| Notes |
- Orland was the first commercial grower of the "American Beauty" rose and owned greenhouses in Hinsdale.
Pasadena Star-News, 28 Feb 1921, Pasadena, Californ
Orland P. Bassett died at his residence, 909 Arden Road, February 26,
in his 87th year. Mr. Bassett was formerly of Chicago where funeral and
burial will take place at a later date.
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Cook County, Illinois (1894)
Orland P. Bassett
Orland P. Bassett, of the Pictorial Printing House, of Chicago, and
the owner of large greenhouses in Hinsdale, where he makes his home, was born
March 31, 1835 in Towanda, Pa. His father, John W. Bassett, was a wheelwright
of the Keystone State, and in 1872 he came to Illinois, spending his last days
in Chicago at the home of his son, where he died at the age of eighty-four
years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife bore the maiden
name of Angeline Crooker, and passed away several years previous to the death
of her husband. Their family numbered nine children, of whom four are y
living: Henry, John, Orland and Chauncy.
Mr. Bassett whose name heads this record was reared in his nati
State, and remained with his parents until he had attained his majority. The
greater part of his education was acquired in a printing-office. In 1854 he
began the printing business, which he has followed up to the present time, and
step by step he has worked his way upward until now he is President of the
Pictorial Printing Company, of Chicago. He owned the entire business until
about four years ago, when he sold the controlling interest. It was in March,
1857, that he came to the West and located in Sycamore, Ill., where he
published a paper, the Sycamore True Republican, for nine years. He then sold
out and removed to Chicago, where he carried on a job in a printing-office until
1874, when he bought out the establishment of the Pictorial Printing Company,
as before stated.
On the 5th of April, 1858, Mr. Bassett was united in marriage with
Miss Betsey M. Shelton. One child has been born to them, Kate B., wi
Charles L. Washburn, of Hinsdale. They have one son, Edgar B.
For many years Mr. Bassett was a supporter of the Republican party,
but is now independent in his political views. In 1887 he removed to Hinsdale,
where he makes his home, but still does business in Chicago. He also has in
Hinsdale the largest greenhouses to be found in the West, does an extensive
business in this line, and employs a large number of men. When he began
business in Sycamore he had no capital and bought his outfit on credit, but he
has steadily worked his way upward, and the business of the Chicago Pictorial
Printing Company has at times amounted to $1,000 per day. The company is well
known throughout the United States and Canada, and also in parts of Australia
and South America, and its success is due in a large measure to the the
untiring efforts and good management of Mr. Bassett. He is a genial and
pleasant gentleman, is very popular, makes friends wherever he goes, and is
justly deserving of the high regard in which he is held.
History of Chicago (By A.T. Andreas, 1885)
O.P. Bassett, president of the Pictorial Printing Company of th
city, was born in 1835 in Towanda, Bradford Co, Penn., where he grew to
manhood. At the age of nineteen he commenced learning printing in his native
town, and three years after, in 1854, he came West, locating at Sycamore, Ill,
where he set type for the first republican paper established in that town. One
year afterward he became its owner and continued its publication until 1864,
when he sold it to its present proprietor. At that time he came to Chicago and
started the only successful job office on the West Side, and after the fire
he ? to Rand, McNally & CO. He then established an office for printing
druggists' labels, on the corner of Lake and Clinton streets, and in a few
months moved to Nos. 12-14 LaSalle, where he remained for a number of years,
moving thence to 74-76 Randolph Street, where he remained until April 1882,
when he removed to his present quarters. The present Pictorial Printing
Company purchased the good-will, interest, etc., of the old company in
February, 1881, increasing its capital stock from $30,000 to a paid-up capital
of $50,000. The present officers are O.P. Bassett, president and general
manager; F.L. Waite, secretary, G.E.E Johnson, treasurer. It took the name of
"Pictorial Printing Company" as it was established to do pictorial advertising
for business men, theaters, etc. The company is recognized as being the
largest druggists' printing company in the United States, doing a business
last year of $125,000. Mr. Bassett married on April 4, 1859, in Lockpor
Ill., Miss B.M. Shelton. They have one child, - Kate.
Historical Tour of Hinsdale
28. 324 East Seventh - This was originally a boilder(?) building for the Bassett
and Washburn Greenhouses that covered the block. The business was the first to
produce the American Beauty Rose for the commercial market. The building was
converted into a home in 1927.
30. 329 East Sixth (1899) - This grand home was built by Orland Bassett at a
cost of $25,000. There is a third floor ballroom and a billiard room in the
basement. The Bassett and Washburn families, both of Hinsdale, founded a large
and prosperous commercial floral business in town.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1835 - Deceased