Lieut. Robert Kissick

LIEUT. ROBERT KISSICK, attorney at law, Oskaloosa, is a native of Mercer County, Pa., and was born May 4, 1843. His father, Thomas Kissick, was a native of Ireland, and came with his parents to Pittsburgh, Pa., when sixteen years old, and was employed as molder in a foundry in that city and resided there for ten years, whence he went to Ohio and worked on a farm in Stark County. From Ohio he returned to Pennsylvania, and became acquainted with, and was married to, in 1839, Miss Mary A. Lafferty, a native of Ohio. They were the parents of eight children — five sons and three daughters — seven of whom are living: W. L. enlisted in the 16th Iowa Infantry, as a private soldier, serving four years. On Sherman's march to the sea he was promoted Captain of Company C. Capt. Kissick was in prison at Andersonville for several months, and though still living, in this county, has never fully recovered from the effects of that imprisonment. Lucetta J., deceased, married Dr. N. R. Hook, now of Lincoln, Neb.; Araminta is the wife of Rev. William Wilson, of Dwight, Ill.; George L. is a farmer, and resides in Monroe County, Iowa; Florence is the wife of Dr. N. R. Hook; James L. is in Nebraska. Thomas Kissick, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a man of more than ordinary ability. He was an abolitionist from the time he became a voter. He and his wife were members of the Congregational Church.

Robert Kissick was reared in Mercer County, Pa., until sixteen years old, receiving his education in the common schools of that State. In the spring of 1859 he came to Mahaska County, and in the summer of 1862 enlisted in Co. C, 33d Iowa Vol. Inf., as a private, and participated with his regiment in numerous engagements. In the fall of that year the regiment was sent to St. Louis, and put upon guard duty, and ordered thence to Columbus, Ky., and Union City, Tenn., to repel a threatened attack upon those positions. They returned to Columbus, and in the early part of July, 1863, were sent to Helena, Ark. They were on the Yazoo Pass expedition as far as Ft. Pemberton, and returned again to Helena. Our subject was on the expedition against Little Rock, under Gen. Steele, who captured that stronghold in September, 1863. Mr. Kissick remained at Little Rock until the following spring, when he was promoted First Lieutenant and Adjutant in the 113th Colored Regiment, and remained at Little Rock until the close of the war, in 1865, when his regiment was mustered out of service.

After his return to Oskaloosa Mr. Kissick attended classical and Normal school for two years, when he was employed as teacher in the county. He was Principal of the High School at Manchester, Delaware Co., Iowa, one year, and on his return to Oskaloosa entered the law office of Needham & Lafferty, and later that of Lafferty & Johnson, as a student. In January, 1871, he attended the Law Department of the Iowa State University, and graduated in the class of 1872. Returning to Oskaloosa he engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1866 he was appointed Deputy Revenue Collector of Mahaska and Marion Counties, serving about two years.

Mr. Kissick has served several terms as Justice of the Peace, and for two years as Chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. He is a wide-awake Republican, a fluent speaker and hard worker. He is a member of Phil Kearney Post No. 40, G. A. R.

Mr. Kissiek was married in Oskaloosa, Nov. 4, 1868, to Miss Mary J. Pettitt, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1845. Six children have been born to them — Ralph W., Frank P., Guy E., Edwyne R., Norman J. and Mary I. Mr. and Mrs. Kissick are members of the Congregational Church.

SOURCE: Portrait And Biographical Album Of Mahaska County, Iowa, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, Illinois, 1887, p. 281-2