1914 Delaware Co., IA History pgs. 44-47

Warren Pitt Bissell was in his active years a highly successful farmer in this county and for a time previous to his demise lived retired in Manchester. He was born at Avon, Connecticut, November 21, 1837, a son of Albert and Adelaide (Bishop) Bissell, the latter being a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. These families are of German and Huguenot descent and are numbered among the oldest and most prominent in Connecticut. The subject of this review was one of a family of four children, two of whom died when young.

Warren P. Bissell was educated in public and private schools and when a young man went west to Minnesota, locating at Medford, that state, in August, 1862. He began farming on a small place near the town and bought and sold stock in addition to conducting a lumberyard. He remained at that place until 1891, when he came to Delaware county and located on a two hundred and forty acre farm situated near Oneida. He made a specialty of raising fine Holstein cattle, being one of the first to own that breed in this section, and his closing sale was considered one of the best ever held in the middle western states. Much of his stock he purchased in New York state and his animals were of high grade. About 1897 he retired from active life, but continued to reside on the farm until October, 1909, when he moved into Manchester, purchasing the home where his family still resides. He passed away March 30, 1911, and was laid to rest in Medford, Minnesota.

Mr. Bissell was twice married. On June 28, 1865, he wedded Almira Stebbins, who died September 25, 1878, no children having been born to that union. His second union was with Miss Florence N. Sanborn, whom he married November 8, 1893. She is a daughter of John and Julia (Burgoon) Sanborn and her father, who was a pioneer of Minnesota, saw much of the Indian troubles that endangered the lives of the early settlers there. He and his wife were married in Clinton county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Bissell was born a son, Warren Sanborn, whose natal day was November 16, 1896. He is now a high-school student and prominent in athletics.

Mr. Bissell was a republican and while living in Minnesota took an active part in public affairs, serving two years on the board of equalization and holding other positions of trust, but after removing to this county his failing health prevented him from participating in politics to any great extent. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted August 11, 1862, in Company A, Tenth Minnesota Infantry, and having served for three years. He took part in the battles around Tupelo, Mississippi, and Nashville, Tennessee. He was also engaged in fighting the Indians in the northwest for some time and was honorably discharged at St. Louis, May 25, 1865. He was invariably as loyal to the best interests of his country in times of peace as when he marched under the flag in war time and his honorable and upright life won him the sincere respect of all who were associated with him. 

He was a member of Tadmor Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Greeley, and W. A. Morse Post, G. A. R., at Manchester.  Mrs. Bissell resides in Manchester, where she has many friends and where she takes part in a number of movements instituted for the benefit of the community.  She is a member of the Thirteen Club, a local organization of the women, and takes a great interest in the affairs of that society, and is also a member of the Outing Club.

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