| Notes |
- 1860 Federal Census of Franklin Township, Washington County, Iowa (26 Jul 1860)
H. L. Bassett 26 M New York Farming 200 100
Lydia 30 F England
Ida M. 10/12 F Iowa
1870 Federal Census of Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa (8 Jun 1870)
H.L. Bassett 37 M New York Farmer 8000/1000
Lydia 42 F England Keeping house
Ida M. 10 F Iowa
Birtha E. (twin) 4 F Iowa
Harry (twin) 4 M Iowa
Thad 1 M Iowa
1880 Federal Census of Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa (1 Jun 1880)
H.L. Bassett 46 M NY MA MA Head Postmaster
Lydia 50 F EN EN EN Wife Keeping house
Ida 20 F IA NY EN Daughter Teaching scho
Bertha 14 F IA NY EN Daughter At school
Harry 14 M IA NY EN Son At school
Chas. S. 11 M IA NY EN Son At school
Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Io
Chapman Brothers, 1887
H.L. Bassett, editor and publisher of the Blairstown Press, while not
a native Hawkeye, has yet lived in Iowa long enough to be considered "to the
manor born." He is a native of New York, born in Rensselaer County, Aug. 1,
1834, and came with his parents to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1838, eig
years before the Territory was admitted among the States of the Union, and but
five years after it was thrown open to settlement. His growth was
contemporaneous with that of the State, and of its marvelous advancement in
numbers, wealth and influence, he has been an eye witness, and in many of the
scenes an active participant. On the 8th day of March, 1857, he was united in
marriage with Lydia Jones, of Oskaloosa, by whom he has had two sons and two
daughters. In March, 1863, he moved with his family to Benton County, where he
has since continued to reside. Mr. Bassett has frequently been honored by his
fellow citizens with local offices. He was four years a Justice of the Peace,
two years Township Clerk, two years Township Assessor, School Director several
years, Secretary of the School Board and Treasurer of the same. He was
Postmaster in Blairstown for six years, from 1875 to 1881. In 1870 he w
United States Deputy Marshal for taking the census in six townships in Benton
County, and also, in 1880, took the census of Le Roy Township. The greater
part of the life of Mr. Bassett has been spent upon a farm, but during the
last fourteen years he has been a resident of Blairstown. In May, 1886, he
purchased the Rising Sun, changed its name in September to The Blairsto
Press, and is still running the same. Since eighteen years of age he has been
a professed Christian, and has endeavored to live a consistent Christian life.
The honors received from his friends and neighbors testify of his worth.
PASSED INTO NEW LIFE
Blairstown Press, October 28, 1904
H.L. Bassett Give Up the Earthly Struggle at an Early Hour Tuesday Morning
Blairstown Loses the Second of its Prominent Citizens within Three Months
Business in the City at a Standstill While Tribute is Being Paid the Deceased
All Blairstown and community is deeply bereaved. News of the departure
from this life of the honored H.L. Bassett, on Tuesday morning, October 25,
overshadowed the whole neighborhood with a cloud of sorrow. A week a
mentioned in a hopeful strain his condition, which gave a promise of possible
recovery but in spite of all that tender nursing and medical skill, which was
daily and hourly in attendance upon the patient, could accomplish, his
vitality exhausted and from midnight Saturday he gradually sank until a little
after dawn on Tuesday the end came.
It is near a half century since the deceased led into his home her who
has been his faithful life partner, until now death has severed that cord by
which God joins together and which no man can cut asunder. That his home life
has been ideal none can doubt, and because of this perfect family life, the
broken home is a sadder spectacle. His unwavering faithfulness, fatherly
judgement and constant devotion to his family stand out clearly in the
characters of his sons and daughters who have already attained honored
positions in their own chosen walks of life. Although the foundations of the
earthly home are thus overthrown the husband and father has but led the way to
the home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
As an early settler, Mr. Bassett brought with him those principles of
noble citizenship which have made the west what it is. It was early in the
winter of '62 and '63 that he, with a wife and three children appeared upon
the scenes in Benton county, having come from the southeastern part of the
state which had been his home since early childhood. Their first winter was
spent in a log house which stood in the south part of what is now called
Radeke's grove and it was while living there that the family circle was broken
by the death of two of the children. The following spring, Mr. Bassett
completed a new house on an 80 acre farm lying five miles northwest of
Blairstown and this was the family home for a few years, until an
opportunity presented itself, he sold the above property and purchased a
quarter section lying 2 1/2 miles from town and which is still known as the
Bassett farm and remains in their possession. It was while on the latter place
that the three younger children now living were born. There also his value as
a citizen began to be recognized and he was chosen as justice of the peace for
Leroy township. In the spring of 1870, Mr. Bassett purchased what is now known
as the Groff property south of the academy and for the third time built his
home. Their stay here was short, for in the course of a couple of years another
transfer was made to the house which has been his home for many years and from
where he was borne to his last resting place yesterday.
Though unobtrusive in personality the ability of Mr. Bassett, coupled
with unswerving integrity, won the confidence of his fellow citizens as
evidenced by his repeated selection to the various offices he held. For years
he was the financial secretary of the local lodge A.F.& A.M., and also Eureka
lodge I.L of H. For twenty years he kept the records as secretary of the
Blairstown school district, late and early working for the success of the new
school building. Eight years of efficient service as postmaster stands to his
credit, and his period of service as proprietor of the grange store, the local
newspaper and other enterprises has placed him before the community as a man
of most honorable life which tribute is rendered to him not only by tho
differing from him, but also by those actively opposing his convictions. His
devotion to the temperance cause was unfaltering and for many years his
counsel was sought by the responsible heads of the temperance party and he was
repeatedly urged to run for office on the Prohibition ticket.
The bereavement of the family is the sorrow of the city. His feet no
more will press our streets. His figure we shall see only in memory. But let
us not mourn for one whose life was so conscientious; whose descent into the
shadow of death was so fearless and whose resurrection will be so triumphant.
Let his memory inspire us to those noble deeds which make for good citizenship
in the here and the hereafter.
OBITUARY
Henry Lyman Bassett was born in eastern New York on Aug. 1, 1833, and
died at Blairstown, IA., on Tuesday, October 25, 1904, at the age of 71 years,
2 mos. and 24 days. In 1837 the family emigrated overland to Ohio, the next
year moving to Iowa, residing in the southeastern part, in Muscatine and
Washington counties. On March 8, 1857 he was married to Lydia Jones. Of this
union six children were born. Two girls died while the family lived in the log
house northwest of Blairstown. The others, Ida B. Clearwater, Harry Albert
Bassett, Bertha L. Hartung, and Thaddeus S. Bassett, are yet spared and have
enjoyed annual visits at the home. In 1862 the family moved to Benton county
and settled northwest of Blairstown, the family residing in a log cabin while
Mr. Bassett was building another house.
He was a very great church worker. The ruling passion of his life, was
to see the church built up and strengthened. He had been a member of the
Methodist church since its organization a half century ago. His consistent
life, his clear knowledge of spiritual things and his devotions to the cause
of the Christian religion all found expression in his valued services to the
church in sharing its responsible offices and guiding its business affairs,
together with generous contributions of his possessions to its several
benevolent enterprises. Recognizing his ability and Christian character, he
was repeatedly elected to the office of the Sabbath school superintende
holding that position for 30 years. It was with much sorrow his resignation
was accepted from that office but it became necessary on account of Mr.
Bassett's continued frailty of body.
A widow and four children survive Mr. Bassett, all of whom receive our
tender sympathy in their affliction.
The funeral services of the deceased were held in the M.E. church,
Thursday at 1:30 p.m., conducted by Dr. Van Ness, presiding elder of the
District, a long time friend of the deceased, and the pastor. The remains were
borne from the house to the church by Messrs. John Book, H. Lipe, W.O. Davis,
M.D. Barney, W.H. Ehred and I.K. Wise, fellow citizens and old neighbors of
the departed. An overflowing congregation listened to an eloquent sermon full
of hope and consolation in which the speaker answered the question, "If a man
die shall he live again?" Magnificent floral tributes from the Masons, Legion
of Honor, Ladies Aid society and Sunday school of the M.E. church besid
quantities of personal offerings banked the alter about the casket. The
services were conducted at Pleasant Hill cemetery with the Masonic ritu
under the auspices of the local lodge.
Mrs. Bassett and family desire to express their thanks to the many
friends who during Mr. Bassett's sickness were so kindly attentive and who
have shared their grief in this deep sorrow and bereavement.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1833 - 1904 (71 years)