| Notes |
- 1910 Federal Census of Columbus, Bartholemew County, Indiana (21 Apr 1910)
H.H. Bassett 52 M NY NY NY Head Manufacturer
Myra 53 F NY NY NY Wife
H. Lee 23 M OH NY NY Son Salesman Handles
Wm. F 18 M OH NY NY Son
H.W. 14 M IN NY NY Son
(Married 23 years, 3 children, 3 living)
A Native of Unadilla Forks
Life of Herbert Hoxie Bassett
Whose Death Occurred Recently at Columbus, O.
A Prominent Figure in the Business Life of the Ohio Capit
Was First President of American Logging Tool Compa
Unadilla Forks, April 22 - A Columbus, O., paper recently published an
obituary sketch of Herbert H. Bassett, a native of this place. It was in part
as follows:
Herbert Hoxie Bassett was born in Unadilla Forks, Otsego County, New
York, July 4, 1857. He spent the first 14 years of his life in that attractive
and beautiful village and there learned the rudiments of the handle
manufacturing business under his father, George R. Bassett. His whole
education consisted in what he could learn in the village school a
business college in Utica, N.Y., where the family went to live after the
destruction by fire of his father's handle factory at Unadilla Forks. H
first business experience was as a traveling salesman of H. Beckwith & Son,
manufacturers of shoe lasts. Mr. Bassett often used to tell that, on his first
visit to New York, he sat for a long time on his sample case near the ferry. A
policeman finally jogged him up and asked him what he was waiting for. The boy
- for he was only 16 years old - answered, "I am waiting for the crowd to go
past."
At 17 he went to Chicago and was employed in the office of the
Remington Arms Company. Afterward he was sent to Baltimore by the same
company. In the summer of 1881 he came West again to Piqua, O., as secretary
of the Piqua Handle Company, in which his father had an interest. From that
time on his progress in the business world was substantial and rapid. He
assisted in the organization of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Building and
Loan Association and in this way became associated with Mr. L.N. Flesh, who
later became his partner in building up the successful business of the
Columbus Handle & Tool Company. While in Piqua Mr. Bassett became prominent in
social and local affairs and served a term as member of the Board of
Education.
In 1891, in connection with Mr. Flesh, he established the handle
factory in Columbus, with which he was associated the rest of his life. In the
early years of his independent business life he met with discouragements
incident to the panic of 1892-3 but successfully weathered the financial storm.
He managed the affairs of the Columbus Handle & Tool Company with conspicuous
energy and success.
When the United States Handle Company of Piqua, O., was organized his
standing and ability were recognized by his election to the office of
president, which he retained until his death. The 31st day of May, 1906, the
American Logging Tool Company, with offices in Chicago, was organized. Mr.
Bassett had worked untiringly for several years to bring about an organization
of the largest logging tool interests and when the matter was finally brought
to a focus he was chosen president of this company. Mr. Bassett retained this
office until January last.
For the past 22 years he had been a prominent figure in the business
life of Columbus. He was a stockholder and director in the People's Savings &
Trust Company, in the organization and successful promotion of which he was a
leading factor. He was always an active and public spirited citizen,
interested in everything which was for the betterment of Columbus. He recently
completed the Bassett Block, one of the most creditable business buildings in
the city.
Mr. Bassett was an earnest member and liberal supporter of St. Paul's
Episcopal Church and for many years a vestryman. He was a member of the board
of missions of the diocese and a strong personal friend of Bishop Francis, who
officiated at his funeral. He was a lay delegate to the last two general
conventions of the Episcopal Church, in Richmond, Va., and in Cincinnati.
May 25, 1886, while a resident of Piqua, O., Mr. Bassett married Myra
Wilcox of Unadilla Forks, N.Y. To this union were born three sons, Henry Lee,
William Forrest and Herbert Wilcox, who, with their mother, survive hi
Mr. Bassett was just and fair in his dealings with his employees and
thoroughly respected by them. In all business affairs he was honorable, and
exceedingly popular with his business associates. He was loved sincerely by his
family and friends. Mr. Bassett was a man of high character, sound judgement,
wide general information and deep religious convictions. In a word, he was a
good man, a good citizen and a good Christian.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1857 - Deceased