Eugene Bessire-Possible Civil War Draft Registration

Eugene Bessire-Possible U.S. Civil War Draft Registration

Ancestry.com,  a subscription genealogy website, just released the “U.S., Civil War Draft Registration Records, 1863-1865.”  The index lists a “Eugene Bossier”, Allen County, Ohio, registering in the 5th Congressional District.  On closer examination of the original online image I believe the name written is “Eugene Bassier.”  I’m inclined to think he is my ancestor Eugene Bessire because of the following facts.

1.       The draft registration lists that Eugene was age 40 as of 1 July 1863. That matches with Eugene Bessire’s birth of June1823.

2.       The draft registration lists his birthplace of Switzerland.  Eugene Bessire was born and christened in Pery, Bern, Switzerland.  U.S. Census records (1850-1880) indicate his nativity as Switzerland.

3.       The draft registration lists his residence as Allen County, Ohio.  Eugene’s family appears on the 1860 and 1870 U.S. Censuses for Jackson Township, Allen County, Ohio.

While these facts do not prove  that the Eugene Bossier in this record and my ancestor are one and the same, the facts seem very convincing.  (Unless there is another Eugene Bessire in the same locality at the same time.)

Other facts in the draft registration indicate he was registered as “Class 2.”  Class I comprised “all persons subject to do military duty between the ages of 20 and 35 years, and all unmarried persons subject to do military duty above the age of 35 years and under the age of 45.” Class 2 “comprised all other persons subject to do military duty.”

How You Can Help.  While Eugene Bessire may not have been a veteran of the Civil War, are there any records or history that would support his participation in the draft?  Maybe it was mandatory.  Further study may indicate that is the case. By 1863 Eugene and Mary Ann Bessire had their family of 8 children.

In a Bessire History compiled by Essie May (McCrillis) Cowles, a granddaughter of Eugene Bessire,  a tidbit of history states, “Eugene served 3 years in the Swiss army before coming to the United States.”  More information on his service in Switzerland would be really exciting to find!