Monday’s ad is from 1959 and is for a brewery I’d not heard of before, Hampden Brewery of Willimansett, Massachusetts. The guy at the sparse desk is Karl H. Bissell, Sr., chairman of the board for the brewery, though at that time it was known as Hampden-Harvard Brewing. Eventually Piels bought it but the brewery was shut down in 1975. Curiously, it’s been restarted as a craft brewery earlier this year as Hampden Brewing Co.
Frankly, Bissell looks more like James Carville and I’m not quite sure how this guy with his cueball noggin sitting behind a big, empty desk was meant to inspire brand loyalty or switching brands. And the slogan “New England’s Finest Beer At New England’s Fairest Price” is not exactly Shakespeare, either.
They appear to have brewed ales and lagers.
Karl H. Bissell, Sr. Is my great grandfather. He was a nut.
Hello Vincent, My father was Joseph Bissell. I was not involved in his life and I am trying to track down some family members and ties.Would you know a Joseph Bissell. I was born in Springfield,Mass to Margaret Viola Sherman in 1950. I would appreciate any help you may lend.
Candace:
My name is Olivia Bissell. My brothers and sisters are the children of Peter Bissell, Joseph Bissell’s identical twin brother. We are from Agawam originally, and now we are spread out over the country. Is your Mom still alive? Uncle Joe passed away 4/16/96. He was living in Golden Valley, Arizona.
I hope to hear from you.
Olivia Bissell
Call me 914 830 8533
I have a pretty good history of the Hampden Brewery. The history of the Bissells is quite interesting As far as I know some of the sons are still alive, .I can probably answer any questions you might have so if you want to contact me my number is 536 2508 and I live in Chicopee.
George
I spent the first 9 years of my life living on Mr Bissell’s estate in Suffield Ct. My father was caretaker of the estate, and later became regional manager in the beer company.
In 1945 I was working in the summer vacation for A company called Halett Construction from Chicopee and we put in the driveway in the Bisseel estate. I also worked at Hampden beer one summer. I collect Hampden beer items, and that is how I came upon this site.
GAL
How big is your collection? Do you collect items other than cans?
Carm
413 7888314
I collect Hampden items, too. I live in West Springfield. Maybe we can get together.
WELL HELLO BILLY MOFFETT, I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF OUR YOUTH. THERE WAS QUITE A ALOT OF UNSUPERVISED FUN!
Hello Candace, Joseph B. Bissell was my uncle and my Dad(Peter’s) twin brother. We (Uncle Joe and I) were named after Great Grand Father Joseph Bissell who was a doctor in NY,NY . If you google Joseph and Josephine Bissell, there is interesting history that suggests they were prominent citizens. We(all of the cousins) welcome your responseYou can call me if you like at 805 895 4593. Joseph Bissell
Ginny, so glad to hear from you. You were the baby of the three girls.
Billy
Hello Billy, How is trumpet playing going? We sure had fun during our visits to Hilltop. Joe
Hi Joe,
Just checked this website out again. Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. Still playing and teaching trumpet
Great to hear from you.
Billy
Wow, This turned out to be pretty interesting! Peter Bissell twin to Joseph is my grandfather. Hi Ginny!
Candice–wow! Please look me up. My name is Marie Josephine Bissell (Constantin). My father was Karl the 3rd. Our family was very close to Joseph and he visited us often and lived close-by during some periods. We adored Uncle Joe. He was a very creative person and also very soft hearted and gentle. He loved to read and be outdoors. My older sister Jinx took care of him when she learned he was dying and she was by his side. Call her at 479-866-3478.
Billy Moffett–so nice to see you on here. You were my first “best friend”.
Candice–the phone lines are buzzing about your post and we sure hope you contact us.
Marie
Hello! I just read all of the responses just now. My oldest son, Dylan had assisted me with the initial contact last year and never checked back to see if there were any responses until today.
I do not know that much about my father but I believe he took us to the seashore on one occassion when I was very little. There was a trip planned for the Ice Capades (not sure of the spelling) but we never went to my recollection
Does anyone have any knowledge of my mother Margaret Viola Sherman. She was very beautiful. There was a lot of issues about me due to the fact they were not married and due to religious differences .
I think I recall one of my relatives saying I looked like his sister, but I am not sure if that is an actual memory or not. Was there a sister?
Marie, I’m responding way too late after not going back to this website after the first time.
I always wondered where you and your sisters ended up. Yes….you were my first best friend and I was very lonely when you moved off the estate.
Candice Sherman contact http://www.brookstonebeerbulletin.com concerning your post looking for Joseph Bissell
Keywords Hampden Beer Hampden Harvard Brewery Piels Beer
Dear Candace, Yes, Uncle Joe had a sister named Marie. She was a ball of energy, very bright and loved nature and her family. She married Charles Hoyt and lived in Marblehead, Mass. What were the issues regarding religion? As a cousin, I am sorry that you had to suffer for any reason, and that circumstance prevented us from sharing life from childhood on…… We were not fortunate enough to meet (Aunt) Margaret but would welcome hearing of her and her life. If you or Dylan choose you can email jbissell@cox.net or phone 805 895 4593 Your cousin Joseph
Hello All! I just found this site by accident. I remember Uncle Joe visiting us in Agawam, Massachusetts in his old station wagon, holes in the floor of the car, and boxes of rocks as gifts for us! It was always tons of fun and excitement when he showed up. I also remember how he took Peter and Joe out west for an exploration. There were pictures of Joe next to the saguaro cacti!
Stay in touch!
Phoebe
I found a dog tag in pa belongs to joseph b bissell also says Karl h bissell on the bottom suffield conn
Hello Holly, That dog tag belonged to my Uncle Joseph Bissell who served honorably in the army intelligence service. It had his fathers name and his hometown on it. Will you send a photo to jbissell@cox.net I would like to have it as a momento! Please let me know how we can accomplish it. Thank you for getting in touch! Joseph Bissell
Uncle Joe, please be sure to forward me a picture, I would love to see it as well.
Just a few bits of information that you may not know about in regards to the Bissell family.
Karl H Bissell was born in N.Y.C. in 1890 and died in San Mareo, Cal. in 1972. He married Phoebe Doelger in 1918. Phoebe was the daughter of Peter Doelger who was very wealthy who owned considerable real estate in New York city. Karl’s father was a physician and he died while in the army in 1918 The Bissell’s had 6 children all born in N.Y.C. Peter, Joseph, Carl ,William, Marie and George. They moved from N.Y.C. in 1940 and purchased the estate in Suffield. I would be glad to give you further information that I can about the Bissell and Doelger family Be free to contact me at 536 2508 Chicopee
George
Did anyone ever get a phone call from our long lost cousin Candace? I sure wish she would contact us (her family).
I saw on the Internet that there was a Candace Bissell on Grandpa’s side of the family. I wonder if Candace was named after that relative. It’s an unusual spelling, so must be our relative. I’m wondering if anyone knows anything about the name Candace?
Marie (Bissell) Constantin
225 405-5204
I’m living in your uncle’s old house. He was a master metal artist. I love this place. I feel him every day. He put all of his life in this house…. My Retirement home….