| Notes |
- History of Greater Indianapolis
William Harrison Bass
The proprietor of the W.H. Bass Photo Co. is a native of Indiana, born near Columbus, January 20, 1851, son of Thomas W. Bass and Mary J. (Crane) Bass. His father, who was a pioneer settler, was engaged in farming, and William was started in the same line. But he had a natrual taste for mechanical work, and at the age of seventeen began learning the miller?s trade, at which he worked for six years. Feeling the desire for more education, he entered the Indiana State Normal School in 1874, and, after a course there, was employed as a teacher in the Indianapolis public schools, and continued in this occupation until 1901. On October 1, 1879, Mr. Bass was married to Jane McCormick Wood, one of the leading teachers in the public schools.
The last eleven years of his teaching were devoted to manual training work, in which he took a deep interest. He was selected to establish the manual training work in the Shortridge High School in 1889, which was its first introduction not only in the public schools of Indianapolis, but also in any public school in the West. His success with this, and his advocacy of its extension were so influential with the school authorities that, at the decication of the present Manual Training High School the president of the school board said: ?The existence of this school is due to the efforts of W.H. Bass more than to any other one man.?
Mr. Bass left school work to engage in commercial photography, for which he was an opening in Indianapolis, and which by energy and conscientious application he has developed from a modest beginning to an extensive industry. The W.H. Bass Photo Co. prepared photographers for the half-tones for this work and their excellence is the highest commendation that could be given.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1851 - 1936 (85 years)