Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
Submitter: John C Hall
Subject: Thomas Bissler contact in N.E. Ohio
Message: My Son-in-Law, Tom Bissler lives in Mogadore, just south of Kent. He has a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins that live in the Akron and Kent area that would be interested in your research. You can email him at; Pineywoodtaxidermy@msn.com John

Ira married Mary Agnes Armstrong about 1918. Mary was born on 13 Mar 1896 in Ohio, USA; died on 23 Sep 1988 in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

CENSUS:
1930:
Name: May A Bissler Age: 34 Estimated birth year: abt 1896 Relation to head-of-house: Wife Home in 1930: Franklin, Portage, Ohio Image source: Year: 1930; Census Place: Franklin, Portage, Ohio; Roll: 1861; Page: ; Enumeration District: 9; Image: 952.0.

Ohio Deaths, 1958-2000 <
Name: Mary A Bissler Gender: 2 Date of Death: 23 September 1988 Birth Date: 13 March 1896 Volume: 27470 Certificate: 079459 Autopsy: 9 Social Security Number: 281360406 Marital Status: Widowed Hispanic Origin: American Place of Death: Ravenna, Portage County Certifier: Physician Race: White Birth Place: Ohio Residence: Aurora, Portage County Age: 92 Years

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: Institution began with job hopes By Mary Cain Kent was 25 years old. He was 21?a new arrival from the farmlands of nearby Suffield. "Boom town" Kent, with its population of 3,000, had beckoned him with hopes of finding a job hauling quarried stone. The stone was quarried from the west bank of the Cuyahoga River, near the base of the Main Street Bridge, built with quarried stone just 15 years prior. Thirty-three years later, on Aug. 3, 1925, the S.C. Bissler & Son furniture store and funeral parlor stood at the corner of West Main and North River Streets (Gougler Avenue), just a few feet from the then abandoned quarry. His talent at driving teams of horses was the catalyst to his impending career, as he was subsequently hired to drive for Ira Herriff, owner of the town's only furniture store and funeral parlor. A mutual admiration society was founded between the two which resulted in his 21-year employment, until the death of Herriff.
According to his only surviving son Robert Bissler, "My father loved the business instantly. It was marriage overnight." Then in 1913, the 66-year tradition of S.C. Bissler & Son was begun when 45- year-old Sam and his 18- year-old son Ira opened this first store at 114 East Main Street. Just prior to its opening Sam Bissler operated a small livery which rented horses and wagons to migrant construction workers who were building a dam near Kent. Supervisors for the construction companies inquired where they could purchase mattresses and cots for workers. Bissler located the goods and finalized his first independent sale before his first store was opened. Growing pains forced the budding company into the building at 112 East Main St., including the second levels of both buildings. Robert remembered his father and brother as enterprising retailers. The pair would regularly load the company van with pianos and travel the countryside selling pianos door-to-door. Being enterprising also led to further expansion and Bissler's decision to construct a new facility. Sam Bissler had long admired the property at the corner of West Main and North River Streets, which was owned by the local banker William Kent, the son of the late Marvin Kent. Kent's namesake, Marvin Kent, had always reserved that particular parcel of land for the future location of a hotel. His son respected his wishes and never sold the land, but in 1923, William died and the heirs of the property ordered it sold. Thus after three generations, the landowner era ended for the Kent family. Local businessmen warned Bissler the venture was ill-fated, claiming that retail business located across the river would never last. "It isn't often a family business can operate so smoothly," said Robert Bissler. "Everyone just works together and does what ever needs to be done. It's strictly a family operation." Construction on the 18,000 square foot brick building began early in 1925 and was completed by the Aug. 1 deadline set for construction. Townspeople watched the construction of the $60,000 retail facility with interest, speculating whether they would "get Sam in" by the deadline.

On Aug. 2, 1925 at a 3 p.m., the final sale was completed and the doors of the East Main Street establishment closed, later to be reopened as McCrory's 5 & 10 Cent Store. The move was completed overnight with the new establishment opening its doors for business at 7:30 the next morning. During afternoon and evening receptions, no sales were allowed and flowers were given to the first visitors. Entertainment was provided the entire day by a musical trio consisting of a pianist, cellist and a violinist. The original establishment was divided and included ample space to accommodate both the furniture store and the funeral parlor under one roof. The funeral parlor was approximately one-third of the first floor with a separate entrance near the bridge walkway. Furniture was on display in the basement, first and second floor levels. The outside of the establishment looks comparatively the same today as it did in 1925. Gone are the plate glass windows installed on the second story. Remaining is the lighted sign which vertically spells out "Bissler's." Although the operation of the family business has remained constant over the years, prices have changed. Rick Bissler, great-grandson of Sam Bissler, illustrated the price changes with a 1932 sales slip. The sales slip showed that a complete household of furniture, including kitchen appliances, was purchased for less than $400.

Then came the addition of another partner in 1939. Robert was added and an "s" was added to the "& Son" ending to the business name. Dick Bissler was the first member of the third generation to complete his embalmers and funeral operator's certification. Rick Bissler was the first member of the fourth generation to join the family institution. Presently Robert heads the company as president. "I plan to remain active as long as I can breathe," he said. Robert is a past president of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, a board member of Huntington-Portage National Bank, life member of Kiwanis and honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1943, Bissler's was selected to become a member of the National Selected Morticians. Robert served a three-year term on the board of the nationally known organization. He was selected as its president in 1965. Married in 1943, he and his wife Eve have four daughters and two grandchildren. The late Ira Bissler had three sons: Jerry F., who serves as company secretary; Richard S., who serves as treasurer; and Father Thomas, a priest serving in the Youngstown Diocese. Jerry and Richard received their embalmers and funeral director's certification in the early 1940's. Rick was the first member of the four generation to be certified. After 28 years of business, a split occurred in 1942, but it was due to expansion and exasperation.

The funeral facilities were moved to a new location in a renovated home located on the corner of West Main and Chestnut Streets. When the move was made, most of Kent was concentrating their attention on the movement of troops during World War II. Or, the latest moves of the Roosevelt Rough Riders in their opening game with Bedford. But during the open house held in September of 1942, residents took note of the modern facilities including air-conditioning and a complete sound system. An elevator was also installed serving three levels of the Colonial home. To ensure a smooth and quiet ride, a 40- foot, below ground elevator shaft was installed as a counter-balance. The funeral home was again renovated and expanded to its present size in 1976. Four generations have succeeded in the family enterprise and the business has continued to operate the same as it was begun in 1914. Samuel Bissler came to Kent to find work and ended up investing a lifetime. In 1892 his only collateral consisted of a horse-drawn carriage and a suit of clothes. In turn the Kent community has collected the interest?a 66-year tradition of service.

And the story continues?We experienced some major changes in the late 1980's. Jerry Bissler died in October of 1986. He had been ill a while, but this loss was very hard on the organization. Dick Bissler retired shortly after his 65th birthday at the end of 1987. We, then, rethought the goals and direction of the business and chose to close the Furniture Store part of the business the end of February 1988. This was a major change, yet it allowed for some other enhancements and focus to the Funeral Service facet.
West Main and Chestnut Streets
The changes did not stop there. September of 1988 brought a great deal of unexpected change with the deaths of Dick Bissler, Mary Bissler and Bob Bissler. Mary was the widow of Ira, one of the founding partners and a major stockholder for years. One of the most fortunate things for the continuation of this family business is that Bob, Dick and Jerry had done their homework in succession planning. It is through their foresight that the business was on solid ground legally and that the business could then focus on growth.The next eleven years brought a sustained remodeling and renovation of the Funeral Home. This plan included the installation of a cremator and addition of a business office with a separate entrance. Many families have a difficult time coming back into the doors of the Funeral home after the services are complete. The entrance for the Business office allows them to return to pick up Acknowledgement cards or Certified Copies of the Death Certificates and not use the "funeral" entrance. Our growth plan keeps us on the leading edge of Funeral Service, so the Cremator installation was a natural part of the plan. Also during these years the Furniture Store building was sold. It has been remodeled into some of Kent's more sought after office space.Our Growth plan is still in place and we are continually working to keep the needs and desires of our families as our goal. We strive to never answer to a family's request with "We don't do that here." Our aim is to assist families in planning a service that skeaks to the life that has been lived; no matter if that includes motorcycles, "Brink's" trucks or High Tea.

Samuel married Clara Kerner on 8 Nov 1893. Clara (daughter of Friedrich Kerner) was born on 29 Oct 1873 in Ohio, USA; died on 19 Apr 1924 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA; was buried on 22 Apr 1924. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

father: Godfried Keener

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY:
family tree
Claudia Bissler cjsam@confog.com
Father: Francois Joseph BISSLER b: 17 AUG 1796 in Bourbach le Bas, Alsace, France Mother: Therese BIHLER b: 29 AUG 1792 in Bourbach le Bas, Alsace, France
Submitter: Claudia Bissler
Subject: Bissler
Message: Hello Cousin Mark, I am glad to meet you. I am a Bissler by marriage to Gary Kent Bissler, son of Ernest Edward Bissler, son of John C. Bissler, son of Martin Bissler, brother of Bernard. Their parents, Francois Joseph Bissler and Theresea Bihler came to the USA in the 1830's. Francois was the son of Joannes Bissler and Margaretha Wohlfart. Joannes was the son of Joseph Bissler of St. Ammarin and Anna Marie Schadelin who married on 25 Jan. 1758 in St. Amarin. The following is a quote from material I have recently received from Mr. Patrick Bissler of Sentheim, Alsace, France. He has researched the family in Bourbach le Bas and St. Amarin. "The earliest Bissler record found in Bourback le Bas is in 1788. On January 14 of that year, Johann (Jean) Bissler married Margaretha (Marguerite) Wohlfart. The record states that Johann was twenty-eight years old and was the son of Joseph Bissler and Anna Maria Schottely of St. Amarin (a city about seven miles north of Bourbach-le-Bas). Unfortunately the names Bissler and Schottely are completely absent from the records of St. Amarin, so tracing the family back any farther will not be easy. They were very probably from another village inthe near vicinity, however, and it may someday be discovered. Johann's wife was a native of Bourbach-le-Bas, having been baptized there on March 9, 1799, the daughter of Johann Peter (Jean Pierre) Wohlfart and Catharina Schlosser. Johann died in Bourbach-le-Bas on April 4, 1797, and Margaretha remarried to Johann (Jean) Rooth/Roth. She died October 20, 1828 in Bourbach-le Bas. Johann and Margaretha had Six known children." He goes on to tell that 3 of the children died before they were five years old. One was born after his fathers death. Two of the children came to the U.s. They are Johann Baptiste and Francois Joseph. I have much more material but this is a good beginning. I am very interested in the family of Bernard and Malanie. There are several Bernard's or Barneys and it is confusing to sort them out. Are you in the northeast Ohio area so that we could meet and exchange data. I would like to know about Bernard and Melanie's children and grandchildren etc. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Our cousin in France, Patrick, will be excited to hear of another cousin turning up. Claudia Bissler
Submitter: Mark Steinke
Subject: Bissler
Message: Hi Claudia, Wow! I can't believe how information well information gets around. The information you posted from Patrick is a direct quote from a family history I wrote 10 years ago. I don't believe I ever got around to placing it in a library (I did place a write-up on the Favret family in the Canton Library). I did share my research with the Bisslers in Kent (descendants of Martin and Louisa Wise Bissler) and they must have made contact with relatives in Alsace. It's really amazing what a small world it is! I researched the Bisslers in the records of Bourbach-le-Bas, which are available on microfilm through the Mormon library. Johann's marriage record in Bourbach-le-Bas lists him as being from St. Amarin and his mother's name as Anna Maria Schottely. I was unsuccessful locating info on them in the St. Amarin records. Looks like Patrick succeeded there where I failed. You can see what I found on all the Bissler ancestors by going to my family tree at http://home.fuse.net/mepsteinke/D43.HTM I do live in Ohio, but the other end of the state from you - Cincinnati. Let me know if you ever get down this way! Thanks for your help, and I look forward to hearing if Patrick succeeding in finding other info I missed. Take a look at my site and let me know what you think. Thanks again, and take care, Mark
Bremen to NY 1848 Passenger List
BISSLER, Maton

From: MRS GINA M REASONER > Subject: SAMUEL C. BISSLER - STARK COUNTY Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 21:15:30, -0500
HISTORY OF OHIO, The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925Volume IV, page 54SAMUEL C. BISSLER, proprietor of a furniture store and undertakingbusiness at 12-14 East Main Street at Kent, is a well known citizen of Portage County, and nearly all his business career has been passed in thatsection of the state.He was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 20, 1871, son of Martinand Louisa (Wise) Bissler. His parents were natives of Germany, and his grandfathers, John Bissler and Joseph Wise, brought their families to Ohio in early days. Martin Bissler after his marriage lived on a farm east of Hartville, in Stark County, but in 1873 moved to Suffield Township, Portage County, where he and his wife bought farms of sixty and forty-five acres, a mile apart, both in the Bissler name. Martin Bissler died there in 1885, and his widow survived until April 1, 1905. Their children were: Katherine,of Kent, widow of Valentine May; Jacob and John, both of BrimfieldTownship; Barney, of Suffield Township; Charles, of Akron; Samuel C.; and one daughter and three sons now deceased.Samuel C. Bissler, the youngest son of the family, grew up on thefarm in Portage County, attended the district schools, and at the age of seventeen he began his career of work, though he remained at home assisting on the home place for several years. At the age of twenty he moved to Kent, where he was employed as a teamster and also did some farming, and in October, 1892, became an employe of I.L. Herriff in the furniture and undertaking business. He was identified with the Herriff establishment for twenty-one years, assuming an increasing share of responsibilities in the management of business. Finally he traded his town property for a 162 acre farm in Brimfield Township, and personally conducted the farm for eighteen months. Selling out, he returned to Kent with the purpose of reengaging as a partner of Mr. Herriff. Shortly afterward Mr. Herriff fell ill and died afew years later. Soon after that Mr. Bissler bought the Burt Eckert livery business and entered into the undertaking business, and the following February he disposed of the livery interests and has since continued in business as a furniture dealer and funeral director. He has one of the successful business undertakings of his home town.On November 8, 1893, Mr. Bissler married Miss Clara Keener, who wasborn in Suffield Township of Portage County, daughter of Godfried Keener, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bissler have four children, Ira S., now associated with his father in business, married Mary Armstrong and has two sons, named Jerry and Dick. Thelma Marie is the wife of Rexford L. Sampsell, of Kent.Mr. Bissler has served two terms on the City Council of Kent. Heand his family are Catholics. In politics he is a democrat, and he has served as a trustee of the Knight of Columbus, is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Kent Lodge No. 1376, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is a Rotarian, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Twin Lakes Golf Club.

Martin married Louisa Weis on 23 Nov 1852 in St. John's Church, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, USA. Louisa (daughter of Johannes Jakob Weis Wise and Maria Magdalena Hammer) was born on 27 Mar 1830 in Birkenhördt, Pfalz, Bayern; was christened on 28 Mar 1830 in Birkenhördt, Pfalz, Bayern; died on 29 Mar 1905 in Kent, Portage County, Ohio, USA; was buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Randolph Township, Portage County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Emigration: 1840 from Germany to United States of America