History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Bessey, William Henry a pioneer of the town of Schley, Lincoln County, was born in New York State, Feb. 19, 1854, son of William and Caroline (FREEMORE) BESSEY. The parents, natives of that state, came west in 1861, locating first near Fond du Lac, Wis., whence they moved to Calumet County. In 1879 they came to Lincoln County of which they remained residents for the rest of their lives. William Henry acquired his education in a district school near Fond du Lac and remained at home with his parents until he was of age. Before coming to Lincoln County, which he did in 1878, he at different times followed saw mill, factory and farm work, but after his arrival here he took a homestead of 40 acres in Section 20, tow of Schley and began farming on his own account. In those days there was no handy general store just around the corner - at least not for the pioneer farmer - and Mr. BESSEY had to pack his supplies on his back from Merrill. Even then, the walking was not good, for there were no roads but the rough "tote" roads in use by the lumbermen and pedestrian progress was slow and toilsome whether one were carrying a burden or not. But he and his family survived those conditions and at 70 years of age he is still alive and active on his farm. Mr. BESSEY was married in Calumet County, Aug. 2, 1876, to Isabelle CLARK, and he and his wife have been the parents of 11 children, Willis, George Gertrude, Eunice, Alice, Amanda, Isabelle, Herbert, Lillian, Cecelia and Edmund, whose record is brief is as follows: Willis and George are deceased. Gertrude married William H. LUPTON of the town of Schley, Lincoln County, where they are now living, Mr. LUPTON managing the farm of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John LUPTON in Section 29. Eunice is the wife of Roy REMINGTON of Antigo, Wis.; Alice is Mrs. Ernest REJEK; Amanda is Mrs. Richard HODGSON, and Isabelle is Mrs. Fred NONWEILER of Forest City, Iowa; Herbert resides in Merrill, Lillian is Mrs. Arthur HOPPE, Cecelia Mrs. Arthur LUPTON, and Edmund is living with his parents.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 760, History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

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