Lewis Cissell, Sr. was born in Perry County in 1823, and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Miles) Cissell. Bernard Cissell, the father of Joseph, came with his family, consisting of a wife and four children, from Marion County, Kentucky to Perry County, Missouri in 1803.

He made a settlement four miles north of Bishop's Mill, where he entered land, upon which both himself and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. Their sons Lewis, Clement, and Joseph, also secured land in the same neighborhood, and were married in the County and passed their lives within its boundaries. Lewis married Sarah Mattingly; Clement, a Miss Duvall; and Joseph, Mary Miles. Polly, a daughter, became the wife of Sinnet Duvall.

Joseph lived to the advanced age of 88 years and was twice married. His first wife was accidentally killed in 1825, and died leaving the following children: Narius (who first married Christina Hagan, and after her death, Julia Brown); Mary M. (who became the wife of Raymond Tucker); Vincent (who wedded Caroline French); Pius (who married Christina Miles); and Lewis (who chose for his wife Louisa Mattingly).

Joseph Cissell married for his 2nd wife Mrs. Polly (Manning) Warren, by whom he was the father of five children, none of whom survived except Anna, the wife of Simeon Tucker.

Lewis Cissell was married in 1846, and for several years, resided near Silver Lake. He purchased his present farm of 280 acres in 1859. At that time only 50 acres were improved, but Mr. Cissell by hard labor and good management has made it one of the finest farms in the County.

He has a family of 9 children of whom seven are married. They are: John V. (who first married Melissa Brewer and after her death, Theresa Brewer), Loretta (the widow of Wilford Brewer), Leo F. (who first married Katie Frazier and after her death Louisa Brewer), Emanuel (who married Emma Mattingly), Ezekiel (who married Louise Rankin), Kendrick (who married Alice Brewer), Jane F. (the wife of William Difani).

The two youngest, Vincent and William are at home. Of the Cissell family, once so numerous, but few remain, yet because of their many good qualities, the name of Cissell has always stood for enterprise and good citizenship.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.