BISSELL, Melville Reuben, inventor and manufacturer, was born in Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1843, son of Alpheus and Lydia (Brooks) Bissell.
When five years old his parents settled at Racine, Wis., and three years later removed to Berlin, in the same state. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Berlin, where he learned the trade of a baker, which, however, he soon abandoned.
After visiting several places in search of a favorable location, with his father, he finally settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1862. With a total capital of $150, they opened a grocery store, to which a stock of crockery was soon added. After a successful career he disposed of his interests in Kalamazoo, and in 1869 embarked in the crockery business in Grand Rapids, where he met with his usual marked success, gave his attention to real estate, from which he realized large profits. In this direction he displayed a wonderful business sagacity aud insight, which gave him a front rank among dealers in real estate.
He was actively engaged in this business until the commercial panic of 1873, when he turned his attention to making improvements on the carpet-sweeper then manufactured under the name of the "Welcome." Readily perceiving the defects of that machine, he devised, and procured a patent for, a carpet-sweeper containing a central bearing-brush, and many improvements on the machine then in use. This contrivance was finally reduced to a practical and commercial value by placing rubber tires on the iron wheels for the purpose of promoting friction of the brush-roller.
In 1883 he organized a stock company with a paid-up capital of $150,000 for manufacturing his carpet-sweeper. The destruction of the manufactory by fire in the following year taxed his energies to the utmost, but his business ability proved equal to the ordeal. The building was replaced, and the business increased until it became the largest of its kind in the world, having a branch office in New York aud factories in London, Paris and Toronto, Canada, with agencies in twenty-two foreign countries.
Mr. Bissell was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, always taking an active interest in its affairs, and was for many years a Sunday-school superintendent. He was married, in 1865, to Anna Sutherland of De Pere, Wis., and had four children. He died in Grand Rapids, Mich., March 15, 1889.
From "The National Cyclopedia of American Biography" JamesT. White and Company, New York, vol 7, pg 163, 1897
(After his death, his wife took charge of the business and is credited with being the first female CEO in the United States!)
____________________________________________________________
Many of the men who contributed to the early prestige of Grand Rapids, which made possible the marvelous development which came later, have long since passed away, and but few of those who came here in the '60s are remembered in more than an ordinary way. However, there are some whose contributions to the city's greatness have been of such a character that their memories are kept green and their names are still household words, and among these was the late Melville R. Bissell. While nearly thirty years have gone by since Mr. Bissell passed on to that bourne from which no man returns, he is still remembered as the perfector of the carpet sweeper, and the factory which bears his name in this connection, at Grand Rapids, is the largest in the world in its line. Mr. Bissell was born at Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, Sept. 25, 1843, and was five years old when his parents removed to the West, the family settling at DePere, Wis., where they remained for about three years. The next home of the family was at Berlin, Wis., where Mr. Bissell received his education in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen years he gave up his studies. In 1862 he left for Kalamazoo, Mich., where he embarked in the grocery business, crockery subsequently being added to his stock. In 1869 Mr. Bissell came to Grand Rapids, which was destined to be the scene of his future success, his initial line being the crockery business, in which he won much prosperity. Among the many articles of household furniture which were handled by Mr. Bissell was an old-fashioned carpet sweeper. For some time he had noted that there was a serious defect in the old style of sweeper, but had been unable to come to the conclusion as to what this defect was. However, one day while exhibiting it to a prospective customer, he suddenly discovered that the fault lay in the adjustment of the brush, saw the solution of the problem that had bothered him, and soon made his first invention, upon which he was granted a patent in 1876. After this on several occasions he made improvements on his sweeper, which became generally recognized as the best and most complete upon the market. A company was formed, with Mr. Bissell at its head, the business was enlarged several times over, and its product found a ready welcome in every market in the world. By 1884 the business had assumed tremendous proportions, and when the factory was entirely destroyed in a great conflagration, it was immediately rebuilt with greatly increased facilities for manufacture. From that time to the present the business has shown a steady and constant gain and the Grand Rapids factory of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company is now the largest of its kind in the world. Mr. Bissell was one of the men who had the foresight to note the great possibilities lying in the handling of Grand Rapids real estate. Soon after coming to the city he began to deal in realty, and his operations therein gained him large profits. He always had faith in the future development and prosperity of his city, and this confidence was repaid substantially. In 1888 Mr. Bissell established the Standard Stock Farm, at Reed's Lake, where he expected to spend many happy hours in the humoring of a hobby. However, he did not live long to enjoy this experiment, as his death occurred when he was only forty-five years of age, March 15, 1889. His life, while short, had been a crowded one, full of success and marked by more than ordinary achievement. As a citizen he had helped his city to grow and develop, not only through the medium of the product of which he was the originator, but by his support of good and beneficial civic movements and educational and charitable enterprises. A member and regular attendant of the Methodist church, he took an active part in its work, and was for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1865 Mr. Bissell was united in marriage with Miss Anna Sutherland, of De Pere, Wis., and they became the parents of five children: Mrs. Dorothy A. McCay, of Pasadena, Calif.; Melville R., of Grand Rapids; Harvey S., of La Centra, Calif.; Irving J., of Grand Rapids, and Lillie May died at the age of seven years.
-Grand Rapids and Kent County, Vol. 2 - Michigan History and Account of Their Progress from First Settlement to the Present Time (1918)
Contributor: Robby Peters (49706234)
When five years old his parents settled at Racine, Wis., and three years later removed to Berlin, in the same state. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Berlin, where he learned the trade of a baker, which, however, he soon abandoned.
After visiting several places in search of a favorable location, with his father, he finally settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1862. With a total capital of $150, they opened a grocery store, to which a stock of crockery was soon added. After a successful career he disposed of his interests in Kalamazoo, and in 1869 embarked in the crockery business in Grand Rapids, where he met with his usual marked success, gave his attention to real estate, from which he realized large profits. In this direction he displayed a wonderful business sagacity aud insight, which gave him a front rank among dealers in real estate.
He was actively engaged in this business until the commercial panic of 1873, when he turned his attention to making improvements on the carpet-sweeper then manufactured under the name of the "Welcome." Readily perceiving the defects of that machine, he devised, and procured a patent for, a carpet-sweeper containing a central bearing-brush, and many improvements on the machine then in use. This contrivance was finally reduced to a practical and commercial value by placing rubber tires on the iron wheels for the purpose of promoting friction of the brush-roller.
In 1883 he organized a stock company with a paid-up capital of $150,000 for manufacturing his carpet-sweeper. The destruction of the manufactory by fire in the following year taxed his energies to the utmost, but his business ability proved equal to the ordeal. The building was replaced, and the business increased until it became the largest of its kind in the world, having a branch office in New York aud factories in London, Paris and Toronto, Canada, with agencies in twenty-two foreign countries.
Mr. Bissell was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, always taking an active interest in its affairs, and was for many years a Sunday-school superintendent. He was married, in 1865, to Anna Sutherland of De Pere, Wis., and had four children. He died in Grand Rapids, Mich., March 15, 1889.
From "The National Cyclopedia of American Biography" JamesT. White and Company, New York, vol 7, pg 163, 1897
(After his death, his wife took charge of the business and is credited with being the first female CEO in the United States!)
____________________________________________________________
Many of the men who contributed to the early prestige of Grand Rapids, which made possible the marvelous development which came later, have long since passed away, and but few of those who came here in the '60s are remembered in more than an ordinary way. However, there are some whose contributions to the city's greatness have been of such a character that their memories are kept green and their names are still household words, and among these was the late Melville R. Bissell. While nearly thirty years have gone by since Mr. Bissell passed on to that bourne from which no man returns, he is still remembered as the perfector of the carpet sweeper, and the factory which bears his name in this connection, at Grand Rapids, is the largest in the world in its line. Mr. Bissell was born at Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, Sept. 25, 1843, and was five years old when his parents removed to the West, the family settling at DePere, Wis., where they remained for about three years. The next home of the family was at Berlin, Wis., where Mr. Bissell received his education in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen years he gave up his studies. In 1862 he left for Kalamazoo, Mich., where he embarked in the grocery business, crockery subsequently being added to his stock. In 1869 Mr. Bissell came to Grand Rapids, which was destined to be the scene of his future success, his initial line being the crockery business, in which he won much prosperity. Among the many articles of household furniture which were handled by Mr. Bissell was an old-fashioned carpet sweeper. For some time he had noted that there was a serious defect in the old style of sweeper, but had been unable to come to the conclusion as to what this defect was. However, one day while exhibiting it to a prospective customer, he suddenly discovered that the fault lay in the adjustment of the brush, saw the solution of the problem that had bothered him, and soon made his first invention, upon which he was granted a patent in 1876. After this on several occasions he made improvements on his sweeper, which became generally recognized as the best and most complete upon the market. A company was formed, with Mr. Bissell at its head, the business was enlarged several times over, and its product found a ready welcome in every market in the world. By 1884 the business had assumed tremendous proportions, and when the factory was entirely destroyed in a great conflagration, it was immediately rebuilt with greatly increased facilities for manufacture. From that time to the present the business has shown a steady and constant gain and the Grand Rapids factory of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company is now the largest of its kind in the world. Mr. Bissell was one of the men who had the foresight to note the great possibilities lying in the handling of Grand Rapids real estate. Soon after coming to the city he began to deal in realty, and his operations therein gained him large profits. He always had faith in the future development and prosperity of his city, and this confidence was repaid substantially. In 1888 Mr. Bissell established the Standard Stock Farm, at Reed's Lake, where he expected to spend many happy hours in the humoring of a hobby. However, he did not live long to enjoy this experiment, as his death occurred when he was only forty-five years of age, March 15, 1889. His life, while short, had been a crowded one, full of success and marked by more than ordinary achievement. As a citizen he had helped his city to grow and develop, not only through the medium of the product of which he was the originator, but by his support of good and beneficial civic movements and educational and charitable enterprises. A member and regular attendant of the Methodist church, he took an active part in its work, and was for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1865 Mr. Bissell was united in marriage with Miss Anna Sutherland, of De Pere, Wis., and they became the parents of five children: Mrs. Dorothy A. McCay, of Pasadena, Calif.; Melville R., of Grand Rapids; Harvey S., of La Centra, Calif.; Irving J., of Grand Rapids, and Lillie May died at the age of seven years.
-Grand Rapids and Kent County, Vol. 2 - Michigan History and Account of Their Progress from First Settlement to the Present Time (1918)
Contributor: Robby Peters (49706234)
BISSELL, Melville Reuben, inventor and manufacturer, was born in Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1843, son of Alpheus and Lydia (Brooks) Bissell.
When five years old his parents settled at Racine, Wis., and three years later removed to Berlin, in the same state. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Berlin, where he learned the trade of a baker, which, however, he soon abandoned.
After visiting several places in search of a favorable location, with his father, he finally settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1862. With a total capital of $150, they opened a grocery store, to which a stock of crockery was soon added. After a successful career he disposed of his interests in Kalamazoo, and in 1869 embarked in the crockery business in Grand Rapids, where he met with his usual marked success, gave his attention to real estate, from which he realized large profits. In this direction he displayed a wonderful business sagacity aud insight, which gave him a front rank among dealers in real estate.
He was actively engaged in this business until the commercial panic of 1873, when he turned his attention to making improvements on the carpet-sweeper then manufactured under the name of the "Welcome." Readily perceiving the defects of that machine, he devised, and procured a patent for, a carpet-sweeper containing a central bearing-brush, and many improvements on the machine then in use. This contrivance was finally reduced to a practical and commercial value by placing rubber tires on the iron wheels for the purpose of promoting friction of the brush-roller.
In 1883 he organized a stock company with a paid-up capital of $150,000 for manufacturing his carpet-sweeper. The destruction of the manufactory by fire in the following year taxed his energies to the utmost, but his business ability proved equal to the ordeal. The building was replaced, and the business increased until it became the largest of its kind in the world, having a branch office in New York aud factories in London, Paris and Toronto, Canada, with agencies in twenty-two foreign countries.
Mr. Bissell was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, always taking an active interest in its affairs, and was for many years a Sunday-school superintendent. He was married, in 1865, to Anna Sutherland of De Pere, Wis., and had four children. He died in Grand Rapids, Mich., March 15, 1889.
From "The National Cyclopedia of American Biography" JamesT. White and Company, New York, vol 7, pg 163, 1897
(After his death, his wife took charge of the business and is credited with being the first female CEO in the United States!)
____________________________________________________________
Many of the men who contributed to the early prestige of Grand Rapids, which made possible the marvelous development which came later, have long since passed away, and but few of those who came here in the '60s are remembered in more than an ordinary way. However, there are some whose contributions to the city's greatness have been of such a character that their memories are kept green and their names are still household words, and among these was the late Melville R. Bissell. While nearly thirty years have gone by since Mr. Bissell passed on to that bourne from which no man returns, he is still remembered as the perfector of the carpet sweeper, and the factory which bears his name in this connection, at Grand Rapids, is the largest in the world in its line. Mr. Bissell was born at Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, Sept. 25, 1843, and was five years old when his parents removed to the West, the family settling at DePere, Wis., where they remained for about three years. The next home of the family was at Berlin, Wis., where Mr. Bissell received his education in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen years he gave up his studies. In 1862 he left for Kalamazoo, Mich., where he embarked in the grocery business, crockery subsequently being added to his stock. In 1869 Mr. Bissell came to Grand Rapids, which was destined to be the scene of his future success, his initial line being the crockery business, in which he won much prosperity. Among the many articles of household furniture which were handled by Mr. Bissell was an old-fashioned carpet sweeper. For some time he had noted that there was a serious defect in the old style of sweeper, but had been unable to come to the conclusion as to what this defect was. However, one day while exhibiting it to a prospective customer, he suddenly discovered that the fault lay in the adjustment of the brush, saw the solution of the problem that had bothered him, and soon made his first invention, upon which he was granted a patent in 1876. After this on several occasions he made improvements on his sweeper, which became generally recognized as the best and most complete upon the market. A company was formed, with Mr. Bissell at its head, the business was enlarged several times over, and its product found a ready welcome in every market in the world. By 1884 the business had assumed tremendous proportions, and when the factory was entirely destroyed in a great conflagration, it was immediately rebuilt with greatly increased facilities for manufacture. From that time to the present the business has shown a steady and constant gain and the Grand Rapids factory of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company is now the largest of its kind in the world. Mr. Bissell was one of the men who had the foresight to note the great possibilities lying in the handling of Grand Rapids real estate. Soon after coming to the city he began to deal in realty, and his operations therein gained him large profits. He always had faith in the future development and prosperity of his city, and this confidence was repaid substantially. In 1888 Mr. Bissell established the Standard Stock Farm, at Reed's Lake, where he expected to spend many happy hours in the humoring of a hobby. However, he did not live long to enjoy this experiment, as his death occurred when he was only forty-five years of age, March 15, 1889. His life, while short, had been a crowded one, full of success and marked by more than ordinary achievement. As a citizen he had helped his city to grow and develop, not only through the medium of the product of which he was the originator, but by his support of good and beneficial civic movements and educational and charitable enterprises. A member and regular attendant of the Methodist church, he took an active part in its work, and was for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1865 Mr. Bissell was united in marriage with Miss Anna Sutherland, of De Pere, Wis., and they became the parents of five children: Mrs. Dorothy A. McCay, of Pasadena, Calif.; Melville R., of Grand Rapids; Harvey S., of La Centra, Calif.; Irving J., of Grand Rapids, and Lillie May died at the age of seven years.
-Grand Rapids and Kent County, Vol. 2 - Michigan History and Account of Their Progress from First Settlement to the Present Time (1918)
Contributor: Robby Peters (49706234)
When five years old his parents settled at Racine, Wis., and three years later removed to Berlin, in the same state. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Berlin, where he learned the trade of a baker, which, however, he soon abandoned.
After visiting several places in search of a favorable location, with his father, he finally settled at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1862. With a total capital of $150, they opened a grocery store, to which a stock of crockery was soon added. After a successful career he disposed of his interests in Kalamazoo, and in 1869 embarked in the crockery business in Grand Rapids, where he met with his usual marked success, gave his attention to real estate, from which he realized large profits. In this direction he displayed a wonderful business sagacity aud insight, which gave him a front rank among dealers in real estate.
He was actively engaged in this business until the commercial panic of 1873, when he turned his attention to making improvements on the carpet-sweeper then manufactured under the name of the "Welcome." Readily perceiving the defects of that machine, he devised, and procured a patent for, a carpet-sweeper containing a central bearing-brush, and many improvements on the machine then in use. This contrivance was finally reduced to a practical and commercial value by placing rubber tires on the iron wheels for the purpose of promoting friction of the brush-roller.
In 1883 he organized a stock company with a paid-up capital of $150,000 for manufacturing his carpet-sweeper. The destruction of the manufactory by fire in the following year taxed his energies to the utmost, but his business ability proved equal to the ordeal. The building was replaced, and the business increased until it became the largest of its kind in the world, having a branch office in New York aud factories in London, Paris and Toronto, Canada, with agencies in twenty-two foreign countries.
Mr. Bissell was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, always taking an active interest in its affairs, and was for many years a Sunday-school superintendent. He was married, in 1865, to Anna Sutherland of De Pere, Wis., and had four children. He died in Grand Rapids, Mich., March 15, 1889.
From "The National Cyclopedia of American Biography" JamesT. White and Company, New York, vol 7, pg 163, 1897
(After his death, his wife took charge of the business and is credited with being the first female CEO in the United States!)
____________________________________________________________
Many of the men who contributed to the early prestige of Grand Rapids, which made possible the marvelous development which came later, have long since passed away, and but few of those who came here in the '60s are remembered in more than an ordinary way. However, there are some whose contributions to the city's greatness have been of such a character that their memories are kept green and their names are still household words, and among these was the late Melville R. Bissell. While nearly thirty years have gone by since Mr. Bissell passed on to that bourne from which no man returns, he is still remembered as the perfector of the carpet sweeper, and the factory which bears his name in this connection, at Grand Rapids, is the largest in the world in its line. Mr. Bissell was born at Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, Sept. 25, 1843, and was five years old when his parents removed to the West, the family settling at DePere, Wis., where they remained for about three years. The next home of the family was at Berlin, Wis., where Mr. Bissell received his education in the public schools, and at the age of seventeen years he gave up his studies. In 1862 he left for Kalamazoo, Mich., where he embarked in the grocery business, crockery subsequently being added to his stock. In 1869 Mr. Bissell came to Grand Rapids, which was destined to be the scene of his future success, his initial line being the crockery business, in which he won much prosperity. Among the many articles of household furniture which were handled by Mr. Bissell was an old-fashioned carpet sweeper. For some time he had noted that there was a serious defect in the old style of sweeper, but had been unable to come to the conclusion as to what this defect was. However, one day while exhibiting it to a prospective customer, he suddenly discovered that the fault lay in the adjustment of the brush, saw the solution of the problem that had bothered him, and soon made his first invention, upon which he was granted a patent in 1876. After this on several occasions he made improvements on his sweeper, which became generally recognized as the best and most complete upon the market. A company was formed, with Mr. Bissell at its head, the business was enlarged several times over, and its product found a ready welcome in every market in the world. By 1884 the business had assumed tremendous proportions, and when the factory was entirely destroyed in a great conflagration, it was immediately rebuilt with greatly increased facilities for manufacture. From that time to the present the business has shown a steady and constant gain and the Grand Rapids factory of the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company is now the largest of its kind in the world. Mr. Bissell was one of the men who had the foresight to note the great possibilities lying in the handling of Grand Rapids real estate. Soon after coming to the city he began to deal in realty, and his operations therein gained him large profits. He always had faith in the future development and prosperity of his city, and this confidence was repaid substantially. In 1888 Mr. Bissell established the Standard Stock Farm, at Reed's Lake, where he expected to spend many happy hours in the humoring of a hobby. However, he did not live long to enjoy this experiment, as his death occurred when he was only forty-five years of age, March 15, 1889. His life, while short, had been a crowded one, full of success and marked by more than ordinary achievement. As a citizen he had helped his city to grow and develop, not only through the medium of the product of which he was the originator, but by his support of good and beneficial civic movements and educational and charitable enterprises. A member and regular attendant of the Methodist church, he took an active part in its work, and was for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1865 Mr. Bissell was united in marriage with Miss Anna Sutherland, of De Pere, Wis., and they became the parents of five children: Mrs. Dorothy A. McCay, of Pasadena, Calif.; Melville R., of Grand Rapids; Harvey S., of La Centra, Calif.; Irving J., of Grand Rapids, and Lillie May died at the age of seven years.
-Grand Rapids and Kent County, Vol. 2 - Michigan History and Account of Their Progress from First Settlement to the Present Time (1918)
Contributor: Robby Peters (49706234)
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