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Moline Daily Dispatch, October 30, 1918

OSCAR BISANT IS DEAD IN FLORIDA

Ex-Chief of Moline Police Department Passes - Burial at Hampton

Oscar M. Bisant, chief of the Moline police department from 1906 to 1917, died yesterday afternoon at Jacksonville, Fla. He was 66 years old. The former chief had been ill of Bright's disease for several months. News of his serious illness was received here a week ago. He died at the home of his son, Dr. Merton Bisant.

Oscar Bisant resigned as chief of the police department Dec. 31, 1917. He had served on the department for twenty-four years and eight months, having been first appointed patrolman by the late W.C. Bennett, then mayor. The former chief, who had given twenty-five years of his life to the service of Moline, had been ill for more than a year. It was to escape the rigors of Moline winters that he resigned and moved to Florida to make his home with his son. But it was also to help maintain the efficiency of the department of which he had been a member for twenty-five years that he resigned: " I feel as if I could hang on a few years more " he said to a Dispatch man on the last evening in his office in the Moline city hall. " But the department needs a younger man. "

The chief will be buried beside Mrs. Bisant in the Hampton cemetery. Funeral services will probably be held Sunday. The remains are being brought to Moline by his son. Mayor Carlson and other city officials expressed keen regret when the news of Chief Bisant's resignation was received.

" Oscar had been a faithful and loyal servant of the people of Moline . " said Mayor Carlson. " The chief was a good man and he handled the department well, " said Chief Ben DeJaeger today. Chief DeJaeger worked with and beside Mr. Bisant for nearly twenty years.

Oscar Bisant was born at Carbon Cliff March 25, 1852 . He lived in Rock Island county continuously until last winter. The former chief was married to Emma Adams in September 1872. Emma Adams was a daughter of E. W. Adams, former owner of Campbells 's island. Mrs. Bisant died nineteen years ago. Mr. Bisant was engaged in farming on Colona road during the early years of his life.

In 1890 he was appointed deputy sheriff and served until his appointment as Moline officer in May 1893. He was promoted to be sergeant May 21, ????. He had for a number of years earlier served as acting sergeant. He was made chief of the department Dec. 1, 1906. On Dec. 31, 1917, the chief resigned and was placed on the pension list. He left immediately for the home of his son in Jacksonville, Fla. Mr. Bisant visited Moline friends early last spring and spent the greater part of the summer here and in Hampton. Oscar Bisant conducted the Moline police department with strict discipline and was ever working for greater efficiency. He was a rigid taskmaster, but officers who worked under him had only kind words to say of their former chief today.

The former chief was a member of Moline lodge No. 556, B.P.O.E., and of Moline camp No. 38, Modern Woodmen of America. He leaves to mourn his passing one son, Dr. Merton Bisant, one daugter, Mrs. G. A. Hall of Des Moines, and one brother, Jackson Bisant, of Carbon Cliff.

The influenza epidemic and quarantine orders will probably prevent a public funeral. But some arrangements will probably be made to enable friends to view the remains of the former chief of police. Announcement of those arrangements will be made in a later issue.

Submitted by Jean Taylor

Illinois Ancestors