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- An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California
Randolph S. Bassett
Randolph S. Bassett is one of the most active and energetic business men in the city of Pomona. His music store is on Second street, in the Johnson Block, where he has the largest stock of pianos, organs and other musical instruments to be found in Southern California outside of the city of Los Angeles. He is also the agent of the Domestic, White, New Home and Davis sewing machines. Is real-estate agent and dealer, personally devoting his time to this branch of his business. Besides his city trade, he is largely engaged in country business, employeing a corps of energetic agents and five teams, which are constantly traveling through the county. Mr. Bassett was born in Marshall County, Illinois, in 1856. His father, John P. Bassett, was a native of Kentucky, and a contractor and architect by profession. His mother, Elizabeth (Reece) Bassett, was born in Ohio. Mr. Bassett, after receiving a good business education, commenced his career as a clerk. Being of an ambitious temperament and desirous of improving his condition, at the age of eighteen years he came to California and located at Santa Barbara. After clerking in a book and stationary store at that place for some months, he entered into business as a dealer in lime, cement and building material. He conducted that business until 1877, and then located in San Francisco, where he engaged in the furniture business, under the firm name of Bassett & McPhail, on Ellis street. In 1879 he sold out, and after some months, during which he was employed in the large furniture establishment of J.E. Davis at Sacramento, he took up his residence in Nevada City and there opened a book, stationery and music store under the firm name of Brand & Bassett. This business he conducted with success until failing health in 1882 compelled his seeking a more desirable climate, and after a trip to the Sandwich Islands he came to Los Angeles County and located at Pomona, where he entered into business, first as a dealer in books and stationery and then in musical instruments, and finally, in 1885, adding that of real-estate agent to his other enterprises. Mr. Bassett is a strong believer in the future of his beautiful valley, and is greatly interested in the development of its wonderful resources. Much credit is due him for the time and means he has devoted in showing to the world the products of this section of Los Angeles County. He accompanied the first displays sent by his county to St. Louis, Missouri, in September, 1887; Columbus, Ohio, September, 1888, and other points East; and in February, 1888, had charge of Pomona?s fine display of citrus and other fruits at Riverside. He is the owner of several orchards near the city, which he is devoting to oranges, French prunes, peaches, apricots, apples, etc. In political action he has long been identified with the Republican party. Locally, he has been elected a member of the city council on the anti-saloon ticket. He is a member of Etna Lodge, N. 107, Knights of Pythias, of Pomona. He is one of the progressive men of his wide-awake city, and is sure to be found as an active worker in any enterprise that in his opinion will advance the interests of the community in which he resides. In 1884 Mr. Bassett was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Camfield, the daughter of Joshua Camfield, a native of England, but now a resident of Los Angeles. Mrs. Bassett was born in Indiana, but came to California in 1878.
1900 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA (6 Jun 1900)
Randolph Bassett 42 M Jun 1857 IL NY OH Agt Real Estate
Nassie? 36 F May 1864 IN EN EN
Maud 10 F Jun 1889 CA IL IN
(Living at 839 Broadway) (Married 16 years, 1 child, 1 living)
1910 Federal Census of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA (23 Apr 1910)
Randolph S. Bassett 53 M NY OH OH Head Real Estate Own Bus.
Nancy 45 F IN EN EN Wife
Maud H. 20 F CA IL IN Daughter
(Living at 216 East Eleventh) (Married 25 years, 1 child, 1 living)
1920 Federal Census of Oakland, Alameda County, CA (12 Jan 1920)
Latham McDougal 30 M CA CA KY Head Civil Engineer State
Maude 30 F CA IL IN Wife
Robert 4 10/12 M CA CA CA Son
Marion 2/12 F CA CA CA Daughter
Nancie Bassett 55 F IN EN EN MotherL
(Living at 919 Mono St.)
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Bassett Family Association Database
1855 - 1919 (64 years)