SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Hubert C. Bessinger, Page 528

HUBERT C. BESSINGER, an old settler and retired business man of Sheboygan, was born in Gruessenheim, Unter Franken and Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany, April 15, 1822, being a son of John and Margaret (Welzenbach) Bessinger.  His father was a huntsman and forester for a very wealthy nobleman in the Old Country, as was also his father before him.  John Bessinger served as a lieutenant in the war against France in 1814 and 1815.

    Mr. Bessinger whose name heads this account was employed some eight years as a huntsman and forester by the same gentleman for whom his father served, the son having charge of that nobleman's interest in another part of the realm.  During the war between Bavaria and Prussia, in 1848 and 1849, Mr. Bessinger served as an Orderly-Sergeant.  In March, 1851, he emigrated to America, first making his home in Sandusky, Ohio.  Here he worked on railroads and steamboats until he had accumulated money enough for the purpose, when he bought a horst and dray and engaged in teaming.

    He was married in Sandusky on May 28, 1851, to Miss Barbara Lauer, a daughter of Dr. John Lauer, and a native of Uettingen, of the same province wherein her husband was born.  Mrs. Bessinger's birth occurred October 23, 1829, and on the same ship that Mr. Bessinger came to the United States she too was a passenger.  To this couple were born eight children.  Frank, the eldest, died of cholera in Ohio; George married Hattie Hueppchen, and is engaged in the transfer business at Sheboygan; Louisa is the wife of Stephen Pauken, of Toledo, Ohio; Hubert C., Jr., married Sarah Wollmann, and is proprietor of the omnibus line at the Chair City; Lena is the wife of Fred Eggersglues, of Milwaukee; Frank L., of whom see sketch, is the proprietor of the leading livery stable in Sheboygan; Hattie became the wife of Herman Beverung, of Milwaukee; and John wedded Etta Pape, and is engaged in the wine and liquor business in Sheboygan.

    The mother of this family died on the 13th of October, 1892, being a lady highly esteemed by those who knew her, and a consistent member of the German Lutheran Church.  Mr. Bessinger is a Catholic in religious faith and practice.  In politics, he is a sound Democrat.  During the late war he served in the City Council as Alderman from the Fourth Ward.  Socially, he is a member of the Bavarian Verein, and of the Krieger Verein.

    In the year 1855, Mr. Bessinger removed from Sandusky, Ohio, to Sheboygan.  On reaching that place he engaged in the transfer business in summer and in teaming during the winter, continuing that business until the establishment of the railroads made it unprofitable.  Goods were received by him at Sheboygan and distributed to many country stores throughout the county, especially to Franklin, Howard's Grove, Centreville, and even to Fond du Lac.  He also did considerable teaming between here and Milwaukee.  In 1856, Mr. Bessinger started in the saloon business, and in 1873 established himself in a livery stable which he conducted until 1886, when he turned the business over to his son Frank, and has since lived retired.  Mr. Bessinger organized, under State laws, a militia rifle company in an early day, of which he was Quartermaster for two years.  He has been an active, industrious man, and has thereby acquired an ample competence.