Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 773
ALCIDE L. BESSIRE

Alcide L. BESSIRE, one of the representative citizens of Cincinatti Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1884 and took charge of F H LUDWIG's ranch, in Clay Twp, consisting of 1700 acres. He continued to operate that until the fall of 1885, and then took charge of the Boner & Sims ranch in Taylor Twp, which consists of 1200 acres. In the spring of 1887 Boner, Sims & Haas formed a partnership and threw their lands together and had their stock in company. Then our subject took charge of the combined ranches comprising 1900 acres of land situated in Clay and Taylor Townships. They kept 500 head of cattle and raised about 30,000 bushel of corn per year.

In the spring of 1889, besides running the extensive business for Boner, Sims & Haas, he rented the BRANDIFF land of 600 acres, which he farmed on his own account. In the spring of 1890 Boner, Sims and Hass dissolved, and Boner, Sims, & Bessire formed a partnership under the form name Boner & Co. Mr BESSIRE having bought the stock interests of Mr Haas, they now control 1600 acres and keep 300 head of steers. At the time of the new patnership, they went into the grain business at Modale and handled large quantities of goods as well. In 1891, Boner, Sims, Bessire & Sharpnack, formed a company to carry on the agricultural implement business combined with the grain and lumber business at Modale.

Our subject was born November 8, 1852, in Wayne County, Ohio, and when three years of age his parents removed to Allen County and he remained at home until he was 21 years old, after which he rented a farm and bought and sold timber during the winter. He followed this two or three years before coming to Iowa. He was also a heavy contractor on the Pike roads in Ohio at which he lost all his property. When he came to Harrison County in 1884 he only had 25 cents. In 1887 he bought ninety acres of improved land which he sold two years later. In August, 1891, Mr BESSIRE bought the Hook residence on Fourth Street, Missouri Valley, paying $2,150 for the same.

Our subject was united in marriage in Allen County, Ohio, February 26, 1874, to Miss America MURRAY, and they are the parents of two children -- Effie M, born July 3, 1875; and Emma T, born October 21, 1877. Our subject's wife passed away in Allen County, Ohio, August 21, 1881. She was born in the same county in which she died, on October 13, 1853. Our subject was again married in Hardin County, Ohio, April 2, 1883, to Miss Hattie A. RILEY, by whom one child was born -- Christie, born August 21, 1886.

Politically our subject affiliates with the Democratic party and is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Mondamin Lodge, No. 392.

Return to 1891 Biographical B Surnames Index

Back to 1891 Biographies Index