HENRY SISCO - p. 195

1888 Portrait & Biographical Album
of Branch County
by Chapman Brothers, Chicago


BACK TO 1888 PORTRAIT INDEX


HENRY SISCO, after a well-spent life of almost fourscore years, during which he has witnessed and contributed his full quota toward the marvelous transformation which has taken place in Southern Michigan, is now prepared to spend the evening of his life retired on his farm in section 22, Union Township.

Mr. Sisco was born in Troy, VT., Sept. 28, 1810, and was reared in his native place, remaining until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He was reared to farm pursuits, which he has followed all his life with a good measure of success. In 1836, resolving to try his fortune in the growing West, Mr. Sisco started for MIchigan, and in the early part of September he arrived in Branch County, and purchased eighty acres of timber land on section 22, Union Township, from which not a tree had been cut. Deear and all kinds of small game were to be had in abundance, while the wolf and bear still prowled around the pioneer cabin, and made occasional nocturnal excursions to the poultry yard or the hog pen. Mr. Sisco erected a log house, and at once engaged in the clearing of land. Gloomy as was the outlook he was not discouraged, and his energy and perserverance were ultimately rewarded, as the forest fell before his stalwart arm, and gave place to smiling fileds, producing luxuriant crops, and affording grazing ground for superior domestic animals. He brought all of his land under the plow, and the log cabin gave place to a commodious farm house, which is now occupied by himself and his son. The farm is supplied with suitable out buildings and good agricultural implements, which enables him to keep abreast of this progressive age.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Lucy Lusk was celebrated in Marengo, Calhoun Co., Mich. Mrs. Sisco was a native of the Empire State, and her union with our subject resulted in the birth of four children: only two of whom, however, lived to maturity - Lovina and William. Lovina died when about nineteen years of age, and William is married and resides in Union Township with his father. After nobly assisting her husband in his life work by her womanly counsel and assistance, Mrs. Sisco was called to her reward, dying at the homestead in 1878.

In politics Mr. Sisco is identified with the Democratic party, to which he has given a life long support. He has always been a worthy and highly respected man, adhering to the Golden Rule of doing to others as he would be done by, and has thus gained the approbation of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.