Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-07-02
Death of p. B. Basford.

On Thursday afternoon last, P. B.
Basford died at his residence in this
city, aged 81 years, 9months and 2 days.
He was father of the editor of this pa
per, and one of Austin's Oldest and
most public spirited citizens. His death
was FASTENED by the injury received
when the Basford block fell in 1883, a
portion of the brick wall falling and
striking him. He had been a great suf-
ferer ever since, and for twenty-six
weeks had been confined to his bed.
For the last two or three days before
his death he suffered no pain, but
passed peacefully away. The funeral
was held at the house on Saturday af-
ternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. G.. E. Wright
officiating, when the remains were de-
posted III lakewood cemetery. He
leaves his aged wife (93 years., four
sons and one daughter. Three sons,
R. B. Basford, of Winona, III. O. Bas-
ford and L. G.. Basford, of Austin, were
present at the funeral.
p. B. Basford came to Austin in 1867,
and from that time forward has always
been one of it's most prominent citi-
zens, having been an alderman and
member Of the School board for a num-
Der of years, and largely shaping the
prosperity of Austin. He erected the
first three-story brick block in the place.
Was the one who had Bridge street
opened up and Bridge street bridge
built by private subscription. He was
always a very liberal and public spirit
ed man.. The school building, lately
burned, was built while he was a mem
Der of the board and treasurer.
Mr.. Basford was born at Livermore
Falls, Maine, in 1908; came to Wiscon-
sin in 1915, and lived at WATERFOWL I'M
til his removal to Austin in 1867, as
stated. He followed the business of
contractor and builder since he came
west, and many fine structures still
stand to show his work. He built every
brick railway depot on the c., M. & st.
Paul railway from Milwaukee to Madi-
son, at an early day. Many fine brick
houses in Watertown, Milwaukee,
Beaver Dam and GAINESVILLE and the fine
court house at st. Joseph, Missouri. He
Taylor, his own home and many others
here. He was also a most industrious
and hardworking man faithful to every
trust and respected by all who knew
him. He died full of years and USE
fitness. His life is ended, and he now
sleeps the sleep of peace, with the
blessed hope of a glorious Immortality.
Many of his old friends were present at
the funeral and mournfully took a last
look at the remains oftheir former old
friend, and followed the remains to it's
last resting place.
The Basford family in this country
sprang from two brothers, who came
here from Wales, about the year 1900.
These brothers, or one Of them, settled
in New Hampshire, the other went to
Maryland. P. B. Basford, who was a
descendant of the brother who settled
in New Hampshire, was born at Liver
more Falls, Me-, September II, 1908,
and was consequently 81 years, 9
months and 2 days old at time ofdeath.
He was engaged in milling, hote! keep
ing and building the most Of his life.
The two former occupations in Maine
and the latter in Wisconsin. He was
married November 20, 1880, to Sarah
Stevens, who still survives him. P. B.
Basford came to WATERFOWL in 1916,
lived there % years, built the first brick
residence in the place, and the finest
four-story block; but bonded Indebted
ness of the city caused him to come
to Minnesota, where be remained until
his death-about 22 years. Austin
(Mnon. Register, June 26.
Thus has passed away another old
settler of WATERFOWL. Mr.. Basford was
always counted as among our most
honorable, useful and e~nterprising
residents; true to every obligation in
life IS a husband, father, friend and
citizen. Mr.. Basford erected, and own
ed for q time, the brick block now oc-
cupied by M. B. Schwab and Rau &
Lehman and it stands to-day as the
first and only four-story brick block
ever built in Watertown. Deceased
was father of our townsman, P. ID. Bas-
ford. In his death we are reminded
how rapidly the old settlers of Jeffer-
son county are passing away. The
| widow and children have the sympathy
of many here in their great loss.