Hattie Besson Fortner
Hattie Besson is the name that was passed on to Aunt Minnie as her birth mother. It is assumed that perhaps Minnie was born to an unwed mother and then given to Charles and Lydia Galch (Galsch) in New Athens, St. Clair County, IL to raise.A review of census records finds a Hattie Besson not far from St. Louis in a community about 60 miles to the south, Sullivan, Missouri. Quite by chance, another relative Fred Kassell retired in Sullivan, MO in the 1930's and died in 1942 while living near Sullivan.
Hattie married a Mr. Fortner and had one son, William (Otis) Fortner. The father must have died ca 1918 - 1920 as Hattie is listed as a widow in the 1920 Missouri census with her son who was 11 months old.
Obit for Hattie Besson Fortner:
Hattie Besson was born in Franklin County Missouri, February
1893 and died August 5, 1920 at the age of twenty seven years, five months and twelve days.
She was laid to rest Saturday in the Crow Cemetery where her friends were in waiting to pay their
tribute of respect to one they knew and loved. She leaves to mourn her loss a baby boy, one year and six months old, an aged
mother, three brothers, Louis, Albert, and Sam Besson and one sister Mrs. Maggie
Kappelman. Consumption was the cause of death. She was living with her mother and brother Albert and they will
care for the baby. (kindly provided by Merl & Mary Besson).
Timeline:
- February 1893 - Hattie Besson born
- Minnie Besson born
- Minnie Besson boards with Charles & Lydia Golsch in New Athens, St. Clair County, IL
- before 1918? Hattie Besson married Mr. Fortner
- ca 1918 William (Otis) Fortner born
- 1920 Census lists Hattie as a widow
- Hattie Besson died Aug. 5, 1920
Aunt Minnie
Hattie Besson
Lyford Besson
Besson Census Records
Besson Internments
Besson Obits
Frances Campbell Martin Eftimoff