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- WILLIAM N. BASSETT
(Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana)
The subject of this sketch stands out clear and distinct among the
representative men of his county and state, and by reason of forceful
personality and large success in material things, he has gained a conspicuous
place in the community and is today a leader of thought and in no small degree
a moulder of opinion among those with whom he mingles.
William N. Bassett, a leading farmer and stock raiser of Hanover
township, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, September 2, 1863, being one of
the seven children of James M. and Clara (Norval) Bassett, both parents
natives of the county of Shelby and still living as are also six of the
children - Hays Bassett, the only member of the family deceased, departed this
life at the age of eleven years in 1895.
The early years of William N. Bassett, spent in close touch with
nature on his father's farm, were conducive to vigorous physical and mental
growth, and while still a mere lad he learned the lesson of industry and
frugality, which, with a spirit of self-reliance, had a marked influence in
developing a well rounded character and fixing his future course of life. He
helped clear the home place and cultivate the same, and after finishing the
common school branches entered the schools of Shelbyville where he made rapid
and substantial progress in his studies. Remaining under the parental roof
until attaining his majority, he contributed his full share to the support of
the family, but at the age of twenty-one he severed home ties to s
domestic establishment of his own, choosing for his companion and helpmeet in
the laudable endeavor, an intelligent and popular young lady by the name of
Ona M. Salla, to whom he was married on the 23rd of November, 188
After his marriage Mr. Bassett engaged in agricultural pursuits, which
with stock raising has since demanded his attention, meeting with marked
success in his vocations and as already stated, forging to a leading place
among enterprising and influential men of the township. Since early manhood he
has taken an active part in public affairs, and from 1901 to 1905, inclusive,
he served as Trustee of Hanover township, during which period he was untiring
in his efforts to advance the interests of his jurisdiction and prove an able
and conscientious official. He administered the duties of his office wi
credit to himself and to the acceptance of the people, stood for public
improvements and in addition to his many other functions, erected three modern
school-houses, besides improving many miles of highway.
Mr. Bassett owns a fine farm of three hundred and thirty-eight acres
in all, one mile north of Morristown, and is well situated as far as material
wealth is concerned, being in independent circumstances. Mr. Bassett's home
farm consists of two hundred and forty acres situated one mile north of
Morristown, range 7 east, section 1; twenty-two and one-half acres north in
section 6, and thirty-seven and a half acres in section 7, and thirty-eight
acres in range 8, east. In addition to cultivating his own place, he looks
after the interests of the A. R. Keaton farm of two hundred and fifty acres,
and, until recently, devoted a great deal of attention to buying and selling
live stock, from which he derived no small portion of his income. By reason of
partial disability caused by an injury from a railroad accident, he
discontinued the stock business, and since that year has given his time to
grain farming and dairying, both of which have resulted greatly to his
financial advantage and added very materially to the ample competence now in
his possession. Mr. Bassett is president of the Ripley Farmers' Telepho
Company; also president of the Riverside Gas Company, and is trustee of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Bassett is staunchly Republican in his political allegiance and an
influential party worker, being well read on the leading questions of the day,
thoroughly posted on all the leading issues and fully abreast of the times on
all matters of local and general import. Like the majority of public-spirited
men, he is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge, at
Morristown; the Greenfield Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and the Eastern Star, at
the former place, with which his wife and two daughters are also identified,
Mrs. Bassett being now on her third year as worthy matron of the organization.
In addition to the above, Mr. Bassett is an active worker in the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs in subordinate lodge and
encampment; he is also connected with Warren Lodge. No 196, Knights of
Pythias, at Morristown, in which he has been honored from time to time with
every office within the fit of the Brotherhood, besides holding membership
with the Improved Order of Red Men. In religion he has strong convictions and
decided views, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a
contributor to its missions, benevolences and other lines of work. Mrs. Bassett
is also a member of the same religious body, and is deeply interested in the
growth of the local church to which she belongs.
Mr. and Mrs. Bassett are the proud parents of two intelligent a
accomplished daughters and one manly son, the oldest of the number being Mary
E., whose birth occurred on the 12th day of December, 1885. After graduating
from the common schools, she entered the Ohio College of Music and Oratory at
Cincinnati, from which she was graduated with an honorable record as a
musician and elocutionist. Miss Bassett has a high reputation in both these
accomplishments and now holds the position of instructor in the Young Ladies'
College of Music and Elocution at Franklin, Kentucky. Margaret E., born
September 17, 1887, received a high school education at Morristown, and in
1908 was graduated from the Central Normal College at Danville, with degrees
of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts; meantime she taught very
successfully in the district schools, and since finishing her course in the
above institution has devoted her attention to educational work in Hancock
county. A young lady of fine mind and superior intellectual attainments, she
has already achieved a creditable reputation in her chosen field of endeavor,
and bids fair to rise to still higher achievements and become one of the
accomplished and brilliant teachers of the state.
James N. Bassett, the youngest of the family, was born February 19,
1892, and, like his sisters, takes kindly to books and study, being a student
of the Morristown high school and in the third year of the course. Mr. and
Mrs. Bassett have taken great interest in their children and have spared
neither pains nor expense in providing for their educational training. Their
efforts have been heartily appreciated as the above records attest, and the
satisfaction of knowing that the children have co-operated in bringing about
results so commendable is greater by far than if unbounded material wealth had
been placed at their disposal. The family occupies a prominent position in the
best social circles of the community.
While Mr. Bassett has not pursued the art of money getting, he has by
no means under-estimated the value of material wealth as a means to honorable
ends, and the keen interest he has ever taken in the welfare of those
dependent upon him as well as his efforts to promote the common weal of his
fellow men indicate the high ideals and noble purposes he has ever h
view, notwithstanding which he has not been unmindful of those things which
make for physical comfort and advancement as the ample fortune, conservatively
estimated in excess of forty thousand dollars, abundantly attest.
Melvin and Margaret (Campbell) Salla, parents of Mrs. Bassett, were
prominent residents of Shelby county, the father for many years a leadi
citizen, influential politician and successful farmer of Brandywine township,
where he owned a fine farm of two hundred and five acres, besides valuable
property in Shelbyville and elsewhere. Both husband and wife are dead, but
their memory is affectionately cherished by a grateful posterity, who have
ever aimed to maintain undimmed the honor of the family name. Mrs. Bassett was
born August 18, 1868, and received a liberal education in the public schools
and Oldenburg Academy, being one of the accomplished ladies of Shelby county,
whose beautiful character and many admirable qualities have made her the idol
of her household, besides winning a warm and permanent place in the affections
of her many neighbors and friends.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1863 - 1943 (79 years)