CHARLES LEWIS BISOM.
Charles Lewis Bisom, a well-known citizen of Brayton, Iowa, and a retired druggist of this city, was born on June 16, 1858, in Berkeley county, West Virginia, the son of John and Elizabeth (Hauck) Bisom, both of whom were natives of Germany. The former came to America when seventeen years old, and after locating in Berkeley county, West Virginia, worked as a laborer for some time, and then purchased a farm and was engaged in farming until 1865; when he removed to Ogle county, Illinois, remaining there only five months, and then removing to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres. Here he farmed until a few years before his death, when he retired, living thereafter with his son Dan, at Primghar, Iowa, until his death in 1894, at the age of eighty-three. His wife, who was born in 1821, is also deceased. To them were born the following children: Henry, John, Dan, George, Charles, Eliza, Susan, Maggie, Laura, Mabel and Fannie.
After having received a common-school education in the public schools of Poweshiek county, Iowa, Charles Lewis Bisom attended Western College, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later the State Normal College, at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Upon leaving school he was engaged in teaching for two years, and then began working in the drug store at Audubon as a clerk for Dr. J. F. Cloughly. Here he remained for one and one-half years, when he became assistant auditor of Audubon county, which position he held for a short time, and then worked for William Cloughly a year. Finally he was prepared for the examination as a pharmacist, and after passing this examination began business for himself in Brayton, Iowa. Altogether, Mr. Bisom was engaged in this business at Brayton for a period of twenty-three years, and during six years of this period he also was engaged in the purchase and sale of live stock.
In September, 1880, Charles Lewis Bisom was married to Elizabeth Wattles, and to them have been born five children, as follow: Imo, Edna, Ethel, Charles and John. Imo married Raymond Miller, and they have three children, Lucele, Cosetta and Charles. Edna married Henry Hansen, and they have three children, Mack, Majorie and Charles Donald. Ethel married Earl Brown.
Mr. Bisom has always been identified with the Republican party. He is an ardent believer in the principles announced by Abraham Lincoln, and has been influential in the local councils of the party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Charles Lewis Bisom has been known as a good citizen in the community where he has lived so long. During his active career in business he enjoyed a good trade, which was founded upon honorable and square dealing with the public. Courteous to everybody, broad and liberal in his views, he today enjoys many warm and ardent friendships with the people of this community.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 739-740.
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