The Hissem-Montague Family

I had an interesting email from Nicolette [Heesom] Reichhold that shows a close connection between the Thomas Hissom branch of our family and the Heesom family of East Yorkshire.

"Dear Steve

You may remember I wrote last year about my Heesom family in East Yorkshire. Recently my brother's Y-DNA (FTDNA) had a 35/37 match with an Alan Hissem whose earliest known ancestor is a Thomas Hisam, born between 1775 and 1785 in Philadelphia, PA. Thomas Hisam's wife is unknown, his son, Thomas J. Hissam was born between 1818 and 1819 in Westmoreland Co. PA and died in West Virginia. I wonder if this fits in anywhere with your John Heesom line?

Regards
Nicolette"

There are 10 generations between the Hissem family's first ancestor in America, John Heesom, and the Alan Hissem whose test results are shown above. So there is a good chance, 90% anyway, that John Heesom's grandfather was also the ancestor, in a direct line, of Nicolette Reichhold's brother. To understand how significant this is I would like to see the same matching attempted with a member of the large Heesom family in Cheshire. If that match was also 35/37, what would that mean?

Thomas was born in about 1750 in Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, in northeastern Pennsylvania, on the shore of Brodhead creek, right. The family homestead was a few miles up the creek from present-day Stroudsburg.

Thomas died in 1815 in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, in southwestern Pennsylvania. Alternatively, in 1815 he moved to Tyler county, Virginia and died there after 1830.

His birth, unlike that of his older brother John and younger brother William, was not recorded in the Walpack Reformed Dutch church. My guess is that it was recorded in another of the Minisinck Reformed Dutch churches, perhaps that in Lower Smithfield, whose records were lost or have not yet been placed on the internet. His brothers Abner and David also do not have their births recorded.

The Pennsylvania archives do list both a Thomas Hissom and Thomas Heysham, with birthdates of 175?. There are similar entries for William and Abner Hissom.

Thomas, and his elder brother John, were illiterate and could only make their mark, an X, on official documents. However, their little brother, David, could sign his name. My guess is that the difference lay with Thomas Sr.'s second wife, Elizabeth Brink, whom he married around 1765. At that time John was 19 and Thomas 15, thus both were "out of the house" in the sense that they spent most of their time in the field or forest. David, however, was only 3 and a perfect candidate for a little tutorial at the hearth. This would assume that Elizabeth was literate and Thomas Sr.'s first wife, Catherina Kleyn, was not. All of the boys probably learned Dutch, or German, from their mother or step-mother.

When Thomas was five years old the Broadhead creek region was extensively attacked by the Indians. Many homesteads were destroyed and his elder sister, Mary, was abducted.

Indian Troubles What in America was known as the French & Indian War, and in Europe the Seven Years War, began in 1755 and lasted until 1763. During this period the generally friendly, or at least not hostile, relations the Pennsylvanians had with the Indians broke down under the provocation of French insurgents and the long simmering anger over the Walking Purchase. All through the summer and early fall of 1755 there were whispers of alarming disaffection among the Indian tribes. Inflamed by French provocateurs and emboldened by the English General Braddock's defeat in July 1755 by a combined French & Indian force in the west, they saw a chance to win back lost territory. The thunderbolt finally fell in November with an attack on Moravian settlers on the Mahoning Creek. A few days later the Indians hit the Smithfield community, attacking the farm of Daniel Brodhead, near the mouth of the Brodhead creek. This attack was repelled and the Indians proceeded to the homes of other settlers in the area, burning homes, barns and ricks, and killing and scalping many of the settlers. The region, long used to peace, succumbed to panic and the people fled, seeking safety in the south. It was reported soon after that the river, from Broadhead creek south to Easton, was deserted in the aftemath of the attacks. Those who chose to stay despite the danger collected themselves together in some one house for a common defense. "After Indians began attacking homesteands in Lower Smithfield Township in Northampton County, for example, nine families gathered at Philip Bozart's dwelling, while "a great Number" of others convened at the farms of two other neighbors. These houses were frequently fortified in some manner and stood as makeshift forts, the main purpose of which was to protect women and children. Thus, even after they heard gun shots at a nearby house, the people at Bozart's house "were afraid to venture to go and see what had happened that Day, as they had many Woman [sic] and Children to take Care of, who it they had left might have fallen an easy Prey to the Enemy." - from "Friends and Enemies in Penn's Woods." An inscription on a stove plate cast in 1756 memorialized the dreadful times: "This is the year in which raged the Indian war parties." - from "Sweet Land of Liberty: The Ordeal of the American Revolution in Northampton County, Pennsylvania," by Francis S. Fox.

The family never saw Mary again. Thomas' father joined the local county militia after these first attacks, but a short time later the family fled the Brodhead creek area and settled near Trenton, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Thomas' father was a member of the Hunterdon county militia at this time, serving on New Jersey's northwest frontier. Within about a year, the situation calming down, the family returned to their homestead.

Thomas' youth, like that more extensively portrayed elsewhere for his brother, David, would have involved very little schooling. He did not learn to read or write; in documents signed near the end of his life he used an X. The majority of his education would have been in farming, animal husbandry, and woodcraft, as taught by his father. His religious needs were addressed by the traveling minister who occassionally preached in the Lower Smithfield church. This same minister, a Calvinist, would have also kept him informed of news, gossip, and political events from the wider world.

The American Revolution Begins For the first 150 years of the colonies' existence they had been loyal subjects of the crown. Following the French and Indian Wars, 1754-1763, tensions between colonists and the government in London began to rise. The problem was that the colonies had been left alone to govern and protect themselves for so long that they had begun to see this as their right. A clumsy attempt by the King and Parliament to reassert their authority caused a gulf to develop between King and subject. First, in an attempt to ease tensions with native Americans, George III signed the Proclamation of 1763 which prohibited settlement west of the Appalachian mountains. Frontier farmers, like the Heyshams, felt that their government had betrayed them in favor of the Indians. In 1764 the Parliament took several measures to raise money to pay off the war debt. These included the Sugar Act, which increased duties on imports and prohibited the import of foreign rum, and a reorganization of the customs system to better enforce current trade laws which had often been ignored in the past. These actions resulted in an increase in smuggling and in bitter confrontations with authorities. At this point, if the King had asked the colonial governments to help him raise money they probably would have done so, after the normal debate, through taxing themselves. As it was, they felt ignored and their rights, as Englishmen, violated. In 1765 the Parliament passed the Stamp Act. This was a tax on correspondence and legal documents meant to to pay for the defense of the colonies. The colonists, who felt they had already paid for their own defense through their militias, organized a boycott of British goods that forced the repeal of this law in 1766. The Quartering Act, also passed in 1765, required the colonists to house British troops and supply them with food. This raised ancient fears of a standing army. Why, the citizens asked, do you want to quarter troops in our towns when the danger was on the frontier, unless it was to suppress our rights? The Sons of Liberty formed in many towns to fight these laws. The Townshend Acts, more taxes, were enacted in 1767 and more boycots ensued. Taxation without representation evolved as the key issue in 1768. Customs officers were increasingly subjected to threats and violence. In March 1770 British soldiers fired on a Boston mob that had been harassing them. Five civilians were killed and six injured. The event was propagandized into the Boston Massacre.

Thomas Hissem married Mary Parker in 1772 - from the DAR "Lineage Book." She was born between in 1753 near Carlisle, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Richard and Martha Parker. This is pretty far from Lower Smithfield, at least a hundred miles. How did they get together? The DAR book says that Thomas was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but that was where he died, not where he was born.

Mary Parker's marriage to Thomas Hissem has been documented in "The Parker Family History" and in the DAR Revolution volume 148. Note, however, that in a deposition supporting the pension application of Thomas' younger brother, David, a Jane Heysham claimed to be Thomas' wife and her comments about Lower Smithfield leave the impression that she had been Thomas' wife since that time. Could Mary have been Mary Jane? Their eldest son, Abner, was born soon after in 1774. Their next son, Thomas, was not born until sometime in 1778, perhaps substantiating Thomas Sr.'s absence during the early days of the war.

In May 1775 the Continental Congress resolved to raise an army.

In February 1776 the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety suggested that a regiment of expert riflemen be enlisted for the defense of the Province. The flyer, left, was typical of those released to drum up support. A levy of 1,500 men were raised to serve until 1 January 1778. The regiment was divided into 2 rifle battalions, of 500 men each, and the balance in a battalion of muskets. Each rifle battalion, officered by a lieutenant colonel, would consist of six companies. Each company was to consist of one captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer, and sixty-eight privates. The privates were to be paid six and two-thirds dollars per month and were required to find their own arms and clothing.

Thomas Heysham enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment of Rifle Men while his brothers, William and Abner, later joined the 1st Battalion of Associators, Pennsylvania's early militia. His eldest brother, John, joined a New York regiment and youngest brother, David, remained at home, too young to serve.

The Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, commanded by Colone Samuel Miles, was formed in March 1776. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Brodhead commanded the 1st Battalion. On 9 March Casper Weitzel of Sunbury was appointed captain in his company, which was raised at Sunbury and recruited by him at his own expense. It was raised in just six weeks and was composed of 70 men. Its officers under Captain Weitzel were First Lieutenant William Gray, of Sunbury, Second Lieutenant John Robb, and Third Lieutenant George Grant. - from Proceedings and Addresses, "Northumberland County Troops in the Continental Line," Heber G. Gearhart, Northumberland County Historical Society, Volume V, 1933.

From the Pennsylvania Archives, Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File:

- Private Thomas Hissom, Active Duty Line, Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment Company of Captain Casper Weitzel, Enlisted 24 March 1776

Thomas Hissom of Captain Casper Weitzel's company of the Pennsylvania Rifle regiment, commanded by Colonel Samuel Miles, was the second [company] formed in Northumberland county.

Rifle Regiments In the gunpowder era, through the end of the Napoleanic Wars, the standard infantry weapon was the muzzle loading flintlock musket. While it was acknowledged that the rifle was a far more accurate weapon, the time required to load it made it a specialist's weapon. A Rifle Regiment would have been comprised of sharp shooters, either skirmishers in advance of the main body of the army used to harass the opposing force and break up its unit integrity, or as lone gunmen using guerilla techniques to target sentries and officers. The rifle was uniquely suited to the American environment of heavy forests which restricted the use of Line regiments in set-piece battles, and to the American spirit of individualism. The rifle was the weapon of survival for the settler and while he came to the army unschooled in drill, he was likely to be a good to excellent shot. In part due to the demonstrated marksmanship and utility of American militia units using the rifle during the American War of Independence, the British established an Experimental Rifle Corps that was employed during the Wars with Revolutionary France and Napoleon. That being said, repeatedly during the Revolution American troops would break and run when confronted by the unremitting advance of drilled troops with bayonet equipped muskets.

Thomas was on a List of "Soldiers of the Revolution Who Received Pay for Their Services," in the Continental Line. This was a unit of the United States Army, not a militia unit of the state.

- Pay Roll of Captain Casper Weitzel's company, 2 June 1776: Thomas Hissom.
- Pay Roll of Captain Casper Weitzel's company, 1 July 1776: Private Thomas Hissom.

The regiment "rendezvoused at Marcus Hook, on the Delaware river below Philadelphia." - from "Northumberland County Troops in the Continental Line." From the Pennsylvania Archives, Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File:

- Private Thomas Hissom, Active Duty Line, Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment [of Colonel Samuel Miles], Company of Captain Casper Weitzel, Enlisted 24 March 1776, Pay 1.17.6 pounts monthly, Allowances 0.10.0 pounds weekly, 3 months, 7 days [service], P/R [presently resident?] Capt. Weitzel's Co, Marcus Hook, 4 July 1776.

Colonel Samuel Miles A native Pennsylvanian of Welsh Quaker stock, Samuel Miles served as a young man in the militia during the French and Indian War. Despite his youth, not yet being 20, Miles rose to the command of a company in 1759 and was appointed Captain in 1760. By 1761 Miles had left the army, married, and settled in Philadelphia to sell dry goods, rum and wines. He held various elective offices, including in the General Assembly from 1772 to 1774, but took an early and active part in the movement for independence. Once again elected to the General Assembly in 1775, Miles continued to serve there and on the Committee of Safety, until in the Spring of 1776 he helped to raise and command a regiment of riflemen. Dispatched to Long Island, Miles and 159 members of his regiment were taken prisoner near Flatbush on 27 August 1776, having been cut off from American lines by British forces. He was held in New York until his exchange in April 1778. During his imprisonment, he was promoted to Brigadier General for services rendered. After being released from prison, Miles served as Deputy Quartermaster for Pennsylvania until 1782, was appointed Judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals in 1783, to the Council of Census at Philadelphia in 1787, the City Council in 1788, and was an Alderman and a member of the Council of Property in 1789. In 1790 he became Mayor of Philadelphia, and continued taking an active role in politics until becoming a Federalist Presidential elector in 1796. In that year, Miles chose to support Jefferson for the Presidency over John Adams, reasoning that Jefferson's attitudes toward France would more likely prevent America from entering war. His stand, however, was not viewed well by his Federalist peers. In 1792, Miles retired to Cheltenham, Pennsylavnia, where he died at the age of 67 on 29 December 1805. He was buried in the First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.

"On the 2nd of July the regiment was ordered up to Philadelphia, and on the 4th, one battalion, under Lieut. Col. Daniel Brodhead, ordered to Bordentown, N. J., and on the 5th, the whole regiment marched for Trenton, whence it marched to Amboy, under orders to join Gen. Mercer, which it accomplished on the 16th. On August 1st, we find Capt. Weitzel's company in camp at Amboy, New Jersey." - from "Northumberland County Troops in the Continental Line." It joined the Pennsylvania contingent of the Flying Camp, in which Thomas' brothers' Abner and William were serving.

On 10 August Colonel Mile's regiment was ordered over to New York [Long Island] where they were assigned to the brigade commanded by Brigadier General William Alexander, more commonly known as Lord Stirling. On the 12th they were brigaded with Glover's and Smallwood's Regiments, taking position near Flatbush. Clearly this army had little or no training. They were going into battle with a professional army and would suffer in comparison.

The Battle of Long Island On 25 August 1776, General William Howe’s British and Hessian army moved from Staten Island to the western end of Long Island. Miles’s Regiment was promptly sent to Long Island to reinforce the American units occupying defenses north of the British landing areas. Miles’s Regiment was stationed on the left flank of the American line, to the east, near Flatbush. There were serious daily skirmishes involving Pennsylvania riflemen. The Americans actually fought quite effectively in these skirmishes and caused a fair amount of trouble, especially to the Hessians at Flatbush. A Hessian officer involved in this skirmishing said of the Pennsylvania riflemen, “[they] have some very good marksmen, but some of them have wretched guns, and most of them shoot crooked. But they are clever at hunter’s wiles. They climb trees, they crawl forward on their bellies for one hundred and fifty paces, shoot, and go as quickly back again. They make themselves shelters of boughs, etc.” Miles had orders to patrol toward the Jamaica Pass. The American left flank was not anchored on any defensible terrain feature, so patrols were sent out to cover this vulnerability. Lieutenant Colonel Brodhead later wrote that they “constantly scouted by Day, which beside mounting a Guard of one hundred men & an advance party of subaltern and thirty [men] to the left of us, was hard Duty for our Reg’t…” The Battle of Long Island began on 27 August 1776 and, as contemporaries noted, the American's got a “drubbing” and were “prettily taken in.” Colonel Miles warned General John Sullivan of the danger that the British might attempt an enveloping attack, using the Jamaica Road to advance into striking position, but Sullivan ignored him. At about 7 AM, Miles became aware that the enemy was moving exactly as he had expected. He then started forward, in the direction of Bedford Pass, to intercept them. He had only gone a short distance, however, when he was stopped by Colonel Samuel Wyllys, whose Connecticut regiment (the 22nd Continentals) was guarding the approach from Flatbush. Wyllys, as a Continental officer, outranked Miles, who held only a State commission; and Wyllys refused to allow the Pennsylvanians to go farther. Sources conflict as to exactly what Wyllys wanted Miles to do instead. At any rate, Miles insisted that the main danger lay on the Gravesend-Jamaica road, and finally persuaded Wyllys to let him go to block the point where he was sure that the threat would develop. Striking off across county to the east, Miles led his men in a rapid, two-mile march through the woods, came in view of the road, and saw that he was too late — the British troops had already moved between him and the American lines. It was now about 8 AM, and Miles had arrived just in time to see the baggage train bringing up the rear of Howe’s column [this description of events sounds a bit self-serving somehow]. During this march, Miles’ Regiment had become badly strung out. The 1st Battalion was with Miles himself; but he had lost contact with the 2nd Battalion of the regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Brodhead [isn't this backward?]. Miles had sent Major Ennion Williams with orders to Brodhead to join the 1st Battalion, but by the time Williams found Brodhead he had no way of knowing where Miles and the 1st Battalion might have gone. Brodhead, however, started off to the east, in the general direction he knew Miles had taken. Anticipating contact with enemy troops, he tried to deploy his men from Indian file into line-of-battle. This plunged the unit into confusion, compounded by the fact that Major John Patton misunderstood the orders and moved off to the right with half the battalion. Before Patton could be recalled, Brodhead caught sight of what he estimated to be four to five thousand enemy troops to his immediate front. In the face of such numbers, he moved the men with him into a wooded area to the left. Seeing some American artillerymen with a fieldpiece and a howitzer trying to unlimber in a wood still farther to the left, he sent a number of his men to support them. As these men were taking position, however, the 22nd Continentals raced through in disorder. Their panic spread to Brodhead’s men, most of whom joined the retreat. Brodhead wrote that he had done “all in my power to rally the musquetry [the 22nd Continentals] & Riflemen [his own men], but to no purpose, so that when we came to engage the Enemy, I had not fifty men, notwithstanding which we after about three Rounds, caused the Enemy to retire, and as the Enemy’s main body was then nearly between us and the lines, I retreated to the lines, having lost out of the whole Battalion, about one hundred men, officers included, which, as they were much scattered, must be chiefly prisoners…” With his remaining 230 men, Miles attacked the light infantry baggage guard and then tried to fight his way back to the fortified positions in Brooklyn. In the ensuing chaos, his men fought bravely in many small skirmishes, some of which were at least temporarily successful. Miles and 159 men were captured, but a few got back to give Putnam the first word that they had been outflanked. Unlike Miles, Colonel Brodhead succeeded in reaching the American lines. Some of the men of the other two battalions, Miles’s and Atlee’s, joined him there, and with a composite force he helped drive off an enemy attack. As the British retreated, Brodhead was sent farther to the right to cover the withdrawal of other American units. He observed resentfully that “Here I remained ‘till almost night before I was relieved, notwithstanding the Generals there had a number of Reg’ts who were not engaged, and had had little or no fatigue.” Note: This excellent account was derived from Wert Family, a genealogy page.

About 700 Continentals were taken prisoner at the battle and among them “more officers than perhaps was ever known in a like number of men.” Among the captured was Colonel Miles. Thomas Hissom escaped death or capture, but his brothers, William and Abner, did not. Both were listed among the missing after the battle, never to be heard of again. Note that many American troops were killed after surrendering. See Captain Weitzel's letter to his brother, below.

After the initial rout General Washington's army had taken positions behind fortifications previously prepared on Brooklyn Heights. General Howe, remembering his losses when he attempted a frontal attack on similiarly prepared positions at Bunker Hill, hesitated. While Howe waited, Washington acted, skillfully removing his army from the island, left, transferring them to New York City, which Congress wanted held.

In the aftermath of the battle and retreat, Thomas' unit took a muster:

"Muster Roll of Captain Casper Weitzel's Company, in the first Battalion of Pennsylvania Regiment of Riflemen commanded by Colonel Samuel Miles. Camp near Kingsbridge, 1 September 1776. . . . Privates - . . . Thomas Hissom

Captain Weitzel provided the following particulars in a letter to his brother John,

"Camp near Kingsbridge, sixteen miles above New York, September 6, 1776

Dear Brother: . . . New York is like a wire mouse trap, easy to get in, but hard to get out. You no doubt before now have heard of the drubbing we Pennsylvanians, with the Delaware and Maryland Battalions, got on Long Island, on the 27th of August last; we were prettily taken in. The General Sullivan who commanded on Long Island, is much blamed. I saw nothing of him in the engagement or some days before. The little army we had on the Island, of about five thousand men, was surrounded by fifteen or twenty thousand of the English and Hessians when the engagement began; they gave us a good deal of trouble but we fought our way bravely through them. The number of English and Hessians killed is surprising great, and of ours very trifling; but they have taken about seven hundred of our people prisoners, and amongst them more officers than perhaps ever was known in the like number of men. My Lieut. Gray, Sergeant Gordon, Sergeant Price and sixteen privates are missing. I know of only one killed in my company. The poor fellow was wounded in the thigh, and unable to walk; his name is Speiss; the d—d savage Hessians and English Light Infantry, run their bayonets thro’ him, and two of Captain Albright’s men, who were also badly wounded, and murdered by them. I have this from one of my men who was a prisoner and escaped to me, and imagine the rest are prisoners. James Watt is among them. I came off with whole bones, contrary to my expectations; I was in so much danger that by escaping that, I think it was impossible for them to kill me . . ." from "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution, Battalions and Line, 1775-1783," Part 12, edited by John Blair Linn, William H. Egle, M. D., Volume I, 1895.

On 19 September “the three battalions [of the Rifle Regiment] mutinied, and appeared on the parade [at Kingsbridge?] under arms. After this they deserted in parties with their arms, about two hundred men in the whole, fifty of whom are here now. The rest have taken other roads. Their complaints are want of pay, want of clothes, the want of blankets, the not receiving the particular species of rations. As to their pay, they had the whole to the 1st of August, and some have deserted immediately after having their full pay to the 1st of September. A very great cause of desertion is owing to the loss of their field officers. A party attempted to desert (about thirty) but were prevented by force. A coporal at their head, thrust with his bayonet at Lieut. Lang, which he parried, the corporal is in custody; the same corporal cocked his piece at Ensign Davis, and attempted to fire. One Kelly, of Capt. Brown’s company, and Sergeant Seamell, of Howell’s company, are principal ringleaders.”- from "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution, Battalions and Line, 1775-1783," Part 12.

From a petition from Privates in the Rifle and Musket battalions who returned from the New York camp without leave, that is, they deserted,

“To the Honourable the Committee of Safety of the Province of Pennsylvania:
We your Petitioners, Soldiers enlisted for the Province of Pennsylvania, now returned from New York Government, being Willing & Desirous of Letting you Honours know the reason of our returning. Our Commanders told us, the subscribers, that if we went out of the Province that we should be used well, and return in six weeks from the time we left the Province. We were out of the Province upwards of Two Months and not used according to promise. We never had half of our Provisions Given us that was allowed to us by the Honourable the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania, nor never received any pay for the time we were out of the Province. We lost our Chief Commanders on Long Island, and not knowing who to apply to for Redress when out of the Province we returned to seek Redress, and hope you Honours will take it into your Consideration. Your Petitioners did not leave New York for Cowardice but for bad usage, and we are willing to fight to Defend the Province where we were Inlisted.
Your Petitioners Humbly beg that you would take it into your Consideration." - from "Pennsylvania in the War of the Revolution, Battalions and Line, 1775-1783," Part 12.

From a muster taken on 27 September 1776, Private Thomas Hissom, of the Active Duty Line, Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, Company of Captain Weitzel, was Present in Camp, Company Return. Six deserters "since leaving New York [that is the city]" were noted. The three battalions of the Rifle Regiment were then in General Thomas Miffin’s brigade and stationed at Mount Washington [i.e. in the vicinity of Fort Washington], on the northern part of the island.

"By a return, dated September 27, 1776, signed by Ennion Williams, major, the First battalion had, including field, ninetenn officers, sixteen sergeants, three drummers, and one hundred and eighty-two rank and file . . . the three battalions were in in Gen. Mifflin's brigade, and stationed at Mount Washington."

". . . consolidated the companies of Long, Peebles, Weitzel, Erwin, Grubb, Lloyd, Herbert, Nice, Howell and McClellan with the former [Capt. James F. Moore]." - from the "Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment" in the Pennsylvania Archives

The "Muster Rolls of Captain Casper Weitzel's Company . . . now under the command of Lieut. Colonel Daniel Brodhead, Esq., Camp on the Height of Harlem, the 1st Oct. 1776" "who appeared on parade in Camp near Harlem, N. York . . . raised for the Defense of the State of Pennsylvania, now in Continental Service" lists Private Thomas Hissom, sick in Hospital. An astonishing 14 of 44 privates were listed as sick [the novice American army was notoriously poor at camp hygiene]. Another 10 were shown as deserters, leaving only 20 "effectives." The unit was still on the plateau, but apparently no longer in, or considered part of, the fort.
- Pay Roll of Captain Casper Weitzel's company, pay due from the 1st day of September to the 1st day of October 1776: Private Thomas Hissom.

On 5 October the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety decided that of the three battalions, two would remain on Continental service and the third would return to Pennsylvania, as soon as they could be spared.

While there are no further muster reports for Thomas I will assume that he stayed with his unit and completed his enlistment that ended in January 1778. It certainly makes sense that, at a minimum, he stayed with the army during their retreat. Desertion while still on the island would have placed him in the hands of the British. Afterwards the army would be on a retreat that led towards his home. Alternatively, he could have been amongst those who would be returned to Pennsylvania "as soon as they could be spared."

On 25 October Captain Weitzel's company, as well as 10 others, was consolidated with that of Captain James F. Moore.

At this time the Rifle Regiment was apparently under the command of Colonel Edward Hand. It is difficult to be sure because Hand's original unit was also a Pennsylvania rifle regiment, the 1st Pennsylvania Continental Regiment, and the unit names get confused. I think what probably happened is that Thomas' company, now consolidated with the other under-strength companies, got attached to another regiment and it is not unlikely that it would be Hand's outfit.

A post-war document of the Supreme Executive Council, dated 6 October 1784, notes that a report had been read and approved "Of Edward Barr, Peter Bender, Thomas Heysham, John Brink and Captain Taylor & Capt T. Y. Jane's Comp'y, for arms lost at Fort Washington." The last named man was probably Timothy Jayne, commander of a company of the Flying Camp in which Thomas' brothers, William and Abner, served. This request for compensation may be for arms Thomas lost while he was stationed on Harlem Heights and Mount Washington, or it could be for the weapons lost by his brothers, assuming they made it that far with the Associators.

Also note the use of the surname Heysham in the report above. It is hard to believe this was any other Thomas than our own so that, clearly, Hissom=Heysham at this time.

On 22 November the rifle battalion was mustered, according to documents in the Pennsylvania Archives, in Colonel Edward Hand's brigade, then in New Brunswick, New Jersey. While I don't have a list of names, at the time the battion mustered 242 officers and men out of an original complement of 500.

The Americans continued to retreat across the state, stopping at Trenton for a time, but as the British continued their advance, the Americans crossed the Delaware river on 8 December, first making certain to destroy all the boats on the eastern shore.

Hand's Brigade was subsequently engaged in the battle of Trenton on 26 December and of Princeton on 3 January 1777. I believe they served under General Nathaniel Greene throughout this period. Note that in these engagements Thomas' distant relative, Robert Heysham, was involved as a member of the Philadelphia Associators, led by Cadwallader.

Battle of Trenton The British went into winter quarters soon after they reached the Delaware river. Fearly little from an enemy that had so recently routed, they spread their force out, quartering their troops in a number of small, dispersed posts. In the American camp morale was low and enlistments for the militia were due to run out at the end of the year. Washington knew he had to get a victory and decided to recross the Delaware river and make a suprise attack, picking the remote Hessian garrison at Trenton. He decided to make a pre-dawn attack on the 26th. The weather, however, was frightful. Washington's aide, Colonel John Fitzgerald wrote at 6 PM as the troops started across: " It is fearfully cold and raw and a snowstorm is setting in. The wind northeast and beats into the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for those who have no shoes. Some of them have tied only rags about their feet: others are barefoot, but I have not heard a man complain." In the midst of the storm, Washington's force attacked in two columns, General Nathanael Greene out of the northeast and John Sullivan from the north. Hand's riflemen were with Greene and quickly moved east to cut the road to Princeton to block the enemy's escape. After the Hessians recovered from their initial surprise they attempted a counter-attack on Greene's position, but Hand's men were able to flank them, spoiling their attack. When their colonel, Rall, was killed the fight went out of the Hessians and they surrendered. By the next day the Washington's force was back across the river, safely in Pennsylvania.

After news of Washington's unexpected victory reached Philadelphia morale quickly recovered and many new militia reported for duty.

The Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton On 27 December General Cadwallader, who had been unable to land on the Jersey shore on the 26th in support of Washington's attack, reported he was now across, near Burlington, reinforced by militia which was turning up encouraged by the victory. Cadwallader was unaware that Washington had recrossed the river. He moved into the now empty Burlington and then to Bordentown, reporting that the citizens were hastily removing the red rags nailed to their doors as symbols of loyalty to the crown. He entreated Washington to join him in advancing on the British who were in a panic. Washington gathered all the troops he could, including many militia, and re-entered Trenton on the 28th. He set-up a defensive position on high ground, south of the Assunpink creek, and began to entrench. In the meantime, Geneal Cornwallis had been ordered forward with a large army. Colonel Hand's riflemen were part of a mixed force ordered to delay the British advance until nightfall, allowing the Americans time to finish entrenching. When the French colonel heading the American force decamped, Hand took charge and put on a fine dispaly of maneuver warfare, delaying the British advance on Trenton until sunset. Washington had built a strong position on the south side of the Assunpink creek which could be approached only on narrow fronts, including a stone bridge. Hand's riflemen poured across the bridge just ahead of the British and took position on the American line, behind Washington's own Virginia regiment at the bridge. In the last hour of twilight the British launched a number of violent attacks, but a withering crossfire by the American's defeated all their attempts with great loss. The British broke off only when it became too dark to continue. Washington knew that his untrained militia could not be expected to successfully continue to resist and during the night he quietly withdrew his army. A few men were left behind to keep the campfires burning, make entrenchment noises, and keep up appearances, while the American army moved around the left wing of the British force, toward Princeton, outflanking Cornwallis. It was a bold and brilliant stroke. Again the weather helped General Washington when freezing temperatures turned the muddly roads to hard ice. The next phase of the battle is known as the Battle of Princeton. Now behind Cornwallis' lines the Americans came upon a force of British regulars, led by a Colonel Mawhood, enroute to Trenton as reinforcements. After an initial clash and retreat, the Americans, encouraged by the forward presence of General Washington, regrouped and attacked. Hand's riflemen were on the American right. They flanked the British, forcing their retreat into Princeton. The British sought shelter in Nassau Hall, a college building until, under assault by General Sullivan's artillery, they eventually surrendered. Cornwallis, meanwhile, discovering that the American army at Trenton had gone, moved his army towards Princeton to crush Washington between the two British forces. General Washington, however determined he had victories enough that day and moved his forces north out of harms way and went into winter quarters in Morristown, New Jersey. General Howe, shaken by the American victories, ordered a withdrawal from New Jersey to a line from Perth Amboy to New Brunswick.

Hand's Brigade lay part of the winter at Philadelphia, but took part in harassing attacks on the British garrisons that still remained in eastern New Jersey. In the aftermath of Trenton and Princeton the American people taken heart and their militia began to turn out in force to punish the British for the cruelty of their occupation of the state in November and December of 1776. The Continentals, as directed by General Washington, often accompanied them and inflicted ruinous casualties on British and Hessian foraging parties.

In March 1777 Hand's men moved down to Billingsport, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Here there was a fort, built by the Polish engineer Thaddeus Kosciuszko, that was part of the river defenses of Philadelphia.

The regiment was reorganized in April, combining the remnants of Miles' [rifle] and Atlee's [musketry] battalions, and was now called the State Regiment of Foot, or infantry. It was placed under the command of Colonel John Bull, as of 2 May 1777 - from "A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People" by John Newton Boucher and John Woolf Jordan.

"John Robb of Muncy township who had served as second lieutenant in Weitzel's company in Miles' Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, was appointed captain in the new regiment April 18, 1777. His company was, in large measure, the same as Weitzel's. This regiment served at Brandywine and Germantown, where its losses were sixteen killed and missing and twenty two wounded." - from "Northumberland County Troops in the Continental Line."

On 9 May 1777 the regiment was mustered at Fort Mercer, at Red Bank, just south of the fort at Billingsport. This was a large earthen fortification located at Red Bank, in New Jersey. It overlooked the Delaware river about seven miles below Philadelphia and, with its twin across the river, Fort Mifflin, protected the approaches to the city. I do not see Thomas' name in the muster sheet.

On 3 June the officers "remonstrated against the appointment of Col. Bull, and threatened to quit the regiment; as Col. Bull was not an officer in either of the battalions, they claimed his appointment ruined their rank." - from the "Pennsylvania Archives." On 17 June the state decided to put "the State battalion, which has been raised chiefly out of the remains of the battalion, lately under the command of Col. Miles, and Col. Atlee" into Continental service. They moved Colonel Bull to adjutant general of the state militia and appointed Colonel Stewart in his stead. Stewart had previously been aide-de-camp to General Gates. Colonel Stewart took command on 6 July and led the unit through the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, where its losses were sixteen killed and missing, and twenty-two wounded..

Battle of Brandywine During the winter of 1776/77 General Washington had rescued the revolution and given the British in New Jersey a setback with his victories at Trenton and Princeton. However, in the new year General Howe determined to take the city of Philadelphia. On 20 July 1777 Congress received information that a British fleet of one hundred and sixty sail was in the Narrows, on the way to Sandy Hook. On the 22nd, Washington, perplexed as to the destination of Howe, requested that trustworthy persons should be stationed at the Capes of the Delaware to give prompt notice if the fleet should appear in that quarter. On the 30th the British fleet was spotted entering the mouth of the Delaware river, but General Howe, thinking it hazardous to continue up that river, instead moved the fleet into Chesapeake Bay. By 20 August intelligence had been received that the British fleet was in the Cheseapeake and General Washington gave orders to move the continental Army and the various militia's south. On the 23d the Continental army broke camp and moved for Philadelphia, through which city it passed early the next day, August 24th (Sunday), marching down Front Street to Chestnut, and up Chestnut to the Middle Ferry, Washington himself riding at the head of the column and Lafayette at his side. That evening the army encamped in and about Chester, and the next evening (the 25th) they reached Wilmington. The British approached in two columns and General Washington realized they intended to outflank his right and cut him off from Philadelphia. He immediately ordered the army north and recrossed the Brandywine river to take up position on high ground at Chad's Ford. The Pennsylvania Line, which included the Regiment of Foot, was located here. On the morning of 11 September Hessian elements of the British army made a head-on attack at the fords, their movements hidden by a thick fog. This however was only a demonstration to hold the American's attention. The British plan was to split their force, sending their main body under Generals Howe and Cornwallis 12 miles north, crossing the Brandywine at an unprotected ford, and turn the American's right flank. Contradictory intelligence on the British movements had plagued Washington all morning. When news finally reached him that the British were on his right in force he quickly dispatched General Sullivan division and other elements to try to hold them. At this point the battle was lost, the only issue was whether Washington would be able to extricate his army. The Americans took positions on the heights at Birmingham Meeting House and a bloody battle ensued. Sullivan's force, forming slowly, was broken and driven back. Their withdrawal was covered by Nathaniel Greene's divsion, including the brigades of Muhlenberg and Weedon, Virginians under Colonel Stevens and the Pennsylvanian's under Walter Stewart. "The conduct of the brigades of Muhlenberg and Weedon and the regiments of Stevens and Walter Stewart being especially brilliant." - from "The American Historical Register" They fought for about an hour, taking stands where they could and falling back when the had to, inching slowly towards the town of Dilworth. "One of the Pennsylvania regiments, the Thirteenth, command by Colonel Walter Stewart, was attached to the command of General Sullivan [sic] . . . "We attacked the enemy," says Lieutenant James MacMichael of that regiment at Brandywine, "at 5.30 P.M., and we were first obliged to retreat a few yards, and formed in an open field, when we fought without giving way on either side until dark. Our ammunition almost expended, firing ceased on both sides, when we received orders to proceed to Chester. This day for a severe and successive engagement exceeded all I ever saw. Our regiment fought at one stand about an hour under an incessant fire, and yet the loss was less than at Long Island, neither were we so near to each other as at Princeton, our common distance being fifty yards." - from "Major-General Anthony Wayne and the Pennsylvania Line in the Continental Army" by Charles Janeway Stillé This was where the "hottest part of the engagement took place, and the greatest number of troops were engaged." - Ibid. The extended battle have given Washington time to pull back his army. General Greene held his position until dark when the battle ended. After a week of manuevering by both armies, General Howe slipped into Philadelphia on 25 September.

An interesting point about the campaign just described is that Howe wasn't supposed to take his force south. The plan was for him to link up with General Burgoyne's force coming out of Canada to split the colonies along the Hudson river. Burgoyne was subsequently defeated at Saratoga, a victory that convinced the French to join the war on America's side. Why did Howe take Philadelphia instead? I suspect he was obsessed with a "might have been." That is, at the end of 1776 his armies had been poised on the Delaware river, ready to take Philadelphia at any time. It was only Howe's decision not to press the attack in hope's of reconciliation with the rebels that saved the city. I think that taking the city in the fall of 1777 was a way for him to wipe out the defeats of Trenton and Princeton.

Battle of Germantown After the capture of Philadelphia General Howe encamped his troops at Germantown, north of the city, as a defense against Washington's army. On 4 October the Americans attacked the camp in two columns, supported by militia. The battle was initially an American victory, but their failure to quickly follow-up allowed the British to regroup, then outflank the Americans, forcing a retreat back to Valley Forge. While the British held the field at the end of the day, the American army felt good that they had met a professional force on an open field and forced their retreat, if only for awhile.

"By a resolution of Congress, November 12, 1777, Col. Stewart's regiment was to be annexed to the Pennsylvania line, and form the Thirteenth regiment. This regiment wintered at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778 in Brig. Gen. George Weedon's Brigade of Greene's division. Capt. John Robb became supernumerary July 1, 1778." - from "Northumberland County Troops in the Continental Line." The 13th was in General George Weedon's brigade of Nathaniel Greene's division. That John Robb became supernumerary probably indicates that the company was disbanded at that time.

Assuming Thomas stayed through to the end of his enlistment on 1 January 1778, he was discharged from the army soon after they arrived at Valley Forge. He would have received a written discharge, but this he probably lost.

In 1778 Thomas was back in Northampton county serving in the militia. From the Pennsylvania Archives, "Soliders Who Served as Rangers on the Frontiers, 1778-1783" : Thomas Heysham.

Thomas' second son, Thomas Jr., was born in 1778 [a January 1778 return + 9 months = October 1778].

From the Pennsylvania Archives, Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File:
- Private 2nd Class Thomas Hysham Jr., Inactive Duty Militia, 5th County Battalion, 2nd Company of Captain Benjamin Schonover, Class Return, June 1780. The inactive militia was just that. The law required all men 18-53 to sign up, but these were allowed to serve from home. Note: David Hysham was also in the Inactive Duty Militia under Captain Schonover. Thomas is called Jr., I think to differeniate him from his father, still living.

In 1781 Thomas was listed in Lewis Stacker's company of the Northampton county militia, Colonel William Roups Battalion. Others in the company included Jacob Stroud, someone referred to as "Est. of Thos. Brink" and Jonathan Van Etten. Timothy Jayne also commanded a company.

In a Class Roll of 1782 Thomas Hysham was listed as in the 2nd class, Captain Benjamin Schonover's 8th company. However, from the Pennsylvania Archives, Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File:
- Private 7th Class Thomas Hysham Jr., Inactive Duty Militia, 5th County Battalion, 2nd Company of Captain Benjamin Schonover, Class List, 18 May 1782. 7th class means that Thomas was in a group that was, at that moment, 7th in line to be called up. As a Private 2nd Class, as above, he was in a group that would be called up after the 1st class. His brother, David Hysham, was mustered with him, listed as in the 5th class.

In a letter dated 24 April 1783, a Thomas Hissam was included in a list of Householders in Wyoming, a valley on the Susquehanna river, northwest of Lower Smithfield, in Luzerne county, who wished to support the laws of Pennsylvania.

"A List of the Householders of the Different Settlements at Wyoming who wish to Support the Laws of Pennsylvania.

Samuel Hoover,
Thomas Hissam,
Helmes Chambers, . . .
" - from the "Pennsylvania Archives 1783"

On 26 May 1784, Thomas Hysham Junr was mustered in the Fifth Battalion, Northampton militia, serving under Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Strowd [Stroud], Captain Benjamin Scoonhover, Lieutenant John Fish, Ensign Richard Tillberry, and Sergeant John Delong. His brothers, John and David, were mustered with him. Its not completely clear, but I think this muster roll shows David as being in the 2nd class, John in the 6th, and Thomas Junr in the 7th. This makes sense to have the boys called up separately.

The following is also from the Pennsylvania Archives, Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File, but lists certificate numbers that relate to the Militia Loan of 1784-1785. This loan was established to pay individuals for services and goods provided during the Revolutionary War that had not been reimbursed at that time. These appear to include both services, in the post-war militia, and goods requisitioned.
- Thomas Heysham, Northampton county militia, Certificate 9201, 0.9.0 pounds, issued 10 January 1786.
- Thomas Heysham, Northampton, Certificate 12,496, 9 pounds, issued 26 October 1786.
- Thomas Hysham, Northampton county militia, Certificate 9847, 1.0.10 pounds, issued 16 January 1786.
- Thomas Heysham, Northampton, Certificate 16518, 3.0.10 pounds, issued 23 February, 1790.
- Thomas Heysham, Northampton, Certificate 16519, 5.19.2 pounds, issued 23 February, 1790.
A Private Thomas Hysham is also listed amongst those "Soldiers Who Received Depreciation Pay as per Cancelled Certificates on File in the Division of Republic Records."

The 1785 Federal Tax for Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county for married freemen shows Thomas Heysham, Jun'r, with zero acres of land, no horses, 2 cows, no sheep, and a Tax of 1.6.

The 1786 Federal Tax for Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, Archives Third Series Vol. 19 shows Thomas Hisham Jr. with zero acres of land (was he a tenant farmer or worked his fathers land?), no horses, 2 cattle, and a tax of 1 pound, 2 shillings. His father, Thomas Hisham, was just above him on the tax list with 100 acres, 1 horse, 3 cattle and a tax of 2 pounds, 7 shillings.

The 1788 Federal Tax lists show him as Thomas Hissom Jr., with 100 acres, 2 horses 1 cow and a tax of 5.5. Had he inherited the land from his father (who had 100 acres in the 1786 tax list)?

Census records still show him living in Northampton county in 1790. In the nation's first census in 1790, a Thomas Hysham Jr. was living in Lower Smithfield township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. In the household was 1 man over 16, Thomas, 3 boys under 16, Abner, Thomas and ?, and 2 women, Mary and ?.

The Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol.26 (Northampton County) lists a Thomas Heysham Jr. with 400 acres. Date of Survey: Feb. 26, 1793.

At about this time Thomas' father died, and Thomas moved west. Thomas, his elder brother, John, and step-brother, Levi Swartwout, all moved to Westmoreland county, in far western Pennsylvania. However, I note that Thomas' son, Abner, appeared in a petition of 1796 by the inhabitants of Luzerne county, in the Wyoming valley northwest of Northampton county. The document's signers were unhappy with the administration of Pennsylvania and were trying to convince Connecticut that it should try to regain sovereignty of the region. This implies that Thomas and his family, including Abner, stopped in Luzerne county enroute to the far western Westmoreland county. Note that Thomas' little brother, David, by his own account, lived in Luzerne county from about 1795 to 1798. I think it probable that all of the brothers moved to Luzerne county at the same time, and that Thomas and John moved on to Westmoreland at about the same time that David moved back to Northampton, for his short stay there.

In the 1800 census for Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Thomas Hissem. His surname could be read as Hissim as well. Living in the household were a boy under 10 years old, another who was 15 to 25, this would have been Thomas, then 22, and a man 45 and over, our Thomas, who was about 50. Abner, 26, was probably on his own by this time, though I don't see him in the Westmoreland census. The women included two girls under 10, one 10 to 15, and a woman 26 to 44, his wife, Mary. Their youngest son, John, was born in about 1800, probably right after the census was completed. Thomas's elder brother, John, was living in Mount Pleasant township, in Westomoreland county at this time, while his other surviving brother, David, was still in Lower Smithfield.

A plethora of Thomas Hissom's, under various spellings, and Abner were listed in the tax lists for Westmoreland county.

"Hessam, Thos." - page 29
"Hisom, Thomas Sr.
Hisom, Thomas Jr." - page 36
"Hesom, Abner"
. . .
Hissom, Thomas" - page 40
- from "Tax Lists, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1786-1810" by William H. Dumont

The 1810 census shows Thomas later moved to Hempfield township. I believe that information came from the "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania." It is not confirmed in Ancestry.com, though his son, Thomas Jr. is there. Perhaps they lived together. I cannot say because that part of the document is obscured. Thomas' brother, John, had moved to Pitt township in Allegheny county while David had finally come out west, to East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county.

The Parker Family History claims that the Thomas Hissem, or Hissom, who married Mary Parker, died in 1815 in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. If that is so, then the following is for a different Thomas, though I have trouble getting my mind around that one. There was, after all, a Thoms Hissam of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county in the 1820 census.

In 1818 Thomas wrote a letter supporting the pension claim of his brother, John.

"County of Westmoreland of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Thomas Hissim personally appeared before me one of the Commonwealth Justice of the peace in and for said County who being sworn as the law directs who disposeth and sayeth that John Hissim was a inlisted [sic] soldier in the Company Commanded by John Hamtrainck in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven. I was with him in the army and seen him on the [Cuntary] on Furlow and [garbled] sayeth that I seen him after the peace was Confirmed and had a discharge from the Redgment [sic] or Company to wich he did belong.

Thomas Hissim X His mark

Sworn and subscribed before me this 21 day of October AD 1818
Wm Hunter

The 1820 census presents a problem because there are Thomas Hissem's in both Hempfield township and in Tyler county, Virginia. Our Thomas moved to Virginia, but I'm not sure when. It may be that Thomas and his second son, Thomas Jr., who both moved to Virginia, but did so at different times and these are the records of their staggered departure. However, there was a third Thomas Hissem in the 1820 census, also living in Tyler county, which seems to wreck that theory. My only other thought is that Thomas Sr. somehow got counted twice.

In the 1820 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Thomas Hissam [Hepurn in Ancestry.com]. The writing is bad and so is the focus on this document. It could be Hessum. This entry is right below that of Abner Hissam, Thomas Sr.'s eldest son, whose name is equally hard to make out. In Thomas' household were two men over 45, one girl under 10, one 26-45, one over 45. One person was engaged in agriculture.

In the 1820 census of Tyler county, Virginia as Thomas Hissem, a man over 45 years old. There were ten individuals in the household. This included 3 boys under 10 years old, 2 between 10 and 16, and a man over 45. Who were all of these children? Perhaps we are looking at a multi-family household, everyone living together until they can find or build their own homes and farms. It is possible that John and Levi were the two boys 10 to 16 years old, though they were actually more like 18 to 20. There were also 2 girls under 10, one between 10 and 16, and one woman 26 to 45 years old. Just below Thomas in the census were his son, Thomas Jr., aged 26 to 45 - Thomas Jr. would have been 42, brother, David, and nephew, Jesse Hissem. Another nephew, Levi, was on the previous page of the census.

The Parker Family History and the DAR "Lineage Book" claim that Mary Parker Hissem died in 1822. Her tombstone indicated that she was 73 years old when she died, so she must have been born in 1749, not 1753 as these sources claim. Is her tombstone in Hempfield township or in Tyler county?

Thomas must have remarried for the rest of the citations below about Thomas to make sense.

In the 1830 census of Tyler county, Virginia as Thomas Hisam Sr., 80 to 90 years old, that is, born between 1740 and 1750. Living with him was a woman, 70 to 80 years old. Could this be the Jane Heysham mentioned below? In that case I would guess that this was a second marriage for both of them, Jane having been the wife of a Northampton resident who came west at the same time Thomas did, accounting for her knowledge of Thomas in Lower Smithfield.

Thomas died before 1834 when his widow made a statement on behalf of his little brother, David, below. Thomas Hysham, revolutionary war soldier, is supposedly buried in Little, Tyler county, West Virginia, according to Darrel Fiest, another researcher. His brother, David Heysham, is buried there as well.

The next is confusing unless we assume Thomas remarried. In 1834 David Heysham, Thomas' younger brother, put in a claim for a pension and a bounty land warrant based on his war service. The following is Jane Heysham's [Mrs. Thomas Heysham!?] deposition in support of this claim.

State of Virginia
County of Tyler

This Day personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid Jane Heysham, aged Seventy Eight years past [born 1756] (who I hereby certify to be a credible person), who being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposed as follows, To wit, that in the commencement of the Revolutionary War Deponent resided in Northampton County, State of Pennsylvania. That Deponent was well acquainted with David Heysham (who is the brother of her late husband Thomas Heysham deceased) from the Commencement of the Revolutionary War to the ending thereof and since. That she has seen the said David Heysham's declaration for obtaining a Pension under the act of the 7th June 1832, and that Deponent believes the same to be true as Stated, except in one particular. She thinks that the said David is mistaken about his age, Deponent being confident that he is at the least one year older than he states. Deponent saith that not long after the Revolution broke out the Indians commenced their depredations on the whites in the said county of Northampton aforesaid, which obliged the white to go into Fort in the summer season during the war afterwards. That Deponent [forted?] in Fort Penn and Deponent well recollects that the said David Heysham served several years in the time of the Revolution as a Spy against the Indians from sometime in the Spring until late in the Fall, but from the great lapse of time and consequent loss of memory Deponent is unable to state the precise number of years that the said David served, but to the best of her recollection the said David served four or five or more years from early in the Spring until late in the Fall as aforesaid and further the Deponent saith not.

Jane Heysham X Her mark

Thomas and Mary had the following children,
(22) Abner Hissem (1774)
(22) Thomas Hissam (1778)
(22) Catherine Hisem (c1800), perhaps
(22) Levi Hissem (1802)
(22) John Hissem (1804)

I assume there were more daughters, as well as non-surviving sons, born between 1778 through 1800.

The eldest son of Thomas Hissem, he was born in about 1774 [or 13 July 1776] in Northampton county. He died on 18 July 1837 in Westmoreland county. The "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania" indicates that he was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, but I think they're assuming that based on his early move there. It also confirms that he lived in Westmoreland county until the end of his life. From the History of Westmoreland County, PA, Volume II, pg 351, “He (Abner) spent his entire life giving his attention to his farming and distilling."

In a letter dated 24 April 1783, a Thomas Hissam, perhaps Abner's father, was included in a list of Householders in Wyoming, the valley in Pennsylvania in Luzerne county, who wished to support the laws of Pennsylvania. A separate list shows those who supported the laws of Connecticut. This reflected the continuing issue with residents from Connecticut who claimed the valley for their state. In 1782 a court found in favor of Pennsylvania. A war between the settlers from the two different states ensued and many of the Pennsylvania adherents fled, possibly including Thomas and his family. On one list, in "The Susquehannah Company Papers," Thomas' name was transcribed as Hissam and on another as Hassham. This particular edition of this work contains neither of those names, however.

In the 1790 Federal census of Northampton county, Pennsylvana, Abner's father, Thomas Hysham, was still living in Lower Smithfield townhsip. In the household was 1 man over 16, Thomas, 3 boys under 16, Abner [he would have been 16], Thomas and ?, and 2 women, Mary and ?.

Abner's name first surfaces in a memorial, or petition, by the inhabitants of Luzerne county to the General Assembly of Connecticut, and dates to 1796, when he was 22 years old. The document's signers were unhappy with the administration of Pennsylvania and were trying to convince Connecticut that it should try to regain sovereignty of the region.

This residence would presume that Thomas' family, or as least Abner's part of it, lived in Luzerne on two separate occassions, and the latter event was an extended stop on their movement to western Pennsylvania. Note that David, Abner's uncle, also lived in Luzerne county at this time, from about 1795 to 1798, but returned to Lower Smithfield, circa 1800, before heading to western Pennsylvania.

Westmoreland is mentioned in the document, but this does not refer to Westmoreland county, just east of Pittsburgh. This was the name given to the county by the Connecticut settlers, vice the Luzerne of the Pennsylvanians.

"To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, to be holden at New Haven, the second Thursday of October next:

The Memorial of the Subscribers, inhabitants of the County of Luzerne, settlers under the Claim of the State of Connecticut, Respectfully Sheweth,

That by the approbation of the State (then Colony) of Connecticut, as early as the year 1754, the inhabitants of said State made a bona fide purchase of the natives of a large tract of land, extending from the river Delaware, Westward, about one hundred and Seventy Miles, including the whole breadth of the forty-second degree of north latitude; lands fairly included in the royal grant to the Plymouth Company, in the year of our Lord 1620, and by derivative grants vested in the early settlers of Connecticut, and Confirmed to them by the Charter of Charles the second, April 23rd 1662, that large Settlements were made by the purchasers (amongst whom were your memorialists, and those they represent) on those lands, from the year 1755 to the 15th of October 1763; at which time the Settlers were dispossessed by the savages; with the loss of many lives, and their property. But the survivors, with others of the purchasers, resumed their possessions early in 1769, and continued down to the Close of the year 1782, under the Jurisdiction of the State of Connecticut; during which time the Town of Westmoreland was established, a County erected, and civil Government duly administered, under the authority of said State.

That during that term, many respectable citizens of said State, moved on to lands purchased as aforesaid; established themselves and families contiguous to each other for better defence, on Small parcels of land, calculated for immediate support, and located other lands as a future dependance; but were prevented from Settling thereon by Reason of the late War.

That in the year 1776, they furnished the Continental army with near three hundred Officers and Soldiers, which left the settlements weak and unguarded, that in July 1778, the Settlements were Cut off by the Savages aided by the arms of Great Britain but soon regained by the zeal & prowess of those who escaped the carnage of the first attempt of the Savages; that the settlements, by heavy losses of men and property, were reduced to distress; great numbers of widows and Orphan Children were left almost destitute of the necessaries of life; and the families of nearly two hundred Officers and Soldiers, (then in the federal army) became almost helpless, and needy beyond Description, but were assisted by the then returned inhabitants and relieved by the activity of that Country alone. The settlers were a most important barrier to the interior parts of the country through the war; and were continually harassed by the Savages, and those of a more Savage nature, until the war was closed, with repeated loss of lives and property.

That the State of Pennsylvania, taking advantage of the debilitated Situation of the Settlers, applied to the Congress of the United States, for the Constituting a Court for the Settlement of the Jurisdiction of the country aforesaid, claimed by them, in virtue of a Grant to William Penn, Esq. dated March 4th 1681, nearly nineteen years after the Confirmation of said territory to the Connecticut Company in 1662."

[footnotes: (173) * C.S.L., Susquehannah Settlers, I, 180a-188i. The signatures which were written on seven copies of the petition, have been consolidated here.

Much of the wording closely parallels that of the petition by Dyer and others; no.153,ante. The present petition, however, obscures the distinction between the Susquehannah and Delaware companies, for it is merely from the inhabitants of Luzerne County, and the purchase from the Indians is described as though it had been a single purchase running westward from the Delaware River. The eastern boundary of the Susquehannah Company purchase, of course, was a line paralleling the river’s meanderings ten miles east of the river.

The submission of a second petition just four months after the firsty had been rejected may have been justified by the fact that 691 signatures of actual settlers were obtained for this later effort. Only twelve men, non-residents of Luzerne County, had signed the first petition.]

"That on notice of such application, it was objected on the part of Connecticut, that great part of the deeds, evidence and papers necessary to be used on a question of title, were then in Great Britain, having been left there for that purpose; and could not at that time be obtained, the war preventing. It was moved by the agents of Connecticut, to postpone the trial, until the war was closed, and the said writings could be obtained. That the state of Pennsylvania insisted upon having a trial, the said objections notwithstanding. At the same time the agents of that State had, by some means possessed themselves of the said writings and evidences, which they secretly withheld, without the knowledge of the State of Connecticut or her agents.

That a Court was constituted; five commissioners only attended; two others who had been appointed, and who were relied on by the State of Connecticut, as disinterested and impartial characters for some reason failed and did not attend. The Cause was heard; and a decree did pass on the 30th day of December 1782, in favour of Pennsylvania, against the Claim of Connecticut. That, in Consequence thereof, the Jurisdiction aforesaid, fell to the State of Pennsylvania.

That the Settlers in January 1783, by their humble petition to the legislature of Pennsylvania put themselves under the protection and Government of that State; and prayed for a Confirmation of their Just rights and possessions. That they were at first flattered by the measures adopted by Government; but these flattering prospects soon vanished; and every measure which appeared favorable, was perverted by their enemies to seduce, disarm, ruin and destroy the settlers. That an armed force was sent by the authority of Pennsylvania; who in the month of May 1784, did actually disarm, rob, plunder, and totally dispossess the Settlers. [Pennsylvania ruled that the Connecticut settlers were not citizens of the Commonwealth, could not vote, and were to give up their property claims.] That every mean was used by the Settlers, by their petition to the legislative executive and Judicial authority of that government for their interposition in behalf of the said Settlers, to reinstate them in their possessions; but all to no purpose. They were often flattered; but in the end, their prayers and petitions were treated with Contempt.

Roused at the injustice and abuse offered to the innocent inhabitants, some of their friends from Connecticut, and others induced by their pitiable situation, joined the emigrants from the contested country, and returned; and after many severe encounters, established themselves, and in their turn drove the adherents of Pennsylvania therefrom, and proceeded to Settling on their farms and improvements, from which they had been dispossessed; and also extended their Settlements on new Townships where they had been prevented from Settling by reason of the war with Great Britain. [this civil war, known as the Second Yankee-Pennamite war, began in May 1784 and may explain Thomas Hissom's return to Lower Smithfield after 1783]

That in September 1786 [in a compromise to end the war], the County of Luzerne, was established under the authority of the State of Pennsylvania and on the 28th day of March 1787, a legislative act was passed, confirming to the Connecticut Claimants all such lands in the County of Luzerne, as were Occupied or acquired by or assigned to such Claimants, who were actual Settlers in said County, prior to the decisions of Jurisdiction in December 1782. That this act being limited to the County of Luzerne, a number of Townships which had been laid out, and in Several actual Settlements made, prior to the said decree; but not being within the County of Luzerne, were not included. However, in Consequence of the said Confirming act, the laws of the State of Pennsylvania were put into full force and operation throughout the County of Luzerne. That by another act passed April 1st 1790, the aforesaid act confirming to the Connecticut claimants the lands by them claimed in the County of Luzerne, was repealed and all proceedings had under the said law were declared to be void and of none effect. That the said Confirming law has proved to be a fraud; that the Settlers are now left to contend for the title of their lands in Courts of law. That sundry suits of ejectment have been Commenced and are now depending in the Courts of the united States in the district of Pennsylvania, to be determined by a Jury of that State, whome your memorialits conceive to be more or less interested in the event; that they Cannot have that Justice done them, which they are intitled to, or might otherwise have, by a more Disinterested Jury.

Your memorialists beg leave further to represent, that by a law of the State of Pennsylvania aforesaid, passed April 11th 1795, all and every person or persons laying out, surveying, or settling on any lands under the title of Connecticut within the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, as decreed at Trenton in December 1782, are liable to be persecuted as criminals, and to be Subjected to heavy fines, imprisonment and hard labour by which act your memorialists in many instances are prohibited from Settling on lands which they have dearly bought, and esteem to be their Just and lawfull right; and are also debarred from prosecuting their claim and title, in that way pointed out by the Constitution and laws of the united States, where lands are claimed by Citizens of the same States under Grants from different States.

Your memorialists farther state, that it can now be proved beyond a Doubt, that the aforesaid papers and evidence relative to the title and Claim of Connecticut to the territory aforesaid, were actually in the hands of Pennsylvania agents, or others opposed to the Claim of Connecticut prior to the decision of the Jurisdiction as aforesaid; and that the same writings and evidence were Suppressed and kept from the agents of Connecticut, who had a right to the same. That if a fair and impartial trial could be had, your memorialists conceive that they might be secured in their Justly acquired lands, which will save many thousands from ruin and distress; and a large tract of land one hundred Miles in length, including the breadth of the State of Connecticut, lying west of the Susquehanna purchase, and east of the Connecticut reserves would of Course fall to the State of Connecticut.

Your memorialists therefore pray the honorable Assembly, to take the case aforesaid under your equitable Consideration; and pursue such measures as in your wisdom shall be deemed Just, to obtain a revision of the aforesaid trial between the States of Pennsylvania & Connecticut; or in some other way interpose in behalf of your memorialists, to Secure to them their Just and equitable rights. And they, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

September 13th 1796

Inhabitants and actual settlers in the County of Luzerne.
. . .
Abner hisom
Levi Swartwood
gnadaius Swartwood
. . .
Alexander Swartwoudt [?]
. . ."

In the 1800 census I see only Abner's father, Thomas Hissem, and his uncle, John Hissim, in Westmoreland county, so perhaps, as a single man, Abner, aged 26, was still living at home.

An Abner Hesom was listed in "Tax Lists, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 1786-1810", page 40, by William H. Dumont. Thomas Hissom was listed on the same page. I can't see what date was referenced.

Abner married Mary Barbara Welker in 1804. The History above gives her name as Walker. She was born on 28 January 1782 in Westmoreland county, the daughter of Michael Welker and and his second wife, Elizabeth Wagoner. See the section on the Welker family, below. She died on 22 August 1858. The Welkers came from the Palatinate, Germany. Mary’s grandfather, Hans George Welker, was born there in 1697. Her father Michael was born about 1732 in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and died in 1799 in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Note that Abner's youngest brothers also married Welker daughters.

The 1810 Hempfield township, Westmoreland county census lists Abner as a resident - from the "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania." I haven't found this in Ancestry.com.

In the 1820 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Abner Hissam [Hepurn in Ancestry.com]. The writing is bad and so is the focus on this document. It could be Hessum. In his household were 3 boys under 10, Samuel, Abner & ?, one man 16 to 26, William [he was younger than that however], and one man 45 and over, Abner. Of the women, 2 girls was under 10, Mary and Ruth, 2 were 10-16, Jane and Elizabeth, and one was 26-45, Abner's wife. Two people in the family were engaged in Agriculture.

The 1830 Hempfield township, Westmoreland county census lists Abner as a resident - from the "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania." This is confirmed in Ancestry.com as Abner Hissim. His household included one son under 5 [Jesse], 1 that was 5-10 [Thomas], another that was 10 to 15 [Abner], one 15-20 [Samuel] and another 20-30 [William], and one 50-60 years old [Abner]. Of the women, one was under 5 [Emily], one 5 to 10 [Anna], another 10-15 [Mary], one 15 to 20 [Ruth], two were between 20 and 30 years old [Elizabeth and Jane], and one 40 to 50 [Mary].

Abner died on 1 July 1837, aged 60 years 11 months 19 days. The date of his birth was given as 1776 in this source. He was also shown as married to an Emily [?], who died on 21 November 1833. He was buried in the Middle Presbyterian Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Abner is also found in the J.V. Thompson Journals, vol. 2, p. 192 (Middle Church Cemetery Records).

In the 1850 census of Hempfield, Westmoreland county, Mary Hissom, 62, was living with her eldest son, William Hissom, a 41 year old farmer, and his family. Also living there was Robert Potter, a 43 year old laborer, probably Mary's brother.

Mary's son, William, moved to Ohio and was in Green township, Ashland county for the 1860 census. Mary must have died by that time, but a Margaret Potter, 21, was living with William. She was, perhaps, Mary's niece.

Abner and Mary had the following children,
(23) Elizabeth Hissem (1805)
(23) Jane Hissem (1807)
(23) William Hissem (1809)
(23) Samuel Hissem (1811)
(23) Ruth Hissem (1814)
(23) Mary Hissem (1816)
(23) Abner Hissem (1820)
(23) Anna Hissem (1822)
(23) Thomas Hissem (1824)
(23) Jesse Hissem (1827)
(23) Emily Hissem (1829)

She was born on 30 May 1805 and died before 1890. She married Samuel Fox. He was born in 1795 and died in 1870.

She was born on 8 February 1807 and died before 1890. She married Joshua Evans on 23 December 1830 in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1797 and died in 1880.

He was born on 22 April 1809 in Pennsylvania and died in 1896. A Farmer. He married Mary Potter [Poter], a native of Pennsylvania. She was born in 1809 and died in 1895.

In the 1850 census of Hempfield, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as William Hissom, a 41 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 37, and children, Mary J [F?], 2, and William, 6/12. All were born in Pennsylvania. Also living with them were Mary Hissom, 62, and Robert Potter, a 43 year old laborer. She was William's mother and he was probably Mary's brother.

William left Pennsylvania in about 1858, after the birth of his son, James, and moved to nearby Ashland county, Ohio. Note that many of the Hissem family moved there at this time, including William's younger brothers, Abner and Jesse Hissem, below.

In the 1860 census for Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as William Hissem, a 48 year old farmer [1811]. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 45, and children, Mary J., 12, Margaret, 10, Adaline, 12, Marquis, 11, and James, 3. All were born in Pennsylvania. A Margaret Potter, 21, was living with them. She was, perhaps, Mary's niece.

In the 1870 census of Green township as William Hissem [Hipem in Ancestry.com], a 61 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 59, and children, Janine [Mary J.?], 21, Marcus, 19, James C., 13, and Adaline, 21. Now, oddly, all the children are shown as born in Ohio.

In the 1880 census for Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio as William Hissem, a 71 year old retired farmer. Living with him are his wife, Mary, 66, James, 24, a clerk in a bank, and Jennie [Mary J?], 30. Both of his parents were listed as born in Pennsylvania, but now Mary is shown as born in Ohio.

William was buried in the Loudonville cemetery, Ohio, as was Mary. There is a Mary Hissem with a tombstone showing, 1814 - 1893. They had the following children,
(24) Mary J. Hissem (1848)
(24) Adaline Hissem (1848)
(24) William Hissem Jr. (1849)
(24) Marquis Hissem (1850)
(24) Margaret Hissem (1850)
(24) James C. Hissem (1856)

Of Loudonville. She may also be known as Jennie to differentiate her from her mother. In the 1850 census of Hempfield, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Mary J. Hissom, 2, born in Pennsylvania. In the 1860 census for Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Mary J. Hissem, 12.

She attended the Vermillion Institute in Hayesville, later showing up for a meeting of alumni in 1878.

In the 1870 census of Green township as Janine Hissem [Hipem in Ancestry.com], 21, now shown as born in Ohio, living at home with her parents. A single woman, aged 30, still living at home with her father in 1880.

In the 1860 census for Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Adaline Hissem, 12, born in Pennsylvania. Where was she during the 1850 census? In the 1870 census of Green township as Adaline Hissem [Hipem in Ancestry.com], 21, living at home with her parents, now, oddly, shown as born in Ohio.

In the 1850 census of Hempfield, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as William Hissom, 6/12, born in Pennsylvania. He disappears after this.

I suspect that Marcus is the country was of pronouncing Marquis. He was born on 12 July 1850 in Pennsylvania. In the 1860 census for Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Marquis Hissem, 11, born in Pennsylvania. In the 1870 census of Green township as Marcus Hissem [Hipem in Ancestry.com], 19, living at home, but now, oddly, shown as born in Ohio.

Marcus Hissem married Junia L. Scott on 23 September 1874. Junia was born on 14 February 1853 in Hayesville, Ohio, the daughter of W. W. Scott and Sarah A. Hayes - from "Descendants of Richard Hayes: of Lyme, Connecticut, through his son Titus Hayes."

In the 1880 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Marcus Hissem, a 29 year old [1849] farmer, and his wife Junia, 27. He had no children at this time. His parents were also born in Pennsylvania. Junia and her parents were born in Ohio.

In the 1900 census as William M. Hissem, a 49 year old [July 1850] farmer from Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Junia L., 46 [February 1853], and his son, Dwight S., 15 [October 1884]. I place this here, despite the problem of Marcus' name, because of his wife, Junia. The name is too uncommon not to link to the Junia Hissem's in the 1870 and 1910 census'. Both of them were from Ohio. I think Marquis name was actually William Marquis [or Marcus], but that he commonly used Marcus.

Marcus was mentioned in volume 80, page 390, of the "American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGI)," as was Dwight Hissem, his son.

The 1910 Ohio Miracode Index lists Marcus Hissem, 59, still living in Ashland county with wife, Junea, 57. In the 1910 Federal census for Green township as Marcus Hissem, a 59 year old. Living with him was his wife, Junia, 57. She had had 2 children, 1 of which was still living.

Junia died on 9 March 1911 in Green township, Ashland county. The following is from the obituary of Junia's sister, Amanda. It mentions Junia's death.

9 Febraury 1916. "Scott, Miss Amanda, died Sunday at home just W of Hayesville, born Hayesville, siblings: Mrs. James Boyd, Matilda, Ella, Florence and Sidney, Horace in the west, Mrs. Marcus Hissem died 5 years ago, buried Hayesville Cemetery." - from the Ashland newspaper

In the 1920 census of Mohican township, Ashland county, Ohio as Marcus Hissem, a 69 year old widower and Agent for a Real Estate company. He was living alone.

William M. Hissem died on 21 September 1929 in Ashland county.

They had two children,
(25) Unknown Hissem (1875)
(25) Dwight Scott Hissem (1884)

This child was born on 23 August 1875. I assume he or she died young - from the "Descendents of Richard Hayes, of Lyme, Connecticut."

He was born in Ohio on 30 October 1884 - from the "Descendents of Richard Hayes, of Lyme, Connecticut." Dwight is mentioned in volume 80, page 390, of the "American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGI)." In the 1900 census as Dwight S. Hissem, 15 [October 1884], the son of William.

In the 1910 Ohio Miracode Index as Dwight S. Hissem, 25. Living with him were his wife, Zella F., 18, and daughter Martha A. Zella was born in about 1892 in Ashland county. I have a Zella F. Abrecht, the daughter of John and Mennie B. Abrecht of Mohican township, Ashland county, Ohio. She was born in about 1892.

Dwight Scott Hissem registered for the draft on 12 September 1918. He was born on 30 October 1884. He was 33 years old at the time, a farmer living at 3 RFD Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio. He had a wife, Zelia Francis Hissem [garbled], and child. He was described as of medium height and stout build, with brown eyes and hair.

In the 1920 census of Vermillion township as Dwight S. Hissem, a 35 year old farmer. Living with him are his wife, Zella, 27, Virginia, 10, and Helen, 5.

In the 1930 census of Vermillion township, Ashland county, Ohio as Dwight Hissem, a 45 year old farmer. His father was born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Zella, 38, and daughter, Lue, 7. Zella died on 29 September 1965, in Ashland county. Dwight died on 22 October 1966 in Ashland county at the age of 81.

He had the following childen,
(26) Martha A. Hissem (1909)
(26) Virginia Hissem (1910)
(26) Hellen Hissem (1915)
(26) Lue Hissem (1923)

In the 1860 census for Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Margaret Hissem, 10, born in Pennsylvania. Not shown in the 1870 census.

He was born in September 1855 in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania and moved to Ohio before he was three. In the 1860 census for Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as James Hissem, 3, born in Pennsylvania.

In the 1870 census of Green township as James C. Hissem [Hipem in Ancestry.com], 13, but now, oddly, shown as born in Ohio.

A Bank Clerk in the 1880 census, living at home with his father, aged 24. The 1880 census indicates that he was born in Ohio.

The following is James' biography from "History of the Republican Party in Ohio,"

"JAMES C. HISSEM, who at present occupies the honorable office of mayor of Loudonville, is an ardent adherent of the principles incorporated in the platform of the Republican party and has served long and faithfully in the ranks of that organization, zealously following in the footsteps of the leaders and ever evincing that intelligence, discrimination, and integrity which marks the supporters of Republicanism and maintains the high standard adopted at the inception of the party. In 1894 he was elected mayor of his home city, and re-elected in 1896, notwithstanding the fact that the district is strongly Democratic. During his term of office he has distinguished himself by his unqualified devotion to the welfare of the community and his indefatigable efforts to improve the existing condition of Loudonville.

Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in September 1855, our subject is the son of William and Mary (Potter) Hissem, both of whom were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, where the father was a prosperous and progressive farmer. The latter moved with his family to Ashland county, Ohio, locating on a farm near Hayesville, where James C., then a lad of six years, spent his youth attaining his primary education in the district schools, supplementing the same by a course at the Hayesville Academy, where he pursued his studies for three years. In 1874 he decided to embark in business on his own account, and opened a general store in Haskellville, which he conducted for two years, at the end of that period moving to Loudonville. Here he became interested in banking and assisted in establishing the Loudonville Banking Company, his associates being James C. Larville, president; W.S. Fisher, vice-president; while he holds the position of cashier. The concern does a general banking and exchange business, and is one of the most flourishing institutions of its kind in the country.

In 1890 Mr. Hissem was married to Ms Mary L. Stocker, the eldest daughter of J. W. Stocker, a prominent merchant in Loudonville. Mayor Hissem is a man of unusual executive ability, keen discernment, broad in his views, and possessing the courage of his convictions, and is in every way a man fully qualified to fulfill the duties of the high office he at present occupies."

In 1895 James C. Hissem, Republican, lost the election for the House of Representatives for Ashland county in the 72nd general assembly of Ohio. He garnered 2520 votes to George W. Brubaker's 2739. - from "Ohio Election Statistics"

James died sometime after 1895.

In the 1900 census of Hanover, Ashland county, Ohio as Mary L. Hissem, 42, a widow (twice over) born in May 1858. She was living alone at the time.

James' widow, Mary L. Hissem, bequethed $3,000 to the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home, of Xenia, Ohio. This occurred sometime before 1908 - from "Acts of the State of Ohio. They apparently had no children.

In the 1910 census . . .

While this obviously wasn't our James, there was a James C. Hissem buried in the Loudonville cemetary, 1850 - 1887. I put this here only because James' father and mother were also buried in that cemetary.

He was born on 4 July 1811 [18 October 1811] in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the fourth child and second son of Abner Hissem. He ran the family farm for his father.

He married Elizabeth Kintigh [Hinligh?] in June 1838. She was born 5 May 1810 in Westmoreland county, the daughter of Adam and Sarah (Ruff) Kintigh, and granddaughter of Daniel and Margaret (Fisher) Kintigh and of Anthony and Elizabeth Ruff.

In the 1850 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Samuel Hissom [sic], a 38 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 39, and children, Sarah J., 11, Reuben, 9, and Mary M., 7. Also living with him was his younger brother, Jesse Hissom, a 23 year old [1827] laborer.

Unlike his brothers, William, Abner and Jesse, who moved to Ashland, Ohio, he stayed in Westmoreland county.

In the 1860 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Samuel Hissem, a 49 year old farmer. Living with him were Elizabeth, 41, Sarah J., 20, Reuben, 18, Mary M., 16. All of his children were born in Pennsylvania.

In the 1870 census of Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Samuel Hissam, a 58 year old farmer. He had real estate worth $10,000 and personal property worth $1,500. He and all members of his family were from Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 57, Reuben K., a 27 year old farmer, and Mary M., 25.

"... He directed his attention to farming and distilling, abandoning the latter after several years but continuing the former until his death that occurred on January 30, 1882. He was a member of the Middle Presbyterian Church for more than half a century and a ruling elder of the same for eleven years. He was a staunch Republican in politics..." - History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, pg 351.

In the 1880 census of Mount Pleasant as Samuel Hissem, a 69 year old retired farmer. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 62, and his mother-in-law [!], Sarah Kintigh, 94. He was living next-door to his son, Reuben.

He died on 30 January 1882 in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, aged 71 years. He was buried in the Middle Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County. Mrs. Elizabeth K. Hissem of Mt. Pleasant died on 6 October 1896 at the age of 78 and is also buried in the Middle Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

His children were,
(24) Sarah J. Hissem (1839)
(24) Reuben Kintigh Hissem (1842)
(24) Mary M. Hissem (1843)
(24) Jesse Hissem (1850)

She was born about 1839 and died on 29 March 1878. In the 1850 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Sarah J. Hissom [sic], 11. In the 1860 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Sarah J. Hissem, 20. 16.

She married John A. Stevenson of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county on 16 October 1866. He was born on 9 March 1838 and was the son of John Stevenson and Mary Sherbony.

John A. Stevenson was one of the most prominent businessmen of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County. His family was descendant from Germany and settled at the village of Robstown, now West Newton, in that country in the early years. The first of the family to come to America was Mr. Stevenson's grandparents. His grandmother was never able to speak any language other than her native tongue. John's father, John Sr., was born in Westmoreland County in 1810. He was a cooper by trade and was successful in this business. During his early life he devoted most of his time to teaching in the English and German schools in the district. Toward the latter part of his life he took up farming. He was a member of the well-known 'Washington Guard', a military body in existence over 60 years in Pennsylvania.

John and Sara had three children.

The second child and only son of Samuel Hissem, he was born on 30 June 1842 in Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In the 1850 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Reuben Hissom [sic], 9. In the 1860 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Reuben Hissem, 18. In 1870 he was still living with his father, Samuel.

He married Louise Jane Andrews on 15 November 1871. She was born about 1842/4 in Westmoreland county. Her parents were John Andrews and Hannah Carnahan.

In the 1880 census of Mount Pleasant as Reuben K. Hissem [Hisrem in Ancestry.com], a 38 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Lou J., 36, and children Liza F., 6, Pearl A., 6, and Mary O., 3. Life was fine and he had 3 servants.

In the 1900 census of Mount Pleasant as Reuben Hissem [Baden Hissem in Ancestry.com], a 58 year old farmer [May 1842]. Living with him were his wife, Louisa A., 56 [October 1843], and children, Pearl A., 25 [April 1875], and Mary O., 23 [May 1877].

The following was Reubens's biography from "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,"

"REUBEN K. HISSEM. Among the progressive and influential citizens of Mount Pleasant, few have had a wider sphere of usefulness than Reuben K. Hissem, who was born in Hempfield township, June 30, 1842. He is a descendant in direct line from Thomas Hissem, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared, educated, and followed the quiet but useful occupation of farming throughout the active years of his career.

(I) Abner Hissem, eldest son of Thomas Hissem, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He spent his entire life in the vicinity of his birthplace, giving his attention to farming and distilling. In religious faith he was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married, in 1804, Mary Walker, and had children: 1. Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Fox; 2. Jane, wife of Joshua Evans; 3. Samuel, a farmer by occupation, of whom later; 4. Ruth, wife of Jonas Ruff; 5. Mary, wife of Frederick Spielman; 6. William, married Mary Poter; 7. Abner, married Catherine Ziglar; 8. Anna, wife of David Kintigh; 9. Thomas, married Sarah Klingsmith; 10. Jesse, married Catherine Howenstein; 11. Emily, died at the age of four years.

(II) Samuel Hissem, third child and eldest son of Abner (I) and Mary (Walker) Hissem, was born July 4, 1811, in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Upon attaining the age when he should take up the practical duties of life for himself, he directed his attention to farming and distilling, abandoning the latter after several years, but continuing the former up to the time of his death which occurred January 30, 1882. He was a member of the Middle Presbyterian church for more than half a century, and a ruling elder of the same for eleven years. He was a staunch Republican in politics. Samuel Hissem married Elizabeth Kintigh, daughter of Adam and Sarah Kintigh, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and their children were: 1. Sarah J., wife of J. A. Stevenson, of Mount Pleasant. 2. Reuben K., of whom later. 3. Mary M., wife of Dr. R. E. Fulton of Mount Pleasant.

(III) Reuben K. Hissem, second child and only son of Samuel (2) and Elizabeth (Kentigh) [sic] Hissem, was educated in the common schools of his native township and at Mount Pleasant Institute. He assisted his father in the cultivation and management of the homestead farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he assumed entire charge of the same, continuing along these lines until 1894, in which year he leased the property and since then has directed his energies into various other channels. He was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Mount Pleasant, in 1893, was elected its first president, and has served in that capacity up to the present time (1900). He is a member of the directorate of the Savings and Trust Company of Scottdale, First National Bank of Jeannette, Jeannette Savings and Trust Company, and the Greensburg Finance Company, discharging his duties in these different positions with efficiency and credit. He was a prominent factor in what is known as the old rolling mill, and was a director of the same until it was merged into the present syndicate. He is a public spirited, patriotic citizen, takes great pride and pleasure in the advancement and growth of his town and community, and has assisted materially in the prosperity of various industrial enterprises. He is a Republican in politics, and exercises a potent influence in behalf of the party whose principles he advocates. For six consecutive years he served as school director. He belongs to the Middle Presbyterian church, and has been a ruling elder in that institution for almost a quarter of a century.

The "Report of the Comptroller of the Currency" showed that R.K. Hissem was president of the Mount Pleasant Farmers and Merchants Bank. C.E. Mullin was cashier. They had $454,367 in loans, discounts and overdrafts. $25,000 in United States bonds. $120,642 in other bonds, investments and real estate.

Reuben K. Hissem married, November 15, 1871, Louis J. Andrews, daughter of John and Hannah (Carnahan) Andrews, representatives of an old and highly respected family. She was reared in a home of plenty and christian culture, attended the United Presbyterian church, but on her marriage joined the Mount Pleasant Middle Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Hissem is the senior elder. In her religious life she was active and consistent; her presence was seldom missed from regular service, and her help was much appreciated in all that pertained to God's kingdom. To her a christian profession meant a christian life--devoted, kind, cheerful. She died at her home near Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1904, aged sixty-two years. The funeral services were in charge of her pastor, Rev. G. C. Fisher, of the Middle churches, who was assisted by Rev. Howard Wilson, of the United Presbyterian church, and Rev. W. H. Tussing, of the Reformed church of Mount Pleasant. The remains were interred in the Middle Church cemetery. Her life was sweet and beautiful; her death a triumph, opening the door to a glorious immortality. She lies asleep near the church she loved and almost in sight of the home where she spent her youth, and of the home her presence as a wife and mother made so happy, and her absence leaves a great vacancy in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hissem: 1. Elizabeth F., wife of Frank D. Barnhart, of Mount Pleasant; 2. Pearl A., wife of Dr. N. F. Silsly, of Scottdale, Pa.; 3. Mary Olive, wife of Rev. T. A. Gibson, of Bergetstown, Washington county; and 4. Ada M., a graduate of Washington Seminary, who resides at home with her father."

"A warrant was issued for the arrest of R.K. Hissem, president of the Farmers and Merchants bank of Mount Pleasant, Pa. on the charge that he misapplied $50,000 of the bank's funds." - from the 21 October 1908 "Indiana Progress" of Indiana, Pennsylvania

"Bankers Found Guilty
President and Cashier of Defunct Institution Face Jail
Pittsburg, Nov. 28 - A verdict of guilty was returned in the case of C. E. Mullin, cashier, and R. K. Hissem, president of the defunct National Bank of Mount Pleasant, Pa., and E. H. Steinman, former president of the Acme Lumber Company."
"The three defendents are liable to five to ten years in the penitentiary." - from the Edwardsville Intelligencer of 1908

In the 1910 census of Mount Pleasant as Ruben Hissem, a 68 year old, retired on his own income. Living with him were his daughter, Ada M., 28, and a cousin, Jennie M., 61.

In the 1920 census of Mount Pleasant as Ruben K. Hissem, 79. Living with him was his cousin, Jennie M. Hissem, 70. Reuben died on 14 February 1928 in Mount Pleasant at the age of 86. Both were buried in the Middle Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

He had four daughters,
(25) Elizabeth Florence Hissem (1873)
(25) Pearl A. Hissem (1876)
(25) Mary Olive Hissem (1877)
(25) Ada May Hissem (1882)

She was born on 18 February [April?] 1873 and died on 14 June 1957, at the age of 83, in Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county. She married Frank D. Barnhart of Mount Pleasant on 30 October 1894 in Westmoreland county. He was born on 25 February 1864 and died on 2 February 1958. Elizabeth died on 14 June 1957 in Mount Pleasant.

Of Mount Pleasant township. He was born on 27 February 1898. A member of the Senior class at Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1920 per the "Oriflamme," the yearbook of the college. He died on 2 April 1938.

She was born in 1876 (per her obituary) or as early as 873 per some researchers. She attend Mount Pleasant Institute and Grove City College. She was the wife of Dr. Nathaniel Eldridge Silsley of Scottdale, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1869 and died in 1950. Pearl died in November 1951. They had a son, Eldridge Hissem Silsley of Scottdale.

She was born on 10 May 1877 in Westmoreland county and died in 1955. She was the wife of the Reverand T.A. Gibson of Bergetstown, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

She was born on 3 May 1882 and died before 1965 [perhaps as early as 1931]. She was a graduate of the Washington Seminary. She married Horace Cribbs Cope of McKeesport. He was born in 1878 and died in 1931.

She was born in 1917.

She was born about 1843 in Westmoreland county. In the 1850 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Mary M. Hissom [sic], 7. In the 1860 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Mary M. Hissem, 16. The wife of Dr. Ralph E. Fulton of Mount Pleasant. He was born in 1825. Dr. Fulton and Margaret died on the same day, 4 January 1922. He was 76 and she 77.

She was born on 8 March 1814 in Hempfield, Pennsylvania. She married Jonas Ruff in 20 March 1838 in Mount Pleasant. Note that Ruth's mother was a Ruff. Jonas was born in 1815 in Mount Pleasant township, Pennsylvania, the son of Anthony and Anna Ruff.

Jonas was reared on the homestead in Mount Pleasant township and went to school in that district. He moved to a farm about three miles north of Mount Pleasant after his marriage, where he made his home for the rest of his life. The farm consisted of 132 acres and he built a comfortable brick house on the land. He served as Assessor and was an active member and officer in the Presbyterian church. The couple had eight children.

Ruth died on 18 December 1870 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania and was buried in the Middle Church cemetery. Jonas died on 6 September 1872.

She was born on 28 November 1816 in Pennsylvania and died before 1880. She married Frederick [George?] Spielman [Speelman?]. He was born in 1800 and died in 1880. She appears to have lived her whole live in Hempfield township.

He is sometimes referred to as Abner Hissom. He was born on 1 February 1820 in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He moved to Ohio, perhaps in company with his brothers, William and Jesse, some time before 1846. There he married Catherine H. Zeigler [Ziglar, Ziegler] on 8 October 1846 in Ashland, Ohio. Catherine was born in 1826 in Pennsylvania.

In the 1850 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Adam Hisum, a 30 year old farmer, born in Pennsylvania. Also living with him were his wife, Catherine, 24, born in Pennsylvania, and his two sons, J. Z. [J.S. per Ancestry.com; is this John?], 2, and J. [Jesse?], 3/12.

In the 1860 census of Green township as Abner Hissem, a 41 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Catherine, 35, John, 12, Jessee [sic], 10, Mary A., 9, Clara, 7, Frank, 5, Henry, 3, and Ella M. 8/12. All the children were born in Ohio. Living with them was Emeline Zeigler, 15, probably Catherine's younger sister.

In the 1870 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as A. Hissem [A. Hipson in Ancestry.com], a 50 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Catherine, 44, and a tremendous family, John Z., 22, at home farming, Jesse, 21, Clara, 16, Frank, 14, Henry Z., 12, Ella M., 10, Laura, 8, Sherman, 5, Walter, 3, and Jamie C. 7/12.

In the 1880 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Abner Hissem, a 62 year old farmer, born in 1818 in Pennsylvania. His parents are listed as both born in Virginia. Living with him were his wife, Catherine, 53, Henry, 23, Ella M., 21, Laura, 18, Sherman, 14, and Nettie, 12.

Catherine died in 1894 in Ohio. She was buried in Loudenville cemetery "w/o Abner."

In the 1900 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Abner Hissem, an 80 year old "capitalist" [!], born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his chidren, Nettie M., a 32 year old [January 1868] dressmake, and Laura, 37 [January 1863], with her husband, Daniel Stafer, a carpenter.

Abner died on 3 January 1909 in Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio and was buried in the Loudonville cemetery. Abner was reported to have had twelve children, ten of which reached maturity, four sons and six daughters. I have the following,
(24) John Z. Hissem (1848)
(24) Rose A. Hissem (1849), maybe
(24) Jesse R. Hissem (1850)
(24) Mary A. Hissem (1851), she died young
(24) Clara Hissem (1853)
(24) Frank Hissem (1856), he may have died in his teens
(24) Dr. Henry Z. Hissem (1857)
(24) Ella M. Hissem (1860)
(24) Laura Hissem (1863)
(24) W. Sherman Hissem (1865)
(24) Walter Hissem (1867), he died young
(24) Nettie Hissem (1868)
(24) Jamie C. Hissem (1869), he died young

He was born in Maryland, per the 1900 census of his son, or Ohio per the 1910 and 1930 census, or Pennsylvania, per the 1920 census. The census of his daughters in 1900 also has a vote for Ohio. He was, in fact, born in Ohio in about 1848.

In the 1850 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as J.Z. Hisum, 2. In the 1860 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as John Hissem, the 12 year old son of Abner Hissem.

In the 1870 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as John Z. Hissem, 22, "at home farming," living with his parents. The Hissem family was prominent enough that there exists a Hissem Road in Cadiz, Ohio.

John was a farmer and in 1876, at the age of 28, exhibited at the great Centennial in Philadelphia.

"Catalogue of Exhibits from the State of Ohio . . . Agricultural Hall . . . Cereals . . . John Z. Hissem, McKay, white soup beans" - from the "Final Report of the Ohio State Board of Centennial Managers of Centennial Managers" to the General Assembly of the state of Ohio, 1877.

John was a wanderer. He moved to Cass county, in north central Indiana, where he married Nellie Miller on 19 December 1878.

Continuing to move, by the time of the 1880 census he was in Perry township, Dallas county, Iowa, just northwest of Des Moines, as John Z. Hissem, a 31 year old [1849] clerk in a store. He was born in Ohio. His parents were born in Pennsylvania. Living with him was his wife. Nellie, 21. She was born in Indiana, but there were no children.

In the same census of 1880 of Dallas county there was living an Eliza [Teeter] Grossman and her husband, Jerry Grossman, a farmer. They were originally from Carroll county, Illinois, and, sometime after this census, Eliza's younger sister, Ida, was to come to Dallas county, and meet John Z. Hissem and marry him, after the death of Nellie. However, I see neither John, Eliza or the Grossman's in the state census of 1885.

Nellie must have died because on 23 June 1885 a John Z. Hissem, who was born in about 1851, married Ida S. Teeter in Carroll county, Illinois - per Mary Teeter. Ida was born in 1860, the daughter of Daniel Teeter of Carroll county, Illinois.

John Z. Hissem moved to Nebraska before 1886. John's eldest daugther, Blanche, was born in Nebraska in 1886. This move was probably in company with Ida's eldest brother, Joseph Teeter, who had relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska before 1889. Note that John Hissem's son, Joseph Teeter Hissem, born in 1890, was most likely named in honor of Joseph Teeter.

In the Omaha, Nebraska Directories of 1889 and 1890 as John Z. Hissen, of 2525 Caldwell street. He was a "check clerk" for the local freight office of the Union Pacific Railway. In the Morning World Herald of Omaha, Nebraska, . . .

Ida died in 1895 and John left his three children, Blanche, Beth and Joseph, with his Teeter sisters-in-law to raise. John himself then died in 1903. The Carroll County, Illinois Cemeteries website lists John Z. (1851-1903) and Ida S. (1860-1895) Hissem as husband and wife. Both John and Ida are buried in the Teeter family plot in Mt. Carroll. See the Ensign Joseph Hissem page for more about his famiy and his famous grandson.

John's children were,
(25) Blanche Hissem (1886/1888)
(25) Beth [Bath] Hissem (1886/1888)
(25) Joseph T. Hissem (1890)

She was born in 1849 and died in 1906. She may be a daughter of Abner, though I don't see her in any census with Abner. I put her here only because she is buried in the Loudenville cemetery with Abner and Catherine Hissem.

He was born on 15 April 1850 in Ohio. In the 1850 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as J. [Jesse?] Hisum, 3/12. In the 1860 census of Green township as Jessee [sic] Hissem, 10, born in Ohio. In the 1870 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Jesse Hissem, 21, living at home with his parents.

In the 1870 census of Hayesville township, Ashland county, Ohio there was also a Joss [Jess?] Hissem, a 19 year old student sharing a domicile with a Jennie Zeigler, 20, who was teaching school. Jennie may be a cousin [Jesse's mother was afterall a Zeigler]. This was apparently a double entry for our Jesse. He was attending the Hayesville academy, the Vermillion Institute, as a number in his family would, including Jesse's younger brother, Henry. Jesse later attended Wooster University for four years, 1872-1876, and initially became a school teacher. The "Catalogue of Beta Theta Pi" lists "Jesse R. Hissem. 1876. Lawyer. Died 1908. Loudonville, O." under the Alpha Lambda Chapter, 1872, of the University of Wooster.

"In the fall of 1877 Loudonville High School was organized under the direction of R.J. [sic] Hissem. The classes were held in the "Sheep Pen" then consisting of seven rooms." J. R. Hissem was superintendent of the Loudonville schools from 1877 to 1880, and from 1886 to 1888. - from the "History of North Central Ohio."

In the 1880 census for Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio as Jesse Hissem, 30, a single school teacher, living alone. His parents were born in Pennsylvania.

There is a reference in the "History of Pottawattamie county, Iowa" to a Jesse R. Hissem of Loudonville who married Rosanna Reed. "The Lyles of Washington County, Pennsylvania" indicates this marriage occurred on 3 March 1881. Rosannah was born on 3 December 1848, the daughter of William and Rosanna Lyle Reed, of Ashland county, Ohio.

Interestingly, Rosanna Reed's brother, Joseph R. Reed, a judge of the district court of Iowa, was living in Dallas county, Iowa circa 1880; he also attended Hayesville Academy. Jesse's elder brother, John Z. Hissem, was living in Perry township, Dallas county at the time of the 1880 census. Could these two have met and Jesse and Rosanna been introduced as a consequence?

Did Judge Reed influence Jesse to take up the law? Jesse studied under H. L. McCrary, Esq., of Loudonville, and, in 1888, was admitted to the bar. In the 1900 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Jesse R. Hissom [sic], a 50 year old lawier [lawyer]. Living with him was his wife, Rosanne M., 50 [December 1849]. They had been married for 19 years [1881], but Rosanne was noted as having had no children. Also living with Jesse was his sister-in-law, Sarah J. Reed, 66. Note that Jesse's father, Abner, was living in Hanover at the same time.

The following is Jesse's biography from "History of the Republican Party in Ohio,"

"Jesse R. Hissem, attorney at law, at Loudonville, and one of the prominent members of the Ashland county bar, was born on a farm in that county, April 15, 1850. His father, Abner Hissem, was a native of Pennsylvania and married Catherine Ziegler, a native of Maryland. His maternal grandfather, Henry Ziegler, was of German ancestry. Of twelve children in his father's family, ten attained majority-four sons and six daughters. One of the sons, Henry Z., is a successful physician in Ellsworth, Kansas.

Mr. Hissem, who is the subject proper of this sketch, is the second in order of birth in the above family. He passed his youth on the parental farm and attended school during the winters, and subsequently Hayesville Academy, and attended Wooster University four years. Soon after that he began teaching and in a short time became superintendent of the public schools of Loudonville, which position he filled with great credit. Next he took up the study of law, under the preceptorship of H. L. McCrary, Esq., of Loudonville, and in 1888 was admitted to the bar. He at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Loudonville, forming a partnership with F. N. Patterson, under the firm name of Hissem & Patterson. They did a large and successful business, and the partnership relation continued until 1893, when Mr. Patterson was elected prosecuting attorney for Ashland county, on the Republican ticket, and moved to Ashland in order to discharge the duties of his office, and since that time Mr. Hissem has conducted his practice alone. He is well established in his profession and is a close student and a hard worker in the cause of his clients.

In his political principles he is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, with which he has been in sympathy ever since he became a voter. He has served as clerk of the city council, but he has never sought office, preferring always to give his attention to his legal practice.

In society relations he is a member of Hanover Lodge, No. 115, F.&A.M., of which he is past master.

March 3, 1881 he married Miss Rose A. Reed, a sister of Judge Joseph Reed, United States chief justice of private land claims, with headquarters at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Her father, William Reed, was an old, respected citizen of Ashland county."

1908 "Hissem, Jesse R., born 15 Apr 1850 on farm of his father near McKay, s/o Abner who survives, married Rose Reed who died previously, he died 28 Oct, married 3 Aug 1907 Josephine Black, brothers and sister survive." - from Ancestry.com

She was born in about 1851. Her only appearance was in the census of 1860.

She was born in September 1853 in Green township, Ashland county, Ohio, the daugher of Abnner Hissem and Catherine H. Zeigler. Clara Hissim married Emery Aaron Porter on 13 March 1879 in Ashland county. Emery had been born in 1848 in Ashland county, Ohio, the son of John S. Porter and Mary "Molly" Myers. Emery and Clara soon moved to Boone county, Iowa, where their two daughters, Clara and Kate, were born in 1880 and 1885.

Clara died in 1915 in Union township, Boone county, Iowa. In 1920 Emery was living in Washington township, Green county, Iowa.

He was born in Ohio in 1856. In the 1860 census of Green township, Ashland county as Frank Hissem, 5. In the 1870 census of Green township Frank Hissem, 14. He disappears after this.

I think he had a son with Minona Downs, the daughter of Christian Downs, a brick mason of Green township. The boy may have been illegitimate.
(25) Vonley Downs Hissem (1873)

Vonley was born on 17 October 1873 in Ohio according to his own recollection; in 1875 according to his mother. I start by assuming his middle name was probably in honor of his mother's family.

I think I've found Vonley in the 1880 census of Dallas, Texas, but under the name of Vonley Gains, 5 [sic], of Ohio. He was living with his mother, Minnie Gains, a 19 year old [!] widowed dress maker, from Ohio. She would have been at most 14 when Vonley was born. . . . and where did the Gains' surname come from? Minnie soon died it seems.

In the Dallas, Texas Directory, 1891 & 1892 we have Vonley Hissem [Hissel in Ancestry.com], an apprentice with the Munger Manufacturing Company [a cotton gin], boarding with C. W. Downs. In the Directory of 1893 & 1894 as Vonley D. Hissem, a machinist working for the Munger manufacturing company, still boarding at the home of C. W. Downs. I believe this was Christian W. Downs, a brick contractor/builder, who resided at 231 Greewood. Also in C. W.'s home was Wayne Downs, a bricklayer. Christian [Christine in Ancestry.com] Downs (1833) was, in the 1870 census, living in Green township, Ashland county, Ohio. His wife was Mariah (1832). He had a son, Wayne, 3, and a daughter, Minona [Minowa in Ancestry.com], 9, who I assume was Vonley's mother.

The families of (23) William Hissem (1809) and (23) Abner Hissem (1820) also lived in Green township. Any of them could have been Vonley's father. However, the only male Hissem to die between 1870 and 1880 was Frank, so, depending how we view Minnie's status as a widow, Frank was Vonley's father. It is, of course, possible that Minnie used the title of widow to mask Vonley's illegitimacy.

An alternate solution explaining the Gains name: Vonley was the illegitimate son of Minnie and a Hissem boy of Green township who would not or could not marry her. Minnie then married a man named Gains to "cover" her shame. This man died making Minnie a widow. After Minnie died Vonley took his real father's name, which he had learned from his mother, or his grandfather, Christian Downs.

Vonley married Teresa [Therese] Ganzer in 1899. She was born on 2 November 1879 in Washington township, Jackson county, Missouri. She was the fourth child of Fred and Eliza Ganzer. Fred was an emigrant from Germany and Eliza from Switzerland. They continued to live in Jackson county, at least through 1900. How Teresa came to Dallas I don't know. Perhaps she had come to find work at the Munger cotton gin mil.

In the 1900 census of Dallas, Texas as V.D. Hissem, a 26 year old [December 1873] machinist, of Ohio, and his wife, Terresa, 20 [November 1879], of Missouri. Vonley's father was from unknown, his mother from Ohio. Terresa's father was from Germany and her mother from Switzerland. They had been married for a year and had no children. By the way, Wayne Downs [Waya in Ancestry.com] was still living in Dallas in 1900 with his widowed mother, Mariah.

Vonley and Teresa moved to California. Their daughter, Irene, was born there in 1902/3 in California. If so, Vonley moved back to Texas, but alone.

In the 1910 census of Dallas, Texas as Vonley [Vanley in Ancestry.com] Hissem, a 36 year old bartender in a saloon. Both of his parent's were shown to be from Ohio. Living with him were two boarders, George Barth, 34, and James C. Coyle, 50. While shown to be married, Von's wife was not present. He was born in Ohio, as were his parents.

In the 1910 census of Honolulu, Hawaii as Teresa G. Hissem, a 30 year old professional nurse in general practice, a widow, of Missouri. Her parents were from Germany and Switzerland, so this seems to be the same woman from 1900. Had Vonley and Teresa divorced, with the title of widow hiding Teresa's "shame?" With her was her daughter, Irene M., 7, of California. She'd had two children, one of them still living. Teresa was staying in a hotel on Bishop street. There were 38 other lodgers so it was a good sized hotel. This street leads from the Aloha Tower piers towards the mountains. This is today the financial, commercial and governmental center of the city.

Vonley Downs Hissem registered for the draft on 8 September 1918 in Wichita, Texas. He was born on 17 October 1873. He was 44 years old at the time, a pipe liner [?] with the Magnolia Pipe Company. He was described as of medium height and build, with brown hair and eyes. Oddly, his nearest relative was listed as Mrs. W. W. Raseton [Ralston?] of Clifton, Arizona. A cousin perhaps?

Vonley disappears after this. I find it interesting that Vonley claims he is married while his wife says she's a widow.

In the 1920 census of Los Angeles, California as Teresa G. Hissem [Hissen in Ancestry.com], a 40 year old nurse and widow, of Missouri. Living with her was her daughter, Irene M., 19, of California [sic].

In the 1930 census of Los Angeles, California as Teresa Hissem [Hissom in Ancestry.com], a 50 year old private nurse and widow, of Missouri. Living with her was her daughter, Irene, 28, of California [sic].

Teresa Ganzer Hissem died on 12 June 1940 in Los Angeles, California.

An Irene H. Hissem, who was born on 16 July 1902 in California, died on 26 May 1986 in Sonoma county, California. Her mother's maiden name was Ganzer. I guess this means she never married. There was an Irene Hissem who was involved in the science of teaching music to children. See "A New Approach to Music For Young Children," by Irene Hissem in Child Develop., 1933. Volume 4, Number 4 : 308-317. She also wrote "Feast of the Lanterns: A Chinese Operetta in One Act" by Irene Hissem - 1931.

He was born in Ohio in about 1857 [probably 10 September 1857 per below]. In the 1860 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Henry Hissem, 3. In the 1870 census of Green township as Henry Z. Hissem, 12. In the 1880 census of Green township as Henry Hissem, 23, living at home. His parents were both both in Pennsylvania.

Henry married Ella R. Kinninger. H.Z. [Z for Ziegler, his mother's maiden name?] Hissem and Ella Hissem, his wife, of McKay, Ashland county, Ohio attended the reunion of the Vermillion Institute, in Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio on 21 August 1879. Note that Henry's cousin, Jennie Hissem, of Loudonville, above, also attended this get-together.

The Vermillion Institute Also known as the Hayesville Academy, its cornerstone was laid on 4 July 1845. According to A. J. Baughman in his 1900 history, the school was first organized by the Baptists and within five years passed to the control of the Wooster Presbytery. Enrollment fell during the Civil War and never regained its former prestige. By the late 1880's Wooster College had been established and the classes at the Institute were over. In 1886 it opened as Hayesville High School and remained so until 1929.

H.Z. Hissem graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1883 - from "Transactions of the Annual Meeting" of the Ohio State Medical Society and the "General Alumini Catalogue of New York University." The college was founded in 1861 and in 1898 consolidated with the New York University Medical College. Today it is known as the New York University School of Medicine.

Henry moved to Kansas to practice. In the 1895 state census of Ellsworth, Kansas as H. Z. Hissem, 39, of Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Ella, 36, of Ohio, and children, Ralph, 8, Jessie, 5, and Frank, 3, all of Kansas. "In 1897 Dr. Henry O'Donnell and Dr. H. Z. Hissem opened medical offices on the second floor of the Insurance Building [at 115 N. Douglas Avenue, Ellsworth, Kansas]. Drs. O'Donnell and Hissemestablished the Ellsworth Hospital Association in 1897 and later established the EllsworthCounty Hospital. Both doctors were prominent physicians and surgeons in Ellsworth; theytwo moved their practice from the Insurance Building in 1902." - from the 2006 application for National Registry listing.

In the 1900 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Henry [garbled] Hissam, a 42 year old physician [September 1857]. Living with him were his wife, Ella R., 40 [July 1859], and children, Ralph, 12 [September 1887], Jessie, 10 [November 1889], and Frank, 8 [January 1892].

In the 1905 state census of Ellsworth, Kansas as H.Z. Hissem, 47. Living with him were his wife, Ella, 45, and children, Ralph, 18, Jessie, 16, and Frank, 13. They had two servants, Mary Knalty, 16, and Ernest Lord, 21.

In the 1910 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Henry Z. Hissem, a 51 year old physician, born in Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Ella R., 50, and children, Ralph, a 23 year old student, Jessie M., a 20 year old music teacher, and Frank E., an 18 year old student, all born in Kansas.

In the 1915 state census of Ellsworth, Kansas as H. Z. Hissem, 57. Living with him were his wife, Ella R., 55, and son, Frank E., 23.

Dr. Hissem was a military surgeon in the Kansas National Guard. From the "Finding Aid to the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Biographical Sketch Collection," c.1901-1941

Hissem, Henry Ziegler - Lieutenant, N.G. [National Guard] Kansas (1857- )

In the "Compendious History of Ellsworth County Kansas," by Charles J. Lyon, is a reference to a Dr. H.Z. Hissem, on page 50.

From the "Standard Atlas of Ellsworth county, Kansas," 1918, is a plat book of the villages, cities and townships of the county. Clear Creek township, which is bordered by Garfield Township to the north, Carneiro Township to the east, Empire Township to the south and Ellsworth Township on the west, has the following annotation:

Section 24
HZ Hissem
Mary E Droegsmeier
F Veatch
Sunny Knoll Dairy Farm
Lottie Spurgeon

In the 1920 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Henry Hissem [Ancestry.com has it as Hinena!], a 62 year old doctor of medicine. Living with him was his wife, Ella, 60.

The Mansfield News, Mansfield, Ohio, of July 1928 had the following notice:

"Dr. H.Z. Hissem, of Ellsworth, Kan., and son, Dr. Ralph Hissem of Wichita, spent the day visiting the homes of various Loudonville friends and relatives."

In the 1930 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Henry Hissem [Ancestry.com has it as Hirsem!], a 72 year old doctor of medicine. Living with him was his wife, Ella R., 70. Henry died in 1933 in Ellsworth, Kansas.

"Dr. Hissem is a native of the state of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ashland county on the 10th of September, 1857, his parents being Abner and Katherine A. (Zeigler) Hissem. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and followed agricultural pursuits. In early life he married and removed to the Buckeye state, becoming one of the pioneer residents there. He was very prominent in Christian work and for many years served as an elder in the Presbyterian church. He is now living retired in Loudonville at the age of eightv-five years, but his wife passed away in 1897. Dr. Hissem, subject of this review, was the sixth in order of birth in a family of twelve children. He pursued his education in Vermilion Institute, in Hayesville, Ohio, taking a course in languages on account of the benefit it would be to him in his professional career as a representative of the medical fraternity for in his boyhood he had determined to engage in the practice of the healing art as a life work. The family were in quite moderate circumstances and it became necessary that he should provide the means necessary to continue his studies. He aided in the farm work during the summer months and in the winter season engaged in teaching school. In the meantime he read medical text-books under the direction of a local physician and later he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in New York city, where he was graduated with the class of 1883. He had excellent opportunities in the hospital to see and assist in all kinds of operations and thus gained practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge. He had to borrow money in order to complete his college course, and was thus somewhat handicapped financially when he entered upon his professional career; but true merit always wins success, and such has been the case with Dr. Hissem. He first located at Chicago Junction, Ohio, where he remained for three years, and during that time he was surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company.

In July, 1886, the Doctor came to Ellsworth, where he opened an office and soon built up a fine practice, for his success in the care of several difficult cases, established his reputation as a skilled physician. In May, 1896, he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Dr. H. O'Donnell, and since that time they have been located in their fine suite of rooms over the Central National Bank. They have a large and lucrative practice,' extending all over the county and to some distance along the line to build a hospital of their own, and in 1900 they opened a hospital at the Bigerdyke Home, but as their practice began to exceed their accommodations there they decided to build a hospital of their own, and in 1900 began the erection and equipment of their present hospital, in which Dr. Perkins, of Kansas City, is also interested. It is a fine building" containing seventeen rooms and is thoroughly fitted up for the treatment of medical and surgical cases. The operating room is one of the finest in the state, the entire roof being of glass, while the room is finished in white enamel, and patients from all parts of the state come here for treatment, some of the most difficult surgical operations known to the science having been successfully performed. In 1889 Dr. Hissem went to New York to pursue a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic, giving special attention to surgery and the diseases of the throat, nose and ear. In 1898 he took a course in the same line in a Chicago post-graduate school.

On the 27th of March, 1884, the Doctor was married, in Toledo, Ohio, to Ella R., daughter of Joseph Kininger, a merchant of that city and they now have three children — Ralph W., Jessie and Frank. The Doctor has a beautiful residence, the home being one of the most pleasant in the city of Ellsworth. Politicaly he has always been a Republican, stanch in his advocacy of the principles of the party. In former years he took a very active interest in its work, but at the present time his professional duties claim too much of his time to allow him to remain an active factor in political circles. In 1896 he was chairman of the county central committee, and he has served as county coroner and countv physician. He has also been a member of the board of pension examiners since 1887, and has been surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad Company since 1894. In 1900 he was elected mayor of the city, was reelected in 1901 and 1902, and in his rulings has established an economical yet progressive policy. Socially he is identified with Ellsworth Lodge, No. 146, F. & A. JM., in which he has filled all the offices; Ellsworth Council. No. 9, R. & S. M. ; St. Akleniar Commandery No. tt,, K. T. ; and Isis Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Salina. In the line oi his profession he is examiner for nearly all the old-line insurance companies, is a member of the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Kansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. The success which attends his efforts is but in natural sequence, for his position soon became assured as an able physician, a man of sterling integritv and one devoted to his profession and to the interest and welfare of those to whom he ministered. He possesses marked judgment and discernment in the diagnosing of disease and is peculiarly successful in anticipating the issue of complications, seldom making a mistake and never exaggerating or minifying the disease in rendering his decisions in regard thereto. He is a physician of great fraternal delicacy, and no man ever observed more closely the ethics of the unwritten professional code or showed more careful courtesy to his fellow practitioners, than does Dr. Hissem." - from "A Biographical History of Central Kansas"

He was born in September 1887, probably in Ellsworth, Kansas, and named, I assume, after the poet. In the 1900 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Ralph Hissam, 12 [September 1887], living at home with his parents.

He attended the University of Kansas. "The Sigma Chi Fraternity Manual and Directory" of 1908 and 1909 listed a "Ralph Waldo Hissem, Student, Ellsworth, Kan." In the 1910 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Ralph Hissem, a 23 year old student, born in Kansas, living at home with his parents.

Ralph went to West Point, Highland Falls [the town in New York just south of West Point on the banks of the Hudson], the University of Kansas, and John Hopkins. He was a member of the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity, graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1911. He was cited as "Hissem, R.W., '11, Beta Theta, Schweiter Bldg., Wichita, Kans." in "The Catalog of Nug Sigma Nu." This apparently was his date of graduation and his current business address.

In a notice in the Washington Post of 3 June 1917, Captain Ralph W. Hissem was listed amongst medical officers of the reserve corps who were assigned to active duty. He is on a roster of the 89th Division as,

Hissem, Ralph W., Major. MC. [Medical Corps] 314th San. Tr. [Sanitation Troop?] - from "History of the 89th Division, U. S. A." by George H. English

Ralph married Nellie Huntoon Sim, the daughter of Coler Sim and Nellie Huntoon of Topeka, Kansas. Coler was an oil and land entrepeneur and speculator. Nellie attend the Gardner School and was a member of the Lambda Alpha Lambda sorority.

In the 1920 census of Wichita, Sedgwick county, Kansas as Ralph W. Hissam [Ancestry.com has him as Rudolph], a 33 year old physician in general practice. He was born in Kansas. His parents are shown only as born in the United States. Living with him were his wife, Nellie S., 24, Ralph, 2 1/2, and Susanne, 1. Nellie's parents were from Illinois.

In the Wichita Social Register of 1921 as Dr. R.W. Hissem, living at 1301 North Emporia Avenue. In 1922 he built a home, right, at 321 North Roosevelt street, valued at $25,000. He was listed in the 1919 and 1929 "Who's Who" of Wichita, Kansas.

In the 1930 census of Wichita, Kansas as Ralph W. Hissem [Hissen in Ancestry.com], a 43 year old physician. Living with him were his wife, Nellie S., 25, and children, Ralph W. Jr., 12, Susanne, 11, and Coler S. [a son], 4/12.

On 6 April 1932 Ralph W. Hissem, 45, of Ellesworth, Wisconsin [sic], left from Cherbourg onboard the S.S. BREMEN, arriving in New York City on 11 April. With him was his wife, Nellie, 37, of Wichita, Kansas. Their address was 321 No. Roosevelt, Wichita, Kansas. The SS Bremen of 1929 was one of a pair of ocean liners built for the Norddeutsche Lloyd line (NDL) for the transatlantic passenger service.

Dr. Hissem died in 1933 and was buried on 1 March 1933 in the Highland cemetary, Wichita. He was only 47 years old. His tombstone shows dates of 1886 - 1933. He was referred to as Ralph Waldo Hissem in the "List of Fellows Deceased" of the American College of Surgeons, 1934.

In the "Compendious History of Ellsworth County Kansas," by Charles J. Lyon, there is a reference to Dr. Hissem, pg 44 & 47. I have not seen this document. In the obituary for Ralph's mother-in-law, Mrs. Coler L. Sim, it mentions three children for Ralph and Nellie: Ralph, Suzanne and Coler. Their children were,
(26) Ralph W. Hissem Jr. (1917)
(26) Suzanne Hissem (1918)
(26) Nellie Hissem (1923), she died young
(26) Coler S. Hissem (1925)

He was born on 13 June 1917 in Kansas. In the 1920 census of Wichita, Sedgwick county, Kansas as Ralph Hissam, 2 1/2. In the 1930 census of Wichita, Kansas as Ralph W. Hissem [Hissen in Ancestry.com] Jr., 12, living at home with his parents.

Ralph Waldo Hissem Jr., of the Schweiter building, Wichita, Kansas, earned an A.B. degree from Williams College in 1939. - from "Official Register" by Harvard College. Williams College is a private, liberal arts school in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Did Ralph later go to Harvard? His name is listed in a Harvard Alumni Directory, but I can't get in to read the document to make sure. I'm left to assume that he, like his father and grandfather before him, was a medical doctor. The Schweiter Building, below, where Ralph presumably had his office, was located at the northeast corner of Douglas and Main. Ralph Sr. also had his offices there.

Ralph married Elizabeth Ann O'Donnell.

Ralph W. Hissem Jr. died on 16 July 1975 in Bartlesville, Washington county, Oklahoma and was buried on 21 July 1975 in the Highland cemetary, Wichita, Kansas. His obituary:

"RALPH W. HISSEM JR., 58, Bartlesville, Okla., senior compensation representative of the employees relations branch of the administration division of the petroleum products group for Phillips Petroleum and former Wichita resident, died Wednesday of natural causes. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Bartlesville, burial will be in Wichita. Survivors include his widow, Elizabeth Ann; a son, Ralph W. III, at home; a daughter, Mrs. Robert Varner, Tulsa, and his stepfather, Dr. J.E. O'Donnell, and a brother, Coler, both of Wichita. Neekamp Funeral Home, Bartlesville, has charge, Cochran Mortuary has charge in Wichita. " - from the Wichita Eagle of 17 July 1975

There is a March 2006 document dealing with the Wichita Children's Home. A Memorial Gift was provided by, or in the name of, Ralph W. Hissem. If I read it correctly, the gift may have been made by Mrs. Elizabeth S. Gerhardt.

There is a Ralph W. Hissem living in Angel Fire, New Mexico. As of the year 2004, he was 54 or 55 years old. He appears to have been living with an E.S. [C.S., i.e. Coler Sims?] Hissem, aged 82 [1922]. Coler Sims Hissem, born in 1925, did live in Colorado from at least 1979 to 1999.

Ralph is (or was) the Fire Chief of the Village of Eagle Nest, New Mexico. They call him Mr. Pyro! He appears to have a child, Zac. Ralph may also have a son, Ralph. His wife may be Colli [or Carla], a ski school director at Angel Fire. A ski race record of 2005/6 indicates she is 55-59 years old.

24 Jackson Hole road, Angel Fire, New Mexico. He attended Cimarron High School. He is ski instructor. A ski race record of 2001/2 shows he is 17-19 years old. He is also the manager of the Radio Shack in Avon, Colorado.

I also have a Laura Hissem, born in Taos, but who now lives in Angel Fire.

She was born in 1918. In the 1920 census of Wichita, Kansas she is just over 1 year old. In the 1930 census of Wichita, Kansas as Susanne Hissem, 11. I've also seen her name cited in the "Annual Register" of Stanford University, 1892, and "Stanford Alumni, 1891-1955."

Suzanne Hissem, aged 17, sailed from Honolulu on 4 July 1936, arriving in Los Angeles on 9 July onboard the MALOLO. There were a number of teenage girls onboard so this might have been a school-sponsored trip.

The MALOLO She was a Matson Liner built in 1926 and operated on the Hawaii route. When built she was the largest, technically advanced for her time, and was considered the most luxurious cruise liner to have been built in the United States. As the Malolo departed Honolulu during her maiden return voyage, Matson initiated the custom of passengers throwing their leis into the sea as the ship passed Diamond Head. The lei floating away would signify that the passenger would return again to the shores of Hawaii. In 1937 she was rebuilt as the MATSONIA.

There were four notices of the death of Mrs. Suzanne Hissem Johnson listed in the Wichita Eagle and Beacon newspapers dated from 15 to 18 December 1963. She was buried in Highland Cemetary in Wichta on the 18th. I haven't yet been able to identify her husband - there is no one in an adjacent grave.

I assume she's the daughter of Dr. Hissem. She was born on 22 April 1923 and died the same day. She was buried in the Highland cemetary in Wichita.

He was born on 8 August 1925. In the 1930 census of Wichita, Kansas as Coler S. Hissem [a son], 4/12. His interesting first name come from his grandfather, L. Sim. S is for Sim.

Coler S. Hissem of Sedgwick, Kansas enlisted in the Army as a Private on 1 December 1943 at Fort Levenworth, Kansas. He was single and a High School graduate. He served in the 10th Armored Division.

After the war Coler attended the University of Kansas, earning a degree in architecture. Coler Hissem of Wichita was a member of the Pi Epsilon Pi fraternity, a pep organization.

Coler married Peggy Robinson of Wichita in 1946.

An architect, of Robinson & Hissem of Wichita, Kansas. He retired in 1979 and moved to Colorado where he lived for the next 20 years. He lived in Nathrop, Colorado from 1993 to 2001. Since 2002 he has lived in Marana, Arizona, north of Tucson. Actually I think this is in the planned community of Sunflower, between Marana and Tucson, of which he was the resident architect.

Coler S. Hissem of Kansas has a patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,328, which I believe is for a portable lantern, that is, for backpackers.

Coler S. Hissem, 82, architect, died on 20 January 2008 at Desert Sunset [this may be the name of the funeral home in Tucson]. He was buried in Wichita. His obituary:

"Coler Sim Hissem, 82 of Tucson, Ariz., died Jan. 20, 2008, at home. He was born in 1925 to Dr. Ralph and Nellie Hissem. He was a graduate of Wichita East High School and Kansas University school of architecture. He married Peggy Robinson in 1946 in Wichita. Mr. Hissem was a U.S. Army World War II veteran serving in the 10th armored division in Europe. He received a purple heart and three bronze stars. Upon retiring in 1979 from his architectural business, he and his wife moved to Colorado where they operated a Salida sandwich shop. They enjoyed four-wheeling in their vintage 1946 Willy's Jeep. After 20 years in Colorado, they moved to Tucson. He was a grandson of Coler L. Sim who donated Sim Park to the city of Wichita, Kan. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Peggy; son, Greg of Wichita and five nieces and nephews in Oklahoma."

"Hissem, Coler Sim, 82, retired architect and grandson of Coler L. Sim, who donated Sim Park to the City of Wichita, passed away, Sunday, January 20, 2008 at home in Tucson, AZ. He was born in 1925 to Dr. Ralph and Nellie Hissem and married Peggy Robinson in Wichita in 1946. Coler graduated from Wichita East High School and the Kansas University, School of Architecture. He was a U.S. Army, WWII veteran, serving in the 10th armored division in Europe, earning a purple heart and three bronze service stars. After retiring from his Architectural business in 1979, he and Peggy moved to Colorado, where they operated a sandwich shop in Salida for several years. They both enjoyed Jeeping in the high country in their vintage 1946 Willys Jeep. They lived in Colorado for about 20 years before moving to Tucson. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Peggy of the home; son, Greg of Wichita; 5 nieces & nephews from Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Washington. A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, at the Cochran Mortuary, 1411 N. Broadway. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 N. Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203." - from the Wichita Eagle of 31 Janaury 2008

There is a Greg Hissem living in Rose Hill, Kansas today who shows up on a number of trap shooting related web sites. "Greg Hissem started shooting at turkey shoots and the Beech Aircraft trapshooting leagues in 1980 with the help and encouragement from his friend, Jim Finley. He registered his first targets at the 1981 Kansas State Shoot." Greg Hissem Stockworks is located at 1604 East Sand Pointe Circle, Wichita, Kansas. Email: ghissem@onemain.com. ghissem@feist.com is a Sim descendent.

Greg's father died in January 2008 which was my first confirmation that his father was Coler S. Hissem.

"Just got a call from my friend, Greg Hissem -- the Stock Guy, that he had just gotten a call that his father passed away in his sleep last night. Greg's dad had been ill for several months, so this isn't unexpected, but you can never fully prepare. Please put Greg and his Mom in your prayers." - from Trapshooters.com, 20 January 2008

He was born in 1953 and died in 1976, at the age of 23. His middle name was in honor of his great-grandfather, Coler Sim. Gary was buried on 11 September 1976 in the Highland cemetary in Wichita. The date of death is a little late for Vietnam; perhaps it was a traffic accident that took his life. His young age at death implies no children.

Twin of John O'Donnell, below, he was born and died on 31 January 1957. They were buried at the Highland cemetary in Wichita. Their obituary:

"Hissem Twins

Graveside services were held at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Highland Cemetery for John O'Donnell and Clarence Robinson Hissem, twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Coler Hissem, 611 S. Bleckley Dr., who died at birth Thursday at Wesley Hospital. Downing Mortuary was in charge. Besides the parents, the infant twins are survived by two brothers, Gregory Arthur and Garry Sim. both of the home, and grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. J. E. O'Donnell. 130 N. Crestway, Mr and Mrs. C. C. Robinson. 823 N. Terrace, and Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Turner. 619 N. Fountain." - from the "Wichita Evening Eagle" of 2 February 1957

Twin of Clarence Robinson, above, he was born and died on 31 January 1957. They were buried at the Highland cemetary in Wichita.

In the 1900 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Jessie Hissam, 10 [November 1889]. In the 1910 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Jessie M. Hissem, a 20 year old music teacher, born in Kansas. She married Arthur L. McLaurin [MacLaurin]. He was born in 1881 and died in 1944 in Menlo Park, California. I don't know of any children.

He was born on 26 January 1892 and probably named for Henry's elder brother, Frank. In the 1895 state census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Frank Hissem, 3, of Kansas. He was living with his parents, H. Z., 39, and Ella, 36, both of Ohio. In the 1900 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Frank Hissam, 8 [January 1892]. In the 1905 state census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Frank Hissem, 13.

In the 1910 census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Frank E. Hissem, an 18 year old student, born in Kansas. It was at about this time that Frank finished a course of study at the Staunton Military Academy.

A "Frank Hissem, Ellsworth, Kansas" was listed in the Sigma Chi Quarterly. This was the fraternity of his brother, Dr. Ralph W. Hissem. This implies that Frank too went to college, but which one is unknown.

In the 1915 state census of Ellsworth, Kansas as Frank E. Hissem, 23. He was living with his parents, H. Z., 57, and Ella R., 55.

Frank married Florence Evelyn Greeves on 23 February 1917. She was born on 24 August 1893 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Her mother's maiden name was Gibson.

Frank E. Hissem registered for the draft on 4 June 1917 in Topeka, Kansas. He was born on 26 January 1891 in Ellsworth, Kansas. He was 26 years old at the time, a travelling salesman for the Studebaker Corporation of Detroit, Michigan. He was living at 1715 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri. He was described as of medium height and stout build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He claimed 3 years of military service as a 1st Sergeant and 2nd Sergeant at the Staunton Military Academy. He requested a deferment based on his wife and mother-in-law. I believe 1st Sergeant was the rank of a Senior at Staunton.

In the 1920 census of Oklahoma county, Oklahoma as Frank Hissem, a 27 year old traveling salesman, of Kansas. His parents were from Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Florence, 26, of Pennsylvania, and daughter, Margaret, 1 9/12. His mother-in-law, Margaret Glaser [?], 46, was also living with them.

In the 1930 census . . .

Here's a short reference to Frank,

"Dynamometer Story for Bay Area

The Bay Area Maintenance Council was privileged to hear Mr. George R. Mackay, Special Technician of the Dynamometer Division of Clayton Manufacturing Company, at their meeting at the Leopard Cafe, San Francisco, on May 17. Assisted by Mr. Frank E. Hissem, Clayton Sales Engineer, the "Clayton Dynamometer" was described to the group as being to an engine what X-ray is to the human body . . ." - from "Caltrux: Official Publication of California Trucking Association"

Florence Evelyn Hissem died on 16 December 1955 in Marin county, California. Frank E. Hissem died on 9 October 1975 in Novato, Marin county, California. His children were,
(26) Margaret Evelyn Hissem (1918)

Margaret was born in March 1918. She married Jack Arthur Smith.

She was born in Ohio in about 1860. In the 1860 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Ella M. Hissem, 8/12, born in Ohio. In the 1870 census of Green township as Ella M. Hissem, 10. In the 1880 census of Green township as Ella M. Hissem, 21, still living at home with her father.

An H.Z. [Henry Z.] Hissem and Ella Hissem of McKay, Ashland county, Ohio attended the reunion of the Vermillion Institute, in Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio on 21 August 1879. This woman, however, was probably Henry's wife, Ella R., vice his sister.

She was born in January 1863. In the 1870 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Laura Hissem, 8. In the 1880 census of Green township as Laura Hissem, 18. In the 1900 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Laura Stafer, 37, living in the house of her father with her husband, Daniel Stafer, a carpenter, and her sister Nellie [Nettie].

Could he have been named after the Union General, William Tecumseh Sherman? In the 1870 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Sherman Hissem, 5. In the 1880 census of Green township as Sherman Hissem, 14, living at home with his father.

In the 1900 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Sherman Hissem, a 34 year old [December 1865] post master. Living with him were his wife, Ida C., 32 [March 1867], and son, Harold, 4 [September 1895]. Note that his father, Abner, had moved to Hanover at the same time.

In the 1910 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as William S. Hissem, of Ohio, a 44 year old worker [very garbled] in a glue factory. His mother and father had both been born in Pennsylvania. Living with him was his wife, Ida C., 42, and son, Harold L., 14, both of Ohio. Ida had been 16 when she married and Harold was her only child.

W. S. Hissem was the cashier of the Citizen's Savings Bank Company at Loudonville, Ohio, B. Strauss, President - from Executive Documents, by the State of Ohio, 1913.

In the 1920 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Sherman Hissem, 53 cashier in a bank. Living with him was his wife, Ida C., 51. I have a W.S. Hissem of Loudonville, noted in an article in the 1 August 1928 Mansfield Ohio News who appears to be the brother of Dr. Henry Hissem, above.

"W.S. Hissem, executor to a will" - from the Mansfield Ohio News, 24 February 1923.

"The Farmers Bank and the First & Savings Bank consolidated July 1, 1930, capital stock $150,000; reserve $30,000. Judge D. Homer Graven is chairman of the board of directors; . . . W.S. Hissem . . . directors. - from the "History of North Central Ohio."

In the 1930 census of Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio as William S. Hissem, a 64 year old cashier in a Savings Bank. Living with him was his wife, Ida C., 62.

There is a W. Sherman Hissem buried in Loudonville cemetary, but his dates are 1856 [a reversal during transcription?] - 1935.

He was born in September 1895. In the 1900 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Harold Hissem, 4. In the 1910 census of Hanover township, Ashland county, Ohio as Harold L. Hissem, 14, of Ohio, living with his parents.

He enlisted in the National Guard as Harold L. Hissem on 11 May 1917 in Columbus, Ohio at the age of 21 8/12. He was shown as born in Canton and then residing in Loudonville, Ohio. He was assigned to the

"2 Field Hospital Co ONG to 1 June 1917; State Adm Staff to 14 July 1917; Ambulance Company 3 ONG (147 Am Co 112 Sanitary Train) to death. Private; Private, first class 21 Feb 1918; Corporal 31 March 1918; Sergeant 1 June 1918. Defensive Sector. Wounded In Action severely 23 Aug 1918; also Wounded In Action severely 16 Nov 1918. American Expeditionary Forces 28 June 1918 to 24 Dec 1918. Died of diphtheria 8 June 1919. Notified W. S. Hissem, father, 308 E. Main St., Loudonville, O."

According to the "History of North Central Ohio," Harold made "the supreme sacrifice." He was buried in the Loudonville cemetary.

While he was in the 1870 census, aged 3, he was not shown in 1880 census with his parents. I assume he died young.

She was born in 1868. Living at home with her father in 1880, aged 12. She married Jacob S. Humm, who was born on 16 May 1858 in Ashland county, Ohio. She died on 27 July 1928 of a cerebral embolism in Loudenville, Ohio. Nettie was buried at the County Line cemetery, Green township, Ashland county, Ohio.

While he was in the 1870 census he was not shown in the census of 1880 with his parents. I assume he died young. There is a James C. Hissem in the McKay cemetary in Green township, Ashland county, Ohio who died in 1877 at the age of 7. He was listed as the son of A. & H.A. 'A.' is easy, that's Abner, but who was 'H.A?' James' mother should have been Catherine.

She was born on 15 May 1822 in Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. She married David Ruff Kintigh on 19 October 1847 in Westmoreland county. He was born 8 March 1822 in (Canton?) Stark county, Ohio. The son of Adam Kintigh (Kenteigh) and Sarah Ruff and grandson of Daniel Kintigh and Margaret Fisher and of Anthony and Elizabeth Ruff. These were close families and the Ruff's, Kintigh's and Hissem's intermarried several times.

David and Ann Kintigh left Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in the spring of 1848 and traveled to Stark county, Ohio, in a covered wagon. They lived with the Swan family south of Canton for a few months until they moved onto a small farm in Pike Township. David bought a farm in Sandy township on 1 June 1853 and they remained there for the rest of their lives. David and Ann Kintigh were devout Christians and members of the Methodist Centenary Chapel Church that David helped to build.

David's will was probated 5 December 1866. He was buried in the Methodist Central Chapel cemetery, Stark county. Anna died on 22 December 1906 in Sandy township, Stark county, Ohio.

He was born on 15 June 1824 in Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The LDS database claims Northampton county, though that doesn't make much sense to me. A farmer, he was noted in the 1870 census to be “well established with property.”

He married Susannah Magdalena Klingensmith on 12 March 1846 in Hempfield township. She was born 27 January 1827 in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and baptized on 24 May 1827 in the First Lutheran Church of Greensburg. She was the daughter of David Klingensmith (Klingenschmidt) and Maria McKinney.

The 1850 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania lists a Thomas Hissam, a 25 year old blacksmith. Living with him were Susanna, 24, Jesse, 3, and David, 1/12. Note that Thomas did not go to Ohio with his three brothers.

The 1860 census of Salem township has a Thomas Hissem, a 35 year old farmer. Living with him were Susannah, 34, David, 10, Brohelia, 8, Maria, 5, and Melissa, 1. All the children were born in Pennsylvania.

"Thomas was a respected citizen and substantial farmer of Salem Township. Fourth son of Abner and Mary (Welker) born in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County June 15, 1824. Presbyterian. At nineteen Thomas left school and learned the blacksmith trade. After the usual apprenticeship of three years he opened a shop of his own for four years. In 1850 he moved to Salem Township where he earned a living as a blacksmith and farmer. He married Susan Klingensmith (daughter of David and Maria) on March 12, 1846. He was a member of the New Salem Presbyterian Church and Good Intent Grange, No 862, Patrons of Husbandry of Salem Township. Thomas was a quiet, peaceable citizen, excellent neighbor and honest man and churchman. In politics he was a Republican." - Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. John M. Gresham & Co. 1890. Page 671-672.

In the 1870 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Thomas Hissam, a 46 year old farmer. He had real estate worth $8,400 and personal property worth $3,000. Living with him are his wife, Susan, 44, David, 19, who worked on the farm, Brohelia, 18, Ann M., 14, Melissa, 11, Lyman, 8, William E., 6, and Schuyler C., 2.

In the 1880 census of Salem township as Thomas Hissem, a 55 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Susan, 50, Lyman, 19, William Evans, 16, Schuyler Colfax, 12, and Charles Ira, 10. His Father was shown as as born in Massachusetts (!), but I suspect a typo here.

"On February 12, 1887, Leah Row presented her petition setting forth that David Klingensmith died on October 4, 1870, seised of a certain tract of land containing 98 acres, and leaving a will under which said land passed, as was averred in the petition, to his chidren, viz.: Leah and Maria Row, Lewis, S. P. and A. G. Klingensmith, Susan Hissam and Margaret Peddicord; that some of the said children had aliened [sic] their shares, and the parties at present interested in said land were Maria Row, Susan Hissam, Thomas Hissam, Michael Row and the petitioner; praying for an inquest to make partition of the land among said parties. Inquest awarded as prayed for." - from "Pennsylvania State Reports"

Thomas' great grand daughter, Beth Steiner, has a sale deed dated 19 September 1895 - Susan, after her death, left a house on Walnut Street in Greensburg to her husband, Thomas, their children and the children's spouses. This property was originally left to Susan by Edward Culbertson on 28 April 1887. The property sold for $1300.

Thomas and Susanna were members of the New Salem Presbyterina Church in Delmont, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they were buried. Susanna died in about 1895. Thomas died on 2 November 1898 at the age of 75.

There is a J. Hissem house in Salem township on the Pennsylvania historic register. It was built in the colonial style by Thomas Hissem between 1840 and 1859. It is located at Beaver Run road and on Beechwood drive [I assume that means at the corner of the two roads].

His children were,
(24) Jesse Hissem (1847)
(24) David K. Hissem (1850)
(24) Brohelia Hissem (1852)
(24) Anna Maria Hissem (1855)
(24) Melissa J. Hissem (1859)
(24) Lyman Hissem (1861)
(24) William Evans Hissem (1864)
(24) Schuyler Colfax Hissem (1868)
(24) Charles Ira Hissem (1870)

He was born in 1847. In the 1850 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Jesse, 3. He was not listed in the 1860 census. According to the "Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania," John M. Gresham & Co., 1890, pages 671-672,
- Jesse Hissem, the child of Thomas and Susan (Klingensmith), died at the age of 5.

He was born on 27 June 1850 in Westmoreland county. In the 1850 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as David Hissam, 1/12. Both of his parents were from Pennsylvania. In the 1860 census of Salem township as David Hissem, 10. In the 1870 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as David Hissam, a 19 year old who worked on his father's farm.

David was a farmer and a blacksmith. He married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mary Johnston on 3 October 1876. She was born 12 November 1854 in Westmoreland county, the daughter of William Johnston and Melinda Fink.

In the 1880 census of Salem township as D.K. Hissem, a 30 year old blacksmith. Living with him were his wife, Lizzie, 36, and children, Birdie Maud, 3, Maggie Fink, 2, and Linnie F., 6/12.

"David K Hissem was a man of strong intellectual forces and a leading citizen of Salem Township, Westmoreland County. He was the son of Thomas and Susan (Klingensmith) and born June 27, 1850. He left school at sixteen and learned the trade of blacksmith with his father. On March 4, 1875 he went to Grapeville where he worked as a journeyman until September 16, 1876 when he returned home and purchased a farm near Beaver Run school house in what is now the famous Grapeville Gas Belt. He steadily worked at his trade in which he does a large and paying business. He is a member of Good Intent Grange, No 862, Patron of Husbandry in which he held the important office of Lecturer and is now Worthy Master. He takes an active interest in the Patron of Husbandry and is a vigorous champion of the interest of farmers. He possesses native ability of a high order, is a forcible speaker, a logical reasoner and a man of sound common sense." - Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. John M. Gresham & Co. 1890. Page 671-672.

In the 1900 census of Salem Township as David K. Hissem [Daniel in Ancestry.com], a 49 year old with no occupation shown. Living with him were his wife, Mary E. [reversing her name of Elizabeth Mary], 45 [November 1854], and children, Birdie M., 22 [August 1877], Margaret F., 21 [August 1878], Melinda, 20 [November 1879], Earle D., 12 [August 1888], and Edna J., 6 [June 1893], and grand-daughter [?], Hazel G., 3 [March 1897].

In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as David Hissem, a 59 year old blacksmith - general work. Living with him wre his wife, Elizabeth, 55, and children, Edna J., 15, and Hazel, 13.

David died in 1915 and was buried under the name David I. Hissem in the Woodlawn cemetary. In the 1920 census of Pittsburgh as Elizabeth Hissem, a 65 year old widow. She was living with her daughter, Melinda, 39, and her husband, Elisha Walter. Lizzie died in 1920 - however, per her tombstone, Elizabeth M. Hissem, born in 1854, died in 1932. Apparently she shares a stone with her husband, David I. Hissem. Their chi

In the 1930 census . . .

His children were,
(25) Birdie Maud Hissem (1877)
(25) Maggie Fink Hissem (1878)
(25) Melinda F. Hissem (1879)
(25) Earle D. Hissem (1888)
(25) Susan A. Hissem (1890)
(25) Lizzie M. Hissem (1891)
(25) Edna J. Hissem (1895)
(25) Hazel C. Hissem (1897)

She was born on 6 August 1877 in Westmoreland. In the 1880 census of Salem township as Birdie Maud Hissem, 3. In the 1900 census of Salem Township as Birdie M. Hissem, 22 [August 1877].

She was born on 19 August 1878 in Westmoreland. In the 1880 census of Salem township as Maggie Fink Hissem, 2. In the 1900 census of Salem Township as Margaret F. Hissem, 21 [August 1878].

She was born on 29 November 1879 in Westmoreland. In the 1880 census of Salem township as Linnie F. Hissem, 6/12. In the 1900 census of Salem Township as Melinda Hissem, 20 [November 1879]. In the 1920 census of Pittsburgh as Melinda, 39, living with her husband, Elisha Walter. Her mother, Elizabeth Hissem, a 65 year old widow, lived with them.

He was born on 12 August 1888. In the 1900 census of Salem Township as Earle D. Hissem, 12 [August 1888].

In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Earl D. Hissem, a 21 year old merchant working on commission. Living with him was his wife, May, 19. They were living in the house of Annie O'Brien. There is no indication that she was May's mother.

Earl David Hissem registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. He was born on 12 August 1888 in Salem township, Pennsylvania. He was 28 years old at the time, a steward at a Rusal [garbled] Club. He was living at 7333 Hamilton [?], Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was described as short and stout, with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He asked for a deferment based on his wife and "children underage."

Earle died in 1918 and was buried in the Woodlawn cemetary in Pittsburgh. It is tempting to say he died in World War I, but I have nothing that indicates that. In the 1920 census of Pittsburgh May Hissem was a 29 year old widow. Living with her are her children, Frances [a daughter], 8, Ruth, 6, Delores, 4 2/12, and Viola, 2 3/12. She must have remarried because I lose track of her after this.

Earle's children were,
(26) Frances Hissem (1912)
(26) Ruth Hissem (1914)
(26) Delores Hissem (1916)
(26) Viola Hissem (1918)

She was born in 1890 (?) and died in infancy.

She was born in 1891 and died in infancy.

In the 1900 census of Salem Township as Edna J. Hissem, 6 [June 1893]. In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Edna J. Hissem, 15.

In the 1900 census of Salem Township as a grand-daughter [?], Hazel G. Hissem, 3 [March 1897], but its not clear who her mother would have been. In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as a daughter, Hazel Hissem, 13. She died in 1917 and was buried in the Woodlawn cemetary in Pittsburgh, near her brother, Earl D. Hissem.

She was born on 1 June 1852 in Salem township, Westmoreland county. She married Amos J. Schutt. He was born on 8 May 1849. In 1910 a grandchild, Eva, was living with Brohelia and Amos. She died in 1915 [7 April 1912?]. Amos died on 19 May 1926. Both were both buried in the Eastview cemetery, Delmont, Westmoreland county.

She was born on 18 August 1855 in Salem township, Westmoreland county. She married Jesse Franklin Walton. He was born on 1 November 1846, the son of Jesse Walton and Mary Magdalene Ament of Penn township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In 1935 they were living in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. They had six children. Anna died on 28 June 1904.

She was born in 1859 in Salem township, Westmoreland county. Melissa J. Hissem married William Henry Johnston, a farmer. Melissa was noted to be the "daughter of Thomas and Susan (Klingensmith) Hissem and granddaughter of Abner and Mary (Welker) Hissem of Westmoreland county . . . Thomas Hissem was the owner of a well cultivated and valuable farm in Salem township, and he and his wife reared a family of nine children: Jesse, deceased; David K., Brohelia, Ann Maria, Melissa J., Lyman, William E., Schyler C. and Ira C. Hissem." - from "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania."

He was born in September 1861 in Salem, Pennsylvania. In the 1870 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Lyman Hissam, 8. In the 1880 census of Salem township as Lyman Hissem, 19, living at home with his father.

Lyman married Ada Virginia Rowe in 1885. She was born 15 August 1862, the daughter of Isaac Rowe and Catherine Keck.

In the 1900 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Lyman Hissem, a 39 year old janitor in a school house. Living with him were his wife, Ada V., 37 [August 1862], and children, Orpha D., 14 [August 1885], Thomas R., 13 [May 1887], Charles I., 10 [June 1890], Alice I., 4 [August 1895],and Mary E., 2 [August 1897].

In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh as Lyman Hissem, a 39 year old janitor in a school house. Living with him were his wife, Ada V., 47, and children, Thomas R., a 22 year old carpenter for a building contractor, and his wife, Pauline, 20, with their son, Thomas P., 3/12, Charles I., a 20 year old machinist at a switch company, Alice I., 15, and Mary E., 13.

Ada died on 17 February 1916 in Pittsburgh. After Ada's death Lyman lived with his daughter Mary and Sam Travis.

In the 1920 census of Pittsburgh as Lyman Hissem, a 49 year old public school janitor. He was a widower living with his daugther, Mary E., 23, and her husband, Samuel A. Travis, 23.

In the 1930 census of Pittsburgh as Lyman Hissem, a 67 year old public school custodian. He was a widower living with daugther, Mary, 33, and her husband, Samuel Travis, 33.

Lyman died on 15 September 1933 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania of myocarditis at the age of 71. He and Ada were buried in the Woodlawn cemetery in Pittsburgh. Their children were,
(25) Orpha D. Hissem (1885)
(25) Thomas R. Hissem (1887)
(25) Charles Isaac Hissem (1890)
(25) Alice I. Hissem (1895)
(25) Mary E. Hissem (1896)

Also known as Opha. She was born in August 1885. In the 1900 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Orpha D. Hissem, 14 [August 1885]. She married Frank. She died before 1910.

He was born on 23 May 1887 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. In the 1900 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Thomas R. Hissem, 13 [May 1887].

He married Pauline C. Friend in 1908. She was born on 16 November 1888 and died in January 1973 in Pittsburgh.

In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh as Thomas R. Hissem, a 22 year old carpenter for a building contractor. He was living in his father's house. With him were his wife, Pauline, 20, and their son, Thomas P. Jr., 3/12.

Thomas Ralph Hissem registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. He was born on 23 May 1887 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He was 30 years old at the time, a carpenter working for Lambert & Close at 514 Ross Avenue in Williamsburg [?]. He was living at 545 Everett, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He requested a deferment based on his wife and child. He was described as of medium height and stout build, with black eyes and [garbled] hair.

In the 1920 census of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Thomas R. Hissem, a 32 year old carpenter. Living with him were his wife, Pauline C., 31, and son, Thomas P., 10. Also living with him were Adam, 65, and Emma C., 62, Friend, his in-laws.

In the 1930 census . . .

Thomas Ralph Hissem registered for the draft again on 27 April 1942. He worked for J.G. Fulman of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. He was 5'10'' and 155 pounds, with gray hair and gray eyes.

Pauline died in January 1973. Thomas died on 16 August 1975 in Houston, Harris county, Texas. He had one child,
(26) Thomas P. Hissem (1910)

He was born on 17 January 1910. In the 1920 census of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Thomas P. Hissem, 10, living at home with his parents.

In the 1930 census . . .

He married Elizabeth C. They divorced in March 1962 in Dade county, Florida. He died on 5 December 1997 in Port Charlotte, Charlotte county, Florida at the age of 87. I don't know about any children.

He was born in January 1890. In the 1900 census of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles I. Hissem, 10 [June 1890]. In the 1910 census of Pittsburgh as Charles I. Hissem, a 20 year old machinist at a switch company.

An accident report, "Newfoundland, January 27th [1910]--Brakeman Isaac Hissem attempted to alight from engine 120 while in motion, struck express truck and fell back against train, but on head and bruise over eye." - from "Annual Statements of the Railroad and Canal Companies" by the New Jersey Comptroller.

He married Clara Iva Rollhaus on 9 April 1914 in Pittsburgh. She was born 23 June 1891 in Pennsylvania. Also known as Iva C.

Charles Isaac Hissem registered for the draft in 1917. He was born on 22 [garbled] January 1890 in Greensburg [?], Pennsylvania. He was 27 years old at the time, a [garbled] working at Westinghouse. He was living at 7870 Susquehannah street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was described as of medium height and build, with gray eyes and black hair. He asked for a deferment based on his bad eyes, and his wife and child.

In the 1920 census . . .

In the 1930 census of Forest Hills, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles I. Hissem [Hissam in Ancestry.com], a 40 year old working at [or owning?] a gas filling station. He owned a $6,000 house. Living with him were his wife, Iva C., 38, and children, Charles L., 14, and Alice I., 2.

Charles died from a strep throat infection at the age of 44, on 13 February 1934 in Pittsburgh. His grave is probably the one in the Woodlawn cemetary for Charles T. Hissem, the middle initial being a transciption error for I. Clara died of sepsis on 18 July 1985 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania at the age of 94. She was buried in the Woodlawn cemetary in Pittsburgh.

His children were,
(26) Charles Lyman Hissem (1915)
(26) Alice Iva Hissem (1928)

He was born on 11 August 1915 in St. Louis, Missouri. In the 1930 census of Forest Hills, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania as Charles L. Hissem [Hissam in Ancestry.com], 14, living with his parents.

He first married Mary Jane Barnes. His second marriage was to Marian V. Gowing in 1960. Marian was born 4 April 1903. "Marian was thirteen years older than husband Charles Lyman Hissem. After retirement Charles and Marian traveled the US taking nature photographs. This was their passion and talent. Many of their photographs were published in magazines. Charles and Marian had no children, but did have a dog named Smotzie. After wife Marian died in 1995 Charles was moved from Pennsylvania to Tucson, Arizona by his sister Alice Iva Steiner (nee Hissem). Alice and her husband George placed Charles in a nursing home and helped care for him until his passing. Charles was cremated in Tucson and remains now are at the Wood lawn Cemetery in Pennsylvania alongside Marian." from Alice Steiner (nee Hissem) - Charles' sister.

Marian V. Hissem died on 13 October 1995 and was buried in the Woodlawn cemetary in Pittsburgh. Charles died on 10 October 1999 in Tucson, Arizona and was buried in the Woodlawn cemetary in Pittsburgh. They were both amateur photographers.

She married first William B. Brigham and later George Edwin Steiner.

She married Terence Michael Hennessey and moved to Sydney, Australia (hi Beth!).

She was born in August 1895 and died on 18 April 1915 in Pittsburgh of influenza, aged 20. She was buried at the Woodlawn cemetary in Pittsburgh.

She was born on 29 December 1896. She married Samuel R. Travis before 1913. He was born on 1 July 1894. She died on 16 June 1932 in Pittsburgh from a throat infection. Samuel died in November 1962 in Pennsylvania.

He was born in 1864 in Salem township, Westmoreland county. Known as Evan. In the 1870 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as William E. Hissam, 6. In the 1880 census of Salem township as William Evans Hissem, 16, living at home with his parents.

William married Mary Pool in about 1888. A William H. [sic] Hissem of Salem township, "the son of Thomas Hissem," died on 23 October 1895 at the age of 32.

In the 1900 census of Ruffs Dale [which is in Salem township], Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Mary Hissem, a 37 year old widow [June 1862]. Living with her were her children, Winfield, 9, Susanna, 7 [December 1892], and Harry T., 5 [January 1894]. Mary had married her husband in about 1888. They were all from Pennsylvania.

In the 1910 census of East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Mary Ann Hissem, a 49 year old widow. She had three children, all still living. Living with her were her children Susannah, 17, and Harry, 15.

In the 1920 census of East Huntingdon township as Marry [sic] Ann Hissem, a 59 year old widow. Living with her was Harry T., a 25 year old laborer on a steam railroad.

In the 1930 census of East Huntingdon as Mary A. Hissem [Hissey in Ancestry.com], a 70 year old widow, was living with her son, Harry T., and his wife, Margaret C.

"Mrs. Mary A. Hissem
Mount Pleasant, Jan. 7.--
Mrs. Mary A. Hissem, 82 years old, widow of William Hissem of Ruffsdale, died at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in Frick Memorial Hospital. She was a charter member of the Ruffsdale Christ Reformed Church.
There are three chidren, Mrs. Anna Eslinger of Smock, Winifred [sic] Hissem of New Alexandria and Harry Hissem of Ruffsdale. She was a sister of Mrs. Israel Painter of New Newton, R.D. 1. There are 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren." - from the 7 January 1942 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

William's children were,
(25) Winfield Charles Hissem (1890)
(25) Susanna Hissem (1892)
(25) Harry Thomas Hissem (1895)

He was born on 26 November 1890 in Ruffsdale, the son of William and Molly Pool Hissem. In the 1900 census of Ruffs Dale [or Ruffsdale], Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Winfield Hissem, 9, living with his widowed mother, Mary, 37 [June 1862]. They were all from Pennsylvania. Ruffs Dale is about 4 miles west northwest of Mount Pleasant. Pittsburgh is another 20 miles northwest.

In the 1910 census . . . he would have been 19.

He married Edna Mae Loughner, the daughter of Sara Ellen Reeger [her mother was a Klingensmith] and William S. Loughner of Jeannette. She was born on 8 November 1895. Winfield was a coal miner, circa 1916, working for the Jamison Coal Company, at the No. 3 Mine & Coke works on Forbes road in Salem township, Westmoreland county.

Winfield Charles Hissem registered for the draft on 15 June 1917. He was described as tall, with a medium build, green eyes and brown hair. Note that his brother, Harry, also had green eyes. He requested a deferment based on his wife and chidren. He was a general foreman at the Jameson coal company at the time, living on Forbes road, in Ruffsdale, Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.

In the 1920 census . . .

In the 1930 census of Penn township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Windfield [sic] C. Hissem, a 39 year old farmer. He owned a home worth $15,000. Living with him were his wife, Edna M., 35, and children, Clyde W., 16, Grace O., 14, Amos J., 13, Virginia, 12, and Merle W. [Walton], 4 1/12. All were born in Pennsylvania and all their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

"Ruffsdale. June 30 [1932]. A birthday surprise party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield Hissem of New Alexandria in honor of the former's mother, Mrs. Mary Hissem of this place." - from the Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsyvania

Winfield Charles Hissem of Unity township registered for the draft again on 27 April 1942. He was a self-employed farmer. He was 5'6'' and 150 pounds, with blue eyes and gray hair.

Winfield died in September 1967, at the age of 76, in Blairsville, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Note, Peggy Hissem Hildenbrand is a granddaughter of Winfield. Edna died in July 1970. Their children were,
(26) Clyde W. Hissem (1913)
(26) Grace O. Hissem (1916)
(26) Amos J. Hissem (1916)
(26) Virginia Mae Hissem (1918)
(26) Merle Walton Hissem (1925)
(26) Dorothy Hissem (c1925)

Of Conway. He was born on 9 September 1913. He died in November 1987 in Jeannette, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.

She married Andrew Klingersmith of Greensburg. Later of Crooked Creek.

Of Stahlstown; also of Normalville. Known as Jay or A. Jay. He was born on 29 September 1916. I think Jay first married Martha Baker. He entered the Navy on 3 January 1944.

"Seaman A. Jay Hissem, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Hissem of New Alexandria, R.D.1, and husband of Mrs. Martha Baker Hissem of Stahlstown, is alive and well after taking part in the invasion of France. He is stationed on a battleship in the Atlantic." - from the 14 July 1944 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania

Fourth Division

USS PENNSYLVANIA Sister ship of the USS ARIZONA, she survived the Pearl Harbor attack, with 24 men killed, 14 missing, and 38 wounded. "In January 1945, Pennsylvania took part in the Lingayen Gulf invasion. Freshly returned to the combat zone after another overhaul, she was seriously damaged by a Japanese aerial torpedo off Okinawa on 12 August 1945, the last major Navy ship to be hit during the Second World War." "The USS PENNSYLVANIA was used in "Operation Crossroads" as a target ship for Atomic Bomb testing. Following the first Atomic explosion at Bikini Island on July 1, 1946 and then a second explosion on July 25, 1946, the USS Pennsylvania did not sink. Almost two years later, February 10, 1948, the USS Pennsylvania was towed to the Island of Kwajalein in the South Pacific and a small crew went aboard and opened the "Sea Valves" and removed the Evaporator cover plates and sent the "Grand Old Gal" to the bottom of the sea." - Ken Munro

He died on 26 October 1991.

29 September 1916 - 26 October 1991. With Beatrice Hissem, 14 April 1928 - ____. WWII and War Veterans markers, the Snowball cemetary, Rector, Cook township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.

He was born on 2 March 1951. Known as "Redeye," he had a lively youth, which I assume he overcame.

1971. "Robert Hissem of Normalville, R.D. near Pittsburgh is being held by police for military authorities after being taken into custody in Clearfield. The serviceman was reported AWOL from Ft. George Meade, Md. He is suspected, state police said, of having stolen a 1968 Chevrolet truck belonging to Rodney Reese Saturday near Port Matilda." - from the 23 August 1971 "Progress" of Clearfield, Pennsylvania

1972. ". . . According to State Police from the Uniontown substation, Robert D. Hissem, 21, of Normalville, R.D.1, was driving north on Township Road 832--about 2.7 miles west of White--when the youngster reportedly darted onto the road and into the path of his car . . . Hissem was taken to Uniontown by troopers. He underwent a breathalizer test. Charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, he later was arraigned before Magistrate Grant Nicholson of Breackneck who set bond at $1,000. Hissem was lodged in the Fayette County Jail, Uniontown in lieu of bail. He was still there this morning." - from the 8 March 1972 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania

1975. "State Police at Troop A Headquarters, Greensburg, said Robert Delmar Hisem, 23, of Normalville, R.D.1, and Michael E. Snyder, 20, of Donegal, were picked up by Michigan authorities for violation of the Uniform Firearms Act." - from the 17 February 1975 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania

"[594.] Robert D. Hissem Born March 2, 1951. Married Shiela Nicholson.
Two children:
603. Jennifer Lynn Hissem
Born July 11, 1976.
604. Bobby Marie Hissem
Born June 26, 1977."
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

"2 Mar 1951 - 30 May 1999, US Army Veteran" - the Snowball cemetary, Rector, Cook township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.

She married Timothy A. Frederick, of Glenmore, Pa., the son of Robert T. Frederick of Acme, Pennsylvania.

"595. Joyce Renee Hissem (twin)
Born June 25, 1954. Married Timothy Frederick. Born September 1, 1954.
Four children:
605. Timothy Frederick Jr.
606. . . ."
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

He married Verna, of Normalville. He is in the trucking business, and appears to have three trucks and crews.

"596. James Jay Hissem (twin)
Born June 25, 1954.
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

She married Bert Lander, of Glen Rock, Pa.

"597. Patty Jean Hissem
Born September 30, 1956. Married Bert C. Lender. Born January 11, 1955.
Three children:
611. Bert C. Lander Jr.
612. . . .
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

She married Ray "Pete" Richter, of Normalville.

598. Linda Sue Hissem
Born August 17, 1957. Married Ray "Pete" Richter. Born October 11, 1947.
One child:
614. Glenn Richter
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

Jayne married Gary Smith, of Georgia

599. Beatrice Jayne Hissem
Born September 14, 1958. Married Gary Smith. Born April 25, 1950.
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

Beverly married Larry Keyser, of Scottdale

600. Beverly Kaye Hissem
Born August 29, 1961. Married Jason Keyser Born November l1, 1979.
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

He married Gloria Skelton. However, the document below says Amy Lynn Kunkle; a second marriage?

601. Winfield Charles Hissem
Born September 4, 1963. Married Amy Lynn Kunkle. Born April 26, 1964.
Two children:
616. Mark Charles Hissem
Born April 19, 1982.
617. Brianna Mae Hissem
Born January 12, 1985.
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

"Killed in an accident Sunday in Fayette County was Winfield Hissem, 36, of Normalville. Hissem, who was not wearing a seat belt, was a passenger in a car driven by Douglas Geary, 36, also of Normalville, when the car struck a tree." - from the Post-Gazette

"Winfield C. Hissem, Normalville. Winfield C. Hissem, 36, of Normalville, died Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000 as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Sept. 4, 1963, in Connellsville, a son of Beatrice Stahl Hissem of Normalville and the late A. Jay Hissem. He was a graduate of Connellsville Area High School. He was employed by the P.J. Dick Corporation as a construction worker, currently working at the Somerset Correctional Institution. He was a member of the Laborers Union Local No. 419 and he was a veteran of the U.S. Army. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert Delmar "Redeye" Hissem. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Gloria Skelton Hissem ; two sons, Amos, at home, and Mark of Donegal ; three daughters, Wendy and Sarah, at home, and Brianna of Donegal ; one brother, James Hissem and his wife, Verna, of Normalville ; six sisters, Joyce Frederick and her husband, Timothy, of Glenmore, Pa., Patty Lander and her husband, Bert, of Glen Rock, Pa., Linda Richter and her husband, Ray "Pete," of Normalville, Carol Shreve and her husband, Scott, of Normalville, Jayne Smith and her husband, Gary, of the state of Georgia and Beverly Keyser and her husband, Larry, of Scottdale ; his mother-in-law, Dottie Upton of Scottdale ; his father-in-law, Paul Skelton of Clinton ; two brothers-in-law, Paul Skelton Jr. and his wife, Dorothy, of Owensdale and Kenneth Skelton and his wife, Ann, of Scottdale ; one sister-in-law, Cindy Skelton of New Derry, Pa. ; and a special first cousin, Dave Hissem of Spencer, Mass. Friends will be received in the CLYDE BROOKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., Route 711, Melcroft, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor William Nicholson officiating. Interment will follow in the Snowball Cemetery, Cook Township.

"AJ Hissem. 17 / Male; NORMALVILLE, Pennsylvania."

Carol married Scott Shreve, of Normalville.

602. Carol Ann Hissem
Born August 16, 1967.
- from "The Craigs of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties of Pennsylvania" by Edward Robert Craig

She married Arthur F. McNaughton of New Alexandria. She died suddenly in June 1951, only 33 years old.

He was born on 3 February 1926. Merle W. Hissem of New Alexandria entered the Navy on 6 January 1944.

He married Laura Piper Hissem Cole. Their children were N. Maxine Upholster and Randy Hissem, both deceased. Still living in 2004 are Merle W. Jr., Larry, Jeffrey [he may actually live in Columbus, Ohio], all of Latrobe, Dennis, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Richard, of Greensburg, Charles, of Florida [he is a member of a BMW club], and David, of North Carolina. Daughters were Peggy Hildenbrand, of Latrobe, Cynthia Berry, of Colorado, Dorothy Quinn, of Maine, and Diane Hissem, of Florida.

Merle and Laura divorced in the 1960's. Merle moved to Massachusetts and married again, having several children, names unknown.

There is a Merle W. Hissem who married Shirl Pronto in Newtown, Fairfield county, Connecticut on 31 December 1965. They later lived in Botsford, Connecticutt. He died of cancer at the age of 47, on 15 August 1974 in Worcester, Massachusetts.

His children were,
(27) Maxine Hissem (1948)
(27) Merle Walton Hissem Jr. (1949)
(27) Randy Hissem (1955)
(27) Larry Hissem
(27) Jeffrey Hissem
(27) Dennis Hissem
(27) Richard Hissem (1957)
(27) Charles Hissem
(27) David Hissem
(27) Peggy Hissem
(27) Cynthia Hissem
(27) Carrie Anne Hissem (c1975), she died of leukemia on October 19, 1987, about 12 years old
(27) Dorothy Hissem
(27) Diane Hissem

Of Latrobe. She was born on 3 March 1948 in Ligonier. She married an Upholster. She died on 19 January 2004, aged 55.

Of Latrobe.

There is a Merle Hissem III living in Pennsylvania. He attended Derry High School, in Derry, Pennsylvania from 1986 to 1990. The following is a news article about the bankruptcy of the LeNature company, a glass making firm. "Merle Hissem, of Latrobe, worked in LeNature's shipping department for eight years. "I hope they send all the white shirts to jail," he said, referring to company executives. "I hope Podlucky goes to jail for a while."" - from the Tribune Review of 1 December 2006.

Of Stahlstown, R.D.1. He died in a house fire at the age of 35 on July 17, 1989. He had no children.

Of Latrobe. There was a Larry Hissem living in Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania in 1968. This town in near Latrobe, in Westmoreland county. This information was pulled from the website of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, which served in Vietnam. There was a Larry J. Hissem living in Loyalhanna, on 215 Derry Latrob road from at least 1994 to 2002. In 2002 a Larry J. Hissem Jr. had his own address in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on 949 Main street.

There is a Mary Hissem living in Loyalhanna, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. There is a Larry Hissem of Loyalhanna, aged 61 in 2008 [1947], with a birth date of 23 March. Larry appears to be a fisherman and member of the Angler's Club. He's also a rock-hound. This may be Larry K. and Mary K. Hissem.

Of Latrobe.

Of Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He was on the Dean's List at Seton Hill University of Greensburg in 2005. This is a Catholic Liberal Arts College. From the school's website:

"Richard Hissem, Greensburg, Pa.--Richard is a senior sales analyst with the Elliot Company. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in business from Seton Hill University in 2006."

Of Florida.

Of North Carolina.

Of Latrobe. She married a Hildenbrand.

Of Colorado. She married Richard Barchesky and had two boys and one girl. Their names are Joseph, Andrew and Carrie Ann.

Of Maine. Dorothy Hissem attended Derry High School, in Derry, Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1983. She married a Quinn.

Of Florida.

She married Paul Sheffler of New Alexandria; later of Blairsville.

In the 1900 census of Ruffs Dale, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Susanna Hissem, 7 [December 1892]. Known as Anna. In the 1910 census of East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Susannah Hissem, 17.

She married John Eslinger. They lived in Dunbar. She died in June 1958, aged 65.

He was born on 15 January 1895. In the 1900 census of Ruffs Dale, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Harry T. Hissem, 5 [January 1894].

In the 1910 census of East Huntingdon, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Harry Hissem, 15. He was living with his widowed mother, Mary Ann.

He registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. At the time he was living in Ruffsdale, East Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was a laborer working in the Westmoreland Brick yards in Hisnefled [garbled], Pennsylvania. He was single and 22, and claimed he was the sole support of his mother, name not listed [Mary?]. He was described as of medium build and height, with gray eyes and brown hair.

In the 1920 census of East Huntingdon township as Harry T. Hissem, a 25 year old laborer on a steam railroad, living at home with his mother, Mary.

He married Margaret Bowser in about 1920. She was the daugther of James Irvin and Ann Mary Bowser.

In the 1930 census of East Huntingdon as Harry T. Hissem [Hissey in Ancestry.com], a 35 year old laborer in a brick yard. He owned a $3,000 house. Living with him were his wife, Margaret C., 30, and his mother, Mary A., 70. They had been married for 10 years, but I don't know of any children.

In 1931 Harry was hospitalized with diptheria.

Harry Thomas Hissem, 47, of Ruffsdale, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania registered for the draft again on 27 April 1942. He worked at the Westmoreland Brickyard in Hunter [?], Pennsylvania. He was 5'4'' and weighed 185 pounds, with black hair and grey eyes.

"Harry Hissem
Harry Hissem, 50, a lifelong resident of Ruffsdale, died Friday morning at his home after a month's illness. He was a member and elder of the Reformed Church of Ruffsdale.
Besides his widow, Mrs. Margaret Bower [sic] Hissem, he is survived by three sons, Harry, Jr., John H., and Clay Hissem, all at home, a sister, Mrs. John Eslinger, Dunbar, and a brother, Winfield Hissem of New Alexandria." - from the 17 November 1945 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

"Mrs. Harry Hissem and Misses Mae and Pearl Bowser spent Saturday in Greensburg." - from the 18 October 1926 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsyvania

"Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hissem of Alverton announce the birth of a son at Frick Memorial Hospital at Mount Pleasant yesterday morning." - from the 16 April 1935 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsyvania. His middle name was a tribute by his mother's family.

He married Glenda Loy. They are still living and he recently received honors for his 40+ years of service to the Latrobe Little League as an umpire. His children were,
(27) Harry Bowser Hissem Jr. (1954)
(27) Paul Thomas Hissem (1957)

He was born on 27 July 1954.

"Truck Driver Hurt When Hit by Auto Chased by Police
. . . Police said Harry B. Hissem, 16, of Latrobe, being chased by Latrobe police, tried to turn onto Route 119 from a township road. Hohman, driver of an REA Experess tractor-trailer, suffered contusions and back injuries.
Latrobe police said the chase started when Hissem pulled into the Laurel Motors parking lot on North Ligonier St. which was staked out by police because it was the scene of recent burglaries." - from the 2 December 1970 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

The son of Harry Bowser Hissem. He was born on 22 September 1973. He married Teresa Marie Platt, of Derry. She was born on 4 October 1974. He's a motorcycle mechanic, located in Latrobe, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.

She was born on 2 October 1993.

He was born on 25 October 1997.

She was born on 25 August 2002.

The son of Harry Bowser Hissem. He was born on 15 November 1977. He married Donna Barhart on 8 September 2001 in Twin Lakes, Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. May be 'of' Latrobe, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Second he married Donna Barhart at Twin Lakes, Unity Township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania on 8 September 2001. Apparently he won $1000 in the state lottery.

He was born on 9 February 2000.

Benjamin's twin. She married an Undzicker.

Of Latrobe. He was born in December 1957. A High School football and baseball player.

Nate Hissem of Latrobe. A college baseball player.

"John W. [sic] Hissem, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hissem of Ruffsdale is getting along nicely after an appendicitis operation at Frick Memorial Hospital." - from the 18 March 1944 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. So was his middle initial H or W?

A John Hissem of Stahlstown was admitted to the Latrobe hospital for treatment on 23 July 1952.

In October 1960 he and his wife had a daughter. In October 1967 they had a son.

An unknown Hissem married Ethel Mae Hall. She was born on 7 April 1937 in Ohiopyle, the daughter of Wallace and Susan Bittner Hall. Of Donegal, she died on 6 March 2004, in Latrobe Area Hospital. Could her husband be (26) John H. Hissem (1936)? He's the right age, lived in Stahlstown and Ruffsdale, and was admitted at least once to the Latrobe Area Hospital.

Of Stahlstown, Pennsylvania. Note that Amos J. Hissem, the son of Harry Thomas' brother, Winfield, also lived in Stahlstown.

Of Stahlstown. At least three Hissem families lived in Stahlstown. He is about 72 years old and has lived in Derry, Latrobe, Acme and Stalhstown.

There is another John O. Hissem, aged 28, who has resided in Ligonier and Derry, Pennsylvania.

She married David Hixson, of Ligonier.

She married Mark Will, of Ligonier.

He married Wanda, of Stahlstown and Acme.

He married RoniSue, of Mount Pleasant.

We may have another family of Hissems in Stahlstown. In a 2007 record living at the same address in Stahlstown are John W. Hissem (1936), Henry C. Hissem (1937), Ethel B. Hissem (1939), Clay Hissem, Clay R. Hissem, Mark Hissem, and Ethel R. Hissem. Who are these people and why are they living together? I have another document which shows a shared address between Henry C. Hissem (1937), Clay, Mark, Randy W. (1968) and Tenna M. (1968).

I have a refernce to a Teena Hissem who was a Food Service Worker (temporary) new hire on 23 March 2006 in Westmoreland county.

He was born in March 1868 in Salem township, Westmoreland county. In the 1870 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania is Schuyler C. Hissem, 2. In the 1880 census as Schuyler Colfax Hissem, 12. I suspect his father's politics were showing, see below.

Schuyler Colfax A newspaper owner who helped found the Republican Party. In 1854 he was elected to the House of Representatives and became the Speaker of the House from 1863 to 1869. Vice President of the United States during President U.S. Grant's first term. His involvement in the Crédit Mobilier scandal, which was associated with the building of the Union Pacific Railroad, brought disrepute to Colfax and the Republican party. He did not serve in the second Grant administration.

He married Julie S. Nannie [?]. In the 1900 census of Salem township as Schuyler C. Hissem [Hiss in Ancestry.com], a 33 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Julie S., 30 [March 1870], and children, Cora, 8 [September 1891], Ella, 6 [July 1893], and the twins, Robert W., 3 [August 1896], and Lloyd S., 3 [August 1896]. Also living with Schuyler was his sister-in-law, Shuster Nannie [well, that's what it looks like].

In the 1910 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Schuyler C. Hissem, as 42 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Julie S., 42 [?], and children, Cora E., 18, Ella M., 16, Robert W., 13 [?], and Lloyd S., 13, and grandson, Charles Berrault, 4. Who was this grandson and where could he have come from? Illegitimate perhaps?

In the 1920 census of Salem as S.C. Hissem [Hassen in Ancestry.com], a 50 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Julia, 48, and children, Cora [garbled], 23 [?], Ella, 25, Robert, 19 [?], and Loyd, 19 [?]. I can not explain these age discrepancies.

In the 1930 census of Salem as Schyler Hissam, a 62 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Julie, 60, and a grandson, Charles Hissam, a 24 year old farm laborer. His children were,
(25) Cora E. Hissem (1891)
(25) Ella M. Hissem (1893)
(25) Robert William Hissem (1896)
(25) Lloyd Sylvester Hissem (1896)

In the 1900 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Cora Hissem [Hiss in Ancestry.com], 8 [September 1891]. In the 1910 census of Salem as Cora E. Hissem, 18.

From the Fort Wayne, Indiana News of 27 April 1916 - Cora Hissem "was wedded Saturday evening to Charles Enos, of near Centenary, at the McEntarfer home, Rev. Noah McCoy, of South Whitley, officiating. The bride, a daughter of Schuyler Hissem, of Pennsylvania,came west three years ago and after spending three years in a Chicago hospital, received a diploma as a trained nurse. She followed her work until a year ago, when she was stricken with pneumonia and west to the McEntarger home. Mr. Enos is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Enos, and is a progressive young farmer with a large acquaintance."

In the 1920 census of Salem as Cora [garbled] Hissem [Hassen in Ancestry.com], 23 [?]. I can not explain why she was back at home. I also have another census from 1920 for Highland Park, Wayne county, Michigan in which there is a Charles H. and Cora E. Enos. This Cora was the right age and she and her parents were from Pennsylvania. Charles was from Indiana. They remained in Highland Falls at least through the 1930 census. I don't know who the daughter living with Schuyler in 1920 was.

In the 1900 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Ella Hissem [Hiss in Ancestry.com], 6 [July 1893]. In the 1910 census of Salem as Ella M. Hissem, 16. In the 1920 census of Salem as Ella Hissem [Hassen in Ancestry.com], 25.

The son of Schuyler Colfax Hissem. He was born on 23 August 1896. In the 1900 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Robert W. Hissem [Hiss in Ancestry.com], 3 [August 1896]. In the 1910 census of Salem as Robert W. [M. in Ancestry.com] Hissem, 13.

He registered for the draft in 1917 at the age of 21. He was living at RFD No. 3, Greensburg, Pennsylvania with his father, Schuyler, on the family farm. It was Robert's grandfather, Thomas, who first moved to Greensburg. Robert appears to have been employed by the Jameson Coal Company, pit no. 3, on Forbes road.

He joined the Navy and did basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, in North Chicago, Illinois. I don't know anything about this service.

In the 1920 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Robert Hissem [Hassen in Ancestry.com], 19, living at home. He should have been 23. There is a mark-out on the census, lining out the the original age, which appears to be 29, but this is also wrong. Perhaps line-out makes the 3 look like a 9.

Robert married Goldie Marie Sams, the daughter of Benjamin and Marie Sams.

In the 1930 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Robert Hissam, a 33 year old laborer at odd jobs. Living with him were his wife, Goldie, 25, and children, Margaret, 8, and Lawrence, 5.

Robert died on 24 May 1940. His children were,
(26) Margaret Hissem (1922)
(26) Lawrence William Hissem (1925)
(26) Robert R. Hissem (1932)

Of Youngwood, Pennsylvania. She married a Steiner.

The following is from Rod Badger of Edmonds, Washington. His wife is the daughter of Lawrence William Hissem.

"Lawrence William Hissem b. 1925 became the sole support of his family upon his Father's early demise, performing any sort of work he could find for money or goods in barter. He entered service in the U.S. Navy in the early part of 1942, completed Basic Training at the Training Center (quartered in the same barracks as his Father) at Great Lakes Naval Base, North Chicago, IL and completed Fireman Training there. He attended gunnery school and was assigned to the merchant vessel SS Arlyn, which was attacked and sunk by a pair of German submarines in the Bele Isle Straights between Labrador and Nova Scotia, CA on 27 Aug 1942. After recovery, he was assigned again to another vessel, which was attacked and sunk on the convoy run to Murmansk in the spring of 1943. While serving in the South Pacific in the fall of 1944, his vessel was sunk by a Japanese submarine. Consequent to these sinkings, the majority of his military record is lost as his personnel records were aboard the vessels, which were lost to enemy attack. He was present for the Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay though not assigned to that vessel. He left the Navy in 1946, married and settled in North Chicago, IL. In 1962, he remanded to the community of Duck Lake, IL with his wife and three children. He was civically active in community affairs, served as a member of the Board of Education of Grant Community HS and Board of Directors Lake County Community College (IL) for many years.

Lawrence William Hissem and his wife, Jane Francis Marks, are alive and currently reside in Florida." - from the "Journal of Recollections of Lawrence William Hissem, b. 6 Jan 1925" (unpublished).

"The sailor

Larry Hissem joined the Navy in September 1941, stretching his 16 years into 17 to fool the recruiters. He thought it would be fun. And it was — if you think it's fun being on the crew of three separate Liberty ships sunk by German submarines in the Atlantic.

A native of New Stanton, Pa., Hissem, now 80 and living in Port St. Lucie, was at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He was assigned as a member of a Navy Armed Guard unit serving with the civilian Merchant Marine.

The baptism by fire came in a 20-ship convoy sailing to Greenland through the Belle Isle Straits on Aug. 27, 1942. "The subs were waiting," he said. "We were the first ship hit." The crew piled overboard onto a tiny raft made up of four 55-gallon oil drums and some planking. "There were 19 of us hanging on the first day," he said. As the men floated, they watched the submarines methodically sink 18 of the ships and damage the other two. There were hundreds of men in the water, swimming in the frigid waters for the nearby Canadian shore.

After two days — and the deaths of 15 of the men on the raft from exposure — a Norwegian freighter picked up the four remaining men. Hissem was sent back to the States, given 20 days leave and promptly assigned to the Armed Guard on a freighter ferrying supplies to Russia through the gauntlet of German subs, attack boats and aircraft known as the Murmansk run.

The ship didn't make it past the North Sea. After a few hours in the water, he was picked up by a British lifesaving crew.

The next ship he was assigned to was ferrying troops and materials in the Mediterranean when he got some memorable advice from a soldier he never saw again after landing him in Africa. "I came into the cabin and found a black man on his knees with his head in the lower bunk. I asked him what he was doing. "After a while, he stood up and said, 'You ought not interrupt a man at his prayers.' He then convinced me that I ought to be praying too, and I did from then on." It might have helped.

After unloading the troops in North Africa, his ship was sunk in the Mediterranean. Within hours, Hissem was picked up by another vessel in the convoy." - from Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers

He lived for a time in Ingleside, Illinois, but now appears to be of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Larry also appears to be an amateur gemologist. Larry and Jane's children were,
(27) Sharon Ann Marie Hissem (1948)
(27) William Lawrence Hissem (1952)
(27) Barbara Hissem (1953)

She was born in 1948 in Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois. She married Rod Badger of Edmonds, Washington in April 2005 and currently resides there. Much of the information in this section was provided by Rod Badger of Edmonds, Washington.

William was born in 1952 in Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois. He currently resides in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, like his father, above. William Lawrence Hissem was married on 6 February 1988 in St. Lucie county, Florida.

She was born in 1953 in Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois. She married Allen.

Robert R. Hissem of Youngwood was called before the Westmoreland county draft board for his pre-induction physical on 20 November 1952.

His obituary.

"Robert R. Hissem, 77 of 114 Sechan Drive, Portersville, [western Pennsylvania] passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 1:56 PM in Butler Memorial Hospital.

Robert was born on February 25, 1932 in New Stanton, PA to the late Robert W. and Goldie Sams Hissem. A 1951 Youngwood High School graduate, Robert was a Veteran of the Korean War, serving in the US Army. He was the manager of Beneficial Finance in Ellwood City for 30 years and retired as a manager from the First Seneca Bank Dealer's Center in 1988. He worked part time during his retirement as a dealer chauffeur at the Butler Auto Auction. He was an active member of the Moraine Preservation Society and served as Captain of the Nautical Nature boat at Moraine State Park for the past 14 years.

He is survived by his wife, the former Patricia Laird, whom he married January 26, 1952, 2 sons, Douglas and Terry Hissem, both of Portersville, his grandchildren, Sonya and Scott Rau of Butler, Schuyler Hissem of New Castle, a step-granddaughter, Mikayla Davis of New Castle, 3 great-grandchildren, Elijah, Isaiah and Jonah Rau, a sister, Margaret Steiner of Youngwood, PA, a brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Jane Hissem of Port St. Lucie, FL, and several nieces and nephews."

Terry Hissem was in the 1979 graduating class of Ewing Park Elementary School in Ellwood city, Pennsylvania. He attended from 1975 to 1979. I believe he now lives in Pittsburgh.

Of New Castle

Of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Lincoln High School, Ellwood, Pennsylvania class of 1993.

Of New Stanton, Pennsylvania, as was Larry William Hissem, above, so perhaps Larry was his nephew. Charles had a son, Ross.

"Three Minor Operations
Ross Hissem, 16 years old [1932], son of Charles R. Hissem of New Stanton . . . " - from the 7 June 1948 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania

"Recruit Ross C. Hissem, who received his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., is spending a 10-day furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Hissem of New Stanton. He will attend a mechanic school at Lee Hall, Va." - from the 27 April 1949 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

Ross was engaged to Doris Leeper, the daughter of Kenneth E. Leeper of Youngwood, in January 1953. In December 1954 they had a daughter.

Doris died on 30 June 2001. Her obituary:

"Doris Leeper Hissem, 68, of Greensburg, died Saturday, June 30, 2001, at her home. She born Sept. 5, 1932, in Youngwood, a daughter of Annabell Trout Leeper of Youngwood and the late Kenneth Leeper. She is survived by her husband, Ross Hissem; a daughter, Robin Hissem Lewis; a grandson, Chris Lewis and his wife, Marianne, of Crabtree; a sister, Janet Leeper Bukes and husband, Milton, of Arizona; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews."

A Robin Lynn Hissam married Sean on 28 April 1984. He was born on 22 September 1964.

Robert William's twin brother. He was born on 23 August 1896. In the 1900 census of Salem township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Lloyd S. Hissem [Hiss in Ancestry.com], 3 [August 1896]. In the 1910 census of Salem as Lloyd S. Hissem, 13.

He registered for the draft in 1917 at the age of 21. He was living at RFD No. 3, Greensburg, Pennsylvania with his father, Schuyler, on the family farm. While Robert William worked in the mines, Lloyd worked on his father's farm. His wife was listed as Mary Verna Hissem, though I've seen her name no where else. His description says only that he had blue eyes and dark brown hair.

In the 1920 census of Salem as Loyd Hissem [Hassen in Ancestry.com], 19, living on his father's farm. His age should have been 23. While there are mark-outs, the original appears to be 29, also wrong, though, as mentioned above with his twin brother, the line-out may have made the 3 look like a 9. Also, where is Mary Verna?

In the 1930 census . . .

Lloyd died in June 1968 in Leesburg, Lake county, Florida. He had lived in Florida since at least 1952.

He was born in 1870 in Salem township, Westmoreland County. Called Ira. In the 1880 census of Salem township as Charles Ira Hissem, 10.

Ira Hissem married Laura, the daughter of Joseph Kaylor and Sarah Walton, the daughter of Jesse Walton and Mary Magdalene Ament, circa 1897. Sarah was the sister of Jesse Franklin Walton, the husband of Charles' elder sister, Anna Maria. Charles was so much younger that Anna Maria that it perhaps makes sense that he married into the next generation.

In the 1900 census of Greensburg township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Ira C. Hissom, a 29 year old [July 1870] liveryman, of Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Laura, 30 [May 1870] and son, Charles F., 1. Charles was Laura's only child, living or dead.

In the 1910 census of Greensburg township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Ira Hissem [Ora in Ancestry.com], a 41 year old proprietor of a livery stable. Living with him was Laura, 37, and children, Charles, 11, and Sarah, 6. Ira and Laura had been married for 13 years. Laura had two children, both surviving.

In the 1920 census . . .

In the 1930 census . . .

Laura had died by 1935. They had two children,
(25) Charles Francis Hissem (1899)
(25) Sarah Hissem (1904)

He was born in April 1899. In the 1900 census of Greensburg township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Charles F. Hissom, 1, of Pennsylvania. In the 1910 census of Greensburg Ward 4, Westmoreland county as Charles F. Hissem.

Charles Francis Hissem registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was born on 26 April 1899. He was 19 years old at the time, a student living at 556 South Main, Greensburg, Pennsylvania with Sara E. Hissem, who was probably his mother. He was described as slender, with blue eyes and red hair.

In the 1920 census of Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania as Charles F. Hissem, a 21 year old tire repairer at an auto shop. Both he and his parents were from Pennsylvania. Living with him was his wife, Mabel, 18.

In the 1930 census . . .

By 1931 he was living in California. He married Belle Johnson in 1928. Belle was born in Sheridan Arkansas on 30 November 1901, the daughter of Charles Johnson, of Leesburg, Missouri, and Mary Ann Elizabeth Delilah Donham, of Grant county, Arkansas. Charles was her second of three husbands, the others being Roy Heard, whom she divorced, and James Fitzgerald.

"-m-2nd. 1928 Charles [Francis] Hissem, d. 1936 -m-3rd. 1937 James Fitzgerald, d. 1970 C3122311 - Kendall Hissem, b.8/15/1931 Southgate, California -m-1st. (div) Garden Grove, Calif., Shirley Shaffer (age 16) (2 children) -m-2nd. 1960 (div) Judy Knox Cage (age 21) (1 child) -m-3rd. 1965 Fresno, Calif., June (had 3 ch. by 1st. hus)(l child) . . ." - from "The Cleggs of Old Chatham"

Charles died in 1936.

"Greensburg. Nov. 27.--Charles F. Hissem, captain of the Greensburg High School football team in 1918, died in Lancaster, California, Thursday." - from the 27 November 1936 Daily Courier of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

I have a Kendall Ira Hissem who was born on 15 August 1931 in Los Angles county, California. Per "The Cleggs of Old Chatham," he was born in the suburb of Southgate. His mother was a Johnson. Kendall's first wife was Shirley Shaffer, of Garden Grove, aged 16. Kendall had two children with her, names unknown. They divorced and Kendall I. Hissem married Judith Jane Knox, aged 21, in Nevada on 31 October 1959. This must have been her second marriage because I also show her name to be Judy Knox Cage. They also divorced after having 1 child, presumably Kendall Jr., below. Kendall I. Hissem then married Thelma R. Warren in Nevada on 21 June 1975. He divorced her on 22 May 1981. He may have lived in Tacoma, Washington for a time. He died on 24 October 1990 in Fresno, California.

I received the following from Scott Hissem.

"My name is Scott Hissem I’m 33 and I live in Tacoma Wa. I was born in Fresno Ca to Kendall Ira Hissem. I’m wondering if there is any relation. I don’t know too much about my father’s family history. Being intrigued by having a ship named after the Hissem name got me interested. Any help would be great."

He was born on 17 January 1967 in Fresno, California. His mother was a Kiefer.

There is a Kendall I. Hissem (1967), 37, and Diane C. Hissem (1972), 32, living in Exeter [or Modesto, or Clovis?], Tulare county, California in the central valley, near Visalia. I believe they have a daughter, Kristen, who attends the Green Acres Middle School in Visalia.

I have another Kendall Ira who was born on 6 April 1992 in Tulare county, California. His mother was a Betrue.

She married Wilbur Howell.

Or Jessie. He was born on 24 January 1827 in Pennsylvania. In the 1850 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Jesse Hissom [sic], a 23 year old [1827] laborer. He was living with his older brother, Samuel. At some point after 1850 he moved to Stark county, Ohio. Note that his brother's, William and Abner, moved to Ashland county, Ohio, which is further to the west. Samuel remained in Westmoreland county.

Jesse married Catherine Howenstein [Howenstine?] on 20 January 1853 - per "Some Howenstein Families," by Mary Emma Burt, after arriving in Stark county, Ohio. She was born in Ohio in January 1833 and died in July 1916. Her father was George Howenstine, who was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in 1809, and died on 29 November 1895. Her mother was Christina Sickafoose, whose parents were numbered among the early settlers of Pike township.

Jesse's first son, William Marcus, was born in Stark county in 1854. Sometime after he moved west to Ashland county where he joined his brothers.

In the 1860 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as Jesse Hissem, a 32 year old farmer. Nearby lived his older brother, William Hissem. Living with Jesse were his wife, Catherine, 26 [~1834], sons William M., 6, and George L. [Lemon], 4, and daughter, Ann M., 2. His wife and children were all born in Ohio. Living with them was Catherine Howenstine [!?], 23, born in Pennsylvania. It is not clear who she was. The best scenario I can come up with is that she was a cousin of Jesse's wife.

A Jesse Hissam [sic] served in the Civil War in the 10th West Virginia "Volunteer" Infantry regiment with his cousins, Thomas J. and Samuel Hissam. I think this was 'our' Jesse. See the description of the 10th Regiment, below. If Jesse was living in Ohio, did he cross the river to join this unit because his cousins were in it? Or was this another example of a unit that recruited from both sides of the Ohio river? He was inducted as a Sergeant and discharged as a Private [oops]. He appears somewhat old to be in the war, 33 in 1860, but his inducted rank may reflect his 'maturity.' The other Jesse Hissems' in West Virginia at this time were too young to be our soldier. At any rate, Jesse appears to have shared Thomas J.'s military prowess, leaving the service at a lower rank than when he entered. Jesse may have been as much the goldbrick his cousin.

I have a stray reference, "To Capt. Aug. 8 Darnell, In charge of prisoners for Wheeling, Wheeling, Va. Request Governor Pierpont to grant no commission to Jesse Hissam until letter is . . ." - from "Calendar of the Francis Harrison Pierpont Letters and Papers." Pierpoint (1814-1899), called the Father of West Virginia, was the Governor of the Union controlled portions of Virginia during the Civil War. He was Governor of all of Virginia from 1865 to 1868.

Jesse moved his family to South Whitley, Indiana in about 1863.

Jesse witnessed the will of a Sickafoose relative in 1864.

"Elizabeth Sickafoose, wife of Jacob Sickafoose of Whitley Co., Ind.
To hus. Jacob Sickafoose all goods and monies, coming "to me from my son Dinnies, dec., and all legacies of any hereafter appear."
Ex. Non. Jacob Sickafoose (hus.).
Signed 3 Oct. 1864.
Wits.: Jesse Hissum, Martin Fetro
S. & S. 23 Oct. 1864, Elizabeth Sickafoose (no seal)
Proved 23 Oct. 1864 Attest, James B. Edwards, Clerk" - from "Whitley County Wills," Book 4, transcribed by Donald Gradeless

In the 1870 census of Cleveland township, Whitley county, Indiana as Jesse Hissem, a 42 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Catherine, 36, and children, William M., 16, Sarah Ann, 5, and Eddie E., 2. William was born in Ohio while Sarah and Eddie were born in Indiana. George L. and Ann M., from the 1870 census, had died, see below.

In the 1880 census of Cleveland, Whitely county, Indiana as Jesse Hissem, a 62 [should be 52] year old farmer. Oddly, his father was listed as a Scot and his mother a German. Living with him were his wife, Catherine, 46, and children, Sarah, 16, Eddie, 13, and Llewellyn, 8.

Jesse's Will was dated 2 June 1881 at South Whitley, Indiana.

“To Catharine Hissem (wife) but if she marries to take her third, after the youngest child is of age. The remaining part to his heirs: William Hissem, Sarah A. Hissem, Eddie E. Hissem, Lewellyn Hissem.
Signed. (no signature).
Witnesses: John D. Sickafoose, Uriah Sickafoose [they lived "next-door to Jesse in 1880, as did 4 other Sickafoose families].
The witnesses declared etc. Sworn & subscribed on 22 May 1882.
James M. Harrison, Clerk.”

From the 1889 Plat Map of Whitley county, Indiana:

Hissem, J. - - Section 26 - - Cleveland T30N R8E (80 acres) [Who is this? Could this be the land of Jesse, who died in 1882, as now held by his wife? Or was this Jason, below?]

on 19 July 1890 Jesse Hisam filed for a pension as an invalid of the Civil War. There is no indication that his wife received his pension after his death.

In the 1900 census of South Whitley was Catherine Hissem, a 67 year old widow living alone [January 1833]. It indicated that she had 9 children, of which 8 [garbled] were still living.

In the 1910 census of South Whitley as Catharine Hissem, a 77 year old widow, still living alone. It now indicated that she had 8 children, 4 of whom were still living.

Catherine died on 9 July 1916.

"L. B. [Llewellyn B., Catherine's youngest son] Hissem received a message Sunday telling of the death of his mother, Mrs. Catherine Hissem, of South Whitley. Mr. and Mrs. Hissem left today for South Whitley to attend the funeral." - from "Ossian News" from the "Fort Wayne Sentinel" 11 July 1916

Her obituary was carried in the Fort Wayne, Indiana Journal Gazette of 11 July 1916,

Hissem Death Occurs at South Whitley

Columbia City, July 10 - Mrs. Catherine Hissem, a pioneer lady of Whitley county, who had been suffering for several months from cancer of the stomach, passed away Sunday morning at 6 o'clock at her home in South Whitley, at the age of 83 years, 5 months and 26 days. Catherine Howenstine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Howenstine, deceased, was born in Starke county, O., and was married there when a young woman to Jesse Hissem. They resided several years in Ashland county, O. and fifty-two years ago moved to a farm five miles south of South Whitley where their family was reared to maturity. Thirty years ago Mr. Hissem died and four years later Mrs. Hissem moved to South Whitley, where she resided alone until her death. Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hissem, the following survive: William Hissem, Cleveland township; Lewis of Ossian, Edward, Canton, O., and Mrs. David McEntarfer, Huntington county. Two brothers, Samuel and Marion Howenstine of Sparta, O. also survive. The deceased was a member of the U.B. church and also held membership several years in the Rebekah and Eastern Star orders. The funeral occurs Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the U.B. church in South Whitley, Rev. Noah McCoy officiating, and internment will occur in the South Whitley cemetery.

Thomas may fit here. He had parents from Pennsylvania that moved to Ohio before he was born. He was probably the son of William, Abner, or Jesse Hissem. He was born in January 1850 in Ohio. He married Easter Adams, the daughter of Peter and Cyrene [Serena?] Adams, around 1875 and moved to Michigan before 1876, where his son was born, then on to Indiana.

In the 1880 census of Knightstown, Henry county, Indiana as T.J. Hissem [Hissen in Ancestry.com], a 30 year old hostler, that is, a stablehand. TJ was from Ohio and his parents were both from Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Easter, 24, and son, Thomas J. Jr., 4, of Michigan. Easter and her parents were from Ohio.

Easter died sometime between 1880 and 1894. Thomas J. Hissem then married Cynthia A. Sewell on 1 March 1894 in Marion county, Indiana.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana as Thomas J. Hissem, a 50 year old [garbled] chain maker. He was from Ohio and his parents were from Pennsylvania. Living with him was his wife, Cynthia A., 44 [May 1856]. They had been married for 6 years. Cynthia had no chldren. She and her parents were from Indiana.

Thomas died sometime between 1900 and 1910. In the 1910 census of Indianapolis as Cynthia A. Hissem, a 54 year old widow running a boarding house. She was from Indiana and had one child, still living, Thomas Jr., but he wasn't with her. She did have a male boarder, aged 64, living with her.

In the 1920 census of Wabash, Tippecanoe county, Indiana as Cynthia A. Hissem, a 63 year old resident of the Indiana State Soldiers Home. Had Thomas been a soldier? He would have been awfully young. She's not in the 1930 census and I assume she died.

He was born on 29 January 1876 in Michigan. In the 1880 census of Henry county, Indiana as Thomas J. Hissem [Hissen in Ancestry.com] Jr., 4, the son of T.J. and Easter Hissem, of Ohio.

On 17 August 1895 Thomas J. Hissem married Keziah Dorsey in Wayne county, Indiana. I think this must be our Thomas. His father, Thomas J. Sr., had married the woman he would still be married to in 1900, in 1893, and there just weren't that many Hissem's in Indiana, much less Thomas J. Hissem's.

In the 1900 census of Richmond township, Wayne county, Indiana as Thomas J. Hissem [Hissiem in Ancestry.com], a 24 year old carpenter. He was single [so what of Keziah?] He was born in Michigan and his folks in Ohio. He was living in the house of his grandfather, Peter W. Adams, 76 [November 1824] and his wife, Cyrene, 72 [November 1827]. His grandfather was born in Ohio and his folks in Pennsylvania.

She must have died because he then married Minnie M. in about 1903. She was born on 8 April 1877.

Thomas Jason Hissem registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in St. Louis. He was born on 29 January 1876, but it doesn't say where. He was 42 years old at the time, an auto mechanic working for the H. Walker Furniture company, 208 No. 12th Street, St. Louis. He was living at 3207a Vista Ave (rear), St. Louis, Missouri. His wife was Minnie M. Hissem. He was described as of medium height and slender build, with gray eyes and brown hair.

In the 1920 census of St. Louis, Missouri as Thomas Hissem, a 43 year old auto mechanic. Living with him were his wife, Minnie, 42, and his daughter, Felicia, 7. He was born in Michigan and his parents in Ohio.

In the 1930 census of St. Louis, Missouri as Thomas J. Hissem, a 54 year old automobile body builder. Living with him was his wife, Minnie M., 53. He owned his $5,000 home. He was born in Michigan and his parents in Ohio. She was from Ohio and her parents from Kentucky.

Thomas died on 11 April 1952. Minnie died on 12 July 1963. They are both buried at the Silver Point Union church cemetary in Womack, Sainte Genevieve county, Missouri. I do not know what became of their daughter, Felicia.

He was apparently William Marcus Hissem, like his uncle. He was born in January [10 February - per "Some Howenstein Families"] 1854 in Stark county, Ohio. In the 1860 census of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio as William M. Hissem, 6, born in Ohio. Three years later the family moved to Indiana. In the 1870 census of Cleveland township, Whitley county, Indiana as William M. Hissem, 16.

A Farmer. He married to Mary E. Sickafoose on 27 September 1877, as officiated by A. J. Douglas, M.G. She was born in 1859. The Sickafoose family was numerous in the area and next-door neighbors of the Hissem's.

In the 1880 census of Cleveland township, Whitley county, Indiana as William Hissem, a 26 year old farmer. His parents were from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Living with him were his wife, Mary, 21, and children, Adda, 1, and Nellie, 6/12.

From the 1889 Plat Map of Whitley county, Indiana:

Hissem, W. M. - - Section 36 - - Cleveland T30N R8E (155.54 acres)

In the 1910 census of Cleveland township as William M. Hissem, a 56 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Mary E., 42, and children, Nellie, 31, Jessie, a 23 year old saleslady in a drygoods store, Clark, a 19 year old clerk in a drug store, and Dae, 10.

William died on 29 [27] October 1918 in South Whitley.

"Columbia City, Ind, Oct. 30 -- William Marcus Hissem, age sixty-four died Tuesday morning at his home near South Whitley at 9 o'clock from complications. He was born in Stark county, Ohio to Jesse and Catherine Hissem, deceased. He came to this county with his parents at the age of 9 years, and has since made his home here. He was married September 27, 1877 to Miss Mary Sickafoos [sic], who survives with three children, Mrs. O A Bellingers [Adda Bollinger], of South Whitley, Mrs. Floyd Brow [Jessie Brower] of Spokane, Wish Dan [William Dae?] at home. There are two brothers, Ed Hissem, of Canton, O, and Lewis, of Ossian, Ind, and one sister Mrs David McEnterfer of near Luther. The funeral will occur Thursday afternoon." - from "The Fort Wayne News and Sentinel" of 30 October 1918

In the 1920 census of Spokane, Washington as Mary Hissem, 60, living with her daughter Jessie, 33, and her husband, Floyd Brower. Also living with the Brower's was Dae Hissem, a 20 year old auto mechanic.

Mary died in 1929. Both William and and his wife were buried in the South Whitley cemetary. Confusing the matter, I have, from Whitley County, Indiana Index to Guardianships, 1844-1925, William M. Hissem, case date 1921, case number 0729. What was this about?

In the DAR's "A Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution" is a citation for George Howenstine, who was born in 1761 in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Undoubtedly meant as an ancestor of William's mother, Catherine Howenstein, one of the references cited was "Public Library Fort Wayne, Ind, Record of Howenstein Family by William Hissum." I assume that was our William.

William had the following children,
(25) Adda Hissem (1879)
(25) Nellie I. Hissem (1880)
(25) Reiley Hissem (1881)
(25) Clara Hissem (1883)
(25) Jessie Hissem (1886)
(25) Clark Hissem (1890)
(25) William Dae Hissem (1899)

She was born on 11 April 1878 in South Whitley, Indiana. In the 1880 census of Cleveland township, Whitley county, Indiana as Adda Hissem, 1, the daughter of William and Mary. She married Orva A. Bollinger on 15 April 1899. She was not buried in the South Whitley cemetary.

She was born in November 1879. In the 1880 census of Cleveland township, Whitley county, Indiana as Nellie Hissem, 6/12, the daughter of William and Mary. In the 1900 census of Cleveland township as Nellie I. Hissem, 20 [November 1879]. In the 1910 census of Cleveland township as Nellie Hissem, 31, and still living at home. She died on 27 February 1913 and was buried in the South Whitley cemetary.

He was born on 1 November 1881 and died on 26 June 1882. He was buried in the South Whitley cemetary.

She was born on 24 March 1883 and died on 20 April 1898. She was buried in the South Whitley cemetary.

She was born in September 1886. In the 1900 census of Cleveland township as Jessie Hissem, 13 [September 1886]. In the 1910 census of Cleveland township as Jessie Hissem, a 23 year old saleslady in a drygoods store.

Essie Hissim married Floyd Brower. He was born on 31 July 1884 in Michigan. In the 1920 census of Spokane, Washington as Jessie Brower, 33, living with her husband, Floyd. Also living with her were her mother, Mary Hissem, 60, and her brother, Dae Hissem, a 20 year old auto mechanic.

Floyd and Jessie had a daughter, Mary, born in 1923 in Spokane, Washington.

He was born in July 1890. In the 1900 census of Cleveland township as Clark Hissem, 9 [July 1890]. In the 1910 census of Cleveland township as Clark Hissem, a 19 year old clerk in a drug store. He died on 28 July 1911 and was buried in the South Whitley cemetary.

Known as Dae. He was born on 19 April 1899. In the 1900 census of Cleveland township as Day Hissem, 1 [April 1899]. In the 1910 census of Cleveland township as Dae Hissem, 10.

He registered for the draft on 12 September 1918. At the time he was living at RFD 1, South Whitley, Whitley county, Indiana. He was a laborer working for his father, William M. Hissem, with whom he also lived. He was described as having brown eyes and black hair.

In the 1920 census of Spokane, Washington as Dae Hissem, a 20 year old auto mechanic. He was living with his older sister, Jessie, and her husband, Floyd Brower, in Spokane Washington. Also living with them was Dae's mother, Mary Hissem, 60.

Dae returned to Indiana where he married Laura May Daniels in Whitley county, Indiana on 2 September 1924. She was born on 21 July 1901.

Sometime before 1930 Dae moved back to Washington state. In the 1930 census . . .

William was issued a Social Security card in Washington state sometime before 1951. When were the first cards released? It couldn't have been before 1930. That implies that he moved back to Washington after his marriage.

William died in October 1979 in Fort Wayne, Allen county, Indiana.

"Hissem William D "Dae", 80, of 1920 E. Pettit Ave., a retired employee of International Harvester Co., Fort Wayne, died Oct. 2 in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He worked 12 years for Hendrickson Manufacturing Co. in Lyons, Ill., after retiring from Harvester after 28 years’ service. Surviving are his wife, Laura M. Daniels Hissem; a son, F. Thomas, Avilla, and two grandsons, William Dae II, Leadville, Colo. and John Thomas, Golden, Colo. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Park Ridge, Ill., Lodge F&AM, Avilla Chapter OES, and a member of the American Society of Automotive Engineers. Services Friday in Klaehn’s South Anthony Chapel."

"Hissem Laura M, 81, formerly of Fort Wayne, died Sunday at the Kendallville Nursing Home. She was born in South Whitley July 24, 1901, the daughter of Thomas and Naomi (Cummins) Daniel. She married William D. Hissem September 2, 1927. He died October 2, 1979. She was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church, OES No. 155, Avilla, Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter DAR and other civic organizations. Surviving are a son, Tom, with whom she lived the past three years in Avilla; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Services Wednesday at Brazzell Funeral Home in Avilla. Burial, South Whitley Cemetery."

Their children were,
(26) William Hissem (1930-twin), died young
(26) Frank Thomas Hissem (1930)

Known as Thomas. He was born on 18 May 1930 in Spokane, Washington.

"Hissem Frank T "Tom", 74, died April 28, 2005 at Parkview Noble Hospital. He was born May 18, 1930 in Spokane, Wash., the son of William Dae and Laura M. (Daniel) Hissem. He married Jeanne L. Padgitt on March 1, 1969 at the Calvary Methodist Church in Avilla. He was the owner and operator of Hissem's Photographic Services; a member of Calvary Methodist Church, F&AM Lodge 460, American Legion Post 240, OES, all in Avilla; Fort Wayne Scottish Rite and Mizpah Temple Shrine. He graduated from Maine Twp High School in Park Ridge, Il., and from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree of Science. Surviving are his wife; 2 sons, William (Debbie) of Neenah, Wis., and John (Becky) of Castle Rock, Col.; 6 grandchildren, Matthew, Rebecca, Paul, David, Jessica and Anna Hissem; and brother-in-law, Everitt Padgitt of Avilla. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Estella; son, Christopher, and twin brother, William. Services May 2 at Calvary Methodist Church. Burial, Avilla Cemetery."

He was buried in the South Whitley cemetary, R-35-6, with no date of death. Along side him was his wife, Evelyn J. [Heline?], at R-35-6-3. She was born in 1933 and died in 1968 at the same time as their son, Chrisopher T., who was buried between them, at R-35-6-2.

"According to his wife Jeanne, "Tom went through a lot of tragedy in his life, losing two wives and a set of twins." - from the Mechling Family website

His children were,
(27) Christopher T. Hissem, who died before 28 April 2005
(27) John Thomas Hissem (c1960)
(27) Estella Jean "Jeannie" Hissem (1968)
(27) William Dae Hissem II (1953)

Of Golden, Castle Rock, & Highland Ranch, Colorado. Of the Foothills Flying club. He married Rebecca S. I think Rebecca is the Mrs. Hissem who teaches 7th grade Math and Science at the Newton Middle School in Centennial, Colorado. From the school's website:

Years Teaching: This is my 10th year teaching.
Years at Newton: This is my 9th year at Newton.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering and entered the teaching profession through the Alternative Licensing program here in Littleton in 2001.

Spending time with my family and pets is my favorite activity. We love to fly, hike, bike and camp together. We also love to eat together (without the pets), especially if it involves Mexican food. I enjoy horseback riding and instruct a group of teenage girls in horsemanship and drill maneuvers. I love to ride myself as well, particularly if I have friends and family to ride with. On cold days, I like to read, play board games or get out and play fetch with my dogs.

"John and Rebecca Hissem, have identical twin daughters, Anna and Jessica, who ride with the Westernaires. Dad John has never forgotten the many youthful summers spent on the farm of his grandparents, Oscar and Polly Heline, the farm on which his mother, Nancy Hier now lives. Therein, lies the connection. It is going to take a lot of “Westernaire-style” volunteering on the part of the Fair Board and many others to bring this breath-taking treat to Cherokee County. But John’s fond memories will be paying off for all of us, come August 7-10.

15 Jun 1976. "Hissem Estella Jean was born August 26, 1968 in Fort Wayne [Indiana] to Tom and Jeanne Hissem. She died June 15 in a one-car accident near Montrose, Colo. while vacationing with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs Dae Hissem from Fort Wayne. Also surviving are her parents, and maternal grandmothers, Mrs. Louis Nyffeler, Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Jessie Padgitt, Avilla. Services Saturday in Calvary United Methodist Church. Burial, South Whitley Cemetery."

Of Neenah, Wisconsin & Leadville, Colorado. William Dae Hissem was born on 5 September 1953 in Riverside county, California. His mother's maiden name was Heline. He married Deborah Ann Bousman. He was living in Texas in 1984.

This could be the William D. Hissem Sr. of Sandvik Mining & Construction. He is an Applications Engineer in the quarry drilling field. Product manager for Tamrock top-hammer crawler and DrillTech down-the-hole hammer and rotary drill lines of Sandvik Mining and Construction.

Of Denton and Decatur, Texas. He may be William's son. He went to Decatur High School. He studied jazz at the University of North Texas. A drummer in a band called Carb, then later in one called Advent, then Submersed. A graphic/web designer.

There is another Josh Hissem in Moorestown New Jersey, noted to be from a military family.

She was born on 27 April 1984 in Texas, the daughter of Deborah Ann Bousman and William Dae Hissem.

He was born in 1856 in Ohio. He died in 1862 at the age of 6 and was buried in the McKay cemetary.

Twins born in 1861 in Ohio. They died in 1862 at the age of 1 year, 1 month, 24 days, and were buried in the McKay cemetary. Some contagious disease must have been present to carry off these three children in the same year.

The daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Hownestine) Hissem. She was born on 31 August 1864 in South Whitley, Indiana. She married David McEntarffer, a telephone lineman, on 23 March August 1883. He was born in Huntingdon county, Indiana on 12 December 1860. They lived in Bippus, Indiana. David died in 1923. Sarah died on 17 June 1947 in Luther, Huntingdon county, Indiana. - from the :Scholl, Sholl, Shull Genealogy" by John William Scholl.

He was born in Indiana in November 1867. In the 1870 census of Cleveland township, Whitley county, Indiana as Eddie E. Hissem, 2, born in Indiana. In the 1880 census of Cleveland, Whitely county, Indiana as Eddie Hissem, 13.

In the 1900 census of South Whitley as Edward Hissem, a 32 year old postmaster. Living with him were his wife, Nina, 25 [June 1874], and daughter, Ruth, 1 [January 1899].

Edward moved to Ohio and sometime after 1908 his wife, Nina, died. In the 1910 census of Canton township, Stark county, Ohio as Edward E. Hissem, a 42 year old retail grocery merchant, and a widower. Living with him were his daugthers, Ruth, 12, and Jeanette, 2.

In the Canton Directory of 1913 as Edward E. Hissem of the Hissem & Bierly grocers. The Directory of 1914, page 437. lists,

Hissem & Bierly (EE Hissem, J Bierly jr), grocers, 415 13th N W
Hissem Edward E (Hissem & Bierly), res 1337 Woodland ave N W Gregory C. Henley "purchased an interest in Hissem-Byers & Company, implement dealers, and after purchasing the interest of Mr. Hissem the firm continued by Byers & Henley until 1908. - from the "History of North Central Ohio."

In the 1920 census of Canton are both Edward and John Bierly, a grocer of Canton. Like Edward, he had been born in 1867 and he also lived on Woodland road at 1319. Edward E. Hissem [Hissen in Ancestry.com] was a 51 year old grocer, still living at 1337 woodland Avenue. Living with him were his daughters, Ruth, 21, and Jeanette H., 12.

In the 1930 census John Bierly still lives closeby on Woodland. However, instead of running a grocery store, he was a clerk in a dry goods store. Edward Hissem too had a change in prospects. He was a 62 year old clerk at a grocery store, but he still owned his $10,000 home at the old Woodland avenue address. Living with him were his daughters, Ruth, a 31 year old saleslady at a U. Depot [?], and Jeanette, a 22 year old school teacher.

Edward's children were,
(25) Ruth Hissem (1899)
(25) Jeanette H. Hissem (1908)

She was born in Indiana.

She was born in Ohio.

Known as Louis/Lewis. He was born in Indiana on 4 August 1871. In the 1880 census of Cleveland, Whitley county, Indiana as Llewellyn Hissem, 8.

He settled in Ossian, which is near South Whitley. He married Icel Pearl Oberholtzer on 12 November 1898. Pearl was born on 16 February 1879 in Indiana.

In the 1900 census . . .

In the 1910 census of Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Louis B. Hissem, 37. His occupations reads as "[miller? garbled], well." Could this have something to do with oil wells? Living with him were his wife, Pearl, 30, and children, Garald R., 3, and Charles F., 2. Louis and Pearl had been married for 12 years. Pearl had 3 children, 2 of whom were still living.

A Fort Wayne newspaper article of 1913 noted that "Mrs. Lewis B. Hissem and children went to Pierceton for a visit with her sister, Mrs. Wade Howenstine. On Sunday Mrs. Hissem went to South Whitley to spend a week with her mother, Mrs. Sarah Overholtzer." They lived on Lefever street.

He was mentioned, as Lewis, in the obituary of his brother, William Marcus, in 1918.

In the 1920 census of Ossian Town, Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Louis Hissem [Hissom in Ancestry.com], a 48 year old life insurance salesman. Living with him were his wife, Pearl, 41, and children, Rufus G., a 19 year old general gitney [?, as in driving a car for hire?], Charles, 11, Jessie, 8, and William E., 6/12.

Louis died in a train accident on 25 April 1925, as did his son, Jesse, below, at the age of 53 years, 8 months, and 12 days. He was buried at the Oak Lawn cemetary in Ossian. The following is from an email by Thomas Gerald Hissem's daughter, Pamela Hissem James, about the train wreck in which Llewellyn and Jesse died.

"Supposedly, in was night and I guess Louis and Jesse were in the back seat of the car. Somebody else was driving, but it seems like I was told that there were three people in the front seat. There was a brood of those Hissem boys. Anyway, the car stalled on the track as a train was very, very near. They probably shouldn't even have been crossing the track. Maybe they didn't hear the train. Anyway, for some reason, everybody got out of the car except Louis and Jesse. I don't know if one of them was asleep and the other was waking him, or of somebody was unable to move for some reason. But those two died in the wreck."

In the 1930 census of Ossian, Wells county, Indiana as Pearl A. Hissem, a 51 year old widow with no occupation. Her children were Charles F., 22, a truck driver attending a prep school [!], and William E., 10. They were living on Sefner [?, or could this be Lefever?] street. Pearl owned her own home, probably a legacy of her husband's, which was valued at $1,600. They also had a radio.

Pearl died on 11 June 1965 at the age of 86. She was buried next to Llewellyn at the Oak Lawn cemetary in Ossian. Their children were,
(25) Rufus Gerald Hissem (1901)
(25) Margaret Hissem (1906)
(25) Charles F. Hissem (1908)
(25) Crystal Hissem (1910)
(25) Jesse E. Hissem (1911)
(25) William E. Hissem (1919)

In the 1910 census of Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Garald R. [Rufus?] Hissem [Hassem in Ancestry.com], 9. In the 1920 census of Ossian Town, Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Rufus G. Hissem, a 19 year old "gitney." He was living at home.

The Gitney Definition: American English slang, 1903. Variation: Jitney, 1914. (1) A small motor vehicle, such as a bus or van, that transports passengers on a route for a small fare. (2) Archaic term for a nickel. The first definition may arise from the buses' fare, which was a nickel, or a gitney. This slang term for a coin may come from the French jeton, "coin-sized metal disk, slug, counter," from the Old French jeter "to calculate," literally "to throw." The jitney industry took off in 1914 but soon drew the ire of streetcar operators, who successfully lobbied the government to regulate their lower-priced competitors out of business by the mid-1920s.

The following seems to fit here. In the case of Hissem vs. Guran (112 Ohio St. 59, 146 NE 808, 1925), a carrier, the owner of a motor vehicle, was serving all the members of a milk producer's association on a certain route and was held a private carrier. The issue was to distinguish common from private carriers for regulatory purposes. "It is fundamental in the law of common carriage that no carrier is "common" who does not offer his services indiscrimately to the public at large, up to the limit of his capacity." One Guran had a contract with a milk producers' association whereby he and a partner were employed for hire to collect and transport milt and cream of the members of the said association, and no one else, to the . . . " Apparently Hissem objected, hence Hissem v. Guran.

I have a Rufus Hissem who married Carrie Mae Hamilton, probably in about 1925. Their son was Thomas Gerald Hissem. They moved to Ohio.

In the 1930 census . . .

He was born on 9 May 1926 in Ossian, Wells county, Indiana, "on the banks of the Wasbash river." He was premature and weighed only about two pounds. The family moved to Ohio and Thomas grew up with baseball star Joe Nuxhall.

Tom married Rosa Jane Jackson on 18 May 1956 in Hamilton, Ohio. She was born on 25 March 1928 in Benham, Harlan county, Kentucky. Hamilton is located in the center of today's Cincinnati/Dayton metroplex.

He was a city fireman in Hamilton until his death. They had one child, Pamela. Thomas died on 23 September 1967 in Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio and was buried in the Greenwood cemetary. He was only 41 years old. "Ohio Deaths, 1958-2000" shows his last name as Hissom. Rosa died on 28 October 1997 in Hamilton and was buried next to her husband. The forgoing was by Pamela Hissem James.

I also have a Tom Hissem who may be this man, "To the North Tom Hissem, Motorman at Brighton, is spending a month at the northern tip of Michigan, . . ." - from "The News" of the Cincinnati Transit Company. Motorman, of course, sounds more like a trolley operator than a fireman.

She married a James.

Maragaret Hissem was born on 15 December 1906 and died 15 days later on 30 December. She was buried in the Hoverstock cemetary of Ossian - from Wells county Cemetary Index.

He was born in Ossian, Indiana on 2 February 1908. In the 1910 census of Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Charles F. Hissem [Hassem in Ancestry.com], 2. In the 1920 census of Ossian Town, Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Charles Hissem, 11. In the 1930 census of Ossian he was a 22 year old truck driver attending a prep school, living at home with his widowed mother.

Charles married Hildreth L. McClain at Ossian on 28 February 1934. By this time he had entered the understaking business in Ossian. She was born on 3 June 1910. They had no children - from "A history of the Nickey family in America 1700 A.D. - 1940 A.D." Hildreth died on 13 February 1994. Charles died on 17 December 2000, at the age of 92. His last residence was Cookeville, Putnam county, Tennessee. He was buried at the Oak Lawn cemetary next to Hildreth. His obituary:

"Former Ossian State Bank president and former president of the Ossian Town Board, died Sunday at Caylor-Nickel Medical Center in Bluffton. Mr. Hissem was formerly owner of the Ossian Tin Shop. He served as president of the Ossian State Bank from 1972 to 1980 and as president of the Town Board for eight years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Ossian, 50-year member of the Ossian K of P Lodge, Ossian Masonic Lodge 297 and charter and 50-year member of the Ossian Lions Club and the Fort Wayne Valley of the Scottish Rite. Mr. Hissem was an avid golfer, fisherman and bowler. Buried at the Oak Lawn cemetary within the Ossian city limits in Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana."

She was born in 1910 and died in 1930 and was buried at the Oak Lawn cemetary. A note, "(Stewart)," from the Wells county Cemetary Index may indicate that she was briefly married.

He was born in 1911. In the 1920 census of Ossian Town, Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as Jessie Hissem, 8. He died in a train accident on 25 April 1925 at the age of 13. The accident involved his father as well. He was buried at the Oak Lawn cemetary, though the cemetary records imply he was born in 1912.

He was born on 20 July 1919. In the 1920 census of Ossian Town, Jefferson township, Wells county, Indiana as William E. Hissem, 6/12. In the 1930 census as a 10 year old boy, living at home with his widowed mother.

William married Joyce L., who was born in 1928. "According to the obituary of Charles F. Hissem, William's older brother, there is a brother of Charles whose son is David Hissem of Ossian" - unfortunately I can no longer remember why I thought this was the case. William died on 24 August 1972 and was buried at the Oak Lawn cemetary, like his brother, Charles F. Joyce died at an unknown date and was buried next to William. There is a note, "AmL," attached to Wiliam's cemetary records. What does that mean? American Legion perhaps?

I'm guessing that our David is the owner of D.L. Hissem, Inc., Industrial Contractors & Engineers, at 2323 East 850 N, Ossian, Indiana.

She was born on 24 August 1829 and died in 1834 at the age of 4 years.

He was born in 1778 (or 1785) in Pennsylvania, but at some early date he was living in Westmoreland county. In the 1800 census for Unity township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania there was a boy, aged 15 to 25 years old, living in the household of Thomas Hissem. This was probably Thomas Jr., then about 22 years old.

In the 1810 census of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county as Thomas Hyssan [Hyland in Ancestry.com] Jr. The spelling is hard to read and an alternate reading might be Hysian or Hysisn. In the household were one boy under 10, John, and one 10-15, ?, however the next sections, which would cover men from 16 to 44 is obscured. Thomas would have been about 32. Of women, One is 10-15, one is 16 to 25. The rest is obscured.

Thomas left Pennsylvania in about 1815, moving down the Ohio river to Tyler county, in what is now West Virginina.

In 1820 he was living in Tyler county, West Virginia having followed his father southwest, down the Ohio river. In the 1820 census of Tyler county, Virginia as Thomas Hissem Jr. He was listed just below his father, Thomas. In the household were one man between 26 and 45 years old, Thomas, who would have been 42, a girl under 10, and a woman 16 to 26 years old.

In the Tyler county Personal Property Tax List of 1825 were listed,

Hissam? Thomas (the 2nd)
Hissam John
Hewit Daniel
Hughes Jackson
Hanes Nathan
Hains Robert (Exempt)
Hissam David
Hissam Jesse
Hissam Levi
Howel Daniel
Hains William
Hains Benjamin
Hanes John
Hissam Thomas (the 3rd)

This list is only somewhat alphabetical. While they all start with "H," I believe the groupings connote households. That is, of tax-paying adults living in the same residence. This makes sense, and supports my ideas about relationships, in the case of David, Jesse, and Levi - a father and his two adult (unmarried?) sons - and for Thomas (the 3rd) if we assume he was "Thomas of David," an adult son living in his own home, and probably married. See also the two groupings of Hains in the same light.

However, what of Thomas (the 2nd) and John? I've treated John as the son of "Thomas of Thomas," David's nephew, but John would have to have been born no later than 1804, 8 years before his next known sibling, to have been considered an adult in 1825. Could this instead have been David's eldest brother, John? We don't have any records of John after the 1820 census. Might he have followed David and Thomas to Virginia after that time? If so, then unlike Thomas (the 1st), John was still considered to be an adult in the full sense of the word.

In the 1830 census of Tyler county we have a Thomas Hisam of Thomas. Interestingly, David Heysham's son Thomas was known in his own will as Thomas of David. I am assuming here that Thomas of Thomas was therefore the son of Thomas Hissom (1750). In his household were one boy under 5, Thomas J., who would have been 1 [Joab was probably an 1830 birth], 1 aged 5-10, William, who would have been 6, 2 who are 10-15 years old, John and Abner, who would have been 8 and 12, 1 15-20, Elijah, who would have been 16, and a man aged 40-50 years old, Thomas, one girl under 5, 2 that were 10-15, 2 that were 15-20, Sarah and Eliza, and a woman aged 40 to 50 years old, Isabell. By the way, there was also a David, Thomas Senr. and Thomas Hisam Jr. in the census.

In 1836 a Thomas Hissam was listed as selling 416 acres of land near Middle Island Creek to John Craig Jr.

The 1840 census of Tyler county shows a Thomas Hissam Senr. This title makes sense if we assume his father, Thomas, had died by this time and, in fact, the old man had been 80 to 90 years at the time of the 1830 census, so I think we can safely assume that. In the household are one boy under 5, 2 boys 5 to 10, 3 boys 10 to 15, 1 boy 15 to 20, a man 20 to 30 years old and another 50 to 60 years old. Thomas would have been 62 years old. Women included one girl under 5, one who was 5 to 10, and a woman 40 to 50.

In 1841 Thomas made a deposition in support of the pension request of his aunt, Elizabeth Heysham. In this he claimed to be 58 years old, or born circa 1783. The deposition was taken at Middlebourne, [West] Virginia.

Thomas' first wife appears to have been an Isabell White who was born on the ocean during her transit from Ireland. She died after the 1840 census.

Thomas Hissam's second wife was Rachel. She was born in about 1797 in Pennsylvania. In the 1850 census of Tyler county, West Virginia as Thomas Hissam, a 65 year old farmer, born in Pennsylvania. He had property worth $3000. Living with him were his wife, Rachel, 53, his sons, Levi, 17, and Samuel, 11, and daughters Isabella, 15, Eveline, 13, and Frances, 4, all born in Virginia, or what is now West Virginia.

Thomas died on 22 October 1854 in Tyler county, West Virginia. A headstone in the Little Cemetery in Tyler county lists a Thomas Hisam who died on 22 October 1854 at the age of 76. He was a farmer, but also knew the trade of shoemaking. In the census of 1860 for Tyler county was Rachel, a widow, 62 years old with real property valued at 3000 dollars and other property worth 275 dollars. Living with her were her children, Isabel, 26, Eveline, 24, Samuel, 22, and a Frances V. Huffman [female], 11.

The 1870 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Rachel Hissem, a 72 year old woman, born in Pennsylvania. She had a confusing assortment of people living with her. There was Jesse, 32, born in Ohio, Eveline, 28, Samuel, 26, Hannah, 23, and Okey, 2. Eveline and Samuel's ages are off, being five years too young. Hannah is Samuel's wife and Okey his son, see below. I'll guess that Jesse was a nephew or grandson who came to help out Rachel. Thomas Hissem's will does prominently mention a grandson, Jesse, that I have not otherwise found.

Thomas and Isabell had the following children,
(23) Sarah M. Hissam (c1812)
(23) Elijah Hissam (1814)
(23) Eliza Jane Hissam (1816)
(23) Abner Hissam (1818)
(23) John Heysham (1822)
(23) William Hissam (1824)
(23) Thomas J. Hissam (1829)
(23) Joab Hissem (1829)

Thomas and Rachel had the following children.
(23) Levi Hissam (1833)
(23) Isabella Hissam (1835)
(23) Eveline Hissam (1837)
(23) Samuel Hissam (1838)
(23) Frances Hissam (1846), actually a Huffman?

Spelled Hissum in one source. She was born in Pennsylvania and married Levi King on 7 November 1839 [or 1840] in Morgan, Ohio. Levi was born in 1816 in Washington county, Pennsylvania, the son of John King and Christina Yeager. Their children were born in Tyler county, West Virginia.

He was born in 1814 in Tyler county [or possibley in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania before his father moved south]. He married Elizabeth, who was born in 1814 in Virginia. Her name appears later as Dorcus. Perhaps that was a preferred middle name or nickname?

In the 1840 census of Tyler county we have an Elijah Heysham. He's on the same page of the census as Thomas Heysham Jr. In his household are two men aged 20 to 30 years old. Elijah would have been 26 years old. The other man may be Abner, Elijah's younger brother. He would have been 22 years old at the time. There was also a girl, 5 to 10, probably Elijah's daughter and a woman 20 to 30 years old, presumably his wife.

In the 1850 census of Tyler county, Virginia as Elijah Heysham, a 36 year old farmer, born in Virginia. Living with his was his wife, Elizabeth, 36. Also living with them were a Jacob Smith, 8, and Isaac Smith, 4. Nephews perhaps?

The Ritchie county census of 1860 lists an Elijah Heiysham, a 46 year old farmer, born in Pennsylvania. Living with him was his wife, Dorcus Heysham, 46, born in Virginia. They appear to be running a boarding house for a group of 7 unrelated men and two children at the same address. These men include a railroad agent, several stave shavers [?], and one man, the eldest, designated the B [boss?] of stave [garbled]. Was Elijah hosting a crew building a railroad bed, that is the staves being the the railroad ties?

Record of Company 'G' of the Fourteenth Regiment West Virginia Infantry Volunteers in 1864: Elijah Hissam. Company “G” Fourteenth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Enlisted Men, Ritchie County, W.Va. Unit mustered in September 1862, mustered out June 1865: Elijah Hissam. It is possible that one, or both, of the citations above refer to (24) Elijah L. Hissam , below, who would have been 16 years old in 1865. Our Elijah would have been 46 in 1860, a little old for war as we know it, but perhaps not at that time. The ancestry.com website holds him as Elijah Hisem.

The 1870 census for the Harrisville West post office, Grant township, Ritchie county, West Virginia lists an Elijah Hisam, a 56 year old farmer. He was shown as born in Pennsylvania. His wife was Dorcas [sic], also 56. They had no children. There are eight men, all unrelated, who are living at the same address. They work on the railroad or at the stone quarry. Perhaps Elijah kept a boarding house.

At some point Elijah appears to have moved to Minnesota. He was listed in the 1880 census for Marysville township, Wright county, Minnesota as Elijah Hissem, a 66 year old farmer, born in 1814 in Virginia. His parents were listed as being born in Virginia. Living with him were his wife, Dorcus, 66, and Frances, 8, who was an adopted daughter. Frances was born in Virginia, so Elijah's move to Minnesota didn't occur until after 1872.

In the 1890 Veterans Schedule of Marysville, Wright county, Minnesota as Elijah Hissem [Elzah per Ancestry.com], Private, Company G, 14th West Virginia Infantry. Date of Enlistment: [?] Sep 1862. Date of Discharge: 3 January 1865. Length of Service: 2 years 3 months 25 days.

The adopted daugher of Elijah.

She was born in about 1816. She married William Shook on 18 May 1837. They had nine children.

He was born in 1818 in Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas Hissam and Isabell White, but other sources have 1812, 1825 or 1827. Also called Abner Heysham. At some point he moved to Tyler county, West Virginia.

In the 1830 census of Tyler county we have, in the household of Thomas Hisam of Thomas, 2 boys who were 10-15 years old. These were probably John and Abner, who would have been 8 and 12.

In the 1840 census of Tyler county we have an Elijah Heysham. In his household are two men aged 20 to 30 years old. Elijah would have been 26 years old. The other man may be Abner, Elijah's older brother. Abner would have been 28 years old at the time.

Abner Heysham married Elizabeth H. Piggot on 16 December 1841 in Tyler county. Elizabeth was born in about 1829 in Virginia.

In the 1850 census of Tyler county, West Virginia as Abner Hissam, a 38 year old [1812] farmer, born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 32, son Lemuel, 5, and Elijah, 2, and daughter, Eliza, 7. Thomas Hissam, Abner's older brother was a neighbor.

In the 1860 census of Sisterville, Tyler county, West Virginia, we have Abner Hissam, a 48 year old farmer. He had real property worth $1600 and personal property worth $194. He was born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 40, born in Virginia, and children, Eliza J., 16, Samuel T. [Lemuel, above], 14, Elijah L., 11, and David F., 6.

In the 1870 census of Middlebourne post office, Union township, Tyler county as Abner Hissem, a 58 year old farmer, born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 51, and children, Elijah, 21 and David, 17, all born in Virginia.

In the 1880 census for Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Abner Hissam, a 68 year old farmer. He and his parents were born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Elizabeth, 61, David F., 25, and David's wife, Rebecca, 19.

He died in 1882. Elizabeth died on 26 April 1901 in Shiloh, Tyler county. Their children were,
(24) Sarah Hissam (c1842)
(24) Eliza Jane Hissam (1843)
(24) Lemuel Thomas Hissam (1845)
(24) Elijah L. Hissam (1847)
(24) David Franklin Hissam (1853)

She was born in 1843. Was she named for her aunt, above? In the 1850 census of Tyler county, West Virginia as Eliza Hissam, 7. In the 1860 census of Sisterville, Tyler county, West Virginia, as Eliza J. Hissam, 16. She married Harrison Lightnor on 9 March 1862. They had two children.

He was born on 17 January 1845 in Tyler county, Virginia. In the 1850 census of Tyler county, West Virginia as Lemuel Hissam, 5. In the 1860 census of Sisterville, Tyler county, West Virginia, as Samuel T. Hissam, 14, living at home with his father, Abner.

I do have a Samuel T. Hissam who enlisted in Company D, 5th Ohio Infantry Regiment as a Private. Also listed as Samuel Hisson. In 1861 he would have been 16, just old enough to join-up. He was discharged as a Private. A Lemuel T. Hissem, of Company D, the 5th Ohio, received a pension as an invalid as late as September 1871. There is also a Samuel Hissam who joined the 10th West virginia, but I think he was another Samuel, below.

From the marriage record: Samuel T. Hissem, age 22, the son of Abner & Elizabeth, married Tabitha E. Shinn, age 18, the daughter of Levi & Sarah, on 5 December 1867 in Doddridge county, West Virginia. She was born in about 1849, or on 19 January 1852 in Doddridge county, West Virginia.

In the 1870 census of Central township, Doddridge county, West Virginia as Lemuel T. Hyssum [sic, interestingly, this was not a transcription error, the use of the 'y' was intentional.], a 25 year old common laborer. Living with him were his wife, Tabitha E., 19, and daughter, Emma M., 1. Lemuel and Tablitha were born in Virginia. Emma was born in West Virginia. They appear to be living on the property of Levi and Sarah [Bogard] Shinn, Tabitha's parents. Levi was a miller and had a house full of daughters. Lemuel probably needed help getting started and Levi needed another man around the place.

By the way, the Hyssum spelling, and that of Hyssom, was also used at least once in the John Hissom family in New Jersey, as well as once below.

Samuel died on 28 April 1874 in Upshur county, West Virginia. He was only 29 years old. In the 1880 census for Hackers Valley, Webster county, West Virginia, was [Tabitha] Ellen Hissem, a 28 year old widow. Her two children were Emma M., 11, and David F., 7. She was still living next to her parents, Levi and Sarah Shinn, but she now had her own dwelling.

There is a Samuel T. Hissam in the 1890 Schedule of Surviving Veterans for Hackers Valley, but this was a man from Company C of the 4th West Virginia Cavalary. He was associated with an Eliza J. Jeffress mid...[garbled]/

Tabitha E. died on 3 May 1920 in Webster county. Lemuel's children were,
(25) Emma Maebel Hissam (1869)
(25) David Franklin Hissam (1873)

She was born on 4 March 1867(9) in Doddridge county. In the 1870 census of Central township, Doddridge county, West Virginia as Emma M. Hyssum, 1. In the 1880 census of Hackers Valley, Webster county, West Virginina as Emma M. Hissem, 11. Her mother, Ellen, was listed as the head of the household.

Emma married George Washington Bender in 1887. He was born on 4 December [June?] 1857 in Webster county. Emma died 30 July 1927 in Webster county, West Virginia.

He was born on 27 March 1873, the son of Lemuel T. Hissem and Tabitha E. Shinn. Apparently named for his uncle, below. In the 1880 census of Hackers Valley, Webster county, West Virginina as David F. Hissem, 7. His mother, Ellen, was listed as the head of the household.

He first married Orpha Anderson, the daughter of Samuel Anderson and Dehlia L. Cowger. Second he married Rohanna [Ruhamie] Mary Anderson. She was born on 4 August 1873, the daughter of George R. Anderson and Virginia Anna Pugh.

In the 1900 census for Hacker Valley as David Hissim [garbled, B?? Hessiner in Ancestry.com], a 27 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Rohanna, 26 [August 1873], and son, Elza L., 6/12 [November 1899].

In the 1910 census for Hackers Valley as David F. Hissam, a 37 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Hannie, 36, and children, Elsie L. [a son?], 10, Bertie R., 8, Guy E., 6, Day C. [I think Dae, above, was named after this man], 3, and Vina M., 10/12.

He registered for the draft as David Frankin Hissom in Webster county, West Virginia. I have not been able to get into this document.

David married Soca G. [Anderson?] in 1918. In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as D.F. Hissam, a 46 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, S.G., 25, and sons, E.L., 20, a coal miner, B.R., 18, a laborer, G.E., 16, D.C., 13, D.E., 9, and G.E. 6. His daughter was V.M., 11.

In the 1930 census for Hackers Valley as David F. Hissam, a 55 year old farmer. Living next door was his son, Bertie. Living with him were his wife, Soca, 34, and children, Everett, a 26 year old farm laborer, Day, a 24 year old farm laborer, Vina, 20, and Delmer, 17. This implies that G.E., above, had died, but I've found a Glenn E. Hissam of the right age in Hackers Valley in 1930 living with an uncle.

Ruhanna died on 25 January 1914. David died on 26 July 1939. Their children were,
(26) Elza Lee Hissam (1899)
(26) Bertie Ray Hissam (1901)
(26) Guy Everett Hissam (1904)
(26) Day C. Hissam (1907)
(26) Vina M. Hissam (1909)
(26) Delmer Emil Hissam (1911)
(26) Glenn Elden Hissam (1914)

A son, born on 9 November 1899 in Hacker's Valley, Webster county, West Virginia. In the 1900 census for Hacker Valley as Elza L. Hissim [garbled, Hessiner in Ancestry.com], 6/12 [November 1899]. In the 1910 census for Hackers Valley as Elsie L. Hissam. In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as E.L. Hissam, 20, a coal miner.

Elza Hissam, 30, of Webster county, married Annie Light, 20, of Webster county, on 23 March 1930 in Webster county, West Virginia, E.S. Pugh presiding. She was born on 10 June 1910 at Hodam Creek, the daughter of Arthur Andrew Light and Weltha Couger.

In the 1930 census of Addison township, Webster county, West Virginia as Elza Hissam [Elya in Ancestry.com], a 30 year old laborer in the mine. Living with him was his wife, Arnie, 20.

Elza died on 21 January 1971 in Kanawha Head, Upshur county, West Virginia. Arnie apprently lived the last years of her life in the home of her son, Gary W. Hissem. Arnie, "a resident of Twinsburg, Ohio, died on 4 June 2007, at her home." Her obituary:

Arnie Light Hissam, 96, a resident of Twinsburg, Ohio, died Monday, June 4, 2007, at her home.

She was born June 10, 1910, at Hodam Creek, the daughter of the late Arthur Andrew Light and Weltha Harper Cowger Light.

On March 23, 1930, she was married to Elza L. Hissam, who preceded her in death Jan. 21, 1971.

Surviving are five sons, Okey and wife, Anna Lee Hissam, of Kanawha Head, Roy and wife, Ruth Hissam, of Rock Cave, Darrel and wife, Pat Hissam, of Buckhannon, Dannie and wife, Louise Hissam, of West Milford and Gary and wife, Adrienne Hissam, of Kanawha Head; four daughters, Leona Underwood of French Creek, Garnieta ?Gay? and husband, Frank Baxa, of Buckhannon, Janice and husband, Bahram Nahidian, of Chantilly, Va., and Shirley and husband, Amal Zickefoose, of Buckhannon; 30 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Arnett, Melvin and Raymond Light; a half brother, Escar Cowger, a half sister, Percie Hawks; a grandson, Michael Hissam; and a son-in-law, Arnold Underwood.

She was a homemaker and a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a Methodist by faith and enjoyed cooking, gardening, quilting and embroidery.

Of Kanawha Head, French Creek, Upshur county, West Virginia. He was born on 6 February 1935. He married Anna Lee West. His children were,
(28) Michael Ray Hissam (1967), born 3 July 1967
(28) Jeffrey Todd Hissam (1969), born 2 March 1969

Of Rock Cave, Upshur county, West Virginia. He was born on 28 December 1937. He married Ruth Phipps on 6 April 1958. Her name was apparently Elva R[uth], and was also born in 1937. In 2007 the following were living in the household: Robert P. Hissam (1959), Timothy W. Hissam (1964), Jean F. Hissem (1964), and Todd Hissam. His children were, probably,
(28) Connie Lou Hissam (1957), born 15 September 1957
(28) Robert Paul Hissam (1959), born 29 November 1959, of French Creek
(28) Timothy Wayne Hissam (1964), born 11 June 1964, Jean was probably his wife and Todd his son
(28) Brian Keith Hissam (1973), born 18 February 1973

Of Buckhannon, Upshur county, West Virginia. He was born on 29 October 1940. He married Patricia L. Jarrett on 26 July 1962. Their children were,
(28) Brenda Kay Hissam (1963), born 12 December 1963
(28) Karen Lynn Hissam (1966), born 8 July 1966
(28) Terry Allen Hissam (1970), born 28 April 1970

Of West Milford. He was born on 12 March 1943. He married Louise Channell on 5 March 1966. Their children were,
(28) Cheryl Lynne Hissam (1966), born 27 August 1966
(28) Lisa Ann Hissam (1969), born 10 February 1969

Of Kanawha Head, Upshur county, West Virginia. He was born in July 1951. He married Adrienne.

He was born on 8 December 1901. In the 1910 census for Hackers Valley as Bertie R. Hissam. In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as B.R. Hissam, 18, a laborer.

He married Dollie [Dolly] Jane Wood in 1926. She was born in 1904 and died in 1987. In the 1930 census for Hackers Valley as Bertie, a 28 year old laborer in a "grading railroad." He was living next door to his father, David F. Living with him were his wife, Dollie J., 26, and a son, Arden, 2 4/12.

He died in 1990.

Of Buckhannon, West Virginia. He married Caryl Jean Allman. Her brother, Charles W. Allman of Kettering, Ohio, died on 20 March 2008. His obituary mentioned his sister, Caryl Jean Hissem, who preceded him in death, and a surviving brother-in-law, Arden Hissam. - from "The Elkins Intermountain" of 24 March 2008. Arden Hissam sold a property at 4077 217th street, in Fairview Park, Ohio. This is near Cleveland.

Of Buckhannon. Power company district manager. There is also an Eddie.

Darin Hissam went to Buckhannon High School from 1996-2000. His wife is the former Lorelie Shahan.

"Residents throughout the city of Buckhannon are familiar with seeing the officers of the Buckhannon Police Department patrolling the roadways. One of those officers is a woman who has a great passion for her job of protecting the city and those who call it home.

Loralie Hissam, who has been with the Buckhannon Police Department since August 2008, patrols the streets during the night with her partner K-9 Officer Tess by her side. K-9 Officer Tess by her side.

Hissam grew up in Preston County in the town of Reedsville and graduated from Preston High School in 2000. Following high school she attended West Virginia University for one year and then Austin Peay University at Clarksville, Tenn.

Her first job was at the Preston County Jail where she served as a correctional officer. When the jail closed, she went to work at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

In June 2006, she was hired by the West Virginia University Police Department. As part of her training there, she went to the West Virginia State Police Academy and graduated in December 2007. Hissam was with the WVU Police Department until August 2008 when she came to Buckhannon.

"Police work is exciting," Hissam said. "There is something different that happens each day."

In January, the Buckhannon Police Department acquired its K-9 officer and the dog became certified in February, Hissam said. Tess is a duel purpose dog, Hissam said, in that she is a narcotic, apprehension and tracking dog.

"I have always wanted to be a K-9 handler," Hissam said. "I have always loved animals and this is a dream come true."

In July, Hissam's husband, Darin, was also hired as an officer with the Buckhannon Police Department.

"We really work good together," she said. "It's great to go home and have someone to talk to, who understands what you are doing."

In the 1910 census for Hackers Valley as Guy E. Hissam, 6. In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as G.E. Hissam, 16. In the 1930 census for Hackers Valley as Everett Hissam, a 26 year old farm laborer. Guy Everett Hissam, 26, of Webster county, married Nergie May Cowger, 17, of Webster county, on 4 July 1930, B. Leggett presiding.

His name is also rendered as Doy [sic] Kenneth Hissam. In the 1910 census for Hackers Valley as Day C. Hissam, 3. In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as D.C. Hissam, 13. In the 1930 census for Hackers Valley as Day Hissam, a 24 year old farm laborer, working for his father. He married Hattie Parsons and had a large family. His children were,
(27) Robert Dale Hissam (c1935)
(27) Margie Mae Hissam (1940), who died in 1944
(27) Roger Wayne Hissam (1949), who died in 1961

He married Virginia Mae Coffman. Their children were,
(28) David Lee Hissam (1964)
(28) Richard Hissam (c1964)
(28) Loretta Jean Hissam (c1964)

He married Shawn M. Mongan. He died on 21 June 21 1998. His obituary:

Martinsburg, West Virginia - David Lee Hissam, 34, of Martinsburg died June 21, 1998, in Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Va. He was a construction worker and an Army veteran. He was a graduate of the New Castle School of Trade, with a degree in mechanics. Surviving: wife, Shawn M. Mongan Hissam; daughter, Samantha Nichole Hissam, at home; parents, Robert Dale and Virginia Mae Coffman Hissam of Monaca, Pa.; sister, Loretta Jean Sayre of Pennsylvania; brother, Richard Hissam of Pennsylvania; maternal grandmother, Olive Coffman of Little Birch; paternal grandparents, Doy and Hattie Hissam. Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Greene-Robertson Funeral Home, Sutton. Burial will be in Coffman Family Cemetery, near Little Birch. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Of Pennsylvania.

She married a Sayre.

She was born on 27 May 1909. In the 1910 census for Hackers Valley as Vina M. Hissam, 10/12. In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as V.M. Hissam, 11. In the 1930 census for Hackers Valley as Vina Hissam, 20, living at home with her parents.

She married James Thomas Gibson. He was born on 13 February 1912 in Braxton, West Virginia. He died on 13 April 1997 in Ohio. Vina died on 6 January 2001 in Guernsey, Ohio.

In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as D.E. Hissam, 9. In the 1930 census for Hackers Valley as Delmer Hissam, 17, living at home. He married Nergie Mae Cowger.

In the 1920 census for Hackers Valley as G.E. Hissam, 6. In the 1930 census of Hacker Valley as Glenn E. Hissam, 16. He was living with his Uncle, Ford "Jasper" Anderson, and his wife, Mary E. Glen maried Helen Mae Cowger, presumably the sister of Nergie Mae, his brother's wife, above.

He was born on 25 December 1849 [1847 per his tombstone]. In the 1850 census of Tyler county, West Virginia as Elijah Hissam, 2. In the 1860 census of Sisterville, Tyler county, West Virginia, as Elijah L. Hissam, 11. In the 1870 census of Middlebourne post office, Union township, Tyler county as Elijah Hissem, 21.

He married Virginia Belle Keller on 28 November 1875. She was born in March 1853 and died in 1941. In the 1880 census of Ellsworth, Tyler County, West Virginia as Elijah Hissem, a 33 year old farmer. His father was born in Pennsylvania. Living with him were his wife, Virginia B., 28, and children, Pearl N. [a son], 3, Rosa M., 2, and Quintilla A., 11/12.

Elihjah died on 30 March [May per his tombstone] 1892 of Bright’s disease and was buried in the Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county. His tombstone is marked, "h/o V.B. 44y 3m 5d."

In the 1900 census for Ellsworth township, Tyler county, West Virginia was Virginia B. Hissam, a 47 year old widow. Living with her were her children, John O., 18, Quintilla A., 20, Truman T., 16 and Josie A., 4 [May 1896].

In the 1910 census of Ellsworth as V.B. Hissam, a 57 year old widow. Interestingly, she was a farmer. It indicated that she had 5 children, 4 of whom were living. I show it to be 6 and 5. Living with her were her children, John, a 28 year old farm laborer, Josieh, 13, and a grand-daughter, Goldie, 8. Whose grand-daughter I wonder? A Goldie A. Hissam is in the 1930 census as the step-daughter of Luther Hoopins [?] and Susanna.

I don't yet see Virginia in the 1920 census. She was probably living with one of her children.

In the 1930 census of Union township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Virginia B. Hissam, a 77 year old widow. She was living with her brother, William M. Keller.

Virginia was also buried in the Archers Chapel cemetary. Their children were,
(25) Pearl N. Hissam (1876)
(25) Rosa M. Hissam (1878)
(25) G. A. Hissam (1879)
(25) Quintilla Amour Hissam (1879)
(25) John Oliver Hissam (1881)
(25) Thruman Theodore Hissam (1883)
(25) Josie A. Hissam (1896)

Also known as Perly. He was born on 18 October [November] 1876. In the 1880 census of Ellsworth, Tyler County, West Virginia as Pearl N. Hissem, 3.

Perley N. Hissam married Eliza A. Starkey on 20 May 1899 in Tyler county. She was born in 1878. In the 1900 census of Ellsworth as Perley Hissam [Berley in Ancestry.com], a 23 year old farmer. Living with him was his wife, Eliza A., 21 [November 1878]. Perley's mother, Virginia, lived next door.

In the 1910 census of Ellsworth as Perl N. Hissam [Pert in Ancestry.com], a 33 year old farmer. Again, he was living close by his mother, Virginia. Living with him were his wife, Eliza, 30, and his son, Louis B., 8.

Perley Nathan Hissam, of RD1 Middlebourne, Tyler county, West Virginia, registered for the draft on 12 September 1918. He was a 41 year old farmer. His nearest relative was his wife, Elizabeth A. He was of medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair.

In the 1920 census of Ellsworth as Pearley N. Hissom, a 43 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Eliza A., 42, and children, Louis B., 18, Pauline L., 8, Dorothy O., 6, Maxine S., 4 6/12, and Pearl R. [a daughter], 1 1/12. Note that his mother, Virginia, is not living close by.

In the 1930 census of Ellsworth as N. Pearley Hissam, a 53 year old farm laborer, but he also owned his home. Living with him were his wife, Eliza A., 51, and children, Dorothy, 16, Maxine, 14, and Regina, 11. Note that just above Pearley in the census is the home of R. Clem and Josie Cline. He has a step-son, C. Leigh Hissam, 14. Might Josie be Pearley youngest sister and Laral the son of her first marriage?

Note: Also in the 1930 census from Drumwright, Creek county, Oklahoma was a Perly Hissam, a 43 year old oil field driller. Living with him was his wife, Iva, 34, to whom he had been married for 20 years. Also living with them were their children, Frederick, a 19 welder in welding school, born in West Virginia, and Carl, 17, born in Oklahoma. However, this man's father was born in the Irish Free State. This is not our Pearly.

Pearley N. Hissam died in 1936 and was buried in Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county, nearby his parents, Elijah and Virginia. His tombstone shows "1877-1936." Eliza A. Hissam died in 1941 and was also buried in Archers cemetary.

His children were,
(26) Louis B. Hissam (1901)
(26) Pauline L. Hissam (1912)
(26) Dorothy O. Hissam (1913)
(26) Maxine S. Hissam (1915)
(26) Pearl Regina Hissam (1919)

He was born on 4 December 1901. In the 1910 census of Ellsworth as Louis B. Hissam, 8. In the 1920 census of Ellsworth as Louis B. Hissom, 18.

Louis married Jackline in 1925. In the 1930 census of Wheeling, Ohio county, West Virginia as Louis Hissam, a 27 year old ball cleaner [?] at a Steel Mill. Living with him were his wife, Jackline [Josephine in Ancestry.com], 22, and children, Eloise, 4 6/12, Eileen, 2 5/12, Robert, 1 2/12, and Glenn, 2/12.

Louis died in March 1987 in Wheeling, West Virginia. His children were,
(27) Eloise Hissam (1925)
(27) Eileen Hissam (1927)
(27) Robert Hissam (1928)
(27) Glenn E. Hissam (1930)

In the 1930 census of Wheeling, Ohio county, West Virginia as Eloise Hissam, 4 6/12.

In the 1930 census of Wheeling, Ohio county, West Virginia as Eileen Hissam, 2 5/12.

He was born on 9 March 1928. In the 1930 census of Wheeling, Ohio county, West Virginia as Robert Hissam, 1 2/12.

He was born on 18 January 1930. In the 1930 census of Wheeling, Ohio county, West Virginia as Glenn Hissam, 2/12. He died on 23 October 1999 in Wheeling.

In the 1920 census of Ellsworth as Pauline L. Hissom, 8. I don't see her in the 1930 census, she may have died.

She was born on 24 November 1913. In the 1920 census of Ellsworth as Dorothy O. Hissom, 6. In the 1930 census of Ellsworth as Dorothy Hissam, 16. She died in December 1984 in Chester, Hancock county, West Virginia.

In the 1920 census of Ellsworth as Maxine S. Hissom, 4 6/12. In the 1930 census of Ellsworth as Maxine Hissam, 14.

In the 1920 census of Ellsworth as Pearl R. Hissom [a daughter], 1 1/12. In the 1930 census of Ellsworth as Regina Hissam, 11.

Also known as Resa. She was born on 23 January 1878. In the 1880 census of Ellsworth, Tyler County, West Virginia as Rosa M. Hissem, 2. A Rosa Hissam married Jack Bond on 3 July 1897 in Tyler county, West Virginia.

A possible twin of Quintilla, below.

She was born on 9 July 1879. In the 1880 census of Ellsworth township, Tyler County, West Virginia as Quintilla A. Hissem, 11/12. In the 1900 census for Ellsworth township as Quintilla A. Hissam, 20. There is a Quintilla A. Evans, 1879-1951, in the Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county. She married James Edwards Evans in about 1902.

He was as born on 21 January 1881 [per the 1900 census, draft card says 1882 as does his tombstone]. In the 1900 census for Ellsworth township, Tyler county, West Virginia was John O. Hissam, 18. In the 1910 census of Ellsworth as John Hissam, a 28 year old farm laborer, living with his widowed mother.

He may have first married Iva Jane Haught, the daugther of Anthony Asher Haught and Wilida Mae Mayfield, and the sister of Effie, Thruman's wife, below. She was born in 1883, the daugther of Anthony Asher Haught and Wilida Mae Mayfield. Their daughter, Lura, was born in 1904 and died in 1905.

He married Lucinda B. Starkey. She was born in 1884, per her tombstone. This may be wrong - I also show that (24) Sanford Gee Hissam (1874), the son of Francis on the David Heysham page, married Lucinda. However, it looks like John was her real husband.

John Oliver Hissam, of #2 Sistersville, Tyler county, West Virginia, registered for the draft on 12 September 1918, at the age of 36. He was a farmer. His wife was Lucinda. He was described as of medium height and builde with light blue eyes and light brown hair.

In the 1920 census of Lincoln township, Tyler county, West Virginia as John o. Hissam ['C' in Ancestry.com], a 37 year old farmer. Living with him was his wife, Lucinda, 35. Naomi Starkey, a niece, and Benjamin Starkey, a nephew, are living with them.

John O. Hissam died in 1921 and was buried in the Greenwood cemetary of Tyler county. I haven't yet been able to find Lucinda in the 1930 census. She may have gone back to live with her Starkey relatives. Lucinda B. Hissam died in 1946 and was also buried in the Greenwood cemetary. Clearly she did not remarry. They apparently had no children.

She was born 15 July 1904 and died on 18 May 1905. She was buried in Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county.

Or Truman. He was born on 5 November 1883 [1884 on his draft card] in Tyler county, West Virginia, the son of Elijah and Virginia Keller Hissam. In the 1900 census for Ellsworth township, Tyler county, West Virginia as Truman T. Hissam, 16.

He married Effie C. "May" Haught in about 1907. She was born in 1887, the daugther of Anthony Asher Haught and Wilida Mae Mayfield. Truman's older brother, John O., married Iva Jane Haught, Effie's sister. In the 1910 census of Friendly township, Union district, Tyler county, West Virginia as Truman T. Hissam, a 24 year old farmer. Living with him were his wife, Effie C., 21, and son, Layman E., 2.

Truman Theodore Hissam, of Middlebourne, Tyler county, West Virginia, registered for the draft on 9 September 1918 at the age of 33. He was a salesman for the Middlebourne Feed Company. His wife was Effie C. He was described as of medium build and height with brown eyes and hair.

In the 1920 census of Ellsworth, Tyler county, West Virginia as Thomas T. Hissam, a 35 year old clerk at a feed store. Living with him were his wife, Effie R. [sic], 31, and sons, Russel, 5, and Donald S., 4/12. I can't explain Truman's name except to suppose that the census take was confused.

In the 1930 census of Middlebourne, Tyler county, West Virginia, as a 45 year old "tool dresser" in the oil fields. His parents were also born in West Virginia. Living with him were his wife, Ellie C., 42, and children, Russell L., 15, and Donald S., 10.

At some point prior to 1935, the earliest mention of the family in local newspapers, he and the family moved to Zanesville, Ohio. In 1945 Truman and his wife lived in Zanesville, Ohio, near their sons Russell and Don, at 510 Warwick avenue. At some point they moved to 529 Seborn Avenue. This home appears to have been inherited by Donald Hissam who had been living at 521 Van Horn avenue.

Truman died on 12 December 1951 following a three-week illness and failing health over the last three years. Effie died in 1969. Both were taken "home" to be buried in Archers Chapel cemetary, near Sistersville, in Tyler county. In the same cemetary are members of the family's of Elijah L. Hissam, of the Thomas Hissom branch, and of Sanford Gee Hissam (1874) and his mother, Rachel, of the David Heysham branch.

Thruman's children were,
(26) Layman E. Hissam (1908)
(26) Russell L. Hissam (1915)
(26) Donald Sterling Hissam (1919)

Son of Truman T. Hissam. He was born in 1908. In the 1910 census of Friendly township, Union district, Tyler county, West Virginia as Layman E. Hissam, 2. He died in 1917. He was buried in Archers Chapel cemetary in Tyler county.

Son of Truman T. Hissam. He was born on 5 October 1914 in Tyler county, West Virginia. In the 1920 census of Ellsworth, Tyler county, West Virginia as Russel Hissam, 5. In the 1930 census of Middlebourne, Tyler county, West Virginia, as Russell L. Hissam, 15.

Russell learned to fly in 1937. A member of the Civil Air Patrol. Before the war he was a service manager at a retail store. The 10 October 1940 edition of the Zanesville Signal of Zanesville, Ohio refers to the staff of the electrical appliance department of Montgomery Ward & Company. Russel was "in charge of service."

During World War II he served for two years as a flight instructor in the Navy V-5 cadet flying school at Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Many of the proto-naval aviators were from the University at Ann Arbor.

In August 1944 Russell, who had recently received his discharge, in company with two other men, purchased Commerce Field, the old municipal airport of Zanesville. Russell became the airport manager. After the war he became civilian flight instructor, flight examiner, and later a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in Zanesville, Ohio with his brother, Don. That means he operated an aircraft sales, maintenance and training facility at the airport.

In a column in the same paper on 6 February 1949, called "And Speaking of Flying," Russell received first prize as the result of "the second official cruise of the Muskingum Airmen's association, a 110-mile flight . . . made without incident." There are a number of articles about aerobatic routines he flew in airshows to popularize flying. Noted to be a Dale Carnegie graduate per the Times Recorder of Zanesville, Ohio, dated 16 February 1954. Also a member of the Rotary club. Finally, from the same paper of 12 March 1958, Russell was mentioned as a previous winner of the "Boss of the Year" award. He was the president "of Southeastern Ohio Air Service."

The number of newspapers that mention his name is quite large. He was noted as the manager of the Zanesville airport, which had 26000 takeoff and landings, from at least 1960 to 1970. Named "Airport Manager of the Year" in 1967 by the International Flying Farmers. By 1967 he had flown over 12,500 hours [which is a huge number]. There is a statement of assets from the First National Bank of Zanesville in the Zanesville Times Recorder of 17 April 1973 with Russell L. Hissam listed a one of its Directors.

His wife was Violet Matthews, the daughter of H. E. Mathews of Nashport, Ohio. She appears to have also worked for Montgomery Wards. She was mentioned in a 1950 newspaper article announcing the display of kitchen cabinents in the building department. This was more certain work than in aviation. In the same year Russell was elected a director of the local Chamber of Commerce and in 1972 was its president.

He died on 29 September 1990 while still living in Zanesville. Of 535 Taylor Street. His children were,
(27) Sue Ann Hissam (c1942)
(27) Marilyn Kay Hissam (c1943)
(27) Donald Lee Hissam (c1944) (27) Robert Hissam (1956)
(27) Layman Hissam. He was probably named for Truman's brother who died in 1917. He also died in childhood.

Mentioned as the son of Russell Hissam of 535 Taylor street in a newspaper article in 1966. In another 1966 newspaper article it mentions a traffic accident in which Robert was riding in a car with his "uncle" Don Lee Hissam, 21, below. There is, however, a wedding announcement for Don Lee Hissam in which Robert was listed as the brother of the groom, and best man. On the honor roll in the seventh grade in 1969. Today living at 362 Jessamine street in Zanesville, Ohio.

The daughter of Russell L. Hissam. A teller at the First National Bank [her father's influence?]. She married Thomas Grant Smith in February 1962. He was the son of Alonzo [Alonza] Ray Smith of Punto Gorda, Florida.

Known as Kay. The daughter of Russell L. Hissam. In Junior High School in 1957.

The son of Russell L. Hissam. He was on the honor roll as a Zanesville High School Senior in 1961. He attended Ohio University [graduated?].

He married Linda Diane Frizzell, the daughter of Kenneth George Frizzell and Genevieve Shoemaker of Mansfield, on 29 June 1969 in Mansfield, Ohio. They moved to Jacksonville, Florida where Don was serving in the Navy. Linda and Don are now divorced.

Don owns an acounting firm, Hissam Associates, and has a website in Ft. Myers.

Linda Hissam is a teacher of foreign languages at North Fort Myers High School, in Florida. Her biography from a school website:

"Born in Mansfield, Ohio. Divorced. Two sons, Gunnar and Dylan Hissam. Resident of Lee County since 1972. Teacher at North Fort Myers High since 1972. Adjunct Professor of German at Edison College since 2001.
Educational Background
Graduate of Denison University, Granville, Ohio. BA. Major: Germanic Languages and Literature. Graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. Major: Germanic Languages and Literature. MA and Specialist's Degree. Graduate of the Goethe Institut Muenchen and Schwaebisch Hall.

Of East Bay, California; sometimes as of Berkeley. VP of Marketing at Om Records. As of 2009, his age was shown as 35

Of Fort Myers, Florida. Shown as aged 30. He appears to be a real estate broker. A golfer and marathoner [at least the Hooter's marathon].

Of 529 Seborn Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio. Son of Truman T. Hissam. He was born on 9 September 1919 in Tyler county, West Virginia. In the 1920 census of Ellsworth, Tyler county, West Virginia as Donald S. Hissam, 4/12. In the 1930 census of Middlebourne, Tyler county, West Virginia, as Donald S. Hissam, 10.

On 21 September 1940 he took the examination for the selection of scholaships for flight training under the Civil Authority Aeronautics program. 10 would be chosen from 52 applicants. I don't know if he got chosen. He was drafted in May 1941. He appears to have entered the service on 5 June 1942.

Don was discharged in September 1945 follow two years service in Europe as a master sergeant in the Army. He was a Flight Chief in the 60th Troop Carrier Group, flying C-47's, in the Twelfth Air Force. A flight engineer is the third officer on an aircraft, after the pilot and co-pilot. He manages systems, like fuel, electrical, and engine performance. Don was in the Mediterranan theater serving in Italy.

In November 1945 he married Mildred Helen Lawson. She was the daughter of Bertha Lawson of 727 Indiana street, Zanesville, Ohio.

The Muskingum Airmen's association put on a airshow in September 1947. To quote the newspaper, "Probably one of the most phenomenal exhibitions of the entire show was the glider demonstation given by Russell Hissam [Donald's brother]. His sailplane was towed to an altitude of 3,000 feet by a BT-16 piloted by his brother, Donald Hissam." Russell appears to have been a sailplane proponent, being featured at another show, this one in Bowling Green in 1948, which Donald also attended.

Don, with his brother Russell, was a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) in Zanesville, Ohio. That means he operated an aircraft sales, maintenance and training facility at an airport. He was co-owner of the Southeastern Ohio Air Service. He was listed as a "Charles Taylor" Master Mechanic, certificate #69127, of Zanesville, Ohio. This award is named in honor of Charles Taylor, who designed and built the engine for the Wright brothers Flyer. The award is issued to recognize certificated mechanics and repairman who have worked in aviation for at least 50 years. Of those 50 years, for at least 30 of those years the applicant must have held an FAA mechanic or repairman certificate.

Don died on 5 May 2002 while still living in Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio. The following is a tribute written to him upon his death.

Don's children were, (27) Truman Theodore Hissam (27) Theodore Michael Hissam (1947)

His name repeats his grandfather's middle name. He was born on 5 March 1947, the son of Donald S. Hissam of 523 Seborn avenue. A member of the Future Engineers Club in 1964. A photographer on the Zanesville High School paper in 1965, the year in which, I think, he graduated. He, however, still shared his father's interest in aviation. In 1967 he was vice-president of the Flying Muskies, a student organization at Muskingum college of New Concord for those interested in aviation. In a 1968 newspaper article he was referred to as a Zanesville student, a college junior. He appears to have been a drama major, appearing in a number of High School and Muskingum College productions, including "Medea," "Death of a Salesman," and "Waiting for Godot." He was also caught up in the folk movement, appearing at Inn Complete, the local coffee house, where, billed as a folksinger, he gave "readings." After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Muskingum, he became Zanesville High's drama coach in 1969.

He married Melinda Baroset of Newark road. They were living in New Concord, the college town, in 1968. By 1969 he had a daughter, Amanda. In 1976 he was referred to as the "well known Zanesville actor." However, also in that year known as the former Zanesville High drama teacher. There is a listing of substitute teachers in the Brunswick [Ohio?] city school district for 2002 and 2003 which has the name Theodore Hissam. There is also a reference to Theodore, of Bay Village, Ohio in the NUAN (Non-Union Actors Network) webpage. His "[i]nterests: Directing, Producing, Character Acting. Favorite Play: The Lion In Winter and Taming of the Shrew." I wonder if he knows Daryl Heysham, the actor of that line of the family?

I recently received an email from Ted.

8/28/2006. "Steve - my name is Ted Hissam - (Theodore Michael) - I stumbled across your web site this morning after trying for many years to make a connection with my last name. Our family is originally from from Tyler Co [West Virginia] and my relatives are buried here in the Archer Chapel Cemetary. I can go as far back as Hissam, Elijah L. December 25, 1847 - May 30, 1892 who was my great grandfather. But the line stopped there and I had no where to go until now.

I've attached the cemetary list with Hissam and Haught relatives )Haught was my grand mother's (Effie) maiden name. I'll give you an update of my relatives to help fill in another section. (It will take a bit of time to get the dates and background info) Would appreciate any advise as to where I can take the line back from Elijah. Also, can you expalin why the name change from the original Heysham to the several derivatives we now use?

Here's where I fit in:

Children - Amanda Katherine, Ryan Micahel, Lacy Michelle
Theodore M. (3.5.1947) married to Cynthia L. Lacy (11.30.1955) [a second marriage?]
Son of: Donald Sterling Hissam married to Mildred Helen Lawson (both dece