| Notes |
- William had a business in Ripley, Illinois called the WC Bassett Carriage and Buggy Shop and ran this shop from 1870 until 1923. He was also a Civil War Veteran.
Listed in "A History of Brown County, Illinois, 1880-1970" are the Bassett Home Hotel and the Bassett Shop on the northeast corner of Ripley and Main Streets, and Bassett Old Shop and Bassett House on the southeast corner of Ripley and Main Streets. In the same book, we find William Bassett listed as an Elder and Deacon of the Ripley Christian Church. Also in the book we find W.C. Bassett listed as a blacksmith.
(IDC - Illinois Death Certificate)
1880 Federal Census of Ripley, Brown County, Illinois (2 Jun 1880)
William Bassett 32 M PA PA PA Head Blacksmith
Lucretia 28 F IN IN IN Wife Keeping home
Maude 6 F IN PA IN Daughter
William L. 1 M IN PA IN Son
1920 Federal Census of Ripley, Brown County, Illinois (3 Jan 1920)
William C. Bassett 71 M PA PA PA Head Blacksmith shop
Lucretia H. 67 F IN IN IN Wife
Cemetery in Ripley, Brown County, Illinois
W.C. Bassett 1848-1923
Lucretia Bassett 1852-1933
Freeman C., son of Wm. & L. Bassett died 15 Oct 1882
Bessie M., dau. of Wm. & L. Bassett died 12 Feb 1878, aged 4 months 2 days.
Lora E., dau. of Wm. & L. Bassett died 10 Oct 1885, aged 10 months
Laurence?, son of Wm. & L. Bassett died 26 Jan 1880, aged 8 days
Obituary of William Clark Bassett
William Clark Bassett was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day of March, 1848, and passed away at his home in Ripley, Illinois, the 5th day of October, 1923, at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 23 days.
At the age of ten he moved, with his parents, from the Pennsylvania home to Middleborough, Ohio.
In 1871 like many other ambitious young men of the day, he sought a new home in the west and finally located at Ripley when about 23 years of age.
On the 6th of April, 1872, he was united in marriage with Lucretia Hankins. To this union were born five children, four of whom died in infancy. Of the immediate family there are remaining but the devoted wife, the only daughter, Mrs. Maud Seckman of Johnson, Nebraska, two granddaughters, Mrs. Mary Jones of Tecumseh, Nebraska. Mrs. Laura White of Filley, Nebraska and five grandsons: Leonard, Cline, Harlan, Paul and Scott Seckman of Johnson, Nebraska, and two great-grandchilren.
William Clark Bassett united with the Christian church under the preaching of Elder Patterson, soon after his marriage in 1872. He was baptized by Elder J.L. Palmer.
For over 50 years Brother Bassett has been a faithful adherent of the church of his early choice. He has served the church in every possible capacity from lowest to the highest. He has filled the office of teacher in the Sunday school, superintendent of the Sunday school, deacon and elder. No member of the church would be missed as will William C. Bassett for no place in the church has so seldom been vacant. No sacrifice has been too great for him to make for the church, either financial or otherwise and he has always counted such service "all joy". In time of need he has stood in the pulpit and conducted funeral services and has a been every ready to speak the gospel message when opportunity offered. Even after his health began to fail, he insisted upon caring for the furnace, lights and rang the bell seeming to feel that these were some of the tasks his hands could find to do for the Master.
In the entire community there has never been a stronger advocate for Temperance in life, voice, and ballot than W. C. Bassett.
The following is the favorite verse of his favorite hymn:
"Let shadows came, let shadows go, Let life be bright, or dark with
woe I am content, for this I know Thou thinkest Lord of me! What need
I fear when Thou are near, and thinkest Lord of me."
Bassett Hotel, Ripley, Illinois, 1880
Mr. Scott T Seckman of St. Joseph, Missouri, sent the above photo of an old hotel in Ripley. The Hotel was run by Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Bassett, shown above. Mrs. Bassett was the former Lucretha Hankin. The person in the window was a guest, Dr. Henry who frequently stayed at the Hotel.
This building was destroyed by fire just a few weeks ago.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1848 - 1923 (75 years)