John Bessey, Jr. John BESSEY, Jr. was born 1 Sep 1821 in Seneca, Erie Co., NY, the son of John BESSEY and Lucy BALDWIN. He moved with his parents and siblings to MI in the 1830's and then to Racine Co., WI by 1840. He married Clarissa Fay OTTO before 1845 in Racine Co. John and Clarissa are listed on the 1850 census of Wheatland Twp, Kenosha Co. living near his parents. They moved to Fayette Co., IA about 1854 and are listed on the 1856 census for Buchanan Co. IA. Clarissa died about 1858.
There are 5 known children of John and Clarissa.
- Charles BESSEY b. ca 1845 in Racine Co., WI m. Sarah C. DARRH on 13 Oct 1869 in Buchanan Co., IA .
- Sophrina BESSEY b. ca 1847/8 in Racine Co., WI. m. Harry J. WHAIT on 29 May 1870 in Buchanan Co., IA d. 1926 and is buried in Maury Island Cemetery, Vashon Island, King Co., WA
- Sarah E. BESSEY b. ca 1850/1 in Kenosha Co. WI. m. Alonzo D. KINGSBURY on 14 Jan 1871 in Buchanan Co., IA d. 1931 and is buried in Maury Island Cemetery, Vashon Island, King Co., WA
- Albert BESSEY b. Jun 1856 in Buchanan Co., IA. He married Lena _____ before 1893. He was living in Park Co., CO in 1900
- George F. BESSEY b. 23 May 1858 in Fayette Co. IA. m. 1) Clara M. DOUGLAS on 18 Oct 1891 in Palmer, Merrick Co. NE. He died in 1924 and is buried Palmer, Merrick Co., NE
John married again, this time to Sarah FULLER 8 Dec 1858 in Buchanan Co., IA. He enlisted 4 Jun 1864 in Co. F. Regiment 1 in Iowa City, IA. He served 1 year, 4 months and 24 days when discharged 28 May 1865.
He and Sarah moved to Buchanan Co. then to Merrick Co. NE arriving there 28 Oct 1878 according to his pension papers. He is listed there on the farmers list of Palmer, Merrick Co. and also in the 1890 Veterans Census. They eventually moved to Nance Co. NE and John died in the Soldiers Home near Grand Island, NE on 14 Mar 1917. He is buried in Fullerton, Nance Co., NE. Sarah died 3 Oct 1912 and is buried in Fullerton.
There are 5 known children of John and Sarah.
- Mary Levina BESSEY b. 30 Mar 1860 in Fayette Co., IA m 1) Charles CHADWICK m 2) T. C. REID on 28 Jan 1900 in Central City, Merrick Co., NE. She died 25 Oct 1938 and in buried in Fullerton, Nance Co., NE
- John Edward BESSEY b. 30 May 1862/3 in Buchanan Co., IA m. Ada HOLDERNESS in 1881 in Nance Co., NE. moved to Wyoming by 1910 and then to Washington. Died after 1939.
- William H. BESSEY b. 28 Oct 1865 in Buchanan Co., IA He was living in CA in 1924 according to his brother, George's obituary.
- Clarissa (Clara) Elena BESSEY b. 12 Apr 1868 in Buchanan Co., IA. m. Frank M. GETSINGER on 29 Dec 1886 in Central City, Merrick Co., NE. She married Warren R. MILLER on 24 Jan 1899 in Fullerton, Nance Co., NE
- Ida L. BESSEY b. Oct 1874 in Buchanan Co., IA d. 29 Sep 1894 and is buried in Fullerton, Nance Co., NE
Although this page connects only to John Bessey Sr. my direct ancestor, I do have some information on the other children that may be of help to others. I would also very much enjoy corresponding with descendants of the other children.