Andrew Bossert

Notes:

Jo Peck notes that family legend indicates he came from Frankfurt "On the Maine," Germany. Census records have differing answers, as can be noted below. He is listed in GERMANS TO AMERICA as arriving at U.S. Ports, 1850-1855, Volume 8, August to December 1854, on page 477. He left from Havre to New York on the Ravenswood, arriving November 25, 1854, with his destination indicated as New York. He lived in Genesee County, often a stopover place for those planning to move to Michigan and Wisconsin, due to its proximity to Lake Erie. She indicates that the Wisconsin Census record of 1860 shows him at 26, Anna 24, with real estate valued at $200 and personal property valued at $20.

Jo's mother said that Andrew accepted the Adventist message around 1860, joining the new Waterloo Township just forming. The SDA Religion started in Battle Creek, Michigan, between 1855 and 1860, with Jo's maternal great great granfather and wife one of the original 10 families there...and with Andrew joining the same church in Wisconsin in the 1860's.

Civil War records describe Andrew as being 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall, blue eyed and with light hair and a light complexion. He served as a Private in Company C, 6th Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, and was discharged on July 14, 1865. He bought his army Springfield rifle for $6. Family stories say he walked home from Dubuque, Iowa, where he was discharged. Jo has his service and pension records, including Anna's Widow's Declaration for a Pension, which included the date and place of their marriage. It was this that inspired her to write the Town Historian of Elba, New York, and triggered his fantastic reply that he had gotten another letter that very same day from a descendant of Anna's brother, George, who had traveled from Germany with her and was married on the very same day by the same minister. This opened up the Jesse line for both Jo and Dot Williams to explore. All the biographical information about the descendants of Andrew and Anna Bossert was excerpted from material written by Jo.

The 1877 Grant County Atlas shows Andrew owning Lot 80, in Waterloo Township, where the old Bossert farm was located in a hollow on Chaffee Road. It is said the original house on the hill burned, and they built the next one in the hollow. There is a natural spring on the land with watercress. There were also Indian Mounds on the land that Jo's grandfather would not let his family disturb.

The 1895 Atlas showed the Bossert Homestead as belonging to Andrew's son Joseph, and a neighboring parcel belonging to Joe's on, Harry Bossert. The farm has since passed out of the family. Anna and Andrew had moved to Cassville in 1892, due to Andrew's failing health. Jo indicates that their home is still standing, but is almost unrecognizable with its changed facade. The old Seventh-day Adventist Church and cemetery on Highway 133, south of Cassville in Section 19 of Waterloo Township, still stand. Andrew Bossert was a deacon of this church. Andrew and Anna are buried behind the church, near their old home in Waterloo, as are Jo's grandparents Joe and Minnie.


Grant Co. Death Records:

Bossert, A., age 65, married to Annie Jessie, died 4 Dec 1895, recorded in Bk. 3, Pg. 153. No parents names listed.

and

Bossert, Andrew, age 63, married to Annie Jessie, died 4 Dec 1895, recorded in Bk. 3., Pg. 263. No parents listed.

The birth information for the children of Anna and Andrew did NOT appear in GRANT COUNTY, WISCONSIN BIRTH RECORDS - EARLIEST TO 1891.

www.familysearch.org also lists this family, with information being submitted by CAROL N GARNER, 2315 VAN BUREN AVE, OGDEN UT USA 84401; Submission: AF97-111200.

(Research):
Census Listings:

1870 Census, Waterloo, Grant, WI, Household 80

Andrew Bossert, 39, Farmer, $1500, $400, Hesse Darmstadt
Ann Bossert, 30, House Keeper, Prussia
Elizabeth Bossert, 9, WI
Joseph Bossert, 7, WI
Mary Bossert, 3, WI
Henry Darling, 33, Works on Farm, MA
Francis, 19, House Work, WI (Wife of Henry??)

1880 Census

Census Place:Waterloo, Grant, Wisconsin Source:FHL Film 1255427 National Archives Film T9-1427
Page 38 RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
Andrew BOSSERT Self M M W 50 FRANKFORT Occ: Farmer Fa: FRA Mo: FRA
Kenie BOSSERT Wife F M W 40 POLAND Occ: Keeping House Fa: POLAND Mo: POLAND
Joseph BOSSERT Son M S W 17 WI Fa: FRA Mo: POLAND
Mary BOSSERT Dau F S W 13 WI Fa: FRANKFORT Mo: POLAND
Franks BOSSERT Dau F S W 9 WI Fa: FRANKFORT Mo: POLAND
Clarence BOSSERT Son M S W 7 WI Fa: FRANKFORT Mo: POLAND
Millie BOSSERT Dau F S W 2 WI Fa: FRANKFORT Mo: POLAND

Andrew married Anna Jesse on 24 Nov 1859 in Byron, Genesee County, New York. Anna (daughter of Andrew Jesse and Mary Bajrovik) was born on 8 Sep 1839 in Strelitz, Kreis Kolmar, Posen, Prussia; died on 16 Jan 1931 in Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin; was buried in Advent Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth Bossert was born on 17 Oct 1860 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin; died about 1915.
2. Joseph Andrew Bossert was born on 24 Oct 1862 in Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin; died on 14 Jun 1961 in Lancaster, Grant County, Wisconsin; was buried in Advent Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin.
3. Maria Ann Bossert was born on 11 Nov 1864 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin; died before 1870 in Grant County, Wisconsin.
4. Mary C. Bossert was born on 28 Nov 1868 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin; died about 1957 in Mora, Kanabec County, Minnesota.
5. Frances D. "Frankie" Bossert was born on 18 Dec 1871 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin; died on 11 Oct 1968 in Mora, Kanabec County, Minnesota.
6. Clarence Sanborn Bossert was born on 27 May 1873 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin; died on 20 Jan 1964 in Mora, Kanabec County, Minnesota.
7. Mildred V. "Millie" Bossert was born on 17 Nov 1877 in Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin; died on 29 Jun 1954 in Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin.