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Springfield News-Sun, Ohio, Thursday, 23 February 2006
Rev. DeSoto Bass
Clergyman and teacher (1867-1928)
Reverend DeSoto E. Bass was born on a farm in Liberty (German) Twp. in Darke County, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1867. He was the son of William Riley Bass an Serlenia Bush Bass.
Bass graduated from the Union Literary Institute in Randolph County, Ind., and taught school in Darke County. Bass also attended Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, and later the Theological Seminary in Dayton.
In 1895, at the age of 28, he became the pastor of First Wesleyan Methodist Church in Dayton. The church was known as the ?abolitionists? church? because of the strong stand its member took against slavery. Bass served as pastor of the church for 34 years, until his death Oct. 8, 1928.
Bass was given the title of community or city pastor in Dayton because of the devotion shown by him to his church, race and people. His aim in life was to render his service to mankind.
Bass visited the sick of the city of Dayton, regardless of their religious creed, and made regular visits to both Miami Valley and St. Elizabeth hospitals and to the county infirmary. He was a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of the city of Dayton, and helped organize the Colored Ministerial Alliance.
Because of his community leadership, the first public-housing development constructed in Dayton bears his name. The DeSoto Bass Courts were constructed with the assistance of federal funds provided by Congress. The development opened to 200 low-income families in February 1940. Expansion was made in 1942 to house 110 additional families. Two hundred units were added in 1943, 340 in 1944 and 100 in 1945.
After the end of World War II, veterans were housed there in emergency housing. In 1947 and 1948, 55 more units were constructed under a Congressional act, providing housing for veterans and bringing the total to 1,005 housing units.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1865 - 1928 (63 years)