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- The Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume SVII
January 1909 ? December 1909
John M. Bass
John M. Bass was not a Confederate soldier, but years ago he told the editor of the VETERAN that he regretted more than anything of his life that he had not been. What finer tribute to the principles than that a man in the mellow years of maturity deplored that he had not been a participant, even though the cause fought for had failed? He had deferred writing a paper for the VETERAN because he could not claim comradeship with the men who had fought for his home, although he was quite young at the time of the war. The following sketch, taken from an address by the Chancellor, Gov. James D. Porter, will be read with much interest by the alumni of the Peabody College, Nashville. Mr. Bass was known and esteemed by the young men and young women of every Southern State who attended this college. This fact and the splendid model of a gentleman of honor, integrity, and duty faithfully performed it use here all the more worth.
John M. Bass was a native of Nashville, Tenn., born October, 1845. He more the name of his father, long a leading citizen and business man. His mother was a daughter of Felix Gundy, and was conspicuous in the social life of the city. Mr. Bass took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Bethany College, Virginia, then under the presidency of the distinguished Alexander Campbell. His junior years at a law school was in the University of Virginia and his senior year was at the law school of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., where he received his diploma. He entered upon the practice of law with encouraging prospects. A man with his high sense of honor, with his industry, good sense, intelligence, and correct habits, commands success in any department of life. But, his father requiring his services in the care of large planting interests on the Arkansas River, he abandoned the law, and spent the best years of his young manhood on the plantation and buried his ambition in the unprofitable cotton fields.
On the death of his father, who was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nashville, Mr. Bass was elected his successor. His distinguished grandfather, Felix Grundy, had served for many years as one of it trustees, and his own devotion to the college was esteemed by him as ?the best part of his inheritance.? On the death of his friend and my honored kinsman, Edward D. Hicks, Secretary and Treasurer of the University Board, Mr. Bass was made his successor, and soon thereafter was assigned to the same duty with the Peabody College for Teachers. All expenditures and accounts of the Trustees of the Peabody Education Fund were made through and by him. The administration of Mr. bass embraced the financial affairs of the University of Nashville and all of its schools ? the Peabody College, the Medical Department, Montgomery Bell Academy, and the Winthrop Preperatory School. It was ever exact and self-explanatory, every penny was accounted for, and proper vouchers were filed. He was superintendent of buildings and grounds and guardian of the young ladies and young men, ad was the depository of their troubles and sorrows and always their intelligent guide and friend. In sickness the student body received his watchful care, and in its exercise it was affectionate and paternal. Who can forget his watchfulness and his tenderness? he was a student and kept in touch with scholar and literary men, and was himself a writer of taste and judgement. At the time of his death he was preparing a history of the life work of Felex Grundy. His death is a distinctive loss to the State.
Mr. Bass was a gentleman born and by education and environment He never had an associate outside of his class, and he combined with refined qualities practical sense and judgement. My association with him during the past seven years gave me a better opinion of men. His brother was my school fellow here, and his father and my own were friends and schoolfellows at Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky. His influence will be lasting and far-reaching every young man and young women student has felt it, and it will be an inheritance as fadeless and enduring as his memory.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1845 - 1908 (63 years)