David KISOR, b. 1822, d. 1899

DAVID KISOR. David Kisor, deceased, was for many years a respected and valued resident of Mahaska county, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 2, 1822, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Bolton) Kisor, who were natives of Virginia and were of German descent. David Kisor spent his youth upon the old home farm in Ohio and received but limited educational privileges, for the schools were in a primitive condition and his aid was needed in the farm work. He was married June 6, 1850, to Miss Margaret Braddock, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 22, 1828, and was a daughter of William and Nancy A. (Cathers) Braddock, both of whom were natives of Virginia. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Kisor and his wife came to Mahaska county, driving across the country with teams from Ohio, twenty-six days being spent in accomplishing the trip. They passed the first winter in their little cabin where coal banks are now located. In February, 1851, Mr. Kisor purchased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and traded eighty acres of it for the eighty acres in what became his old homestead. It was upon this farm that he made his home until his death and his widow has lived here continuously for about fifty-five years. The farm was covered with a brush thicket when he took possession of it and a log cabin had been built, while about three hundred rails had been cut on the farm. They lived in the log house until 1857, when a small frame house was built and is still standing. Mr. Kisor afterward added to his first eighty acres, increasing his landed possessions from time to time as his financial resources increased until be was the owner of five hundred and eighty- six acres. He was always a hard worker and his death was undoubtedly hastened by the close and unremitting attention which he gave to his business. About 1894 Mr. Kisor was striken with paralysis and for five years, four months and thirteen days lay helpless, his wife caring for him all this time until he passed away on the 13th of June; 1899. He had been a kind and affectionate husband and father, was conscientious and honorable in all his dealings and was a very religious man, who for many years held membership in the Christian church and was most faithful to its teachings. In the early days he was a whig. After he became converted he joined the church and never voted again. He thought war a great wrong and would not help elect a man who had the power to declare war. He took no interest therefore in politics aside from voting, at school elections. Mr. and Mrs. Kisor were the parents of five children, of whom four are living, Dwight M. having died at the age of four years. Martha E. is the widow of Porter Hedge and and resides at Lincoln, Nebraska. Sylvesta Bell is the wife of Oliver Hedge and resides near Oskaloosa. Melissa Adell is the wife of J. G. Cordner, living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Zona May is the wife of George W. Cassidy, who is living two and a half miles southeast of Oskaloosa. Mrs. Kisor is a bright and intelligent lady, who, though well advanced in years, lives upon the home farm, renting her land but keeping the dwelling which was built by her husband, for no place else seems so much like home. She relates in an interesting manner many experiences of the hardships, privations, trials and pleasures of pioneer life. Once during the high water when the mill could not be operated for two weeks their only food was bread made from cornmeal grated on a piece of tin, the corn being boiled to make it soft enough to grate. They had but little when they came to Iowa, and all that they possess came through hard work and economy, and as the years passed by they prospered and became owners of a valuable farm property, which is still owned by Mrs. Kisor. She now has two hundred and sixty-six acres.

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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906

Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy

Iowa Genealogy

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