Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 686
WILLIAM G. FISHER

A resident of Jackson township, Harrison county, Iowa, for the past forty-five years, William G. FISHER has been a useful citizen of the community where he has resided. As a young man he served his country during the Civil War, serving nearly two years in the navy, during which time he had some very exciting experiences. Since locating in Harrison county he has engaged in general farming and stock raising and while primarily engaged in advancing his own interests has not neglected to take a part in the civic life of his community, having filled official positions of public trust with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens.

William G. FISHER, the son of David Y. and Delilah (ARMICOST) FISHER, was born near Moscow, Clermont county, Ohio, April 27, 1846. His parents were both natives of Ohio and lived in that state all their days. His father enlisted for service in the Mexican War when a mere boy, but peace was declared before he reached the scene of war with his regiment.

William G. FISHER was one of eleven children born to his parents. He lived at home in Ohio until December, 1864, when he enlisted in the navy as a seaman. He first served on the "Fannie," which was called a "tin clad," owning to the thinness of its armor. This boat was stationed on the Mississippi river and he remained with it for some months, at the end of which time he was transferred to the monitor "Osage," remaining with the latter vessel until the battle of Mobile Bay, at which time the monitor was struck by a torpedo while lying in the mouth of the Alabama river. The resulting explosion was so severe that the vessel was blown up and sunk. Nine men were killed and many more injured. Mr. FISHER received a severe cut on the back of his head and a severe injury to his back. Despite the severity of his wounds he did not want to go to the hospital. He was compelled to remain there for several weeks, however, and as soon as he was discharged from the hospital he was sent with a wrecking crew to raise the "Osage" and take the turrets and guns from the other vessels that could not be raised. He continued in the service throughout the remainder of 1865 and until July 3, 1866, when he was honorably discharged.

Immediately after the close of his enlistment Mr. FISHER returned to his home in Clermont county, Ohio, and remained on the home farm for four years. He married in the spring of 1870 and at once he and his young wife came west and located in Harrison county, Iowa. He rented land for two years after coming here from W. ARTHUR, in Jackson township. In 1872 he bought fifty acres of land in section 3 of that township and built a small one room house, fourteen by eighteen feet. He later added two rooms to this dwelling and lived in it until 1908, when he built his present comfortable home. Mr. FISHER carries on general farming and engages quite extensively in stock raising and has met with good success in all of his agricultural operations.

On February 16, 1870, William G. FISHER was united in marriage with Elizabeth ABRAMS, who was born September 10, 1846, in Clermont county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Rachel (EVANS) ABRAMS. Her parents were farmers in Ohio and reared a family of eight children, Elizabeth being the third child in order of birth.

To William G. and Elizabeth (ABRAMS) FISHER were born four children, William A., George, David and Frank M. George, who was born September 17, 1874, married Julia MCWILLIAMS, and lives in Mitchell county, Kansas. He has one son, Ernest L., born July 11, 1902. David, who was born September 28, 1876, lives near St. Andrews, Washington, where he owns a farm. Frank M., who was born January 5, 1879, has been twice married. His first wife was Jessie PARK, who died leaving one daughter, Florence, born March 28, 1908. Frank later married Emma WEBER, and now lives on a farm north of his father's farm in Jackson township. William A., born July 23, 1872, is unmarried and makes his home with his parents.

Mr. FISHER is a stanch Republican and has always been interested in the success of his party. He served as trustee of Jackson township for twelve years, and the length of his tenure indicates the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are deeply interested in its welfare.

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