Russell Lee Bossert

Notes:

Jo Peck writes that her father, Russell, was the youngest of the Bossert children, weighing in at 12 pounds. He attended Cassville schools, Bethel Academy and Union College in Nebraska. Russ and Eleanor met in Hinsdale, where she was taking her nurses training. He was working in Chicago at the time. Both had black hair, she with blue eyes and he with green, and they looked a bit alike. He stood five feet, eleven inches tall, with a medium build. Russ was an electrician, and a long lineman for Consumers Power Company in Battle Creek. The fram was still in him, though, because when he retired he always had a garden plot on one of his friend's land outside of town. He grew enough vegetables to feed his family and many friends. He and some friends would make sauerkraut each fall from an old German recipe, and sell it for miles around to finance his trips to California to visit his daughters. Although Russell was raised as a Adventist, he did not practice his religion as an adult.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Waterloo Twp
12, 13, and 14 of January 1920
SD 3 ED 126 Sheet 3A Stamped 243
49-49
Bossert, Harry A Head m W 25 M Wisc Wisc Iowa
Bossert, Clara J Wf F W 25 M Wisc Wisc Wisc
Bossert, Joseph A Father M W 47 Wd Wisc Germany German Germany German
Bossert, Russell L brother M W 21 S Wisc Wisc Iowa Farm Laborer


1930 Census
Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek Twp, Springfield Place
Enumerated 23-23 Apr 1930
34 Street
70-72
Bossert, Russell L Head O $5000 M W 31 M 29 Wisc Wisc Wisc Attendant Oil Station
Bossert, Eleanor Wf F W 24 M 23 Mich Mich Mich
Bossert, Lila J Dtr F W 5/12 S Mich Wisc Mich

Russell married Eleanor Ione Lewis on 13 Oct 1928 in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. Eleanor was born on 28 Apr 1905 in Omer, Arenac County, Michigan; died on 31 Jan 1996 in Moreno Valley, Riverside County, California; was buried on 3 Feb 1996 in Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

Jo Peck writes that Joe was tall and spare, with blond hair and blue eyes. He left the family farm in 1887 to work as a foreman for a dairy farm in Pipestone, Minnesota. He returned home when his father became ill and could no longer farm. He was semi-retired over half his life, and was a well-known figure driving his Model T around Grant County.

(Research):
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Census Listings:

1900 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Waterloo Twp
Enumerated 15 Jun 1900
SD 2 ED 53 Sheets 9A and 9B, stamped 174
172-176
Bossert, Joe Head W M Oct 1863 36 M8 Wisc Germany Germany Farmer
Bossert, Minnie Wf W F Oct 1870 29 Wisc Wisc England
Bossert, Harry Son W M Jan 1894 6 S Wisc Wisc Wisc
Bossert, Hazel Dtr W F Jan 1894 6 S Wisc Wisc Wisc
Bossert, Sylva Dtr W F Sept 1896 S Wisc Wisc Wisc
Bossert, Russell Son W M Oct 1898 1 S Wisc Wisc Wisc

1910 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Waterloo Town
Enumerated 26 Apr 1910
SD 3 ED 46 Sheet 7A
144-144
Bossert, Joseph Head m W 47 M1 18 Wisc Germany/German Germany/German Farmer
Bossert, Minnie Wf F W 39 m1 18 4/4 Iowa Wisc England/English
Bossert, Harry A Son M W 16 S Wisc Wisc Iowa
Bossert, Hazel E Dtr F W 16 S Wisc Wisc Iowa
Bossert, Sylvia E Dtr F W 14 S Wisc Wisc Iowa
Bossert, Russell L Son m W 11 S Wisc Wisc Iowa

1920 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Cassville Vilage, Cassville
Enumerated 17 Jan 1920
SD 3 ED 90 Sheets 1A and 1B, Stamped 166
16-16
Bossert, Anna Head F F W 80 Wd 18?? Na Un Germany/German Germany/German Germany/German None
Bossert, Joseph A Son M W 57 Wd Wisc Germany/German Germany/German None
Bossert, Frankie D Dtr F W 48 S Wisc Germany/German Germany/German None
Bossert, Millie V Dtr F W 35 S Wisc Germany/German Germany/German None

1920 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Waterloo Twp
12, 13, and 14 of January 1920
SD 3 ED 126 Sheet 3A Stamped 243
49-49
Bossert, Harry A Head m W 25 M Wisc Wisc Iowa
Bossert, Clara J Wf F W 25 M Wisc Wisc Wisc
Bossert, Joseph A Father M W 47 Wd Wisc Germany German Germany German
Bossert, Russell L brother M W 21 S Wisc Wisc Iowa Farm Laborer

(Enumerated twice?)

Joseph married Minnie Ester Garner on 18 May 1892 in Cassville, Grant County, Wisconsin. Minnie was born on 28 Oct 1870 in Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa; died on 9 Jan 1916 in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin; was buried in Advent Cemetery, Waterloo Township, Grant County, Wisconsin. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The daughter of Samuel Russell GARNER and Emily BLEWETT. She had her dad's green eyes and her mother's small physique. Her family was musical, and had a piano. Sons Harry and Russell played the violin, and daughter Hazel taught vocal lessons later in her life.

Notes:

Married:
Bossert, Joseph A., married Minnie E. Garner, 18 May 1892, recorded in Bk. 11, Pg, 169. Joseph the son of Andrew and Anna (Jesse) Bossert. Minnie the daughter of Samuel and Emily (Bluet) Garner. Samuel is likely Samuel Russell Garner per another marriage record.

Groom's Name: Joseph A. Bossert
Groom's Birth Date:
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: Minnie E. Garver
Bride's Birth Date:
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 18 May 1892
Marriage Place: Grant, Wisconsin
Groom's Father's Name: Andrew Bossert
Groom's Mother's Name: Anna Jesse
Bride's Father's Name: Samuel Garver
Bride's Mother's Name: Eunla Bluet
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status:
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I00779-7
System Origin: Wisconsin-EASy
Source Film Number: 1266662
Reference Number: P 3049
Collection: Wisconsin Marriages, 1836-1930

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]

Notes:

Jo Peck writes that "Behind the little white Advent Church in Waterloo Township are the graves of the early pioneers. Near Andrew and Anna's stone are three children's graves: George, Charlie and Annie. Annie could be the baby Maria Anna listed in the family Bible page, and George and Charlie could have been born in 1866 and 1875, filling in the blank spaces in the list of children's births.

Obituary ANNA JESSE BOSSERT Mrs. Ann Bossert of Cassville, Wisconsin, was born in Germany, September 8, 1839. She came to the United States with her brother George Jesse in 1857 and lived with him in Michigan until she was united in marriage to Andrew Bossert in the year 1859. They moved to Cassville the same year and later settled on a farm in Waterloo township. In 1864 her husband was called to serve in the Union Army in the Civil War. During this time she remained at home and cared for the farm.

She became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church in 1870 and until her death she has been a firm believer in the faith she accepted.

In the year 1892 they moved to Cassville where she has resided until her death January 16th, at the age of 91 years, 4 months and 8 days. Her husband preceded her 36 years. She leaves to mourn her loss 5 children, Joe A., Francis D., and Mildred, Mrs. C. A. Kirschbaum of Cassville, also Mary and C.S. of Mora, Minn.; nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. She was a kind and loving mother and friend not only to her immediate family but also to all who came in contact with her. She was known in the community as "Grandma Bossert". In this community she will be greatly missed by both young and old. She was a firm believer in Christ, and his soon return to this earth to claim his honest and faithful ones; and she lived in the hope that she would have a part in the resurrection of the Just--By one who mourns.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Cassville Village
Enumerated 11 Jun 1900
SD 2 ED 26 Sheet 10A Stamped 56
219-221
Bossert, Anna Head W F Sept 1839 60 Wd 10/6 Germany Germany Germany 1845 45 Na
Bossert, Clarence Son W M May 1873 27 S Wisc Germany Germany School Teacher
Bossert, Mildred Dtr W F Nov 1877 22 S 0/0 Wisc Germany Germany

1910 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Cassville Village
SD 3 ED 17 Sheet 7B
170-170
Bossert, Mrs. Anna Head F W 70 W 50 10/6 Germany Germany Germany 1858 Retired Own Income
Bossert, Mary Dtr F W 35 S Wisc Germany Germany None
Bossert, Mildred Dtr F W 28 S Wisc Germany Germany

1920 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Cassville Vilage, Cassville
Enumerated 17 Jan 1920
SD 3 ED 90 Sheets 1A and 1B, Stamped 166
16-16
Bossert, Anna Head F F W 80 Wd 18?? Na Un Germany/German Germany/German Germany/German None
Bossert, Joseph A Son M W 57 Wd Wisc Germany/German Germany/German None
Bossert, Frankie D Dtr F W 48 S Wisc Germany/German Germany/German None
Bossert, Millie V Dtr F W 35 S Wisc Germany/German Germany/German None

1930 Census
Wisconsin, Grant County, Cassville Village
ED 22-9 SD 12 Sheet 3B
Amelia Street
92-93
Bossert, Anna Head O 3000 F W 90 Wd Germany Germany Germany German 1857 Na None
Bossert, Frances D Dtr F W 58 S Wisc Germany Germany None

Notes:

AKA Andrew GESSE.

Andrew married Mary Bajrovik in Prussia. Mary was born before 1815 in Prussia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Barbara LaChance [lachance@ccis.com] notes that "in a lot of the slavic names many of the letters are either not pronounced or are pronounced like an entirely different letter. I tried looking up your name "BAJROVIK" and the closest I could get in my books was: BAJOREK (Pol.) Dweller by the slough or muddy place. (Source: New Dictionary of American Family Names by E.C. Smith).

Notes:

Married:
The names of the children Mary and Andrew JESSE, are based on list prepared by their granddaughter, Augusta Jesse Buchholz. Augusta's granddaughter, Fern Falkenstein Bengelsdorf, has the original list, and gave a copy of it to Dorothy Ball Williams. It APPEARS that George and Anna were the oldest children, and Amelia the youngest. This seems logical since George and Anna appear to have been the first to emigrate. The birthdates of the other children are ESTIMATED based on this assumption. If they were not listed in birth order, this is likely incorrect.