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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Wilson F. Bessellieu, of the firm of Gates & Bessellieu, of the Arkansas City Journal, was born in Monticello, Drew County, Ark., in 1865, and is the third of ten children born to the union of William F. and Mattie (Henningway) Bessellieu, the father a native of South Carolina, and the mother of Mississippi. William F. Bessellieu is an M. D. by profession, and has been located in Monticello, where he practiced, for many years, since 1860. He has not practiced now for some time on account of an injury received from a fall from a horse. He filled the office of county assessor for a number of years, and was a man who merited the respect and esteem of all. Of the ten children born to his marriage, seven are now living: Elizabeth (wife of John Tardy), Wilson F., Willie S., Annie L., Mary, Wiley and Collie. Mr. and Mrs. Bessellieu are both members of the Baptist Church at Monticello. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and K. of H. Wilson F. Bessellieu was educated in Monticello at the graded school, and at the age of eighteen years entered the printing establishment of James Cothan, on the Monticellion, remaining there three years. He came to his present office in 1887, worked for the proprietor of the Journal, and in 1888 bought one-half interest in the Arkansas City Journal, which he is now engaged in editing, in partnership with David A. Gates. This paper has the largest circulation of any county paper in the State, and its proprietors are young men of ability and progressive ideas. This firm does the county work for this and Chicot Counties, being the official organ for each county. Mr. Bessellieu is a rising young man, and by his courteous and pleasing address has become very popular. He is one who labors for the good of his county, and extends his aid to any and all enterprises that tend to the development of the same.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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