| Notes |
- The Dowagiac Daily News, Michigan, Friday, 15 October 1926
PARIS ? Oct. 15 ? (UP) ? Mrs. Harry Bassett, wife of the president of the Buick Motor company, has been notified that her husband is seriously ill here with pneumonia, but so far today had not been requested to come to Paris, the United Press was informed by those in attendance on Bassett.
The Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Friday, 5 November 1926
Buick Plant Closes Today And Saturday
Factory Shuts Down In Respect To Dead Chief, Harry H. Bassett
(By Associated Press)
FLINT, Nov. 5.-The plant of the Buick Motor company will remain closed today through Saturday as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Harry H. Bassett, president and general manager of the concern, whose funeral is to be held from the family residence here Sunday at 9 o?clock.
The body of Mr. Bassett will be brought to Flint today on a special train from Detroit to which city it came in a special car from New York. The body will lie in state at the residence Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. to allow Buick employees and other friends an opportunity to pay their last respects. The funeral Sunday afternoon will be private. Rev. Dr John Dysart, rector of St. Paul?s Episcopal church, will officiate.
The Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, Michigan, Tuesday, 2 November 1926
To Bury Head of Buick Next Sunday
Died in Paris Oct. 17; Bearers To Be Members Of Buick Executive Board
FLINT, Nov. 2 ? The funeral of Harry H. Bassett, president and general manager of the Buick Motor company, and vice president of the General Motors Corporation, who died of pneumonia in the American hospital in Paris, October 17, will be held from the Bassett residence next Sunday afternoon. Rev. Dr. John Dysart, of St. Paul?s Episcopal church, will officiate. The service will be private.
The body will lie in state at the home from 2 to 5 o?clock next Saturday afternoon.
Active bearers at the funeral will be associates of Mr. Bassett among the Buick executives, while the honorary bearers will include the entire executive board of the General Motors corporation.
Ironwood Daily Globe, Michigan, Saturday, 23 May 1936
Banker Dies
Jackson, Mich., May 23 ? (AP) ? Francis A. Shaughnessy, 54, prominent in Florida banking circles, died at his summer home today after an illness of several weeks. He was president of the First National Bank of Palm Beach, Fla.
1920 Federal Census of Genesee County, Michigan (26 Jan 1920)
Harry H. Bassett 42 M NY NY NY Head General manager auto shop
Jessie H. 32 F MI SL MI Wife
Harry H. 2 9/12 M MI NY NI Son
Anna M. Webes 24 F OH GM OH Maid Maid - private family
Margart M. Daniels 23 F MI PA PA Cook Cook - private family
(SL - Scotland)
"The Men Who Built the Cars" - Harry H. Bassett
Southern Wheels Magazine, 2003
Born in Utica, New York in 1875, Harry Bassett wanted to study law
after graduating from high school, but this was not to happen. His position of
office boy became available at the Remington Arms Company, noted mak
firearms, and he took this job, training in product improvement, cost-cutting
methods, and camaraderie with his fellow workers, which he would later use in
the automotive manufacturing business.
He worked hard and stayed with Remington for fourteen years before
being asked by Charles S. Mott to join the Weston-Mott Company of Utica, a
well-known manufacturer of wire wheels and rims for bicycles, carriages and
other vehicles. With the advent of the automobile, they had started production
of axles, hubs and automobile rims. In 1915 Bassett became assistant
superintendent in Utica, and within a year, went to Flint, Michigan to become
factory assistant manager, then the next year, manager. The automotive
business was growing and it needed a man like Bassett. He communicated with
his employees as a friend, rather than a boss.
By now, 60 percent of Weston-Mott's production was for GM. This led to
the consolidation with Buick and, in 1916, Bassett became assistant general
manager of the combination. He was continually out in the factory. By 1919, he
became Vice-President of Buick, where he built sales to the top of the
industry, second only to Ford. Buick's output in 1916 before Bassett joined
was 43,946 cars. By 1920, production reached 115,972 cars. His attitude was
to constantly improve the product, not only mechanically but visually,
"Progress is the law of the world, and it must be the law with Buick." Buick
built more than 200,000 cars during the calendar year of 192
Bassett's success with Buick was phenomenal, not just in record-
breaking sales, but also with the men who built and distributed the cars. Once
at the factory he heard there was a problem, so he went to the workers and
asked, "What's the trouble, boys? I hear you're not satisfied - tell me all
about it and let's see if we can straighten it out right away." The men
replied, "We're not earning enough, Harry." Bassett told them, "I think you're
right. The rate is fair enough, but there isn't enough production, and that's
not your fault, it's OURS. By the fifteenth of next month, enough work will be
coming in to improve that, and between now and then, we'll make up the
shortage." The men were happy with this and morale soared at the plan
Bassett believed in the spirit of human kindness, or in his words, "I
like people. I like to help others get along." And that's really what our old
car hobby is all about - being able to build and share the cars with the people.
Report of General Motors Corporation
For The Calendar Year Ended December 31, 1922
Officers
Harry H. Bassett, Vice President........ Flint
Board of Directors
Harry H. Bassett, President, Buick Motor Co., Flint, Mich.
Harry H. Bassett
Vice-President General Motors Corporation
President and General Manager Buick Motor Company, Flint, Michigan
Harry H. Bassett is a native of the State of New York and has been a
resident of Flint since 1907. He was born in the city of Utica, N.Y.,
September 11, 1875, son of William L. and Mary (Babcock) Bassett, natives of
that same state, the former of whom spent his last days in Flint and the
latter of whom is still living there.
William L. Bassett was born on a farm, son of P.H. Bassett and wife,
also natives of New York State, who spent all their lives in that state, the
former living to be ninety-two years of age and the latter, eighty-six. They
were the parents of nine children, George, William Lucy, John, Dwight, Evelyn,
Harriet, and Elizabeth who died young. William L. Bassett married Mary
Babcock, who was born at Unadilla Forks, in Otsego County, N.Y., daughter of
Henry H. and Tammison Babcock, natives of that same state, the former of whom
was a merchant in that town and who were the parents of six children, Lee,
Herbert, Mary, Julia, Ella and Laura. William L. Bassett early turned h
attention to the manufacturing business and was engaged as superintendent of
plants for the manufacture of agricultural implements, at Utica and Ilion,
practically all of his active life. In 1910, upon retiring from business, he
and his wife located in Flint, where he died in October, 1914, he then being
seventy-eight years of age. His widow, who still survives him, continues to
make her home in Flint. She is a member of the Universalist church and he was
a Baptist. They were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of
this biographical sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being
Tammison, who married F.P. Mann of Flint, Michigan, and Cornelia, who married
E.R. Kapp of Flint.
Harry H. Bassett received his schooling at Utica and at Ilion, N.Y.,
and was graduated from the high school of the latter city with a state
academic certificate. He then began work for the Remington Arms Company at
Ilion, and was connected with the factory and the office of that company for
fourteen years and six months, being gradually promoted until he became
assistant to the general manager. He then transferred his services to t
Weston-Mott Company at Utica, as assistant superintendent of that company's
plant at Utica, and when that concern was moved to Flint in 1907 he became
manager of works in the new plant, and has ever since then made his home in
Flint. In 1913, Mr. Bassett was promoted to the position of general manager of
the company, and in 1916, was elected vice-president of the company,
continuing as general manager of the plant. In December, 1916, he was made
assistant general manager of the Buick Motor Company (including the Weston-
Mott plants consolidated with Buick), and in April, 1919, was made general
manager of the Buick. In May, he was elected a vice-president and director of
the General Motors Corporation and made a member of the operating committee of
this large industrial institution. In January, 1920, he was made president of
Buick Motor Company. Mr. Bassett is also a Director in the Genesee Coun
Savings Bank and Workmen's Mutual Bank, both of Flint, Mich.
Mr. Bassett is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, the Society of
Automotive Engineers and the Question Club.
Mr. Bassett has been twice married. His first wife, who was Nina Cole,
daughter of Fred and Rose Cole, of Flint, died on August 17, 1911. To that
union one child was born, a daughter who died in infancy. On October 30, 1913,
Mr. Bassett was united in marriage to Jessie M. Hood, who was born in Jackson,
this state, daughter of Rodney Hood and wife, natives of Michigan, the former
of whom for years has been engaged in the lumber business at Jackson. O
child, Harry Hood Bassett, was born May 6, 1917, and William L. Bassett was
born August 23, 1920. Mrs. Bassett's mother died in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett
have a very pleasant home at 514 East Kearsley Street, and take an earnest
interest in the general, social and cultural activities of their home town.
Residence: Flint, Michigan.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1874 - 1926 (52 years)