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- William was a metallurgist. Following his graduation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with his B.S. degree in 1891, he began his professional career with the Pope's Island Manufacturing Corp. in New Bedford. He then taught chemistry for four years at the Swaim Free School, and was a chemist for two years at the Newark plant of the New Jersey Zinc Company. After the American Brass Company was organized, he went to its Coe
Brass branch at Torrington, Connecticut as a chemist in 1902. In 1903 he was appointed chief chemist and after 1912 was designated technical superintendent and metallurgist with that corporation. The company's headquarters were in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was a pioneer of the American brass industry. He was awarded the James Douglas gold medal of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers in 1925 and was elected to the presidency of the Institute in 1930.
William belonged to many organizations and received many awards during his career. He was a deacon in the Congregational Church. In politics, he was a Republican. Personally he was a modest, generous, likeable man, of high integrity, keen intelligence and sound judgement.
1900 Federal Census of Ward 3, East Orange, Essex County, NJ (Jun 1900)
William H. Bassett 31 M Mar 1869 MA MA MA Head Chemist
Sarah H. 30 F Oct 1869 MA MA MA Wife
Alice W. 6 F Mar 1894 MA MA MA Daughter
William H. 3 M Dec 1896 MA MA MA Son
(Living in a boarding house at 62 S. Arlington Ave.)
(Married 7 years, 2 children, 2 living)
1920 Federal Census of Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut (3 Jan 1920)
William H. Bassett 51 M MA MA MA Head Metallurgist Brass Makers
Sarah H. 50 F MA MA MA Wife
Alice W. 25 F MA MA MA Daughter
William H. Jr. 23 M MA MA MA Son Tester of Metals Brass Makers
Helen B. 19 F MA MA MA DauL
Hannah Healey 62 F CT IR IR Servant
(Living on a farm on Maple Avenue)
1930 Federal Census of Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut (17 Apr 1930)
William H. Bassett 62 M MA MA MA Head Metallurgist Brass Mill
Sarah 60 F MA MA MA Wife
Alice W. 36 F MA MA MA Daughter
& 1 Servant
(Living on Main Street) (Married at 25 & 23)
W.H. Bassett Dead; Expert on Metals
William H. Bassett (picture included)
President of Testing Society, 66
Was a Manager of the American Brass Co.
Winner of Medal in 1925
First to Apply Spectroscope to Routine Work in the Non-Ferrous Industry
Special to the New York Times
WATERBURY, Conn., July 21 - William Hastings Bassett, metallurgical
manager of the American Brass Company and president of the American Society
for Testing Metals, died suddenly this morning at his home in Cheshire. He was
66 years old. Death was caused by embolism
Mr. Bassett, a pioneer metallurgist in the brass industry, had enjoyed
a nation-wide prestige for several years for his contributions to that branch
of the industry. In 1925 he was awarded the James Douglas Medal for research
in copper and brass and other non-ferrous metals and their alloys and for his
contributions to the establishment of high standards of quality. During the
World War he was a member of the committee on materials and airplane
construction at Washington.
He was born in New Bedford, Mass., the son of William A. and Amira D.
(Mayhew) Bassett, of long-established New England ancestry. He was graduated
in 1891 from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in 1903 became chief
chemist and metallurgist of the American Brass Company. From 1912 to 1930 he
was technical superintendent and metallurgist, and since Jan. 1, 1930, had
been metallurgical manager.
He was first to apply the spectroscope to routine work in the non-
ferrous metal industry and first in this country to apply the microscope to
the metallography of non-ferrous metals. His contributions to this field have
led to nationally accepted standardization in chemical analysis and in methods
of manufacture.
He is survived by his widow, Sarah H. Whiting Bassett, whom he married
in 1892, one son, William Hastings Bassett Jr., and a daughter, Alice Whiting
Bassett, all of Cheshire.
Mr. Bassett was a director and former president (1930) of the American
Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, a member of the Americ
Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Franklin
Institute, the British Institute of Metals and Society of Chemical Industries.
He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Knights Templar. His
clubs included the Engineers and Chemists of New York.
Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Tuesday at the Cheshire
Congregational Church.
History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut
William H. Bassett
William H. Bassett, technical superintendent and metallurgist with the
American Brass Company, has had broad experience in this line based upon
thorough college training. He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, March 7,
1868, a son of William A. and Almira D. (Mayhew) Bassett. The father was
engaged in the wholesale and commission fish business.
The son was accorded liberal educational opportunities, supplementing
his public school course by study in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
of Boston, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. In so doing he
followed his natural trend and he has since further developed his talen
along that line, his success being based upon comprehensive study and close
application. He entered upon life’s practical duties as an employee of the
Pope’s Island Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of white metal and
jewelers’ supplies, his position being that of chemist and metallurgist. For
some time he held the position of superintendent with that company, with which
he continued in active connection until 1900. He then entered the employ of
the New Jersey Zinc Company and when he resigned two years later he accepted
the position of chemist with the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company of
Torrington. Later he received appointment to the position of chemist and
metallurgist with the American Brass Company and is now occupying that place
of prominence and responsibility. His duties have further been broadened in
his appointment to the position of technical superintendent. The value and
worth of his service, is acknowledged by all. He had become an expert in this
line, his opinion being largely accepted as authority upon many importa
questions relative to the profession.
In 1892 Mr. Bassett was united in marriage to Miss Sarah H. Whiting,
of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and they have become the parents of a daughter
and a son: Alice W., who attended the Quincy Mansion School and is n
home; and William H., Jr. who is a student in the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. The family reside in Cheshire and they are members of the
Congregational church there.
Mr. Bassett gives his political allegiance to the republican party,
while fraternally he is well known as a member of Temple Lodge, No. 16, A.F.&
A.M., of Cheshire, and of St. Elmo Commandery, K.T., of Meriden. His
membership extends largely to scientific societies, his name being on the roll
of the American Society of Testing Materials, in which he is serving on the
executive committee. He is also on the advisory committee on metals for the
bureau of standards at Washington, D.C., has membership with the Americ
Institute of Mining Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers,
the American Institute of Metals, the British Institute of Metals, the
American Chemical Society, and is a fellow of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science. He is a member of the Chemists Club of New York, of
the Manufacturers Club of Ansonia, of the Torrington Club and of the Waterbury
Club. While his thought and study have largely been directed along scientific
lines, his is a well rounded nature, the interests and activities of citizenship and
of social life making a responsive appeal to him.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1868 - 1934 (66 years)