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- Bassett, Joseph Claghorn
Encyclopedia of Biography
For sixty years Joseph Claghorn Bassett was engaged in business in
Willimantic, Connecticut, his name being forever perpetuated in Bassett Park,
a tract which was converted into a most desirable residence section of
Willimantic, and in that city the Bassett block testifies to his public
spirit. He lived to the great age of eighty-eight, and although he passed from
earthly view a quarter of a century ago, his memory is green in the city he did
so much to improve.
Joseph C. Bassett was born in Broadalbin, Montgomery County, New York,
one of a family of eleven children. He attended the public schools of h
section, and being a great reader, he acquired a good education, althou
school years soon ended. His first mercantile business was in the stove and
hardware line, but quite early in life he engaged in business for himself in
Heborn. In a short time, however, he came to Willimantic, Connecticut, where
his long and valuable life was largely passed. In Willimantic he formed the
partnership, Lord & Bassett, hardware, a firm which continued until Mr. Lord's
death. John Wilson took his place in business, and the store was moved from
the Hanover to the Tanner block, and from there to the Opera House block. Mr.
Bassett finally retired, having been in business for sixty year
After his retirement he bought ten acres of suburban property a
founded Bassett Park, and erected the first house on the tract for himself. He
developed this plot into most desirable building lots for home builders, and
within ten years sold every lot. There was an unfailing spring of pure water
that Mr. Bassett piped to Bassett Park, half a mile away, and until about 1917
that was the only source of water supply for that section. He erected t
Bassett block at the corner of Railroad and Main streets, also the block which
Remington, the tailor, occupies, and was one of Willimantic's public-spirited
citizens. He moved to Providence for a short time, but returned to Willimantic
and there spent his last years. He was well read in the law, and was often
called to adjust differences and settle vexed questions. His honor was
unquestioned, and his energy and his public spirit kept him in business until
eight decades of life had passed before he finally retired from every form of
business life.
Joseph C. Bassett married Annie Wealthy Hebard, daughter of Guy C. and
Fannie (Spafford) Hebard, her father the builder and original proprietor of
the Old Hebard Tavern in Willimantic in 1824. (The old tavern is yet standing
on Pleasant street.) The old tavern was a very popular place of entertainment
in the olden time, its spring dance floor being the first of its kind in
Willimantic. The State Militia made the Hebard Tavern their "training day"
headquarters, and life was very gay on such days. Guy C. Hebard was the first
postmaster of the village, and there he died at the age of fifty. His wife,
Fannie, continued the Tavern with the aid of her son-in-law, William L.
Tingley, but finally it passed to others. Joseph C. and Annie Wealthy (Hebard)
Bassett were the parents of two children: Carleton H., deceased, who married
Addie Snow; Helen Frances, born February 4, 1846, in the house in which she
now resides, the last survivor of her family, her home, No. 28 Pleasant
street, Williamantic.
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