H.W. Bessey, c. 1890

Portrait of man with large mustache, Hubert Wilbur Bessey (1855-1918). Hubert and his brother Willis Bessey (1859-1901) arrived at the South Fork of St. Lucie River in about 1883 and lived in a small house on Bessey Point. Hubert, a graduate of Oberlin College, claimed a homestead of 24 and 44/100 acres in 1884 and in 1890 claimed 148 and 78/100 acres. He and his brother cultivated pineapples and built boats. Hubert also served as Keeper at the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island between 1890 and 1897. When Sarah Danforth died in 1901, Hubert and his wife, former schoolteacher Susan Corbin Bessey (1868-1954), were invited to take over the Danforth Hotel. Hubert led fishing trips, which were enjoyed by Grover Cleveland, who visited and stayed the hotel frequently.

Scans gift of David Murray.

No Copyright - In the United States: The Martin County Library System believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. For more information, visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Albumen cabinet card; 4x5 inches

English

Still image

Murray-2023-007-001

2023.007

Photographic print