Bassett Family Association Database

Squire (Somin) Bassett

Male 1824 - 1909  (85 years)


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  • Name Squire (Somin) Bassett 
    Born 1 Jan 1824  Harrison or Bracken County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    _UID 477B6FA50C42AF488210A57CA5AB72C757E6 
    Died 25 Jan 1909  Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • 1850 Federal Census of Fayette County, Kentucky
      B.F. Bassett - 20 - M
      Squire Bassett - 27 - M

      1860 Federal Census of Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky (9 Jul 1860)
      Squire Bassett - 36 - M - Kentucky - Boot & Shoe Merchant 7,500 20,000
      E. - 29 - F - Kentucky
      Slaughter - 6 - M - Kentucky
      Fanny - 4 - F - Kentucky
      Lilly - 1 - F - Kentucky

      1870 Federal Census of Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky (22 Aug 1870)
      Squire Bassett - 46 - M - Kentucky - Boot & Shoe Merchant 27,000 22.500
      Elizabeth - 40 - F - Kentucky
      Slaughter - 17 - M - Kentucky
      Fanny - 14 - F - Kentucky
      Lillie - 12 - F - Kentucky
      Edward - 9 - M - Kentucky
      Emma - 2 - F - Kentucky

      1880 Federal Census of 4th Ward, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
      Squire Bassett - 56 - M - KY-KY-KY - Head - Shoe Merchant
      Elizabeth - 50 - F - KY-KY-KY - Wife - Keeping House
      Edward - 17 - M - KY-KY-KY - Son - At Home
      Emma - 12 - F - KY-KY-KY - Daughter
      Anna W. - 10 - F - KY-KY-KY - Daughter
      Mary Sayre Bassett - 5 - F - KY-KY-KY - Daughter

      Lexington Herald, November 20, 1907
      Bank Directors Pass Respect Resolutions
      Mrs. Wm. L. Threlkeld, Deceased,
      Was Daughter of President Bassett
      The board of directors of the Fayette National Bank, of which Squire Bassett has for years been president, devoting to it the best years of his life and the greatest consideration and most intense labors, at its regular monthly meeting yesterday passed resolutions upon the death of Mrs. William L. Threlkeld, the daughter of Mr. Bassett, whose death cast a shadow over the whole community and caused intense grief to all fortunate enough to know her.
      The resolutions passed by the Directors of the Fayete National Bank are:
      "Whereas, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from the midst of her loved ones, in her happy home, Mrs. Fanny Bassett Threlkeld, the beloved daughter of our esteemed president, Squire Bassett; therefore be it,
      "Resolved, That we hereby offer assurance of our heart-felt sympathy and condolence in this, his hour of bereavement and affliction, and that we join his many friends in expressing our grief for the irreparable loss to himself and family.
      "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upoon the minutes, and a copy furnished the press of the city for publication."
      R.S. Bullock, Cashier, J.M. Duff, Chairman pro tem.

      Lexington Herald, January 2, 1909
      Mr. Squire Bassett Receives Pretty Gift
      Remembered on His Eighty-fifth Birthday By Bank Officials
      Perhaps one of the happiest moments in the long well spent life of Mr. S. Bassett, until recently President of the Fayette National Bank, was at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon, when, with all connected with the bank and Mr. S. Bassett's shoe store present at his home o South Limestone street, a beautifully wrought silver pitcher was given as a token of the affection for the "grand old man" by those at the bank.
      The officers, directors and employes of the bank and store were invited to Mr. Bassett's for a reception, and the gift was surprising. The occasion for the reception was the eighty-fifth birthday of Mr. Bassett and the anniversary of the thirty-sixth year of his election to the presidency of the bank, and also the new year's day. The speech of presentation made by Mr. J. M. Duff, a member of the directorate of the bank.

      Lexington Herald, January 22, 1909
      Squire Bassett Ill
      Mr. Squire Bassett was taken seriously ill at his home on South Limestone street yesterday. His condition was reported at a late hour last night as having no change from the reports earlier in the evening. He was resting comparatively easy shortly before midnight.

      Lexington Herald, January 26, 1909
      Passes Away After A Long And Useful Life
      Mr. Squire Bassett Dies After Brief But Severe Illness
      Led All in Business
      Was Also Financier and Church Worker
      Funeral Tomorrow
      Peer of his fellow men in commercial affairs, director general in executive ability, tree to his political principles, conscientious and zealous in his religion, loved as a wife father and counselor by sons and daughters, honored by all, Mr. Squire Bassett passed from life early yesterday morning.
      Death came yesterday at 5:30 o'clock at his home at 230 South Limestone street, after an illness of the last week.
      The end was not unexpected, his advanced age making the slightest illness dangerous. His death was not due to any particular illness but was rather the result of a general breaking down of his physical faculties. Several days ago it became evident that he would not survive and for the last two or three days it was seen that he was gradually sinking into the calm sleep.
      Sketch of Mr. Bassett's Life.
      Mr. Squire Bassett was born January 1, 1824, in Harrison county, eighty-five years ago on New Year's day. His early life was spent on the farm. As a young man he came to Lexington in 1846 and entered the postoffice as a clerk under Mr. Joseph Ficklin. In Taylor's administration Mr. Trotter was appointed postmaster to succeed Mr. Ficklin. Upon Mr. Trotter's death which occurred soon after his appointment, Mr. Bassett who was deputy postmaster, was appointed by President Fillmore and served under him and President Pierce. He was a Clay Whig and later a Republican.
      After retiring from the postmastership he entered the mercantile business, the shoe store bearing his name being one of the leading ones in Lexington for the last 54 years. Early in his career he manifested unusual business ability. He was one of the founders of the Fayette National Bank in 1870 and was a director in that institution from the beginning. In 1873 he was made president of the bank and so remained until last December when he resigned on account of the weight of years and declining health. He was also a director in the Security Trust company.
      Bulwark of Bank.
      The Fayette National owes much of its success and present standing to him. Last New Year's day the officials and employees of the bank and of the store presented him a silver pitcher as a token of their high esteem and appreciation of his long service and leadership.
      For a number of years his son, Mr. J.E. Bassett, has been associated with him in the shoe business. He is survived by three children, Mrs. Julian McClymonds, Miss Ann Bassett, and Mr. J.E. Bassett, all of this city. His wife who was a Miss Slaughter, of Louisville, died in 1880. Mr. Bassett's grand children are Miss Elizabeth Threlkeld, daughter of Mr. W.L. Threlkeld; Mrs. W.N. Offutt, of Lexington, and Mrs. W.N. R.O. Kirkwood, daughters of the late Mrs. M.T. Scott, and Misses Katherine and Francis and Edward Bassett, children of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Bassett. His home for a number of years has been at 230 South Limestone street.
      His death was due to infirmities incident to old age. His death marks the passing of one of Lexington's oldest, most substantial and respected business men and friends.
      His honesty was of the rugged, country bred type that accepts no alternative. His integrity was unquestioned and his sincerity was absolute. He was for more than fifty years a consistent member of the Second Presbyterian Church of this city and was an elder of that church for nearly forty years. He was generous to his employees and kind to all whom his life touched. One salesman has been associated with him for the last forty years, growing old in his service.
      Peer of the Best.
      Lexington's leading financial institutions may well put crape on their doors for the peer of the ablest among them is gone and there are few to fill his place. His church loses a tower of strength, and his family its fountainhead of wisdom and direction.
      A few days ago Mr. J.E. Bassett went to Boston on business, going from there to New York where he was telegraphed of his father's serious illness. He arrived Saturday morning and was with his father during the last hours.
      The funeral services will be held at the Second Presbyterian church at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
      The funeral arrangements will be announced later.

      Lexington Herald, February 18, 1909
      Mr. Bassett's Will Filed For Probate
      Beneficiaries Named in Document
      Disposing of Property of the Late Mr. S. Bassett
      The will of the late Mr. S. Bassett, of this city, was offered for probate.
      After providing for the payment of just debts and funeral expenses, the entire estate is divided equally among his surviving children, Mr. J.E. Bassett, Mrs. Emma Bassett McClymonds, Miss Ann Bassett, Miss Elizabeth Threlkeld, daughter of Frances Bassett Threlkeld; Mrs. R.O. Kirkwood, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mrs. W.N. Offutt, of this city, the last two being daughters of Elizabeth Bassett Scott.
      The will provides for the conduct of the business of S. Bassett & Sons for a period of six months following the death of the testator.
      His son, Mr. J.E. Bassett, is named as executor, and Mr. Geo. W. Darnall and the late Judge J.R. Morton are witnesses of the signature.
    Person ID I102  8B John Bassett of Hunterdon County, New Jersey
    Last Modified 3 Jun 2012 

    Father Isaac Bassett,   b. 1797,   d. Bef 1834  (Age < 37 years) 
    Mother Sarah Hunter Disher,   b. 17 Dec 1800, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Jan 1890  (Age 89 years) 
    Married 18 Feb 1822 or 20 Feb 1823  Mason County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F34  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Slaughter,   d. 1880 
    Children 
     1. Slaughter Bassett,   b. Abt 1853, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Apr 1894  (Age ~ 41 years)
    +2. Fanny Bassett,   b. Abt 1856, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Nov 1907, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 51 years)
    +3. Lillie Bassett,   b. Abt 1859, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Mar 1904, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 45 years)
    +4. James Edward Bassett, Sr.,   b. 1861, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location
     5. Emma Latham Bassett,   b. 1868, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location
     6. Anna Whitney Bassett,   b. 1870, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location
     7. Mary Sayre Bassett,   b. 1875, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location
    Family ID F42  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart