James Broomhall McKisson was born May 10, 1838 in Belmont County, Ohio. His parents were Samuel McKisson and Joannah Broomhall McKisson. James married Jennie (or Jane) Bates on Nov. 14, 1861 in Guernsey County, Ohio. Jane was born about 1838; her parents were William and Ellenor Bates. James and Jennie had three children: Ellen B., born about 1862; William L., born about 1871; Charles T., born about 1873.

James was a farmer in Guernsey County, Ohio.

He enlisted to fight in the Civil War. The following is a sample of the many notes from his Civil War Pension file found in the National Archives, Washington, DC.

James B. McKisson, Company D, 60 Regiment, Ohio Volunteers Infantry, to serve three years during the war. Enlisted February 14, 1864 at Londerry, Ohio; post office address was Washington, Guernsey County, Ohio; discharged March 18, 1865. Length of Service: 11 months, 12 days. Entered as 2nd Lieutenant and discharged as 1st Lieutenant. Filed for pension May 29, 1865, Certificate #48,666, invalid pension.

James' affidavit: State of Ohio, Guernsey County, S.S.:

I, James B. McKisson, late 1st Lieut. of Co. D 60th Ohio Vols., being first duly sworn state that the disability for which I claim pension in application No. 69,726 is for loss of voice and consequent injury to my throat and lungs as I have to talk altogether by inhalative or the drawing in of my breath strongly and thereby keeping my throat and lungs in constant irritation and making one have constantly but short breathing, rendering me unable to perform manual labor and rendering me unfit for business of any other character. The said disability was brought upon me by being run over and trampled upon by our tropps in their retreat from before Petersburgh, Virginia on the 30th day of September 1864, whilst I was acting in the line of duty and obendience to orders." signed, James B. McKisson

"The said James B. McKisson is laboring under disease of the throat, windpipe and lungs. He is hoarse to such extent as to be unable to speak loud very short of breath. There is evidently chronic inflammation of the windpipe and a portion of the lungs. He will most likely recover or die within a year or two, uncertain which. " signed by Examining Surgeon.

March 22, 1878, Cambridge, Ohio. "Sir: In the case of James B. McKisson No. 48666 whose pension had been granted some years ago on account of Aphonia and disease of spine. The same was entirely removed Spet. 1877 as his voice was restored & opine well [last 2 words unclear]. And said McKisson now seeks a renewal or restoration on etirely new grounds - disease of lungs. J. B. McKisson drinks more or less all the time and gets drunk & he is now somewhat of a whiskey bloat. Kept a saloon for years and remains a customer all the time. He has lung disease and will die from the same. Very respectfully, J. C. Taylor, Ex Surgeon."

May 16, 1896: Dr. D. L. Cowden found him suffering from "cerebral softening": "His physical condition is weak. His appetite impaired, and at times can eat nothing. He has anaesthesia of arms, legs, hands and feet and at times has hyperaesthesia of the extremities. At times he has veritgo and neuralgic pains. He does not sleep well and his intellect is confused - wears a dull expresionless countenance. His memory is very poor indeed. His entire mentality degenerating. His movements are awkward and uncertain and is undoubtedly unfit to perform labor of any kind."

Sometime between 1870-1880, James and Jennie divorced. She and the children are found living with her mother in Jefferson, Guernsey, Ohio in the 1880 census.

James is not found in the 1880 census, but in the 1890 Federal Special Schedule - Surviving Soldiers, Sailors and Marines and Widows, page 22, S.D. 6; E.D. Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home, Erie County, Ohio, Line 22: McKisson, James B.; Rank: 1 Lieut; Company D, Regiment 60, Ohio, Infantry; Date of Enlistment: April 6, 1864; Date of Discharge, Mar 18, 1864; Length of Service: 11 months, 12 days. Disability: Shell Wound.

Submitted by Carol Petranek, November 16, 2009.