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- San Diego Union
May 14, 1940
San Diego Obituary
William I. Bassett
Services for William Irving Bassett, 69, a railway trail blazer who was a key figure in the establishment of many railroads in the United States, Mexico and Canada, were held yesterday at the Johnson-Sauni chapel, the Reverend John B. Osborn officiating. Cremation followed.
A Spanish-American war veteran who began his career as a civil engineer in 1892, when he was employed by the Mexican Central railway, Mr. Bassett died in Naval hospital Saturday after a long illness. He had been retired since 1932, and was a local resident for 15 years.
Established Rail Lines
After the Spanish-American war, Mr. Bassett became resident engineer for the Great Northern railroad in Montana, and in the years that followed personally directed establishment of five railway lines through the Rocky mountains. In 1912 he was appointed chief locating engineer for the Canadian National railways, and located their first line through the Canadian Rockies, an engineering feat which won him wide acclaim.
When the World War started, Mr. Bassett was offered a commission as a major in the Canadian army, but refused the position because he would have had to give up his American citizenship. In 1918 he was appointed state highway engineer for Idaho, and five years later became chief locating engineer for the Southern Pacific lines in Mexico.
In that capacity, he located the first railroad line through the Barancas range, linking Nogales, Arizona to Mexico City, then in 1925, became chief engineer and general manager of the Inter-California Southern railway. In 1927, when the Colorado river flooded Imperial valley, Mr. Bassett earned more engineering laurels. He directed construction of levees which protected the valley from inundation.
Was 32nd Degree Mason
Mr. Bassett had a wide circle of acquaintances, including two former presidents of Mexico, Plutarco Elias Calles and Abeldardo Rodriguez, and Harry Chandler, Los Angeles publisher.
A 32nd degree Mason, he was born in 1870 in Detroit. His father, Sam Bassett, was the first settler in Detroit and owned a large farm there which now marks the site of the city.
Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Helen F. Bassett, 4369 Hortensia street; two sons, William I. Bassett Jr., and Dr. John Winfield Bassett; a daughter, Mrs. Marion Bagley, Beverly Hills, and four grandchildren, Virginia Bagley, Ralph Bagley Jr., William I. Bassett III and Marian Bassett.
1880 Federal Census of L'Anse, Baraga County, Michigan
Irving A. Bassett - 37 - M - MI------ - Head - Teacher
Hannah - 31 - F - MI-IR-IR - Wife - Keeping House
Florence - 11 - F - MI-MI-MI - Daughter - At School
William - 9 - M - MI-MI-MI - Son
Robert J. - 6 - M - MI-MI-MI - Son
John - 3 - M - MI-MI-MI - Son
1910 Federal Census of Spokane, Spokane County, Washington (20 Apr 1910)
William I. Bassett - 38 - M - MI-MI-MI - Head - Engineer Civil
Helen F. - 32 - F - MN-ST-NW - Wife
Florence A. - 9 - F - MN-MI-MN - Daughter
Marion A. - 6 - F - CN-MI-MN - Daughter
William I. Jr. - 1-8/12 - M - WA-MI-MN - Son
& 1 servant
(ST - Scotland) (NW - Norway)
(Married 12 years, 4 children, 3 living)
1920 Federal Census of Couer d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho
William I. Bassett - 47 - M - MN-MI-MI - Head - Engineer Civil
Helen F. - 39 - F - MN-ST-NW - Wife
Florence - 19 - F - MN-MN-MN - Daughter
Marion - 16 - F - CN-MN-MN - Daughter
William Jr. - 11 - M - WA-MN-MN - Son
John W. - 6 - M - WA-MN-MN - Son
& 1 Roomer
(ST - Scotland) (NW - Norway)
(Living at 586 Sherman)
1930 Federal Census of San Diego, San Diego County, California
William I. Bassett - 59 - M - MI-MI-Mi - Head - Civil Engineer Railroad
Helen F. - 50 - F - MN-ST-NW - Wife
William I. Jr. - 21 - M - WA-MI-MN - Son
John W. - 16 - M - WA-MI-MN - Son
(ST - Scotland) (NW - Norway)
(Living at 4369 Hortensia)
(Married at 28 & 22)
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Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1871 - 