WILLIAM D. BESSEY

Sacramento County

Biographies

WILLIAM D. BESSEY

WILLIAM D. BESSEY.--For many years William D. Bessey was recognized as a progressive and successful business man of Sacramento, but since 1908 he has been engaged in fruit-raising on his ranch of thirty acres located in the Fair Oaks colony of Sacramento County. He was born near Bloomfield, Sonoma County, Cal., July 7, 1867, a son of William R. and Caroline (Coote) Bessey, both natives of England. The maternal ancestors were British naval officers of high rank, one receiving the honor of being laid to rest in Westminster Abbey. William R Bessey was twelve years of age when he left England and came to the United States, and his early life was spent in the East and South. In 1850 he crossed the plains with an oxen team to California and after his arrival lived for a time near San Leandro, where he engaged in vegetable gardening and fruit raising, marketing his produce in San Francisco. Returning East, he was married in New Orleans, and in 1861 the young couple came via Panama, to California. Early in 1861 they arrived in Sacramento and located on a ranch near Courtland. In 1862 occurred the memorable flood that wrecked so many homes, and it was with difficulty that Mr. and Mrs. Bessey escaped. Leaving Courtland, they then removed to Sonoma County. William R. Bessey was a butcher by trade, but preferred ranching, and while residing in Sonoma County he became a prosperous fruit-grower; but later he removed to Salinas and there worked at his trade as butcher for the Buel Range Company, residing there for ten years. On account of failing health, Mr. Bessey removed to Sacramento, and in 1891 he passed away, aged seventy years. He was survived by his widow and two children: William D., of this sketch; and Mrs. Nola N. Peck, who resides in Sacramento. Mrs. Bessey continued to reside on the ranch in Fair Oaks colony until her death on February 23, 1913.

William D. Bessey received a good education in the public schools of California. In 1881 he became a clerk in the country order department of Weinstock, Lubin & Company in Sacramento, and was later promoted to an important position with this company. Not being satisfied, however, to spend his life working for others, he learned the trades of the plumber and tinner, being associated with the firm of Guthrie Brothers. In April, 1898, he enlisted in Company F, 6th Infantry of California, as sergeant having had ten years’ service in the National Guard of California. Company F did important work, and while associated with the company Mr. Bessey was promoted to second lieutenant. On December 15, 1898, he was honorably discharged from the service. Returning to Sacramento, Mr. Bessey became the partner of J. J. Sinclair and for twelve years was a successful business man. In 1910 he sold his interest in the business and retired to his ranch in the Fair Oaks colony, where he has made a decided success of fruit-raising. On February 21, 1921, the beautiful residence on the ranch was destroyed by fire, but the following year it was replaced by a new one, equally as fine. Fraternally, Mr. Bessey is affiliated with the Odd Fellows Lodge. He owns stock in the Wyandotte-South Feather River Land & Water Company, whose holding will be later colonized.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 941. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.