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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF WINDHAM COUNTY, CONNECTIC
Augustus Bassett
During the busiest part of his well directed life, Augustus Bassett
was identified with business interests in Danielson, Windham county, where his
death occurred several years after his retirement, Dec. 25, 1899. He was not
only a shrewd financier and public-spirited citizen, but he performed t
inestimable service to those around him of making them forget their troubles,
and look on the happy side of life. He was a delightful wit; a gifted
raconteur, and had the faculty of appreciating a joke at his own expense. He
enjoyed music and flowers and the beautiful things of this world, and carried
around with him a disposition which sought out the pleasant rather than the
disagreeable. Such have always a host of friends, and build up memories in the
hearts and minds of all who know them. Mr. Bassett was born on the paternal
farm in Killingly, Jan. 21, 1821 a son of John, and grandson of John Bassett,
the latter of whom lived and died on his farm in the northern part of
Killingly.
John Bassett, the father of Augustus, was born in Killingly, and after
the death of his parents succeeded to the possession of the home far
built the house now standing on the farm, and in the course of time greatly
increased his landed possessions. He was a general farmer and stock raiser and
through hard work, economy, and natural thrift became one of the largest land
owners and most successful business farmers in the town. His personal
appearance carried out the general impression of worth conveyed through his
attainments for he was more than six feet tall, of splendid proportions, and
was considered very fine looking. In his prime he could accomplish an enormous
amount of hard work, more than any of his sons were ever capable of, and his
unusual activity remained with him until a short time before his death June
22, 1859, at the age of eighty-nine years and ten months. He was a Whig
politically, and held a few town offices, and he was a devout member of the
Congregational Church, towards the support of which he was a liberal
contributor. He had much to do with the building and subsequent maintenance
of the Dayville church. Twice married, the first wife of Mr. Bassett was
formerly Lucy Walker, of Killingly, who died Oct. 16, 1814, at the a
forty-three. She was the mother of seven children, all of whom became respected
and useful members of the community of Killingly. For a second wife Mr.
Bassett married Susan Grinman, of Thompson, Conn., who died Dec. 31, 1852 at
the age of seventy-two. The children of this union were as follows: Betsey,
the wife of Abel Williams, who taken sick on the voyage to Europe, and after
her death in London, was interred in Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y., and
Augustus.
In his youth Augustus Bassett saw more of the work than the pleasure
or profit of farm life, and when comparatively young began to cherish
ambitions remote from the occupation of his forefathers. Notwithstanding that
his labors extended from the rising to the setting of the sun, he managed to
qualify as a teacher in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen h
started upon a career of teaching, many of his pupils being both older and
larger than himself. In the meantime his wages were drawn by his father, who,
up to his twenty-first year, placed them unbeknown in the bank, to the credit
of his son. This fact did not develop until after the death of the older man,
and it was then found that his parental forethought had resulted in a nice
little sum. While teaching, Augustus worked on the farm in the summer time, his
father having given him the farm as an inducement to continue to devote his
life to that occupation. He remained in possession of the homestead unt
after the Civil War, and then, because of his aversion to country life, sold
the farm, and purchased a saw and grist mill of Deacon Ezekiel Burlingame, at
Attawaugan. For about a dozen years he made a fair success of his milli
business, eventually disposing of the mill to Charles Young, after which he
purchased a grain and feed store in Danielson, of Deacon Burlingame. In the
feed business he was ably assisted by his son, Charles W., and continued to do
business in a room in the Exchanged Block, until the death of his son. He then
disposed of the enterprise, and lived comparatively retired for the rest of
his life. His declining years knew no bitterness because of long continued
illness, but he rather maintained a cheerful demeanor, and the same
effervescent jollity of mood in the wake of his declining powers. Up to the
last he liked to be surrounded with friends, and was particularly partial to
hitching up his horse and taking his friends to drive.
On May 18, 1848, Mr. Bassett married Sarah Jane Walker, born in
Medway, Mass., Aug. 9, 1820, a daughter of Clark and Sarah (Lovering) Walker.
Clark Walker was a successful farmer of Medway, and himself and wife lived
retired for many years, eventually dying at the home of their son-in-law, in
Danielson. To Augustus Bassett and wife were born the following children: (1)
Anna Lovering, born Sep. 7, 1849, was a graduate of Aiken Seminary, owned by
her aunt, Mrs. Williams, and died unmarried, July 29, 1887. (2) Fred Eugene,
born June 23, 1853, was professionally trained in medicine under Dr. Joseph E.
Winters, of New York City, and at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, New
York, from which latter institution he graduated with honors. He has a very
large and lucrative practice at Rye, N.Y., and is a man of means and extended
popularity. Oct 15, 1884, Dr. Bassett married Harriet L. Williams, of which
union there are three children: Wilfred Walker, born Oct. 25 1885; Dorothea
Lovering, born April 29, 1889; and John Clarke, born Oct. 29, 1890. (3)
Charles Warren, born Jan. 1, 1856, was his father's assistant in business, and
met death by drowning at Thompson, Conn., while out with a party of friends,
Aug. 13, 1875. (4) Lewis Augustus, born Dec. 24, 1859, died Sept. 6, 1860. (5)
Nellie Walker, born May 30, 1861, and died Feb. 14, 1865. (6) John Clarke,
born Aug. 26, 1864, attended the schools of Danielson, and for a time w
traveling salesman for the Jacobs Manufacturing Company, of Danielso
later went to Langford, S. Dak., and became interested in the banking business
with Edwin Davis, formerly of Danielson, as cashier of the Langford National
Bank. He later established the Aberdeen National Bank, at Aberdeen, S. Dak,
and at the present time is president of both the above mentioned institutions.
He resides at Aberdeen, and is a very successful man and fine financier. On
June 29, 1892, Mr. Bassett married Harriet J. Galbraith, of Minneapolis,
Minn., and of this union there are four children; Ruth Lovering, born May 17,
1893; Helene Walker, born Sept. 5, 1894, Marjorie, born Aug. 2, 1896, a
Clarke Davis, born Nov., 1898. Mrs. Bassett, beloved for her many admirable
personal qualities, and rich in the possession of many well spent years,
retained her mental and physical alertness, until her death, Sep.6, 1902.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1821 - 1899 (78 years)