History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Bisbee, William D. now deceased, well remembered as a public spirited citizen of Merrill, was born near Kilbourn, Wis., May 25, 1859, son of David and Rosanna BISBEE. Both parents are now deceased; the father worked in mills during most of his life. William D. came to Merrill in 1882, finding work in a mill operated by people from Clinton, Iowa. He located in the portion of the city which is now the sixth ward and later became one of the pioneer business men in that locality, erecting the first store building there and conducting a store for about six years; this building is still standing and is located at the corner of Main and Foster Streets. He later returned to work in the woods and mills, in the latter being a skilled saw filer, and while employed at Owen, in Clark County, he contracted typhoid fever and died on Sept. 4, 1894. He was a fine character, an upright citizen and a loving husband and father, and he left a host of friends to mourn his passing. On April 24, 1881, Mr. BISBEE married Lillian HARVEY, who was born at Pine Bluff, directly across the Wisconsin River from Port Edwards, in Wood County, on March 4, 1859, daughter of Richard and Mary (SLOWEY) HARVEY. Mrs. BISBEE'S father was a farmer at Pine Bluff and she was reared there, attending school at Grand Rapids (now Wisconsin Rapids). After graduating from the high school there she taught school in Wood County for five or six years. Her father was drowned in the Wisconsin River near his home on March 21, 1882, and her mother died at Merrill April 9, 1891. There were six children in the family, she being the eldest; the others were: John, now of Merrill; Ellen, who is Mrs. Eric ERICKSON of Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County; Lettie, who is Mrs. Fred TONNESEN of Ishpeming, Mich.; Richard, deceased; and William, who is a resident of Los Angeles. Mrs. BISBEE is now living in the comfortable home built by Mr. BISBEE in 1889, located at 108 South Foster St., Merrill. She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for a great many years, with which church Mr. BISBEE affiliated during his life and to the support of which he contributed liberally. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. BISBEE, Harvey D., died when less than two years old; he was born on March 21, 1882 and died Sept. 4, 1883. In their home, however, they have carried for at least six other children, providing for them and giving them all the advantages of tender care and guidance, a most beautiful display of the true nobility of the heart.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 596; History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

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