Henry Besse

Source: History of Northern Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources, an Extensive Sketch of Its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers, Views of County Seats, Etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881. p. 74

HENRY BESSE, general store, Butternut, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 4, 1823. He came to America in 1848. In 1855 he came west to Chicago and Milwaukee, going into the general merchandise business, and carrying that on until 1878. In the Spring of that year he moved to Butternut, and opened a general store, carrying a stock of $2,700, and a business of $8,000 per annum. He was married in 1849, but his first wife died, leaving seven children: Louisa (now Mrs. Hart), Henry, Ida, Herman, Arthur, Edward and Elsie. In 1869 he married Miss Anna Spille, of Cedarburg, and has three children by her—Anna, Frederick and Martha. Mr. Besse was elected, by special election, in 1878, as Town Treasurer, and re-elected in 1879.