WILLIAM W. SISSON, a farmer residing on section 23, Waddams Township, is the eldest son of Robert and Mary (Foreman) Sisson. He was born in the township in which he now resides, Oct. 20, 1844, and there he attended the district school, acquiring the best education that the facilities warranted, until he was ten years of age, when he left the school and assisted his father in clearing up and cultivating the large farm. By the time William had reached the age of eighteen, the great Rebellion was threatening to disrupt our Government. Though but a boy, his patriotism welled up within his breast until he deemed it his duty as an American citizen, to lay aside his plow and shoulder a musket and march to the front in response to President Lincoln’s call for 300,000 volunteers. In August, 1862, he attached himself to Co. G, 92nd Ill. Vol. Inf., and shortly after went with his company to join the Army of the Tennessee. His regiment was engaged in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. It took part in the bloody charge at Chickamauga, and then went with Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta, participating in all the battles on the way. Mr. Sisson escaped unhurt in the desperate encounters of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, yet his eyesight failed him at Atlanta. During the siege of that place he was compelled to go to the hospital, and did not recover sufficiently to report for duty until January, 1865. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, and returned home. He resided with his parents until his marriage, which occurred Feb. 10, 1869, and then located upon the farm which he now occupies.

Miss Eliza Murphy, who became the wife of William W. Sisson, is a native of Waddams Township, where she was born Jan. 19, 1852. She is the daughter of Martin and Ann (Stocks) Murphy, a biography of whom may be found elsewhere in this book. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson are the parents of two interesting children, Alice G. and Carrie L.

Our subject’s shattered health and almost entire loss of eyesight, is due to his hard service in the campaign of the slaveholders’ rebellion. It is to the services of just such men as William W. Sisson that the American people owe the safety of the Republic. They left the comforts of home, their parents and friends, and risked their lives in the defense of their country, and many promising young men fell before the enemy’s fire, while others, as in the case of Mr. Sisson, were maimed for life. He is now a member of Maj. Goddard Post No. 25, G. A. R. He is also in good standing in Lena Lodge No. 192, I. O. O. F.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 214-15