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- History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Coast Counties
By prof. J.M. Guinn, A.M. (1904)
William Bassett
A resident of the United States since 1875, William Bassett was born in the southern part of Wales June 12, 1857, a son of John and Elizabeth (Francis) Bassett. John Bassett owned a small farm in Wales, where he carried on a general farming business, devoting a portion of his land to gardening, supplying the nearby markets. William Bassett grew up on this farm, attending the village school, and leading much the same life as other farmer lads, imbibing a love for the free life of the open country which has never left him, and which has led him in his later years to follow the example of his father and make farming and kindred occupations his life work. In May, 1875, when eighteen years of age, he followed to this country his two brothers, Thomas and David, who had already taken up farms in Tomales township, Marin county, this state. He made the long and in some respects perilous journey across water and plains alone, so far as relatives were concerned, and after reaching Tomales engaged as a dairy hand, working some years at the business, until he was able to embark in that line on his own account, purchasing his present farm for the purpose in 1889. This farm consists of two hundred and sixty-four acres, in addition to which he rents one hundred and eighty-six acres adjoining. Besides his dairy, to supply the requirements of which he milks on an average of seventy Jersey and Durham cows, he conducts an extensive chicken farm. He has at this time three thousand laying chickens, mostly of the White Leghorn variety, making a beautiful picture to the stranger gazing upon the sight for the first time, and which are of great monetary value to their owner. Mr. Bassett raises all his own grain, and has besides considerable fruit from his orchard of five acres, which yields ample feed for all his stock on his chicken farm. His home consists of a two-story frame dwelling, located on a choice part of the farm where he lived happily with his wife and children.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Bassett is a member of the school board, of which he is clerk, and takes a lively interest in public affairs.
Mr. Bassett married for his first wife Miss Laura Bailey, who died in 1894. His present wife was Miss Celia Watkins, to whom he was married July 24, 1896, while on a visit to his old home in Wales. Two children have come to brighten the home, Elsie, born in 1897, and Francis, born in 1899.
The Welsh-American, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania February 1, 1917
Death of William Bassett
William Bassett, aged 58 years, a native of Cowbridge, passed away in Oakland on January 7 and was buried at Tomales on the 10th. He came to California in 1878, and settled in Tomales, where his brothers, David, Thomas and Richard, were engaged in farming. He returned to Wales in 1896, and on his return to New York was married to Miss Cecilia Watkins by Dr. Roberts, at the Thirteenth street Church. Mr. Bassett owned one of the best farms in the country. He was a deacon in the Tomales Presbyterian church and vice president of the local bank. At his funeral, which was one of the largest ever held in the vicinity, the Rev. Mr. Davies spoke of their great loss in the departure of Mr. Bassett, and said that he was one of the most beautiful characters he had ever met. The deceased leaves a widow, two daughters and a son to mourn his loss.
1880 Federal Census of Tomales, Marin County, California (5 Jun 1880)
Richard Bassett 30 M WL WL WL Head Dairyman
William 22 M WL WL WL Other Dairyman
William Evans 45 M WL WL WL Other Farm Laborer
1900 Federal Census of Tomales, Marin County, California (4 Jun 1900)
Wm. Bassett 41 M Jun 1858 WL WL WL Head (1875) Dairyman
Celia 39 F Apr 1861 WL WL WL Wife (1887)
Elsie 2 F Jul 1897 CA WL WL Daughter
Frances 1 F Nov 1898 CA WL WL Daughter
(Married 4 years, 2 children, 2 living)
1910 Federal Census of Tomales, Marin County, California (22 Apr 1910)
William Bassett 52 M WL WL WL Head Farmer Farm
Cecelia 46 F WL WL WL Wife
Elsie 12 F CA WL WL Daughter
Frances 11 F CA WL WL Daughter
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Bassett Family Association Database
1857 - 1917 (59 years)