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- DEATH OF ARTHUR BASSETT
(Bloomington Pantagraph)
Mr. Arthur Bassett, director of the Bloomington Conservatory of Music and one of the best known musicians in Central Illinois, died at his home in Normal last evening, Jan. 3, 1908, after a lingering illness with enlargement of the liver. He had not been feeling well for nearly a year, but did not consider his condition serious and when he went with his parents and sister to their summer home at Walloon Lake, Mich., last August, he had every expectation of returning after a month's rest and entirely well man. However, rest did not give him the health he wished for and after the sudden death of his father the first of September he returned to Normal not so well as when he went away. His condition continued to grow worse, in spite of all that medical skill and good nursing could do for him. His malady caused him no intense suffering as his strength gradually left him and he retained his clear mind and cheerful disposition to the very last, at all time holding out the hope to his family that he was going to recover. It was his cheerful attitude and belief in recovery that kept life in his body much longer than could have otherwise.
Mr. Bassett wa a lover of music from his birth, he being born on the farm of his parents near Tonica, Ill, in July, 1868. At the age of six years he began taking music lessons on an organ which his parents purchased for him and he spent many hours playing it and bringing his natural talent into play. At the age of 16 years he went to Chicago and spent one year with the famous Eddy studying the pipe organ. He graduated from the Tonica high school and about twenty years ago came with his parents to Normal, where he graduated from the Illinois State Normal university and later spent one year at Harvard, but had to give up the latter study on account of nervous trouble. All during his school life he kept up his study in music. After graduating from one of the leading conservatories of America he took more than three years of post graduate work and spent one year in study under the best masters in Paris and London. For several years he was a private teacher of music but some years ago he organized the Bloomington Conservatory of Music of which he was the director and which his work made one of the best and most favorably known conservatories in the state. Up until a year ago he was continaully in choir work in the Bloomington churches, his last and longest service being with the Episcopal church, of which he was himself a member. His work became so heavy the past two years that he was compelled to give up the choir work altogether. His work at the piano and in voice was endorsed by some of the most prominent artists in America and Europe. He was more than a musician alone and his exceptional character and culture w... and held for him friends by the score. His death will be a distince loss, not only to the lovers of good music but the entire community. He leaves besides his mother, two sister, Mrs. Colvin; of California and Miss Irene Basett, supervisor of music in the Bloomington schools, who resides at home ant two brothers, Ira Bassett, who resided on the home farm near Tonica and Herbert Bassett, who is superintendent of the Normal public schools.
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The remains were brought to Tonica Monday morning and a brief public service held in the M.E. church at 10 o'clock. Notwithstanding the early hour, the house was filled. Rev. A.W. Wiggins offered prayer and Rev. John Small made a few remarks. The members of the family came up from Normal, and all the relatives living in Illinois were present at the final obsequies. The floral display was unprecendented. Interment was in the new grounds of the village cemetery.
It would be superfluous to add to the words in the goregoing as the deceased spent nearly all his active life in the city of Bloomington where his musical abilities were duly appreciated and rewarded by the patronizing public.
Cedar Point Newspaper
Arthur Bassett died January 3, 1908, aged 39 years. At the time of his father's death in September last, it was learned he was not well but no one here understood his ailment was other than temporary. Arthur was a great lover of music and by long study and application had attained eminence as a musician. He was director of the Bloomington Conservatory of Music. The funeral took place Jan. 6, the remains having been brought to Tonica where services were held in the Methodist Church. Burial in the east side cemetery in Tonica. The services were conducted by the Rev. John Small.
Cedar Point Paper June - July 1903
Arthur Bassett, who is studying in Paris, France, has been engaged to sing in Holy Trinity, the American church of that city. This is one of the finest churches of Paris and is attended by the English speaking popluation and many foreign travelers. Bloomington Pantagraph. Arthur was born and raised in Cedar Point neighborhood.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1868 - 