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- Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography, Volume XXV
Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc. 1945
Bassett, Edward Morris - Business Leader
For many years Edward Morris Bassett was active in Philadelphia's business life and was a leader in civic affairs in Swarthmore. With a rich background of achievement, he came to the building and contracting firm of Wark & Company, in Philadelphia, in 1918, remaining with them as vice-presdent and general superintendent for the rest of his life. He was a skillful engineer and business man, and his many excellent talents and qualities proved helpful to the entire Philadelphia district and to its people and institutions.
Edward Morris Bassett was born March 13, 1883, in Salem, New Jersey, son of Edward Hicks and Emma (Hall) Bassett, of that place. His father died in 1888, while the boy was still young. His mother passed away in 1919. Both were interred in the Friends' Cemetery in Salem.
Edward Morris Bassett attended schools in Salem, his New Jersey birthplace, and from high school there went next to the Swarthmore Preparatory School, then to Swarthmore College. Entering college in the autumn of 1900, he left after his second year to spend the year 1902-1903 as sheet clerk in the department of records of the United Gas Improvement Company. His work there consisted largely of surveying and recording changes in the street mains. In March, 1903, he removed to Gary, West Virginia, serving there as rodman with the United States Coal & Coke Company, working on topographical surveys, layout and inspection of the building of coke ovens. Returning to Swarthmore College in the fall of 1903, he received, in 1905, his degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering at that institution of learning. While at Swarthmore, he distinguished himself in his studies and at the same time in extra-curricular activities, having been editor of the "Phoenix", college newspaper, then a monthly publication. He also led the mandolin club, played on the football team, and formed a connection that proved to be of lifelong importance to him and his associates as a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, into which he was initiated May 20, 1901, and which became his major interest outside his business. He began holding offices in the fraternity very soon afterward, and for the rest of his life was prominent nationally. He was elected treasurer at the Kansas City Grand Arch Council in 1926, and afterward was president between 1930 and 1932, being elected to this high position at the White Sulphur Springs Grand Arch Council in 1930. On November 29, of that year, he directed the installation of the Mississippi Alpha Chapter, at the University of Mississippi, and on Founders' Day, February 19, 1931, he presided at the installation of California Epsilon at the University of California, Los Angeles. He attended his first Grand Arch Council as an undergraduate in 1902 at Pittsburgh, and then four years later in Washington, District of Columbia, was a member of the committee on the state of the fraternity. Beginning with the Minneapolis Council in 1920, Mr. Bassett attended eleven consecutive councils, serving at each as a national officer or as chairman of a major committee. At the 1940 meeting in Spring Lake, New Jersey, he was chairman of the committee on the Dispatch of Business, and that gathering was reported often thereafter as having been one of the most efficiently conducted in the fraternity's recent history. He was a regular contributor to the fraternity, and in 1935 provided a beautiful plaque to assist in stimulating scholarship in District II. For forty consecutive years he regularly attended the annual banquet of his own chapter held in Philadelphia, and he was usually present for chapter initiations, aiding in the induction of his son, E. Morris Bassett, Jr., in the Pennsylvania Kappa Chapter on December 6, 1939. Often he attended the regular weekly chapter meetings. Many an undergraduate of Swarthmore, members and non-members of Phi Kappa Psi, visited the Bassett home near the campus and learned to know Mr. Bassett as a helpful and understanding guide. He also became active in the Book and Key society at Swarthmore. He returned to Swarthmore as an assistant in the engineering department and Swarthmore conferred upon him, in 1911, the degree of Civil Engineer.
His first employment was with the Pennsylvania Railroad company. After a year he left that road, where he had worked mainly on changes in line that were being made in connection with the building of the Union Station in Washington, District of Columbia. Resigning from the railroad connection in 1906, he was associated next with Ransome & Smith Company, general contracting firm, New York City, so beginning his career in building construction. This company had extensive contracts for concrete buildings in New York State and Connecticut. In 1907 Mr. Bassett returned to Philadelphia and became engineer of construction with Doyle & Doak, later known as Doyle & Company, remaining with them until 1916. In that period he was active in the construction of the Bulletin Building, the Curtis Building, the Penn Mutual Building, the Hotel Vendig and many other important structures in downtown Philadelphia.
Between 1916 and 1918 Mr. Bassett was with Warren, Moore & Company, still in the building construction field. His most notable contracts, in that connection, were with the United States Government, covering erection of the foundry building at League Island, Pennsylvania; the projectile plant Charlestown, West Virginia, and structures in the Washington Navy Yard. Between 1913 and 1918 he was busily occupied also with affairs in Swarthmore, where he was a councilman through those years, and subsequently he served as burgess of this municipality. He early became a director of the Swarthmore Building and Loan Association, of which he was president in later years.
His major activity in the business world after 1918 was with Wark & Company. This Philadelphia contracting firm built, during this period, some of the most notable buildings in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Mr. Bassett had much to do, as an officer of this company, with the introduction of several innovations. While he was general superintendent, Wark & Company used plywood for concrete formwork in the building of the United States Marine Corps Building, at Fifteenth and Washington Avenue, Philadelphia. This is believed to have been the first time it was so used in the Philadelphia area. The company also pioneered in using adjustable shores for reinforced concrete construction. These were employed for the first time in this area in the erection of the Gulf Oil Company's office building in 1924. Mr. Bassett's remarkable engineering knowledge and skill were supplemented by a special ability to encourage others to work together, a quality that stood him in good stead as an organizer and executive. As he handled ever more complicated assignments, he sometimes had to keep a great number of subcontractors closely coordinated in their construction efforts. A result was speedy performance, which was combined with sound and skillful workmanship. In employer-employee relationships he figured strongly, too, because of these same qualities. As a member of the Master Carpenters' Company he represented the employers in working out agreements with labor, so that his sound judgement and reasonable attitude won the confidence of all concerned.
All Philadelphians and those familiar with the city realize the important role that Mr. Bassett played in changing the city skyline. Some of the outstanding buildings put up by Wark & Company, revealing many and varied types of construction, are the Babies' Hospital, Seventh and Delancey streets, the Dispensary Building, Presbyterian Hospital; the eighteen-story Samuel Gustine Thompson Annex at Jefferson Hospital; the Western Union office, Eleventh and Locust streets; office buildings at No. 1600 Walnut Street, Nos. 1806-14 Walnut Street and Nos. 1916-22 Walnut Street; and the Architects' Building, Seventeenth and Sansom streets. Outside Philadelphia, Mr. Bassett's company built large manufacturing structures for E.G. Budd & Company and the Viscose Company, as well as a number of large buildings for the United States Government.
In addition to his activities in connection with his own business Mr. Bassett was a director of the City National Bank for over ten years. He interested himself in a wide range of professional matters and was an associated member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, being so elected March 14, 19??. He was also active in many civic and social groups, including the Union League of Philadelphia, the Penn Athletic Club, the Rolling Green Gold Club and the Mid Pines Club (of Pinehurst, North Carolina). From 1912 onward he lived in Swarthmore, where he held public offices some years ago, as indicated above, and was a member of the board of managers of Swarthmore College. He was a member of the Alumni Council of that college.
Fraternally, Mr. Bassett was also affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, holding the thirty-second degree of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and being an initiate in Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the Swarthmore Players' Club, and belonged to the Swarthmore Monthly Meeting of Friends. He was a Republican in his political views.
Edward M. Bassett married, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1910, Ellie Lesley Simons, daughter of Frederick Myerle and Marian (Lesley) Simons. They became the parents of three children, two daughters and a son: 1. Kathryn, born September 19, 1912, studied at the Agnes Irwin School, Philadelphia, where she was graduated in 1931, and had a year at Allegheny College and a year at Swarthmore College, after which she took a secretarial course at the Peirce School, in Philadelphia; later she became secretary at the Land Title & Trust Company of Philadelphia, in the New Business Department, and at the time of writing she is secretary to the alumni executive secretary of Swarthmore College, at Swarthmore. 2. Elizabeth, born April 19, 1914, attended the Agnes Irwin School, and after graduation there in 1932, had a year at Adelphi College, Garden City, Long Island, New York; she is the captain, at the time of writing, of the Media Regional Motor Corps of the American Red Cross. 3. Edward Morris, Jr., born February 15, 1922, graduated from George School, Newtown, Pennsylvania; and attended Swarthmore College until February, 1943.
The death of Edward Morris Bassett, August 2, 1941, at his home in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, was an occasion of deep sorrow wherever he was known. His life was a demonstration of the fact that the strength of a community lies in the minds and hearts of those who thoughtfully and constructively contribute to its welfare. As one friend wrote: "His life was full, active and useful in many and wide fields, but his personality shone brightest of all in his home life, where his warm handshake and the cordial friendliness of his welcome will long be remembered by his friends and neighbors". Another friend wrote of him: "As we think of him, we are overwhelmed by the multitude of things that he made better by simply living among them".
Soon to Celebrate Seventy-five Years as
Member of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church
Elizabeth Bassett is daughter of landowner who gave original grounds for church
Elizabeth Bassett is the third generation of five that have been active members of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church (SPC). She was confirmed at SPC in April 1928, and 74 years later is still a devoted attendee and member of SPC's Women's Association. She lived in Swarthmore in the same house in which she was born for more than 70 years until recently moving to Whitehorse Village. Holding the church dear to her heart, Elizabeth states, "Swarthmore Presbyterian Church is my home".
Frederick M. Simons, Elizabeth's grandfather, gave the original land on which the church was built in 1895. He was one of 24 charter members and ultimately became an elder. Her parents were also members and had three children whom are all active participants at the church today. Elizabeth's siblings, Edward M. Bassett Jr. and Kathryn Bassett were both trustees. Elizabeth's nephew, William D. Bassett, is a present member of the Memorial & Gifts Committee, and his wife Adele is a member of the Worship Committee. Elizabeth's grandnephew, Graham W. Bassett, is the fifth generation of Bassetts to attend SPC. He is a senior at the Shipley School and is active in the church's summer work program.
Elizabeth notes that gradual increase in membership and the active involvement of younger generations as some of the most notable changes of SPC since she first attended. Many renovations have taken place throughout the years as well, including the new fellowship hall and kitchen, Tyson Courtyard, McQuade Library, and McCahan Hall. The continuing value and genuine quality of the ministry today is one of the many key incentives that persuades Elizabeth to make the 25-minute journey to church every Sunday. Throughout her involvement at SPC, she has made many friends, and more than 38 SPC members live in her retirement community.
Elizabeth's bright and warm personality continues to bring smiles to SPC congregants. The church has been an immensely positive influence in her life, much in part due to the perpetual quality of the services, ministry, and membership. Elizabeth fondly states, "I will be 89 years old in April 2003 and hope to celebrate (the Lord willing!) my 75 years as a member!"
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Bassett Family Association Database
1883 - 1941 (58 years)