| Notes |
- Baraboo Republic, February 25, 1885
Death of P.A. Bassett
Mr. P.A. Bassett died at his residence in this city on Monday, Feb. 23d, at 6 p.m., at the advanced age of about seventy-nine years.
Mr. Bassett was born in Northfield, Conn., in 1806, from whence he removed to Virginia in 1824, where he was married ? residing there till he came to Wisconsin in 1851. From the latter date till about 1862, he became well known to the residents of Baraboo, where he was extensively engaged in the milling and mercantile business. At that time he was the leading business man here and gave to Baraboo the business prestige it then possessed. There were but few if any livelier towns of its size in the state. But business misfortune overtook him and he was crushed financially, from which he never rallied.
Mr. Bassett leaves a wife and two children, Mrs. Bevie A. Clarke and W. P. Bassett. Three children died in Virginia in early childhood. Mr. Bassett had many excellent qualities. He is highly spoken of as a kind neighbor and an indulgent and loving husband and father.
The funeral services will be held at the Presbyterian church today at 2 p.m.
Baraboo Republic, November 30, 1887
A few days ago the Ringling Brothers purchased the property known as the Bassett stave factory, which was occupied by them last winter. It is the purpose of this company to enhance the value of their recently acquired property by erecting thereon at an early day buildings sufficiently commodious to accommodate their rapidly increasing stock and equipage. In extent the property is equal to one-half block. They will erect on the street In the center of the block a fine residence for the use of the company and their large corps of supers and will make permanent additions to the buildings already on the premises for their stock and animals. They will also build shops for the repairing of vehicles, harnesses, &c. And last but not least, a training house for their ring horses and performing animals will be a leading feature. The animals will be trained during the winter, so that when they start out in the spring the show will be working smoothly. The boys have got there, circusly speaking. ?Bring in the herd of trained and educated elephants.?
1850 Federal Census of Franklin County, Virginia (19 Dec 1850)
Patrick A. Bassett - 44 - M - Virginia - Farmer
Mary C. - 35 - F - Virginia
Bevelyn A. - 8 - F - Virginia
William P. - 5 - M - Virginia
Sarah R. Powell - 40 - F - Virginia 7,000
Josepheus Powell - 33 - M - Virginia
Ann W. Powell - 20 - F - Virginia
1860 Federal Census of Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin (7 Sep 1860)
P. A. Bassett - 54 - M - Connecticut - Milling 60,000 30,000
Mary E. - 43 - F - Virginia
Bevie - 16 - F - Virginia
Wm P. - 14 - M - Virginia
1880 Federal Census of Baraboo, Sauk County, Wisconsin
Patk. A. Bassett - 73 - M - CT-CT-CT- Head - Wood Dealer
May C. - 65 - F - VA-VA-VA-Wife - Keeping House
Wm P. - 35 - M - VA-CT-VA-Son - Stove Works Manuf.
The Brick Court House
Soon after it was decided that the county needed a more suitable structure and P. A. Bassett was given the contract to put up a brick building at a cost of $5,000. Those who remain to tell us say that everybody thought it would bankrupt the county to build such a structure. A large portion of the money was contributed by the public. The building was 40 by 20 and was the east portion of the old court house.
Large Flour Mill and Barrel Factory
P. A. Bassett and J. P. Sanford in 1853 purchased of the Brown estate their interest in the waterpower and erected a fine large flour mill, with a capacity of 20,000 barrels per year. Sanford soon withdrew and for many years Mr. Bassett did a large local and commercial business assisted by his son, William. Wheat was largely grown those times, and Mr. Bassett purchased large quantities, converted it into flour and drew it overland to Kilbourn, the nearest shipping point at that time.
Mr. Bassett added a barrel factory to his mill business and not only supplied all of the surrounding mills with barrels, but shipped a great many to Minnesota and other parts of the northwest.
Mr. Bassett, while conducting his business in Baraboo, formed a partnership with William Eike of Greenfield and a saw mill was erected six miles east of Baraboo. They did quite a business in lumber and wagon stuff which was taken across the bluffs to Helene where it was loaded on flat boats and floated down to market.
Baraboo Republic Newspaper, January 10, 1857
Large Flouring Business
We learn from Mr. P. A. Bassett, the proprietor of one of our large flouring mills, that during the past year, the first twelve months of its operation, his two run of stone have ground fifty-three thousand bushels of flour. Two more run of stone are about being put into operation, and the total expenditures when finished, of the grist and sawmills and water-power, the proprietor estimates at $20,000. The flour from the Baraboo Mills is not surpassed in quality by any in the State.
The Bassett mill was the most impressive looking mill building ever erected in Baraboo. Started in 1855, it was twice enlarged and eventually contained six runs of stone or six grinding wheels. By 1867, the mill was producing up to 25,000 barrels of flour a year. The operation was run successfully for decades under various owners. The building burned down in a spectacular blaze at 1 a.m. on July 5, 1902, possibly caused by the fireworks launched nearby earlier that evening. Firemen could not save the structure and worked to put out fires on nearby houses caused by flying embers. Scorched papers from the mill were later found three miles away.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1806 - 1885 (78 years)
[1]