Alcide L. Bessire, one of the representative citizens of Cincinnati Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1884 and took charge of F.H. Ludwig’s ranch, in Clay Township, consisting of seventeen hundred acres. He continued to operate that until the fall of 1885, and then took charge of the Boner and Sims ranch in Taylor Township, which consists of twelve hundred acres. In the spring of 1887 Boner, Sims and Haas formed a partnership and threw their lands together and had their stock in company. Then our subject took charge of the combined ranches comprising twenty-nine hundred acres of land situated in Clay and Taylor Townships. They kept about five hundred head of cattle and raised about thirty thousand bushels of corn per year. In the winter of 1887-88 they put on the market at Modale, thirteen hundred cords of wood and the following winter about nine hundred cords.
In the spring of 1889, besides running the extensive business for Boner, Sims & Haas, he rented the Brandriff land of six hundred acres, which he farmed on his own account, thus having under his charge thirty-five hundred acres of land. He raised that year thirteen thousand bushels of corn for himself and thirty-two thousand bushels for the company. The company was known as Boner, Haas & Co., Boner & Co. owning one-half.
In the spring of 1880 [sic, 1890?] Boner, Haas & Co. dissolved and Boner, Sims & Bessire formed a partnership under the firm name of Boner & Co. Mr. Bessire having bought the stock interests of Mr. Haas, they now control sixteen hundred acres and keep three hundred head of steers, which they feed summers as well as winters.
They also pay special attention to horses, usually keeping fifty head, and are now breeding trotting stock. They are the owners of “Accident,” which is a standard-bred three-year-old horse, with a record of 2:40. They also have “Archibald” and “Golden Wing.”
At the time Boner, Sims & Bessire formed a partnership, they went into the grain business at Modale and handled large quantities of goods as well.
In August, 1891, Boner, Sims, Bessire & Sharpnack, formed a company to carry on the agricultural implement business combined with the grain and lumber business at Modale.
Our subject was born November 8, 1852, in Wayne County, Ohio, and when three years of age his parents removed to Allen County and he remained at home until he was twenty-one years old, after which he rented a farm and bought and sold timber during the winter. He followed this two or three years before coming to Iowa. He was also a heavy contractor on the Pike roads in Ohio at which he lost all of his property. When he came to Harrison County in 1884 he only had twenty-five cents.
In 1887 he bought ninety acres of improved land which he sold two years later. In August, 1891, Mr. Bessire bought the Hook residence on Fourth Street, Missouri Valley, paying $2,150 for the same.
Our subject was united in marriage in Allen County, Ohio, February 26, 1874, to Miss America Murray, and they are the parents of two children—Effie M., born July 3, 1875, and Emma T., born October 21, 1877. Our subject’s wife passed from the scenes of this life in Allen County, Ohio, August 21, 1881. She was born in the same county in which she died, the date of her birth being October 13, 1853. Our subject was again married in Hardin County, Ohio, April 2, 1883, to Miss Hattie A. Riley, by whom one child has been born—Christie, born August 21,1886.
Politically our subject affiliates with the Democratic party and is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Mondamin Lodge, No. 392.
(Source: History of Harrison County, Iowa. Chicago, Illinois: National Pub. Co., 1891. Family History Library US/CAN Book 977.747 H2n, pg 773-774; also available on microfilm 934943 item 4.)
