My Genealogy Hound

AUGUSTUS B. BISBEE. Adjoining the corporate limits of the city of Benton Harbor is located the twenty-acre fruit farm belonging to the subject of this sketch, who is a prominent citizen of this place and an active business man. He was born in Portland, Me., on the 15th of February, 1849, and is a son of Rufus and Marianne (Brown) Bisbee, both of whom were born in the State of Maine, the father in June of 1819, and the mother in 1825. The paternal grandfather was Rufus Bisbee, a brave soldier in the War of 1812, and a descendant of English ancestors. The family was first represented in this country by Thomas Bisbee, who in 1634 emigrated to America and made settlement upon the then inhospitable shores of Massachusetts. Oliver Bisbee, the great-grandfather of our subject, was one of the participants in the War of the Revolution, where he aided in defeating the too-confident “red coats.” The maternal grandfather of Mr. Bisbee was Capt. Consider Brown, a native of Maine.

For a number of years the parents of our subject made their home in Schenectady, N. Y., where the father died in 1865. The mother is still living and resides at Arrowsic, Me. The parental family consisted of five children, only two of whom are now living, Augustus B. and Isaac S., the latter being a resident of Iowa. The first named passed his boyhood days in New York, where he carried on his studies in the common schools, Afterward he entered Union College at Schenectady, where he pursued his studies with diligence for a period of two or three years. He then entered upon the study of medicine, but relinquished his plans of becoming a physician and secured an interest in a drug store at Schenectady, carrying on a successful business for three years.

In 1869 Mr. Bisbee came to Benton Harbor, where for twelve years he was engaged in the drug business. In 1884 he was elected Recorder of Deeds of Berrien County, and in that position, as in other positions he was called upon to fill, he served with efficiency and fidelity the interests of the people. Retiring from the Recorder’s office he embarked in the real-estate business, to which he is giving his attention at the present time. In 1887 he purchased part of the fruit farm to which allusion has already been made, and which he still superintends with success.

The marriage of Mr. Bisbee occurred in 1873 and united him with Miss Cecelia E., the daughter of John and Thirza McAlister, of Benton Harbor. They have five children, May, John, Edith, Arthur and Alice. In his social connections, Mr. Bisbee is a member of Lake Shore Lodge No. 298, A. F. & A. M.; Calvin Brittain Chapter No. 72, R. A. M.; St. Joseph Council No. 44, R. & S. M.; and Niles Commandery No. 12, K. T. He has always been known as a consistent advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and takes a prominent part in local politics, as well as in all enterprises which will benefit the community. He is a gentleman of thoroughly accurate and reliable business methods, and enjoys the general respect as a substantial and worthy citizen.