Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1050 - 1053

JOHN T. FISHER, a retired farmer, and residing on section 31, in Kechi Township, was born in Monroe County, W. Va. Feb. 27, 1819. He was the fifth child of William and Elizabeth (Bush) Fisher, who are also natives of the Old Dominion, the former the son of Isaac and Rachel (Riggs) Fisher, natives respectively of England and Virginia. 

            Grandfather Fisher emigrated to America previous to the Revolutionary War, in which he served on the side of the Colonists for seven years. The parents of the mother, John and Keziah Bush, were also of English birth and ancestry. Grandfather Bush likewise carried his musket in the Continental army, and both grandfathers received honorable wounds and pensions from the Government.

             William Fisher spent his entire life in his native State, where he carried on farming, and where his death occurred when he was in the prime of life, in 1846. The mother survived her husband several years, and also died at the old homestead in Virginia. John T. acquired his education in the subscription schools of his native county, where each pupil paid a certain sum each month. He started out for himself not far from the parental rooftree, and engaged in cultivating a tract of land, taking unto himself a wife and helpmate on the 19th of September, 1837, before he was nineteen years of age. The maiden of his choice, Miss Elizabeth Jones, was also born in Monroe County, W. Va., Sept. 15, 1818, and was the third child of Elisha and Margaret (Johnson) Jones, also natives of Virginia. 

            The grandparents of Mrs. Fisher, Thomas L. and Melvina (Thomas) Jones, were also natives of Virginia, and the former served as a Captain in the Revolutionary War, afterward carrying an honorable scar, on account of which he drew a pension, and which reverted to his widow after his death. The maternal grandparents, who were William and Elizabeth (Hicks) Johnson, also born in the Old Dominion, spent their entire lives in their native State, engaged in farming pursuits.

             Our subject and his wife after their marriage continued to live in Monroe County until 1858, then set out for the West and pitched their tent among the pioneers of Platte County, Mo. Mr. Fisher carried on farming there for a period of nine years, and in 1867 came into the Territory of Kansas, locating upon eighty acres of improved land about six miles from the city of Atchison. Three years later, however, he sold this property, and on the 1st of September, 1870, arrived in this county, where he has since remained.

             A few weeks after his arrival in Kechi Township, Mr. Fisher purchased 320 acres of prairie land, comprising a part of sections 31 and 32, upon which he at once commenced operations, and a part of which he subsequently sold at a good profit. At one time he parted with eighty acres for the snug sum of $250 per acre. His present homestead comprises eighteen acres, which is planted with fruit trees, and in the midst of which is the comfortable and commodious dwelling, with a carriage-barn and other outhouses, and forms just such a home as the old farmer of fifty years should be permitted to enjoy. He now has ample time to devote to his favorite business - the keeping of fine stock, including high-grade Norman horses. Among these is "Little Arthur," who is one of the finest specimens of trotting stock to be found in Southern Kansas. The tastes of Mr. Fisher have been largely agricultural and domestic, his disposition inclining him to mix very little with political affairs. He has, however, kept himself well posted upon matters of general interest, and votes with the Democratic party. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the First Baptist Church, at Wichita.

             Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, but three are living, namely: Lewis, Sarah and Charles. The eldest son is engaged in the stock business in Mexico; Sarah is the wife of M. F. Nichols, and resides in Wichita; Charles is married, and engaged in farming west of that city. L. D. Fisher, the eldest son of J. T. Fisher, was one of the oldest settlers of Sedgwick County, and was the first Sheriff of the county. He is engaged in the stock business in New Mexico, but intends to return and make this his home.

[ Home ]