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- History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sierras
By James Miller Guinn
Richard D. Bass
The third child in a family of twelve, eleven of whom reached years of maturity, Richard D. Bass was born in Green county, Ky., May 30, 1821. His father, Thomas Bass, was also a native of the Blue Grass state, and during the greater part of his life was an agriculturist. When his son R.D. Bass was a lad of one year he removed with his family to Washington county, Mo. Reared upon the Missouri farm, Richard D. Bass obtained his education in school houses that were built of logs, the benches made of slabs, and the floors of puncheon. The writing desk was a slab around the wall, and while doing their writing exercises the children sat with their backs to the room and their faces to the wall. Upon reaching manhood?s estate he followed in his father?s footsteps and became an agriculturist, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Washington county. The troubles growing out of the annexation of Texas to the United Stated in 1845 began to be a menace to the peace of the community, and Mr. Bass was one of the participants in the struggle which followed. In the spring of 1847 he enlisted in the Missouri Volunteer Mounted Infantry, becoming a member of Company D, Third Regular Army, serving under General Price from that time until the declaration of peace. He was honorably discharged from the service at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., in 1848, after which he returned to his Missouri home. It was not long after this that the discovery of gold in California made this ate the center of attraction from all quarters of the Union, and in 1853 Mr. Bass was among those how made the wearisome journey across the plains. Leaving Missouri March 21, he came by way of Beckwith pass and four months and twelve days later arrived in Plumas county. Not unlike the majority who came here at this time he turned his attention to mining, following this until 1857, when he came to Elysian valley, Lassen county, and purchased a squatter?s right to land upon which he carried on farming and stock-raising. His cattle brand was a heart on the right side. So successful was he in his efforts that he became known as one of the largest cattle dealers in the valley. As his needs demanded and his means permitted he increased his property holdings in the valley until his ranch comprised four hundred and eighty acres, besides which he owned a ranch of three hundred and five acres near Janesville, and a large stock range in Last Chance valley, in Plumas county.
May 13, 1851, Mr. Bass was united in marriage with Mary Ann Carlyon, who was born in Cornwall, England, near Land?s End .Her father, Philip Carlyon, also a native of Cornwall, followed mining for a livelihood. He came to the United States in 1839, becoming a pioneer settler of Washington county, Mo., where he died. His wife, formerly Mary Ralph, was also a native of Cornwall, the daughter of William Ralph, a farmer of that country. Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Carlyon Mrs. Bass was the eldest. She was reared on the homestead in Missouri and attended the commons schools near by. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bass: Julia, who married George Boyd, and died in Janesville; Stephen, who is located on the Janesville ranch; John Edward, residing in Susanville; William B. and Richard L., both of whom are deceased; Minnie and Charles R., both at home; and Roland, who lives at Janesville. Mr. Bass was made a Mason at Janesville, and politically he was a supporter of Democratic principles. At his death, November 11, 1904, he left a widow and five children to mourn his loss, all of whom hold his memory in tender reverence. Since his death the family have continued to reside on the old homestead, the sons managing the various ranches and the business connected therewith. Mrs. Bass is an estimable woman and stands high in the community which has been her home for so many years.
Lassen-Plumas County Biographies
Author: Fariss & Smith (1882)
RICHARD D. BASS.?He was born in Green county, Kentucky, May 30, 1821. When two years of age his parents removed to Missouri, where he made his home until 1853, when he came to California, overland, with ox-teams, arriving in American valley, Plumas county, August 5 of that year. Mr. Bass remained in the county about three years, mining first on Nelson creek, and afterwards in various portions of the county. In November, 1857, he came to Honey Lake valley, but soon after returned to Plumas; and in May, 1§58, removed his family from there to this county, settling in Elysian valley, on the ranch he has ever since owned and occupied of 400 acres, ten miles south-east of Susanville. Is a member of Janesville Lodge, F. & A. M. In politics, he is democratic. He was married May 13, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Crylon, who was born in England, May 13, 1832. Their children are Julia, born December 29, 1853; Stephen S., born January 9, 1857; John N., born June 1, 1859; William B., born November 28, 1862; Richard Lee, August 2, 1865; Mary, August 25, 1870; Charles R., September 1, 1872; Roland, born March 23, 1875.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1821 - 1904 (83 years)