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- Elkhart Daily Review, Indiana, Wednesday, February 22, 1905
Only Negro Ever Elected to Office in the County Dying of Consumption
Once Was Enough
Kokomo, Ind., Feb. 22 ? Richard Bassett, the only negro ever elected to office in Howard county, is dying of consumption. He represented Howard county in the legislature of 1893, winning the Republican nomination over S.E. Nicholson, author of the famous measure known by his name. He was the only negro serving in that general assembly, and he attracted attention because of his color.
His legislative experience was not altogether pleasant, and he did not seek renomination, but devoted himself to ministerial work in the colored Baptist church, of this city. His son, Epraim Bassett, was the first Howard county solider to lose his life in the Spanish-American war, dying of yellow fever in Santiago.
Kokomo Tribune, Indiana, February 22, 1930
Twenty Five Years Ago
The Rev. Richard Bassett, age sixty-two years, the only colored man ever elected to public office in Howard county, died Feb. 21 at his home in North Smith street of consumption. He served as representative of Howard county in the legislature of 1893.
Muncie Evening Press, Indiana, May 6, 1905
Monumet For Richard Bassett
Movement on Foot To Honor the Memory of Clergyman
Who Was Leader of Colored Race
A petition is being circulated for the purpose of raising a fund for the erection at Kokomo, Ind., a monument over the gr4ave of the late Rev. Richard Bassett, colored.
During his life Rev. Mr. Bassett was the acknowledged leader of his race in the west, and probably did more during his life for the colored peopled than any other one man.
Rev. Mr. Bassett was beloved by his people, in whose interests he labored so faithfully. But it was not alone among the colored folks that his true worth was realized.
The people of Howard county at once time elected him to the state legislature as the representative of that county, and he was always highly esteemed by his neighbors.
His reputation as a preacher, leader and philanthropist had spread over the states of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, where he had pastorates at different times during his life, and the effort to raise a suitable monument over his last residing place will be carried to the neighboring states.
It is the intention of those who have the movement in hand to have the monument completed so that it may be unveiled on the 22ed day of next September, the occasion being the forty-second anniversary of the issuing of Abraham Lincoln?s proclamation of emancipation.
Indiana Baptist History, 1798-1908
The Bassetts were also men of ability and culture; their white
brethren often listened with both pleasure and edification to their sermons;
they were the Revs. R. Bassett, Sr., R. Bassett, Jr., and Miles Bassett.
1880 Federal Census of 1st Ward, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana
Richard Bassett B 32 M NC NC NC Head Minister
Nancy B 26 F KY KY KY Wife Keeping House
Essie B 15 F IN NC KY Daughter
Glenn B 10 M IN NC KY Son
Effie B 8 F IN NC KY Daughter
George B 6 M IN NC KY Son
Minnie B 1 F IN NC KY Daughter
1900 Federal Census of Center Township, Howard County, Indiana (19 Jun 1900)
Richard Bassett B 54 M Mar 1846 NC NC NC Head Minister
Lovenia B 46 F 1854 KY KY KY Wife
Minnie B 21 F Aug 1878 IN NC KY Daughter Laborer Housewo
Richard B 19 M Oct 1880 IN NC KY Son
Leslie H. B 17 M Apr 1882 IN NC KY Son
Ralph H. B 14 M Jun 1885 IN NC KY Son
Married 9 years, 3 children, 1 living)
Our Baptist Ministers (includes picture)
Rev. Richard Bassett, Shelbyville, Ind.
Rev. Richard Bassett, a younger brother of Rev. Miles Bassett, was
born in Greene County, N.C. in 1846. He, as his brother, was carried to
Indiana along with his parents in 1848 when they settled in Park County, Ind.
He, too, attended the Quaker school and obtained a common school training. In
1856 they moved to Howard County. Young Bassett was converted and joined the
Free Union Baptist Church November, 1864.
He was ordained at New Albany, August, 1867. Now a life that was
already useful began to shine more brilliantly and to bear abundant fruit.
He was called to Shiloh Church of Rising Sun and secured for his
congregation a spacious brick building. He has since served successively and
successfully the Second Church of New Albany, and the Corinthian Baptist
Church of Indianapolis. The former he pastored eight years, the latter five.
In 1888 he was appointed by the Executive Board of the Sunday-school
Convention, state Sunday-school missionary.
In this field he rendered great service to Sunday schools and t
cause of Christ in the state, and was greatly respected and beloved by all
with whom he came in contact. Rev. R. Bassett is now serving the Free Union
Church and the Second Church of Kokomo. He is a natural pulpit orator and is
one of the leading ministers in his state.
This Far By Faith: Black Hossier Heritage
Richard Bassett of Howard County, elected in 1892 to the Indiana House
of Representatives.
8 May 1899
E.J. Bassett, son of Rev. Richard Bassett joins colored regiment and goes to
Cuba; dies later of yellow fever.
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