William E. Bessey, M. D., at the corner of North Division and Monroe streets, Grand Rapids, Mich., is a native of county Halton, province of Ontario, dominion of Canada, is of Huguenot and Scotch descent, was born September 5, 1838, and is a son of John Reed and Jane (Miller) Bessey. The family name in France was DeBessey, and its members were among those who fled the country on account of religious persecution after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and with thousands of others found refuge in England, and thence reached America. John Reed Bessey was a British officers in the war of 1812, and after the close of hostilities settled near Toronto, Canada, as did many others of the disbanded English troops. He had brothers who were among the patriots of the American army during the same war, and they settled in and about Philadelphia, Pa., at its close. Mrs. Jane (Miller) Bessey was cousin of the world known author and geologist, Hugh Miller (1802-1856), and of Sir James Miller, a celebrated surgeon of Edinburg, Scotland; she was also a sister of Andrew Miller, of Aberdeen granite fame, and of another who was noted as a Scotch poet. Dr. William E. Bessey was educated at the Toronto university and at the Magill university of Montreal. He was first prepared for the ministry by taking a four years’ course in theology, but being unable to reconcile the multiplicity of creeds and doctrines extant, he relinquished the study of theology for that of medicine. In the latter he became quite distinguished, and during its course delivered several lectures of note on abstruse subjects, such as the "Origin and Unity of the aces;" "Ancient Civilization of America," showing that the present Anglo-Saxon race is the fourth in the settlement of this continent:, "On the Antiquity of Man;" "Ancient Egypt, a Colony of the Ancient Race of Central America;" " The Builders of the Pyramids the same as the Mound-Builders, contemporaneous with them," etc., etc., and his investigations along these lines have evinced deep thought and evolved startling as well as valuable information. He also lectured on the Jesuit Missionaries in North America, and numerous other subjects. In social economy, he has favored the independence of the laboring man, the homestead laws, and the combating of the centralization of capital in the hands of the few. The doctor began the active practice of his profession in Montreal and there successfully continued it for twenty-five years, and for several years occupied the position of acting health officer of that city, but lost this office through the uprising of the French against the English residents. In the course of his practice,

Dr. Bessey introduced into Canada the system of vaccination of animals, and later became associated with the New York Life Insurance company in a confidential capacity as a specialist, at a handsome compensation; but domestic conditions led to his resignation of this position, and he then engaged in special practice at Toronto, but failing health compelled him to retire temporarily, and after recuperation he came to Grand Rapids in 1899, since when he has devoted himself to surgery, metaphysical healing and his specialties the treatment of throat and lung diseases, mental and nervous troubles, blood disorders, rectal ailments, and female complaints of all classes, in all of which he has met with phenomenal success. The doctor, however, has little faith in drugs, and theorizes that they are deceptive and delusive agents, because of their ability to only temporarily relieve symptoms where skillfully adapted to meet the indications in a case, and because of their utter inability to remove the cause of a disorder, they are consequently powerless to effect a permanent cure. He holds that nature has accomplished wonders, since it has eliminated or neutralized both poisonous elements, viz: the toxin of the disease and the poisonous drugs as well, and considers it economy of vital force not to impose this double task where it can possibly be avoided. Dr. Bessey is a member of the Medical & Surgical association of Montreal, the college of Physicians & Surgeons of Quebec, college of Physicians & Surgeons of Toronto, ex-member of the British Medical association, and member of the American association of Official Surgeons. He has letters in his possession which show his former intimacy with the nobility of England, including Lorne, Lord Dufferin, Duke of Argyle and other distinguished personages, both in that country and Canada. His letter of commendation from his former friends in Montreal tends to a laudatory of his high standing as a gentleman and physician, and shows that his practice extended to the best families of that city, and his high literary attainments and professional ability are self evident. The doctor’s religious belief or philosophy is peculiar to himself, viz: That the origin of life, order and intelligence in the natural world is the Supreme Being, whose existence is in the moral and spiritual world; that man is a compound entity of matter and mind (or spirit); that woman, being the last in the order of creation of the highest type of animals, is in fact paramount to all, being possessed of greater capacity, having more organs, a higher order of brain, and being endowed with a greater amount of endurance of either pain or labor, and having more register in her vocal chords than her male companion; that she is naturally the instructor and director of man and his destinies, and that the human race must rise or fall with her, she being queen of the human hive. His creed rests in and is founded on nature. Fraternally, Dr. Bessey is a member of St. George’s lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Montreal the same that Past Grand Masters Stephenson, Barnard and Senator Oglesbee demonated the home of grand masters.