| Notes |
- New Encyclopedia of Texas (Page 1991)
J. M. BASS, pioneer in the mercantile business in Texas, came to Cuero several years ago, and has since been engaged in merchandising here. Mr. Bass is a member of the firm of Bass Brothers Company, a firm dating back to the earliest days of Cuero's history, when the business was established in 1873, by John Graves. The building now occupied by the firm, carrying the date of 1873, has been continuously occupied since that time, although the business has grown and prospered, and various changes have been made in the original building. In the years during which he operated the business Mr. Graves established traditions of achievement, and a tradition of giving one hundred cents worth of merchandise for1 every dollar spent. When Mr. Bass bought the store, in partnership with his brother, J. L. Bass, this tradition, as well as the store, was transferred to the new owners, and how successfully they have lived up to this tradition is best judged by the continued growth and prosperity of the business. Bass Brothers Company established a dry goods store at Yoakum in 1913, which they have continued to operate, R. L. Bass being in active charge of the store there. In 1919 they bought the business of J. A. Graves & Sons, and J, M. Bass, the subject of this sketch, has since been manager of this Cuero store. A complete line of dry goods, clothing, shoes, hats, ladies' ready-to-wear, millinery, rugs, carpets, and like merchandise is carried, and a large retail business is done annually. A force of sixteen employees, with an additional force employed for rush seasons, are in the store, and the best merchandise, with the newest styles and lowest prices, are featured by the firm.
J. M. Bass was born in Georgia, in 1871, son of a merchant of that state. He attended the public schools and in 1887 came to Texas with his brother. He went with the Perkins Dry Goods Company, and for twenty-one years was with that company, in various Texas towns, and for twelve years of the time was in charge of a store at Athens for this firm. In 1913 Mr. Bass, with his brother, opened the Yoakum store, six years later buying out the business of J. A, Graves & Sons, and has since continued to operate these stores.
Mr. Bass was married at Dublin, Texas, in 1892, to Miss Pearl Hall, whose death occurred in 1922, Mrs. Bass was the daughter of Dr. J. W. Hall, Texas physician. One child, Miss Tennie Mae Bass, was born to the union. Mr. Bass makes Cuero his home and belongs to the Cuero Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Retail Merchants Association, and is a Mason, Blue Lodge, Chapter at Cuero, Commandery at Yoakum, and is a member of the Shrine at San Antonio. He is active in civic work, and takes a deep pride in the accomplishments of Cuero as one of the fastest growing cities of this section.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1871 - 1937 (66 years)