Cpl. Robert B. Bessey

Robert is found age 12 living in 1850 living with his mother and siblings Mary, Oliver R, Laura, Daniel, and and Hellen A Bessey in the household of the Daniel Hubbard family in Scipio, Hillsdale, Michigan. No mention of his father.

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF86-7S8 : 9 November 2014), Robert B Bessey in household of Daniel Hubbard, Scipio, Hillsdale, Michigan, United States; citing family 47, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Robert is found living in Pulaski, Jackson, Michigan in 1860 age 22 living with the Jacobs family as a farm laborer. He states he was born in Michigan as opposed to his brother Oliver, who was born in Wisconsin.

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWD5-PKR : 30 December 2015), Robert Bessie in entry for Lewis Jacobs, 1860.

Robert served with the Union Army as a corporal in the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Company B, which is probably why he wasn't married until after the war.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=16509104

At age 31, he is found in Montcalm, Douglas, Michigan married to Mary and with children Vernon and Lottie (Charlotte). He is a farmer. His first wife is Mary, second wife Georgia, third wife Sarah and fourth wife was Annie.

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHCH-VL8 : 17 October 2014), Robert Bessy, Michigan, United States; citing p. 1, family 1, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,191.

At age 43, he is found in Jackson, Jackson, Michigan marrying Georgia Harris Woodruff.

"Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQSZ-NLD : 4 December 2014), Robert B. Bessey and Georgia Harris Woodruff, 26 Oct 1881; citing Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, v 2 p 60 rn 638, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,470

"Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQWM-XTZ : 4 December 2014), Robert B. Bessey and Sarah A. Marshall Henderson, 15 Nov 1887; citing Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, v 2 p 88 rn 53, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,342,481. He states his father's name as Philip and his mother's name as Evaline Halbart.

In 1910, at age 72 he is found in Leighton, Allegan, Michigan with spouse Annie. Annie was born in England.

"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLPH-36B : 29 October 2015), Robert B Bessey, Leighton, Allegan, Michigan, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 19, sheet 8B, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,647.

His death is recorded at Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan:

"Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHVS-P4M : 9 December 2014), Robert B. Bessey, 30 Jan 1913; citing Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, reference v D p 50; FHL microfilm 941,629.

Photos courtesy of:

Created by: Linda Page Record added: Nov 06, 2006 Find A Grave Memorial# 16509104