My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published by Chapman Publishing Company in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

JOHN WILLIAM HISEY was formerly the efficient Superintendent of the Johnson County Poor Farm, in which capacity he officiated for several years to the full satisfaction of all concerned. He is a native of Johnson County, his birth having occurred November 7, 1866. His school days were passed in Warrensburg, where he attended the State Normal on arriving at suitable years.

The father of our subject, William P. Hisey, was born in Missouri, and died January 8, 1892, at the age of forty-six years. During the late war he enlisted in the Seventh Missouri State Militia, though only sixteen years of age, and was made Lieutenant of Company G. He participated in many hard fights and engagements, but though he had many narrow escapes and his horses killed under him a number of times, he was never wounded or taken prisoner. After the war he married Fannie Guinn, who was born in Mississippi, and who came to this county with her parents when she was only thirteen years old. She is now in her fiftieth year, and is quietly passing her days on the farm left to her by her husband. In 1865 he commenced operating rented land in Post Oak Township, but later he moved to a farm owned by his wife in Warrensburg Township. His residence was in Warrensburg for a few years while he worked in a stone-quarry, and during the time that he conducted a grocery, in which business he was quite successful. In March, 1879, he was appointed Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, and served faithfully as such until his death. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics was a Republican. His wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ten children were born of their union, four of the number dying in childhood, and those living are: John W., Frank, Valeria Elizabeth, Charlie, Rufus and Carrie.

On completing his education John William Hisey assisted his father in the store, and then was sole manager of the same for two years. After closing out the business he went to Los Angeles and the Pomona Valley in California, remaining in the West part of one year. After his return to Warrensburg he became interested in the butcher business. Upon his father’s death he moved to the county farm to assist his mother in its management until the regular term had expired. He displayed such good business ability, and was so manifestly fitted for the position, that he was strongly recommended for the place, and soon received the appointment. Politically he has always been a loyal Republican.

May 25, 1890, Mr. Hisey married Mattie Belle Graham, who was born in Iowa, and one child, a little son, Stanley by name, has come to bless their union. The parents of Mrs. Hisey, James and Elizabeth Graham, are old and prominent settlers of this county, and are about eighty-five years of age.

* * * *

This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Johnson County, Missouri portion of the book,  Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Missouri family biographies here: Johnson County, Missouri Biographies

View a map of 1904 Johnson County, Missouri here: Johnson County, Missouri Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.