teaching school in Penn township but continued to reside under the parental roof until his marriage in 1894. He then entered a commercial school at Des Moines but as his health began to fail he discontinued his studies and for thirteen years was city mail carrier. In 1911 he removed to Jackson township, this county, and began farming. He has a fine herd of milk cows and has found Guernsey cattle the best adapted to his purpose. His labors are attended with success and he finds agricultural pursuits both congenial and profitable.

Mr. Bissell was married in 1894 to Miss Elizabeth Marquart, a daughter of August Marquart, a harness-maker of Boone, who is now living in Des Moines. Mrs. Bissell passed away in 1907. leaving three children: Eunice, a graduate of the West Des Moines high school, who is at home; Milford, who was born in September, 1897, and is attending the Winterset high school; and Clare, who was born May 7, 1903.

In 1909 Mr. Bissell was again married, Miss Grace Stewart, a native of this county, becoming his wife. Her parents, Robert W. and Catharine (Hake) Stewart, were born in Trumbull county and York county, Pennsylvania, respectively. The father, who was born on the 3d of October, 1825, was a blacksmith, as were his father and grandfather. Robert W. Stewart came to Iowa overland in 1858, bringing his tools and Ohio coal. He settled in Jackson township and established a shop upon his farm and gained quite an extensive patronage. He was prominent in local political circles and was known as the republican "boss" of Jackson township. The township meetings were nearly always held in his home and he was tireless in his efforts to promote the success of the party. He was influential in establishing the Early Chapel church and was also a well known Mason, having been master of the Pitzer Lodge. He was the owner of considerable land and his farm was unusually well improved and highly developed. He resided upon the same place from 1860 until his demise which occurred in July, 1908. He married Miss Catharine Hake, who was born on the 11th of January, 1823, and is still living in Jackson township.

Mr. Bissell is a republican but confines his political activity to the exercise of his right of franchise. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church and while residing in Des Moines he served on the official board of Grace Methodist Episcopal church of that city. Realizing the value of study along religious lines, he is prominent in Sunday-school work and is the teacher of the men's class in Early Chapel. By his work along such lines he contributes to the moral and spiritual advancement of his community and by carefully cultivating his quarter section of fine land he aids in the material development of the county.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.