Source: History of Whiteside County, Illinois, Edited by Charles Bent, Morrison, IL  1877
Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin, Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 354

RODERICK M. BESSE was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1816, and came to Portland in 1836, locating his farm adjoining that of his brother, P. B. BESSE. He was Justice of the Peace, and Assessor of Portland township for several terms. He married Miss Marietta GREEN, in 1855, is now living in the village of Prophetstown.