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- Atlanta Constitution, Georgia, 10 April 1911
William A. Bass
Jan. 9, 1832 ? Apr. 8, 1911
A monument in memory of Professor William A. Bass, dean of Georgia teachers, whose funeral will take place this afternoon, is now being planned by the Alumni Association of the Boys' High School and by other friends of the distinguished educator. The white public schools of the city will close an hour earlier than usual today, to enable the pupils and teachers to attend the funeral services and a proclamation to that effect has been issued by L. M. Landrum, acting superintendent of public schools. Floral tributes beyond number and beautiful to an extreme, have been pouring in from all over the south, pupils scattered in every state sending in their last respects; from hundreds of letters and telegrams have been received, expressing their deep sorrow at Professor Bass' death and extending their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family. Plans were discussed Sunday afternoon at an informal meeting of officers of the Alumni Association to inaugurate a subscription to erect a monument to Professor Bass and this matter will be taken up at once. Owing to the thousands who are sure to contribute to such a fund, it is probably that all subscriptions will be limited to not more than $5. Many outsiders who heard of the plan to erect a monument have expressed their desire to aid in such a movement for Professor Bass was popular not only among his pupils, but also among citizens who knew and loved him outside the school room. Many Confederate veterans, former comrades will also aid in the subscription. Professor Bass was the most widely known and best loved teacher in the state. He was the oldest teacher in active service and had taught for over fifty years in various schools. The funeral will take place this afternoon, at 3 o'clock at the First Methodist Church. Rev. S. P. Wiggins, pastor of the church, will officiate and Rev. John B. Robins will assist. The interment will be at Oakland Cemetery. The four hundred members of the Atlanta Alumni Association of the Boys' High School, in company with the many matriculates of the school in Atlanta will attend the funeral in a body, as will the separate body, the members of the class of '98 Boy's High school. As a Christian, Professor Bass was remarkable, clean, pure and sweet, he struck everyone who met him as being a man who was born to lead armies and instead had taken up the work of his Maker. In his last week in the school room, just a few weeks ago, he delivered no less than nine lectures to the various classes of boys on matters of maoality. His tenderness and kindness was remarkable, even in times of deepest stress. The love he bore his wife was remarkable. Two years ago today, the two celebrated their golden anniversary, and Wednesday, sick unto death, when his wife entered the room, he turned to her with a smile on this face and asked her if it were not the day of the fifty-second anniversary, thinking first of her at all times. Professor Bass was born in Newton county, Georgia, January 9, 1832. He lived on his father's farm, receiving a common school education until he was 18, when he entered Emory College as a preparatory student. He worked hard and graduated tieing for first honors with L. D. Palmer, who died just a week ago. After graduation from college, Professor Bass was in charge of a high school near Montgomery, Alabama for three years. In this capacity, he prepared several hundred boys for the University of Alabama and other southern schools. In 1859, he left this high school and became a teacher in Bowden college. It was while he was employed in this capacity that he married Miss Mollie Cozart, who was the daughter of H. W. Cozart, a real pioneer merchant in Atlanta. Miss Cozart was at that time a member of the Methodist church and Mrs. Bass now has the honor of having her name longer enrolled in the books of the Methodist churches in Atlanta than any other living person. At the outbreak of the civil war, Professor Bass became a captain in the confederate army, and fought bravely throughout the struggle. After the surrender, he returned to Atlanta and again engaged in school teaching with Captain W. M. Bray. When the high school of Atlanta was founded in 1872, he immediately became connected with it and had served constantly to the time of his death. During his years of service in the high school, he had been assistant principal and assistant superintendent in all the schools of the city. At the time of his death, he was head of the department of mathematics in the Boys' High School.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1832 - 1911 (79 years)