My Genealogy Hound

SIMEON BISSELL, an Englishman by birth, who came to this country in 1869, holds a most enviable position among the successful and leading musicians of the country. He comes of a musical family, several members of which are composers, and received his education in his chosen art in Norwich, England, a city widely famed for its culture of the “art divine” and its musical festivals. Mr. Bissell has filled some of the most important positions as organist in Pittsburgh, and, as teacher of the several branches of music, his success has been evidenced by the large number of concert performers (both vocal and instrumental) who claim him as their instructor. He was for several years Director of the Conservatory of Music in connection with the Pittsburgh Female College, and succeeded in giving it the prominence it so long enjoyed; and in 1884 the educational management of the Curry University were fortunate in securing his services to organize and direct a conservatory of music which has now become widely known throughout all the central states. Of Mr. Bissell’s compositions several have become deservedly popular, and manifest to a high degree not only his education but also superior melodic inspiration. Mr. Bissell was married in August, 1872, to Miss Ada L. McCabe, only daughter of Dr. John W. McCabe and granddaughter of William Mercer, Esq., one of the most prominent residents of Washington county. They have two children, Frank Harper and Bessie Mercer. Apart from his professional work Mr. Bissell has given much time and study to scientific subjects, especially to metallurgy, in which direction some of his discoveries have aroused a great deal of interest and speculation among metallurgists, who still hope for a successful issue to his labors.