San Bernardino County
Biographies
ISAAC BESSANT,
a farmer of San Bernardino County, was born in Barclay, England in 1816. He was married there in 1844 to Miss Mary A. Mitchell, and in 1853 they sailed from Liverpool and after a voyage of forty-two days landed in New Orleans. They went by steamer to St. Louis, and at the end of six weeks to Keokuk, Iowa. Here Mr. Bessant worked at brick-making and burning lime, etc. He then bought a team and went by land, 300 miles, to Council Bluffs, where he arrived July 4, 1853, and from that place crossed the plains to Utah, where he arrived October 22, 1853. March 5, 1857, they left Utah for the "Golden State," where, in San Bernardino County, he has operated as a successful farmer and dealer in lands, and stock-raising. With others he has endured the hardships of the early days, and has made a home for himself, and given his children, most of whom are married and well settled in life in this valley, a good start in life. His children are Stephen, James and John; these three were born in England; Joseph and Iram, both born in Utah; and Sarah, born in California, now Mrs. George Cooley, of San Bernardino. Mr. Bessant built a new residence on Base Line a year ago, and had only just moved into it when, September 22, 1888, death took from him the partner of his youth. He is now well along on the shady side of the hill of life.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 651
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOHN BESSANT,
one of the enterprising farmers on Base Line, three miles east of San Bernardino city, has a fine ranch and a neat residence in Warm Spring district, where, with his family, he is enjoying the pleasures of life as much, perhaps, as any man in the valley. By birth he is an Englishman. His father, Isaac Bessant, came to America at an early day and crossed the plains to California in 1853, when our subject was but two years of age. His boyhood was spent in hard work; hence his educational advantages were not of the best. May 1, 1869, he married Miss Melissa McCrary, a native of Salt Lake City. She was the daughter of John McCrary, who came to California when she was a babe but eight months old. They have two children: Lena L. and Mary E. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party and has held various township offices. Socially he is a member of the K. of P., Valley Lodge, No. 27.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 651
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JAMES BESSANT
was born in England, November 5, 1847, and is a son of Isaac Bessant, a well-known pioneer of this valley. Our subject had to endure the hardships of the early days, but at this time he has for his labors and industry a pleasant home on Base Line, two and one half-miles northeast of San Bernardino.
He has recently built a neat residence and with his family is enjoying the comforts of life. He was married December 25, 1874, to Miss Elsie Cline, born at El Monte, Los Angeles County, in February, 1856. She is a daughter of Henry Cline, a well-known pioneer of this county. This union was blessed with seven children, viz.: Sarah, Walter, Jodie, William, Rosa, Martha and Susan. Mr. Bessant is an active and enthusiastic worker in the interests of the Democratic party.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 651-652
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler