Nelson was born about 1859 and died after 1930 census.

Nelson Bessette married on July 13 1880 at St Francis Xavier Church in Winooski, Vermont to Melvina Godfrey the daughter of Joseph and Melvina (Lacombe) Godfrey.

Nelson and Melvina went to Farnham, Quebec Canada after they married. They appear in the 1881 census there. Nelson Bessette age 21 b Quebec, is a Laborer. Melvina is age 19 and b Quebec. No children in household at this time.

In the 1900 Census of Lincoln, Burleigh Co., North Dakota, Nelson Besette is with 3 pages of males, no occupation given to any of them. He is age 39 said born Oct 1860 Canada and married 20 years. (he said his father was born Canada and his mother b Vermont which does fit) . He may be working in a some kind of mine etc and all these men are doing the same and boarding there also. Malvina and children have not been located at this time.

1910 census Nelson Besett is living in Tower City, North Dakota, he is listed as age 48 b Canada and renting a farm and is a farmer. His wife Melvina is listed as age 48 b Canada married 30 years and is the mother of 10 with 6 living. Children: Rose Wilson listed as their married daughter is age 27 and married 2 years, mother of 1 with 1 living and born in Canada. (Rose has no child or husband with her, so child and husband may be in Canada and Rose might have been visiting since this census was taken On June 9th.) Also in household is son Clarence Besett age 23 and single, b North Dakota, son Frederick Bessett age 21 b North Dakota, daughter Jozalia age 17 b North Dakota and son Francis age 4 b North Dakota. ( So if Clarence was the first one born in North Dakota it was bef 1886 that they moved from Canada.)

1920 Nelson Besette has removed from North Dakota and appears in the Long Beach, Los Angels Co., California Census. He is residing on 727 West First Street. He is age 60 and said he emigrated in 1862 and naturalized in 1898. He is a building laborer. His wife Malvina is age 58. Their son Francis is age 14 and born in North Dakota. Also in household is Albert H Godfrey Brother in law to Nelson, he is age 36 b Canada and said he emigrated in 1884 and is a retired farmer. (This Albert would be Malvina's brother.)

By 1930 Nelson appears in the Santa Barbara California Census. He owns his home on 1704 West Valeria Street in Santa Barbara, it's property value is $3000. He said he emigrated in 1862 and was age 70 b Canada, father b Canada and mother b Vermont. Nelson has a new wife: Hattie J age 69 b Alabama. Nelson's occupation is a gardner of odd jobs. Nelson probably died in California. Later searches of Children show his son Frank went to California and remained there and died in Santa Barbara in 1941. Son Clarence and his family moved to Kansas and made a life there, son Fred stayed in North Dakota.
BJD
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According to his baptism record, he was three months old. Born October 1858 in Farnham Qc.

Baptisted Jan 9, 1859 in Ange-Gardien (co. Rouville). Godparents: Joseph Garny, Rosalie Letourneau.

Contributor: Dominique Ritchot (47881852) • [email protected]