LAKE COUNTY OHIO - OBIT: Captain George BESSANT (d. 1927) *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Deb Breniser rbcobb@ncweb.com February 19, 2000 *********************************************************************** From the Painesville Telegraph, Lake County, OH, Saturday, 11 June 1927 Captain George Bessant, Pioneer Mariner, Is Dead His death Ends Beautiful Martial Companionship of Nearly 61 Years One of the most beautiful and enduring marital companionships in the history of the Western Reserve was concluded today with the death of Captain George W. Bessant, 89, a pioneer mariner and of Painesville's most beloved characters. Captain Bessant succumbed at his home on the corner of Richmond and Jackson streets at 1:30 this morning following a gradual decline in health. He and Ruth Ann Bessant his bride of more than three score years, would have celebrated their sixty-first anniversary had he lived until September 4. Captain Bessant was born on a farm near Southampton, England on September 18,1837, and at the tender age of 14 answered the call of the sea. He became a captain while still in his twenties and during an eventful trip to America met Edwin Green of Mentor Headlands, a son of Capt. Daniel Green and a brother of Ruth Ann Green, who later became his bride. The romance developed when Capt. Bessant accompanied his new friend to the Green home at Mentor Headlands for a visit. Edwin Hayward, Of West Erie St., is the only person living who attended the wedding ceremony at the headlands on September 4, 1866, when pretty An as she was best known, became the wife of the stalwart young Captain Bessant. The ceremony was preformed by Rev. Mr. Cooley, then pastor of the Church of Christ of this city. Thus began the companionship that was destined to exist for nearly 61 years. Captain Bessant transferred his professional affections from the seas to the Great Lakes and became one of the best known pioneer navigators on the inland waters. He started his Great Lakes career as a master of the schooner Rob Roy and later sailed many vessels, including four of the first steam driven ships to make their appearance on the lakes. Upon retiring from his marine pursuits, 30 years ago, Captain Bessant purchased a farm in Saybrook township on the South Ridge near Ashtabula, O., where he and Mrs. Bessant lived until 17 years ago. After selling the farm they spent a year in the west and then came to Painesville purchasing the home on the corner of Richmond and Jackson streets where they have since lived and Captain Bessant's death occurred this morning. Five sons were born to Captain and Mrs. Bessant, but they have buried four of them. Two died in infancy, George W. Jr., died at the age of 23 and John passed away at 38. Fred D. Bessant of this city is the only surviving son. His little daughter named Ruth Ann after her grandmother, was the pride of her grand-daddy. Besides his widow and son, Captain Bessant is survived by three grandsons living in Ashtabula. Funeral services will be held from the residence on the corner of Richmond and Jackson streets here on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and the aged Captain's remains will be taken across the river to Evergreen cemetery for burial.