Bio of Befort, William (b.1827) 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" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Befort, William, (page 1158), farmer, has lived on section 30, Chester, 
since 1867, at which time he became possessed of one hundred and twenty 
acres. His was a hard struggle to secure a home. At the time of this 
purchase his capital consisted mostly of hope for the future. He paid down 
one hundred dollars of the one thousand dollars which was the price of his 
land. With a yoke of oxen and a wagon he went on and raised a crop, and by 
industry and prudence himself and wife have secured a good home. He has 
purchased eighty acres more of land, and has erected comfortable and 
handsome buildings. Mr. Befort is a native of Luxemburg, born in the 
village of Gravenmacher, in August, 1827. At twenty-five he crossed the 
Atlantic and engaged in farm labor in Sheldon, New York. After spending 
three years in opening up a farm in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, he 
returned to New York. In 1865 he came to Minnesota and worked two years 
for a farmer in Hay Creek, removing hither as above related. He paid as 
high as twenty-four per cent interest for money to tide him along. With 
his own hands he cut logs for his first house. He is a member of the 
Mazeppa Catholic church, with all his family, and has always been a 
democrat. He was married February 5, 1860, to Anna Develli, a native of 
Belgium. Eight children have been born to them, as follows: William, 
January 2, 1862; Mary C., November 16, 1863; Anna M., May 15, 1867; John 
P., March 30, 1869; Catharina, February 13, 1871; Elizabeth C., May 21, 
1873; Francis N., August 12, 1875; Agnes M., January 9, 1878.
Note: Margret Mae (Befort) Heart has posted a wealth of information 
concerning this family as a response to the William Befort biography which 
is posted on the Rootsweb message boards.

Note From Fellow Genealogist: William Befort, who married Anna Deville, 
was my great, great grandfather. The Beforts in the response by Margaret 
(above) have no connection to mine. Those Beforts were originally from 
Russia while mine were from Grevenmacher, Luxembourg (traced back to 
Pierre Befort born 1768 and Anges Horsch born 1778. If I remember 
correctly, Margaret's family has their Beforts traced back into Russia a 
lot further than 1768. Carrie