Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-07-12
WILMINGTON.
Observance Of the tooth Birthday Ami.
versary Of Ashael Melnor Bissell


The Tooth birthday anniversary of Ash
ael Melnor Bissell occurred on Wednes-
day July 10, and was properly observed
by about so relatives and friends at the
residence of Charles w Bssel.
The history of the Bissell family dates
back to 1884 when John Bissell came from
England and settled in Windsor, Conn.
He had a family consisting of several
children, but no genealogical history has
been published The subject of this
sketch was of the seventh generation
from John Bissel His fathers name
was Ashael Bissell and his mothers
name Polly (Corkins) Bissell They lived
in Amherst, Mass, where he was born
July 10, 1907, and moved to Wilmington
about year afterwards. A large tract
of land was bought nearly 1000 acres
and a large and commodious farmhouse
erected, now owned by Francis r. Ray
The farm now owned by Charles w
Bissell was a part of the original farm
and the buildings were erected by A. NJ.
Bissell in 1890. He had one brother,
Henry who died a number of years ago.
| There were five sisters who grew to
womanhood, as follows: Mary, Mrs.
Ephraim Tyler. Fidela, Mrs. William
Ray, who died within the past year
aged "a years; Cordelia, who married Mr..
Atkins; Maria. Mrs. Moses Spencer and
! Sarah Mrs O. A. Alvord of Brattleboro.
! who is the only one living.
Mr. Bissell married Lucy Upton Dec.
| 2S, 1929 Six children were born, two
! dying in infancy Edwin was born March
! 81, 1882. He went to Independence, Iowa,
| in 1871 and has lived at that place since
! that time Charles w. born, March Is,
! 1895; Daniel NJ. born Jan. is, 1899; Sarah
Jane who married Charles c. Haskell,
died about 10 years ago.
The following persons were present on
Wednesday: Mr. and Mrs. Charles w.
| Bissell, Mr.. and Mrs. Elmer Covey and
two children of Yonkers, n. Y; Mr.. and
! Mrs f. A. Fairbanks and two children
of Yonkers; Mr.. and Mrs. Daniel NJ. Bis
| sell and two daughters of New York;
| Rev and Mrs. Flint NJ. Bissell and three
children of Springfield, Mass; Theodore
Parker of Wellesly. Mass; Mr.. and Mrs
F. e. Ray; Mr.. and Mrs. Albert w. RAY;
Mr.. and Mrs. F. f. Ray. jr.. and child
Mrs. Clarence +. CoTkins and two chill
dren; Mr.. and Mrs. Albert G. Bickford
and two children: DR.. n. ]. whiting OF
/ Mortified. MINI Mr.. whiting is a brother
of Mrs. Charles W. Bissel Invited
guests. Orrin Ware, Miss Ellen Ware
and Mrs. II. p. Newton, Rollin s. Childs
and c. NJ Russell.
The weather was perfect and the after
noon was passed in pleasant social in
tercourse Artist Crosier of Readsborc
took photographs Of tho group and O
Mr. Rissel Choice refreshments were
! served ana every one udu utlBill u
time
Although very lame and extremely deaf
Mr. Bissen seemed to enjoy the occasion
as well as the younger ones. \ move
present was made by Mr.. Ware. 100 wa
candles being placed on a board and al
lighted Persons present wrote thei
names i'm an album to be kept as a me
mento of the occasion.
E Mr. Bissell has followed the occupa
ton of farming all his life and wa
: very successful He never sought tow
: office nor would accept honors Of thi
kind but devoted his energies to his in
dvidual concerns and for the benefit q
his family. He is a staunch Republica
in politics and cast his first vote 70
D presidential electors in 1892 and has vote
at every presidential election since tina
2 time That he may live to vote at sue
] ceeding elections is the wish OF all. /
r | religious preferences he was n Methods
e | and has been a member of the church a
= Wilmington over GO years. About
il years ago he fell and injured one hi
= badly and has never recovered entirel!
|. For a man 100 years old he retains n
@ faculties In a wonderful degree. Wit
d exception of Mrs. Wilder, who died abot
f 40 years ago aged 1O4 years, Mr. Bis
l. sell is the only person so far as we ca
t learn. who has passed the lOO-year mar
= living in this vicinity.