| Notes |
- Mark served with distinction during the Civil War, taking part in an escape from Libby prison.
He divorced his first wife (Charlotte (Lottie) Serverns) due to adultery on April 19, 1865.
Pictures of Annie E. Gould Bassett and Judge Mark M. Bassett can be found in the book "History of the Carlock Family and Adventures of Pioneer Americans" by Marion Pomeroy Carlock, 1929.
Excerpt from History of Peoria County, Illinois
Mark M. Bassett, father died before his birth and mother, Abigail Carlock, died when he a small boy. Passed childhood days in Schuyler and Fulton Counties, worked on a farm. At 23 assisted in recruiting and enlisted January 1, 1862 in Company E, 53 Illinois Volunteers. His coolness and bravery and countless devotion to duty soon won promotion from Sergeant to Lieutenant Captain. His first engagement was the battle of Shiloh and Corinth, then Vicksburg.
Through the Tunnel at Libby Prison
History of the Carlock Family, 1929
This story gives an accurate account of one of the most famous exploits of the Civil War. Mark M. Bassett the active subject of this amazing narrative was the son of Thomas Bassett and Abigail Carlock. She was the daughter of Abraham Carlock by his second wife, Mary Ann Lee. Being a first cousin of General Robert E. Lee, who can trace his ancestry back to King Robert, The Bruce of Scotland. The Lee family is also related to Abraham Lincoln. Judge Bassett was born in Northern Indiana, March 27, 1837, and died in Peoria, Illinois, June 17, 1910. As a small boy the author was held upon his knee and marvelled at the war stories the Judge told.
Captain Bassett was one of the hundred or more Union prisoners who on the night of February 9, 1864, crawled through a long, rudely dug tunnel from the basement of Libby prison in Richmond, Virginia, ran the Confederat lines and made a dash for freedom unparalleled in its boldness.......
Lieutenant Mark M. Bassett was a member of Company "E", 53rd Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He enlisted in December, 1861, and was engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and Hatchey. At the later encounter, Lieutenant Bassett - this being his rank at the time - was ordered to take the insignia of rank from the lifeless body of his superior in rank, First Lieutenant Pollisard. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Jackson. In the latter he was taken prisoner and sent with other officers to Libby Prison at Richmond.......
1870 Federal Census of Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois (22 Jun 1870)
Mark M. Bassett - 33 - M - Illinois - Lawyer 2000 500
Anna E. - 22 - F - Michigan - Keeping House
Nathaniel - 11 - M - Illinois - At Home
Sarah J. - 9 - F - Illinois - At Home
Frank - 8/12 - M - Illinois - At Home - Born September
1880 Federal Census of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois
Mark M. Bassett - 43 - M - IL-KY-KY - Head - Attorney at Law
Annie - 32 - F - MI-NY-NY - Wife - Keeping House
Sarah J. - 19 - F - IL-IL-MI - Daughter - At Home
Elizabeth Haddock - 78 - F - NY-NY-NY - Mother-in-Law - At Home
Julia Malone - 15 - F- IL-IR-IR - Other - Servant
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Bassett Family Association Database
1837 - 1910 (73 years)