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- 1880 Federal Census of District 127, Travis County, Texas
W.G. Bassete 47 M MA MA MA Head Farmer & Minister of G.
Rosa 35 F KY KY OH Wife
Wm N. 6 M TN MA KY Son
Minna 4 F MO MA KY Daughter
John M. 2 M TX MA KY Son
Central Christian Advocate, 21 Jul 1897
Rev. William J. Bassett
Rev. William J. Bassett was born in North Adams, Mass., Jan. 3, 1834,
and died Waco, Tex., June 17, 1897. He was educated in the common schools and
at Amherst Academy. In 1856 he emigrated to Kansas, was a participant in the
anti-slavery struggles, and after many hair breadth escapes was appoint
sheriff of the 3rd U.S. District, embracing West Kansas and the territo
about Denver City. In 1860 he went to Brookville, Ind., joined the
Presbyterian Church, prepared for the ministry and was admitted to Whitewater
Presbytery. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 37th Ind. Volunteer
serving three years, but with broken health; then he settled at Nashville,
Tenn., and on Sept. 22, 1869, married Rosa Musgrove. In 1873 they removed to
St. Louis and in 1876 to Texas, and found a home promising health in the
mountains north of Austin. In 1878 he was reclaimed, obtained a rich religious
experience and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1879 he was licensed
a local preacher, and joined the Austin Conference as a probationer. He was
ordained a deacon by Bishop Haven in 1880, and an elder in 1884 by Bish
Harris. His appointments were Mason, Lawrence, Gainsville, Panhandle district,
Austin, Austin district, Waco and Waco district. His disease disabled him for
efficient work much of the time, and most men would have given up the
struggle, but "the love of Christ constrained him." He was "a good man, full
of faith and the Holy Ghost," trusted and beloved by all who knew him. He died
triumphing over death, through Him who is "the resurrection and the life." His
wife and five children survive him, and have the love and sympathy of many
Christian hearts. M.A. Daughtery.
Sketch of My Life, Wm. J. Bassett
Provided by Kimbrough Stone Bassett
I was born in North Adams Massachusetts on the 3d day of Jan'y 1834.
My father soon after went to Amherst Mass. My mother having taken away, soon
after I was taken by my Father's sister, Miss Mary Bassett to Goshen, Mass to
live. At about seven years of age, I went to live with an uncle Mr. Sil
Bassett, working on a farm & going to school a few months every year. At 17
years of age I went to live with Mr. W.B Howland at Amherst to learn the
carpenter's trade. I remained with him five years, attending while with him,
two Winter terms of the Amherst Academy. I became acquainted, while there, with
President Hitchcock of Amherst College & his family, Charles Hitchcock his son
being a student in the Academy with myself. Deacon White Principal. I w
acquainted with many of the Professors at Amherst, as Fowler, Tyler Clark &
Haven. The memory of the latter has been a life long inspiration to me both
intellectually and morally. Mr. Boltwood & family of Amherst were warm friends
and had a good influence over me. While at Amherst about 1853 and while
attending a protracted meeting in the Congregational Church, I was strangely
converted but made the fatal mistake of not joining the church and soon wandered
away from God. Under the Auspices of the New England Emigrant Aid Co., I
started for Kansas in the Spring of 1855 but stopped in Ill's to see my sister
& staid there one year - then went on in the Spring of 1856 with Wm Strawn of
Ottawa Ill's and a company of about twenty five or thirty men. We were
plundered at Leavenworth by a party of the pro-slavery side & turned back down
the river. I succeeded in escaping saving $1800.00 in Land warrants for Mr.
Strawn who also escaped. After some strange vicissatives? having been hunted
for three days and having many narrow escapes, by the aid of Mr. Vaughn Editor
of the Leavonworth Herald who furnished me with two guides. I went to Lawrence
Kansas & enlisted in Captain Cullers Co. of Genl Lanes army. Was with Lane
when he invested Lecompaton. The only time when we came face to face with the
United States forces. But the matter was adjusted without any fighting. Was in
Lawrence when it was invested by 2700 Missourians who were turned back by our
new Gov Geary. While in Kansas, I met, Summner Sedgewick Sherman (then a
lawyer) Johnston Albert (??? 2 Dragoons) and others prominent during the Civil
War. I often saw John Brown & heard him speak to the soldiers. After peace was
restored I settled in Manhattan Riley Co. Was recommended for Sheriff by
Andrew J Mead, member of the Territorial Legislature and Appointed by Gov. S.
Medary. My jurisdiction was the 3d Dist. Elmore Judge (US Court) included the
present site of Denver being over 500 miles in extent from East to West. I
knew well, the man Green Russel who discovered gold at Cherry Creek. I met
Horace Gauly on his overland trip to Cal. I knew well Chas. F De Garaldi a
personal friend of Victor Emmanuel & political refugee. Also Kalloch the
Baptist minister of Boston & afterwards the Mayor of San Francisco elected by
the Woodburn element.
Returned to Indiana where my father was living early in 1860. Joined
the Presbyterian Church at Brookville Ind, of which my father was one of the
Elders in the same year. Commenced studying for the ministry under Rev. Mr.
Abbott Pastor, and was admitted to White Water Presbytery as a candidate for
the minister in the Fall of same year.
August 18th 1861 enlisted was a private soldier in 87th Ind. Vo
Infantry, serving three years but with ??? health the last part of the turn.
After the war, settled in Nashville, Tenn. as clerk Asst. City
Engineer & as Revenue Officer. Was married Septr 22 1869 to Miss Rosa
Musgrove. We moved to St. Louis in 1873 remaining there until the Spring of
1876 when on account of broken health brought on by my Army life my physician
advised me to remove to Texas and settled on the Fernalles River 35 miles from
Austin.
In the year 1878 at a revival meeting held by A Losett, joined the
M.E. CHurch & was Licensed to preach by Rev. William Brush, Sept. 23, 1878 and
joined the Annual Conference the Winter following or Fall. The Conferen
being held at Austin, Texas. Was Ordained Deacon by Bishop E.O. Haven Dec. 2,
1880, at Austin. Was Ordained Elder by Bishop William L. Harris at Austin Nov.
30 1884.
Was appointed Presiding Elder of the Clerendon Dist. by Bishop Merrill
at Ft. Worth 1892 and P.E. of the Austin Dist. by Bishop Fitzgerald at Denison
in 1893.
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