![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.bassettbranches.org\/newsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Jonathan1-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n(Photo from Find a Grave)<\/p>\n
History of Buchanan County and the City of St. Joseph (1904)
\nGen. Jonathan Miles Bassett<\/p>\n
Among the distinguished lawyers and notable and representative men of Missouri, was the late Gen. Jonathan Miles Bassett, who died in this city in 1871. Of New England birth and rearing, almost the whole of his life was spent in the West, where he earned laurels and fortune. General Bassett was born February 17, 1817, at New Haven, Connecticut, and there he was given the educational advantages offered by the public schools of his time.<\/p>\n
Those were the days when a youth, on emerging from school, immediately set about to become proficient in some craft or trade, the following of which would assure his future. Young Bassett decided in favor of the printer’s trade, was apprenticed to the same and completed his education at Springfield, Illinois. At various times in after life, although occupied with other interests, he returned to his first love, resuming his connection with journalistic work. In Springfield he began to read law and continued under the encouragement of such statesmen and lawyers as Governor Carlin. Subsequently he was admitted to the bar by Judge Stephen A. Douglas. Shortly after, he removed to Quincy, Illinois, where he took charge of a newspaper, published it for several years and then resigned it into other hands in order to give more attention to a pressing law practice.<\/p>\n
In 1844, the brilliant young lawyer removed to Missouri, locating at Plattsburg, in Clinton County, where he soon took his place as a leading member of the bar. He became active in politics and was chosen a delegate to the State convention at Jefferson City, which met for the purpose of framing a new constitution. Shortly after his marriage, in 1850, he removed to St. Joseph, of which city he continued a resident until his death, and in which city he gained great eminence in his profession. In the course of time he became an important political factor, was elected circuit attorney for this judicial district, and subsequently became mayor of the city. In the agitating days at the beginning of the Civil War, he boldly announced himself an uncompromising Union man and his example and efforts did much to arouse loyal sentiment in Northwestern Missouri. His title was obtained as commander of the State militia. He was appointed provost marshall of the district including St. Joseph, and served effectively for several years.<\/p>\n
In 1850 he was united marriage with Nannie Dixon, who was born at Raleigh, North Carolina. They had two children: Harry D., late judge of the Buchanan County Court, who was born August 26, 1852, and died August 28, 1903; and Deedie Bell, who was born in 1856, and is the widow of the late John T. Maddux, whose death occurred November 28, 1900, a sketch of whom as well as of the late Judge Bassett, will be found in this volume.<\/p>\n
The late General Bassett was of such commanding presence as to attract attention in any body, and his mental equipment and personal character were equally above those of the common herd. St. Joseph has few citizens who have been more thoroughly and honorably representative. His real kindness of heart, his generous sympathies, his charities and his justice, all won to him personal attachments of remarkable strength.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Miles Bassett descends from #1B John Bassett of Connecticut as follows: John Bassett and wife Margery Robert Bassett Robert Bassett (b.1640) and wife Elizabeth Riggs Samuel Bassett (b.1692) and wife Deborah Bennett Abraham Bassett (b. 1725) and wife Phebe … Continue reading <\/a>The Missouri State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1860<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"