Lang, H. O., ed.  "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description 
of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and 
Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal 
Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers."  Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and 
Job Printer, 1885.  p. 752.
 
LUZERNE BESSER

     Born in Buffalo, New York, in October, 1833, but was "raised" in Illinois.
Married Miss Sarah Lake in 1852, and came to Oregon the same year, locating in
Portland.  Owned and conducted various saw mills in the early years, with
various degrees of success.  Held a municipal office in 1868; became chief of
the police of Portland in 1879.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
Census
1860, June 14; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland, p 490
L. Besser, 31, IL, Mechanic
Sarah, 29, IL
May, 8, IL
Wm, 5, OR
 
1870, July 18; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland, p 247
L. Besser, 40, IL, lumberman, $30,000 real estate, $2000 pers. prop, father
foreign born
Sarah, 38, IL, keeping house
Wm, 15, OR, att. school
 
1880, June 2; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland, p 280; 68 S. 3rd
Lucerne Besser, 51, married, Buffalo, Switzerland, NY, lumberman
Sarah, 49, IL, OH, IN, married
Wm. L, 25, OR, IL, IL, surveyor, single
 
1910, April 26; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 32, p 28; 410 Water st.
William Besser, roomer, 50, Wd, OR, IL, un, foreman, lumbermill
 
OR State Archives   
<http://genealogy.state.or.us/>http://genealogy.state.or.us/
Sarah Besser, death, July 23, 1896, Portland, Or.
Estate of Sarah Besser, 1897, Multnomah Co.
 
Burials at Metro Pioneer Cemeteries     
<http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=159>http://www.metro-region.
org/article.cfm?articleid=159
 
OR Death Index      
<http://www.heritagetrailpress.com/DEATH_INDEX/>http://www.heritagetrailpress.
com/DEATH_INDEX/
Luzerne Besser, died Sept. 15, 1905; Multnomah Co, OR; cert. # 998
William Besser, died Sept. 11, 1930; Portland, Or.; cert. # 2607
 
 
 
"History of Portland, Oregon  
With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens and Pioneers"
D. Mason & Co., Publishers; Syracuse, N.Y.; 1890
Edited by:  H. W. Scott, page 182, 200, 201
 
1867-8;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1868-9;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1869-70;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1870-1;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1871-2; Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1872-3;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1873-4;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1875-6;  Councilmen -- Third Ward, L. Besser
1877-8;  Chief of Police, L. Besser
1878-9;  Chief of Police, L. Besser

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2006 by Diana Smith.
Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.