Bassett Family Association Database

Selinae "Samuel" Bessette

Female 1849 -


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  • Name Selinae "Samuel" Bessette 
    Born 28 Feb 1849  St. John, P.Q., Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    _UID E8CBEB2EB7C2BE439BE14087D5A21A839D59 
    Notes 
    • Progressive Men of Montana
      Samuel Bessette

      Prominent among the leading stockmen and ranchers of the Dearborn district of Lewis and Clarke county, Mont., is Samuel Bessette, a Canadian by birth, a New England Yankee by long association and education, but now an enterprising westerner and a warm friend of Montana. He was born at St. John, P.Q., Canada, on February 28, 1849, the son of Leon and Masaline Bessette, Canadian farmers, but who lead a retired life in New Bedford, Mass., to which they removed in 1890. They are both Catholics, and the father is a Democrat. Samuel Bessette enjoyed but few advantages of schooling, for at the age of nine he began to assist his parents and at sixteen he began work in the cotton mills for $1.00 per day, which was later increased to $2.00. He was thus employed for eighteen years in New Bedford, whither his family had come when Samuel was but sixteen years old. Mr. Bessette came to Montana in 1884. Locating at Helena he secured employment with Nicholas Kessler, for three years, his wages at first being $35 per month and afterward $45.
      But he had long determined to work for himself, and in 1887 he took up homestead and desert claims to the amount of 320 acres, and to this added 640 acres of pasturage land. This tract is located twelve miles northwest of Wolf creek, on the south fork of Dearborn river, in Lewis and Clarke county. Here he carries on quite an extensive business in ranching and cattleraising. The family of Mr. Bessette is surrounded by all the comforts of home, and around him is every convenience necessary for the successful conduct of his enterprise. Mr. Bessette was married on January 11, 1870, in New Bedford, Mass., to Miss Melinda J. Loiseau. She was born at Bel Oiel, P.Q., Canada, on September 28, 1850. She is the daughter of Joseph and Celia Loiseau. Her father was once extensively interested in tanning, but of late years he has been a hotel keeper. Both her parents are Catholics. Mr. and Mrs. Bessette have had six children, but four of them are dead, two dying in infancy. The survivors are Arthur A., born at Taunton, Mass., on May 14, 1882, and William W., born at Iberville, P.Q., Canada, on November 16, 1884. The parents are members of the Catholic church. Politically Mr. Bessette holds with the Democratic party and he votes its ticket upon all national issues, but in local questions he does not think it incumbent upon him to always cast a straight ticket. In the community in which he resides Mr. Bessette is recognized as a man of sound judgment and excellent principles. In the fall of 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Bessette made a visit to their parents and friends in the east, going to New Bedford and Taunton, Mass., then to Montreal and Chambly, P.Q., Canada, where Mrs. Bessette’s parents are living. They had a pleasant trip of three months, but were glad to get back to Montana.
    Person ID I1912  14B Jean Besset of Quebec
    Last Modified 2 Jan 2014 

    Father Leon "Leander" Bessette,   b. 18 Jul 1826, Marieville, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mother Marcelline "Masaline" Messier 
    Married 2 Feb 1847 
    Family ID F280  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Melina Loiseau 
    Married 23 Jan 1870  St. Lawrence, New Bedford, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Arthur A. Loiseau,   b. Iberville, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. William W. Loiseau,   b. Iberville, Quebec, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location
    Family ID F751  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart