Monroe-St. Clair-Sangamon County IL Archives Biographies.....Bissell, William Henry 1811 - 1860
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000719 August 9, 2008, 9:28 am

Author: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary

BISSELL, William Henry, statesman, was born at Hartwick, Otsego county, N.Y., 
April 25, 1811. He obtained an education through his own efforts, earning the 
money in winter that enabled him to attend school in the summer. He was 
graduated at the Philadelphia medical college in 1835, practised for two years 
in Steuben county, N.Y., and for three years in Monroe county, Ill., and was 
elected to the Illinois legislature, where he made quite a reputation as a 
ready and able debator. He turned his attention to the study of the law, was 
admitted to the bar, practised in Belleville, Ill., and was elected 
prosecuting attorney of St. Clair county in 1844. During the Mexican was he 
served as captain of a company in the 2d Illinois volunteers, and took an 
active part in the battle of Buena Vista. He represented Illinois in the 
national house of representatives in the 31st, 32d and 33d congresses, from 
December, 1849, to March 3, 1855, and his emphatic opposition to the Missouri 
compromise involved him in a controversy with southern Democrats. The question 
as to the bravery of the soldiers from the north as compared with that shown 
by the south in the Mexican war led to a debate with Jefferson Davis, and 
resulted in Mr. Bissell being challenged by Mr. Davis. He accepted the 
challenge, and chose muskets as the weapons to be used at thirty paces. The 
friends of Mr. Davis interfered at this juncture and the duel was never 
fought. On the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, Mr. Bissell separated from 
the Democratic party and was elected governor of Illinois on the Republican 
ticket, serving by re-election from 1856 until his death, which occurred at 
Springfield, Ill., March 18, 1860.

Additional Comments:
Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans.
Vol. I-X. Rossiter Johnson, editor. Boston MA: The Biographical Society. 1904.

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