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William Henry Bissell




Bissell was born in Hartwick , Otsego County, New York . He attended the public schools, attended Yale University , and was graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College in 1835 . He moved to Monroe County, Illinois in 1837 where he taught school and practiced medicine until 1840.

From 1840 to 1842 , Bissell was member of the Illinois House Of Representatives . He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Belleville , St. Clair County, Illinois . He was prosecuting attorney of St. Clair County in 1844 . He served in the Mexican War as colonel of the Second Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Bissell was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses and as an Independent Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1849-March 3, 1855); chairman, Committee on Military Affairs (Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1854.

Bissell was elected governor of Illinois in 1856 and served from January 12, 1857, until his death. He died in Springfield , Sangamon County, Illinois and was interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery.


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