Notes |
- From Ric Bassett, W. I. Bassett divorced Alvis Reed Bassett, and married a cigarette model ½ his age, on Long Island, New York. They adopted two girls who were not blood relatives, named Margaret Mary and Elizabeth. W.I. Bassett wanted to move back to Reno and the B&B Cattle Ranch, but the model did not want to go. W.I. divorced her, took the kids and the nanny, Ruby, and moved back to the ranch in Reno. W.I. married Ruby in Reno after the girls were 19-20, just before he died.
1900 Federal Census of Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa (4 Jun 1900)
William Bassett 23 Dec 1876 M IL OH PA Head
Avis 22 Feb 1878 F WI WI WI Wife
Glenn G. 4 May 1896 M IA IL WI Son
William D. 2 Mar 1898 M IA IL WI Son
Clair D. 6/12 Nov 1899 M IA IL WI Son
(Married 4 years, 3 children, 3 living) (Living on Irving Street)
1920 Federal Census of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York (14 Jan 1920)
William Bassett 43 M IL NY NY Head Proprietor Elevator Co.
Avis 41 F WI IL WI Wife
Glenn 23 M IA IL WI Son Draughtsman
Dale 21 M IA IL WI Son Engineer
Dell 20 M IA IL WI Son
Edith 20 F IA IL WI DauL
1930 Federal Census of Port Washington, Nassau County, New York (18 Apr 1930)
William Bassett 50 M IL IL IL Head Sales Manager Elevator Co.
Margaret 26 F NY NY NY Wife
Margaret Miller 57 M NY NY GM MotherL
& 2 others
(Living on East Rd.) (Married at 18 and 22)
1930 Federal Census of Port Washington, Nassau County, New York (24 Apr 1930)
Aubrey Fletcher 39 M CN CN CN Head Mechanical Engineer Sand & Gravel
Ethel 35 F CN CN CN Wife
Lillian 18 F CN CN CN Daughter Bookeeper Radio Store
Ruby 17 F CN CN CN Daughter
Rita 12 F CN CN CN Daughter
Donald 10 M CN CN CN Son
The Nassau Daily Review, Long Island?s Greatest Newspaper
Monday, March 4, 1935
Bassetts Return to Court as 2nd Honeymoon Fizzles
Reconciliation, Effected By Judge Steinbrink Fails to Settle Difficulties
The reconciliation efforts of Justice Meier Steinbrink, in the separation suit of Mrs. Margaret Helen Bassett against her wealthy husband, William Bassett of Port Washington, have crumbled, it was revealed today.
A motion to restore the case on the calendar is under consideration by Justice Steinbrink in Brooklyn supreme court, today. The application for restoration of the case to the calendar was made by Robert H. Elder, counsel for Mrs. Bassett.
Reconciled January 20
The reconciliation between the 32-year-old wife and 55-year-old husband was effected in Justice Steinbrink?s chambers in Nassau supreme court, January 30. At the time, the couple did not leave the courtroom together, leaving with their counsel, but indicating that they would meet the following day.
Mrs. Bassett claimed that last fall she returned to her home, ?Harbor Aces,? in Port Washington, to find the place closed up, furniture moved out and her husband and two adopted children missing. The children were later located on a ranch in Nevada. Mrs. Bassett obtained a sequestration order against her husband which was later held in abeyance pending outcome of the case.
After the reconciliation efforts the couple were quoted as saying that they still loved each other and would plan a long trip together within a short time. What intervened to upset their plans was not indicated in the brief court proceedings.
Mrs. Bassett seeks to have the case tried in Brooklyn while counsel for Mr. Bassett have indicated that they desire trial in Nassau county where the case was originally filed. George Gordon Batle is counsel for Mr. Bassett, with Elvin N. Edwards as trial counsel.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York, Friday, March 29, 1935
Bassett Denies He Sent his Wife to Reno for Divorce
Retired Elevator Executive Refutes Testimony in Separation Action
William I. Bassett, 55, retired vice president of the Otis Elevator Company, yesterday on the witness stand in Supreme Court, Mineola, in the separation action brought by his wife, Margaret Helen Bassett, of Port Washington, contradicted her testimony in regard to circumstances which led up to their separation in August, 1934.
Bassett denied he had urged his wife to go to Reno and get a divorce. He said that he had repeatedly tried to keep her from taking that action.
Bassett declared that his wife turned over to him the 49 shares of stock in the realty company of which he was president on the condition that he would take care of the children. He also said that his wife told him that he could have all of her jewelry except her wrist watch and wedding ring, which she wished to give to their two children when they grew up.
Denies Any Coolness
The defendant also denied that he treated Mrs. Bassett cooly upon her return from Bermuda in January, 1934, and told of writing to her while she was in Bermuda and also in Reno.
Testimony was given also by Sally Steele, 246 West End Ave., and by Ruby P. Fletcher, who came from Reno where she has been taking care of the Bassett children.
Miss Steele, a nurse in the Bassett home in 1933 and part of 1934, said that Mrs. Bassett told her that she was going to ruin her husband.
She said she was going to get a divorce, Miss Steele testified, and that she would always get what she wanted if she threatened to go to Reno. She characterized Mrs. Bassett’s behavior as irrational.
The case continued today.
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