WABASHA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
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Biography transcribed & donated to Wabasha County, MN Bios by
Barbara Koska Timm.  For more information, please check
out her site "Biographies and Historical Sketches of Wabasha County,
Minnesota" at <http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio>.
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		    "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY MINNESOTA"
                               COMPILED BY
                         FRANKLYN CURTISS-WEDGE
                                AND OTHERS

                                ILLUSTRATED

                               WINONA, MINN.
                          H. C. COOPER, JR., & CO.
                                   1920


Befort, William J. (p. 726), who owns and operates in Chester Township one of the best farms in 
 Wabasha County, was born in Wisconsin, January 2, 1862, son of William and Anna (De Ville) Befort. The 
 father was a native of Germany and the mother of France. They came to America in the early sixties, and, 
 after remaining several years in New York state, settled in Wisconsin. Subsequently they removed to 
 Goodhue county, Minn., and still later to Wabasha County, taking a farm in Chester Township, on which the 
 father died in 1909 and the mother in 1908. They were Catholics in religion. Their children were William J., 
 Mary, Anna, John (first), John (second), Katherine, Frank, Lena and Agnes. John (first) and Katherine are 
 deceased, the first mentioned dying in infancy. William J. Befort was educated in the district school, and 
 worked for his father until 1891. He then rented the home farm for two years. In 1893 he began buying land, 
 his first purchase consisting of 80 acres. Then, in 1895, he bought 80 acres more, and in 1899 an additional 
 tract of 40 acres, making a total of 200 acres in sections 19, 20, and 29, Chester Township. In 1919 he 
 contracted to buy the John Philley farm of 186 acres in section 30, and now owns and controls a fine farm of 
 466 acres, on which he has erected all the buildings, which are substantially constructed and of modern type. 
 His barn measures 46 by 90 feet and is furnished with a full Louden equipment. He has installed electric 
 lights on his place, and his general farm equipment is very complete, including tractors and a 
 threshing-machine. In short, Mr. Befort has shown himself to be one of the most progressive farmers in his 
 township and the results of his enterprise are fully manifest in the fine condition of his farm and the 
 prosperity he is now enjoying as a general farmer and stock raiser. He has served for 36 years on the school 
 board of his district, No. 91. He has recently enjoyed more leisure than formerly, having turned over the 
 active management of the farm to his sons, Stephan and Lewis. Mr. Befort was married April 7, 1891, to 
 Mary Reding, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Reding. Her parents were natives of Belgium who 
 emigrated to Minnesota many years ago, settling in Goodhue County, where the father died in 1904 and the 
 mother in 1908. They had ten children, of whom six are now living, namely: Henry N., Frank P., Mary, 
 Sarah C., Fred H., and Anna J. Those deceased are: Stephan J., Albert J., Clara and John. Mr. and Mrs. 
 William J. Befort are the parents of five children, all residing at home, and who were born as follows: 
 Stephan W., January 16, 1892; Isabella S., June 7, 1894; Lewis J., March 15, 1896; Nicholas H., February 7, 
 1901; and Lawrence W., January 12, 1903. Lewis J. enlisted June 24, 1918, and served in the 78th Division 
 in France for about one year, in the Argonne and St. Mihiel sectors. He was discharged at Camp Dodge in 
 May, 1919. The Befort family is one of high standing in Chester Township. Its members are Catholics in 
 religion.