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- Chicago Tribune, September 1, 1919
Death Notices
BASSETT ? James S. Bassett. Funeral Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1919, at chapel, 63d and Harvard, under auspices of Apollo Commandery No. 1, K.T. Members of commandery are requested to assemble at asylum, 29 W. Monroe-st. at 1:30 p.m. sharp. William C. Boorn, Elton C. Armitage, Commander, Recorder.
1880 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
James S. Bassett 45 M NY NY NY Head Plumber & Gas Fitting
Jane E. 33 F IL EN DE Wife Keeping House
James E. 12 M IL NY IL Son At School
Cornelius G. 19 M IL NY IL Son Clerk in Store
Jane Beaver 52 F EN EN EN Mother-in-law
HISTORY OF CHICAGO by A.T. ANDREAS (1885)
James Smith Bassett (deceased) was born in Delaware County, N.Y., on
March 2, 1834. His father, Cornelius Bassett, was a son of one of the original
settlers upon Massachusetts soil, the family having located at what is now
known as Martha's Vineyard. In 1849, when only fifteen years of age, James
came to Chicago, as a plumber's apprentice in the employ of Thomas George,
with whom he remained for seven years. At the end of that time, he set up in
business with a Mrs. Rose, and was, with the exception when absent for a time
in California, actively identified in that line of business until his death in
1885. Mr. Bassett was an active mason, and was a member of Apollo Commandery,
No. 1, KtT., of this city. He married, in 1866, Miss Jennie Beaver, daughter
of Mrs. Jane A. Beaver, of Aurora, Ill. They had two children, James Eugene
and George. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett were counted among the valuable members of
the Wabash Avenue M.E. Church, he having been one of its officers for many
years and until his death.
Bassett & Beaver - The business of this firm of dealers in artistic
gas fixtures and plumbers' supplies was established in 1858, by J.S. Bassett,
on North Clark Street, opposite the old Revere House. A year later, Mr.
Bassett sold out and went to California, where he remained until 1861, when
he returned to this city, and formed a partnership with Simon Livingsto
under the firm name of Livingston & Bassett, who opened a store at No. 134
Clark Street. This firm continued until in 1865, when it was dissolved, Mr.
Livingston being succeeded by J.L. Pattison. The new firm removed the place of
business to No. 81 Monroe Street, where it remained until in 1870, when it was
dissolved and the firm of Bassett & Beaver was formed, J.E. Beaver havi
purchased Mr. Pattison's interest. The location was also changed, at the same
time, to No. 78 Monroe Street. At this location they were burned out, a
after the fire the lease was considered so valueless that H.H. Honore
purchased it for $10,000. The firm then rented a store in the First M.E.
Church Block, No. 113 Clark Street, where, after a successful business career
of two years, they erected a four-story building, seventy-five feet square, in
the rear of their rented store, and exclusively occupied its floors. By the
panic of 1873 they lost $100,000, mainly in failing to collect from hea
firms or companies, and were thus so crippled that it became necessa
compromise with their creditors. After making a settlement they started again
at Nos. 229-31 State Street, remaining there one year, when they sold their
lease to the Wakefield Rattan Company for $1,000, and moved to Nos. 37-
Adams Street, where they remained one and a half years. They then moved to
their present location, No. 215 State Street. Here they occupy the basement
and the first floor of the building, the first floor being divided into three
show-rooms. They employ from forty to fifty men, and transact an annual
business of about $100,000. They have the exclusive agency for the J. Buck,
Son & Co, manufacturers, of Philadelphia, and of the Travers & Murray
Manufacturing Company, of New York City. They are doing a very large plumbing
business, which is in charge of Mr. Bassett and Hendrick Hughes, the gas-
fixture business being in charge of Mr. Beaver. On January 1, 1885, Mr.
Bassett closed out his interest to the Beaver, Hughes & Wetmore Company (who
continued the old business at the same site), and went into the plumbing
business by himself, at No. 235 Dearborn Street. This company has been
regularly incorporated, and has a capital stock of $25,000. Its officers are
as follows: James E. Beaver, president; Hendrick Hughes, superintendent; and
John W. Wetmore, secretary and treasurer.
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