By: Mark Holtsberry
Oliver Raymond Bissell was born in Antwerp, October 22, 1894 he was the son of Oliver Peter, born August of 1860 in New York and Clara C. (Cluts) Bissell born in 1866 in Ohio. They were married September 14, 1884 in Pauling.
By 1900, Oliver and Clara were raising four children, William E. born July 9, 1886, Clara A. born January 30, 1890, Oliver R. October 22, 1894, and Harry N. born August 6, 1900. This family was living in Crane Township on a farm. By 1910, this family added a daughter, Blanche, born August 12, 1906.
The Bissell family was living on River Road on a farm. I believe this road to be road #192 outside Antwerp. Oliver had quit school after the eighth grade. He was not living with his parents at his time. Oliver was living with Ervin and Elizabeth Edward in Emerald working as a farm laborer. By 1915, or so, Oliver had been working for the Hicksville Township in Defiance County as a farmer, County farm land? Oliver was living outside Antwerp, Route 3, when on June 5, 1917 at Crane Precinct in Pauling County, Oliver registered for the draft.
Listed as 5’10”, medium weight, blue eyes and brown hair. He became a “doughboy” in the army July 22, 1918. He was sent to serve 158th Depot Brigade for training. He served until August 14, 1918. September 3, 1918, he was shipped out from Brooklyn, New York on the ship, “Vasari” to go to France. Then sent to Company A., 325 Machine Gun Battalion, serving until November 1, 1918. Serving in Company B., 112 Machine Gun Battalion until he was Honorably Discharged June 2, 1919.
By 1920, after coming home, he lived with his parents. He met a gal named Jessie Leona Gorman, born October 30, 1904. They married February 25, 1925 in Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. The couple moved to Antwerp.
By 1930, Oliver was making furniture as an upholsterer in Antwerp. The couple lived at 307 West Washington Street, Antwerp. By 1940, Oliver and Jessie were still at 307 West Washington Street, Oliver was a carpenter. In 1942, Oliver, at the age of 47, had to register for the World War Two draft. He was not chosen to serve. By 1950, Oliver and Jessie were living at the same address. Oliver had his own construction business.
Not sure what happened to his health, but on December 20, 1952, Oliver passed away. He was buried at Maumee Cemetery. His wife, Jessie, applied for Oliver’s Military tombstone. The stone was shipped to the Cottrell- Boylan American Legion in Antwerp. Jessie filed for Social Security death benefits, January 31, 1953. Jessie never remarried and passed away, April 5, 1988 in Paulding, at the Hospital. Oliver and Jessie never had children. She was buried alongside Oliver in Maumee Cemetery.
… Until next time!
