Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 980 - 983 

WILIAM A. KISSICK, who materially assists in maintaining the reputation of Greeley Township as a first-class farming and stock-raising region, is carrying on his chosen occupation on section 21. Here he operates 160 acres, a part of which is planted with peaches, grapes and the smaller fruits, including a fine apple orchard, and the whole enclosed with neat wire and hedge fencing.

            Our subject, a native of Kentucky, was born Jan. 14, 1849, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Reeves) Kissick, natives of Kentucky. The father died there about 1860, and the mother is still living at the old homestead in Fleming County. They were people greatly respected in their community, and the parents of eight children, namely: George W., Francis M., Mary Jane, Malvira, Henry, William of our sketch, Charles D., and one who died in infancy. Mary J. is the wife of Wilson Ford, who is farming in Kentucky, and Malvina is deceased.

            Mr. Kissick was reared on his father's farm in Fleming County, Ky., whence he emigrated when a youth of nineteen years to Bureau County, Ill., which was his home for several years. He came to Kansas in 1881, and purchased the land which he now occupies, paying therefore $6.40 per acre. Before this last venture, however, he had secured for himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Alvira Royse, to whom he was united in marriage Feb. 24, 1881, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Luella, born in 1882; Minnie, in 1884, and Luther Cleveland, in 1886. The name of this last child clearly indicates the politics of our subject, who identified himself with the Democratic party upon reaching his majority.

            Mrs. Kissick is the daughter of Hiram and Sylvia (Hardee) Royse, who were also natives of the Blue Grass State, where they are still living. Their family included twelve children, ten of whom survive, and are residents mostly of Kansas. Mrs. K. was born in Fleming County, Ky., Feb. 20, 1855, and, with her husband, is a member in good standing of the Christian Church.

            Among the fine lithographic views given in this volume, and which form a very attractive feature, may be found that of Mr. Kissick’s homestead.

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