1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

D. W. BISWELL                                                                 Benton Township, page 758

    Mr. Biswell was born in Randolph county, this Stage, March 7, 1844.  He is the son of John Biswell, whose father, Major Biswell, served in the War of 1812.  His mother’s name is Rebecca.  Both parents are from the State of Kentucky.  His father came to Missouri in 1828, and settled on a farm in Randolph county, where he lived until the time of his death, which occurred in 1859.  His mother is still living. 

     Mr. Biswell lived at the old homestead till 1863, when he moved to Macon City.  After his father’s death in 1859, he and his other brothers, among whom was Y. J. Biswell, two years his senior, managed the farm until his removal to Macon City.  In this city and county together Mr. Biswell was engaged at different times in several avocations for a period of eight or ten years.  From Macon, in the year 1873, he removed to Browning and went into the mercantile business with his brother, above spoken of, in which pursuit he has ever since continued.  The facilities afforded by the common schools of his boyhood days were but meager; and not having an opportunity of securing educational advantages elsewhere Mr. B. owes his early training rather to the hard knocks of experience than the doctrines instilled by wise preceptors into the minds of ingenuous youths.

     On January 29^th, 1873, he was married to Miss Emma F. Harshey, at Macon City.  They have had four children, all of whom are living.  His is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the A. O. U. W. fraternity; also a Good Templar, but there is no lodge in the town at present.  Since the death of his brother, in the spring of 1881, Mr. B. has had control of the house known as the store of Y. J. Biswell & Bro.  The business is carried on at the same old stand and under the accustomed sign, which has long since grown familiar to the eyes of the numberless persons who flock thither, to exchange the products of their farms for something with which to replenish the wants of the inner man, or shield them from the chilling blasts of and inhospitable winter.  Having stood the test of an active experience with the success already attained, and possessing youth, energy, and a determined purpose, we think we may safely say that nothing but prosperity can attend and enterprise of which Mr. B. has control.   

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Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch © 2008.  All Rights Reserved.