Bio of Befort, William J. (b.1862) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Befort, William J. (p. 726), who owns and operates in Chester Township one
of the best farms in Wabasha County, was born in Wisconsin, January 2,
1862, son of William and Anna (De Ville) Befort. The father was a native
of Germany and the mother of France. They came to America in the early
sixties, and, after remaining several years in New York state, settled in
Wisconsin. Subsequently they removed to Goodhue county, Minn., and still
later to Wabasha County, taking a farm in Chester Township, on which the
father died in 1909 and the mother in 1908. They were Catholics in
religion. Their children were William J., Mary, Anna, John (first), John
(second), Katherine, Frank, Lena and Agnes. John (first) and Katherine are
deceased, the first mentioned dying in infancy. William J. Befort was
educated in the district school, and worked for his father until 1891. He
then rented the home farm for two years. In 1893 he began buying land, his
first purchase consisting of 80 acres. Then, in 1895, he bought 80 acres
more, and in 1899 an additional tract of 40 acres, making a total of 200
acres in sections 19, 20, and 29, Chester Township. In 1919 he contracted
to buy the John Philley farm of 186 acres in section 30, and now owns and
controls a fine farm of 466 acres, on which he has erected all the
buildings, which are substantially constructed and of modern type. His
barn measures 46 by 90 feet and is furnished with a full Louden equipment.
He has installed electric lights on his place, and his general farm
equipment is very complete, including tractors and a threshing-machine. In
short, Mr. Befort has shown himself to be one of the most progressive
farmers in his township and the results of his enterprise are fully
manifest in the fine condition of his farm and the prosperity he is now
enjoying as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has served for 36 years
on the school board of his district, No. 91. He has recently enjoyed more
leisure than formerly, having turned over the active management of the
farm to his sons, Stephan and Lewis. Mr. Befort was married April 7, 1891,
to Mary Reding, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Reding. Her parents were
natives of Belgium who emigrated to Minnesota many years ago, settling in
Goodhue County, where the father died in 1904 and the mother in 1908. They
had ten children, of whom six are now living, namely: Henry N., Frank P.,
Mary, Sarah C., Fred H., and Anna J. Those deceased are: Stephan J.,
Albert J., Clara and John. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Befort are the parents
of five children, all residing at home, and who were born as follows:
Stephan W., January 16, 1892; Isabella S., June 7, 1894; Lewis J., March
15, 1896; Nicholas H., February 7, 1901; and Lawrence W., January 12,
1903. Lewis J. enlisted June 24, 1918, and served in the 78th Division in
France for about one year, in the Argonne and St. Mihiel sectors. He was
discharged at Camp Dodge in May, 1919. The Befort family is one of high
standing in Chester Township. Its members are Catholics in religion.