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- History of Buchanan County and the City of St. Joseph (1904)
Hon. Harry D. Bassett
Few public men of Buchanan County have passed out of life more generally and sincerely mourned than the late Judge Harry D. Bassett, at the time of his death one of the county's honored judges, and a highly valued and esteemed citizen of St. Joseph. Judge Bassett was born at St. Joseph, August 26, 1852, and died at his home in this city, No. 321 North Sixth street, August 28, 1903. His paternal ancestry was of old colonial stock and his maternal, of the aristocracy of the "Old North" State. He was a son of the late Gen. Jonathan Miles and Nannie (Dixon) Bassett.
Gen. Jonathan M. Bassett, father of Judge Bassett, of whom a sketch will be found in this volume, was born in Connecticut and was a pioneer settler of the Platte Purchase, having located at Plattsburg in 1844. Later he removed to St. Joseph, where he was made circuit attorney and in 1855 was elected mayor of this city. He served also as provost marshall of St. Joseph and held military rank in the State militia. His death was occasioned in 1871 by an affection of the heart. He married Nannie Dixon, of Raleigh, North Carolina, and the two children of this marriage were Judge Bassett and an only sister, the widow of the late John T. Maddux, of St. Joseph.
The late Judge Bassett belonged particularly to Buchanan County, his educational, business and political training all having been received within her boarders. He began public life as a deputy in county offices at the Court House, and served for 22 years in the offices of assessor, county clerk and collector. In 1887 he was elected county assessor and served as such until 1894, when he engaged in the insurance business with Hon. Eugene Spratt. In November, 1902, Harry D. Bassett was nominated on the Democratic ticket and later elected county judge by an overwhelming majority, and his service in this honorable office was but a continuation of years of loyalty to the interests of his fellow citizens.
On May 15, 1889, Judge Bassett was united in marriage with Ida Calhoun, who is a daughter of Calvin A. and Catherine (McNally) Calhoun, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, and an extensive contractor of St. Joseph. Mrs. Bassett and two children, - Harry M. and Ruth - survived Judge Bassett, but the little daughter died in 1904, aged 10 years. Mrs. Bassett resides at No. 602 North 12th street.
The death of Judge Bassett was sudden and unexpected, his slight illness being attributed to the extreme heat. His death was just as he had often expressed a wish that it should be, a passing away in peaceful sleep, so calm and quiet, that the stricken wife at his side did not know when the spark of life became extinct. His funeral obsequies were conducted from the home of his only sister, Mrs. Deedie Maddux, who had herself been bereaved in 1900. The city and county offices were closed on the occasion of his funeral and his remains were laid to rest in beautiful Mount Mora Cemetery, surrounded by a large concourse of prominent citizens and personal friends, who sought thus to testify to their respect. The pall-bearers were selected from life-long friends, among them being Judge W.M. Stanton, Judge John H. Duncan and others who tenderly performed the mournful duty.
Judge Bassett was prominent socially and had always taken a deep interest in charitable work, identifying himself with various organizations of that character. He held fraternal relations with the Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. His record on the bench was one that reflected his sterling traits of character. After taking up his duties, he speedily showed himself learned, fearless and impartial, an inflexible exponent of the law. As a citizen he proved solicitous, through years of public service, for the welfare of his fellow citizens. He was affectionately known as "Harry", his genial personality and his frank and friendly bearing endearing him to his associates and arousing the deepest devotion from his kindred.
1860 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri (6 Aug 1860)
J. Basset - 40 - M - Ohio - Lawyer 19,000 2,500
N.W. - 38- F - North Carolina
H.D. - 8 - M - Missouri
D. - 4 - F - Missouri
1870 Federal Census of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri (29 Jun 1870)
Johnathan M. Bassett - 52 - M - Connecticut - Lawyer 26,000 2,500
Nannie W. - 41 - F - Mississippi - Keeps House
Harry - 18 - M - Missouri - At Home
Dedee - 16 - F - Missouri - At Home
Lucy Burge - B - 20 - F - Missouri - Domestic Servant
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Bassett Family Association Database
1852 - 1903 (51 years)