Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1893-02-14
JOS. S. NJ. BASIL.
One OF the Enterprising and Pros.
perIous Men OF Annapolis.

One Of the EnterprisiBg and Pros.
porous Men OF Annapolis.
The Baltimore american OF yesterday
published the following interesting BIZ
graphical sketch, together with . most
excellrnt likeness, Of JOSEPH s. NJ. BAsrr.
one OF the most prosperous and en-
terprising business men OF Annapolis. II
was the intention Of the CAPITAL to have
reproduced the likeness with this article,
but We were disappointed in receiving
the cut
Mr. Basil was born September %. 1888
He was the son of John and Delilah Basil.
His mother was Miss Andrews. of Dor
chester county. Md. Mr.. Basil's father
was an employee Of the late jeremiah
Hughes, then proprietor OF the Mary
land Republican" In 1910 he opened a
store for himself. and. In that store, his
son Joseph received all his training as q
merchant. All he learned of letters was
taught him at home by his father and
bis elder brother. John Basil, who had
graduated at st. Johns College with the
highest honors OF his class.
AT seventeen, Mr.. Basil. believing that
everybody should have a trade, appren-
ticed himself to John NJ. Davis, and
learned the carpentering business On
reaching his majority, he obtained q
place ia the Naval Academy. Buchanan
was then president. Kothingism
prevalent, and politics ran high Mr.
Basil was not partisan Of the admins.
tratiOn, and was ousted from his place
Disguised with the system that would
Dust mechanic from his position, Mr..
Basil determined TO seek another busi-
ness He had wife and child. and two
hundred and forty dollars In money.
With this small sum he rented store on
Market Space, the site of his present
warehouse and storeroom He fitted up
the place himself and boldly launched
forth. This was In 1857 MIR. Basil was
twenty-four years old. The first year he
sold thirteen thousand dollars worth OF
goods. His line was groceries, but no
liquor He soon had large trade and
fiourishlng business.
In 1864 Mr.. Basil added the coal and wood
business to his enterprise. aud that was
success. too. Frequently he has fur
nished the Naval Academy with part OF
its large supply of coal In 1868 Mr..
Basil still farther enlarged his business
enterprises by entering the ice business,
which was also a success.
In 1872, associatiDg with himself Da-
yid o Parlett. Mr.. Basil purchased tho
lumber yard of Daniel Smith. This also
proved good venture, and Mr.. Basil be-
gan to make money more rapidly than
ever AS he could spare means from his
business he invested It in real estate In
Annapolis, until he became the largest
real estate owner in this city, having
thirty eight houses and two oyster-pack-
ing establishments.
In personal appearance Mr. Basil 10
about the average stature. has dark eyes
and dark hair. In business he Is reticent,
but. out of its strain, IL one of the most
cordial and agreeable men In converse
tion. When asked what was the secret
of his success, he replied Industry
and application to business" He is a
man of splendid health, and often re-
mains until one o'clock at his desk
STRENGTHENING up his accounts No one
in Annapolis has the varied enterprises
that he has. and he is assessed the heav-
lest of any man In the city. Fortunately
for him. he has sons, who are now re-
lieying him of many cares In his bust
ness-Joseph ana Edgar assisting In the
merchandise business, and John superin-
tending the coal and wood department.
His splendid management of his bust
ness affairs. as well as his sterling integ.
rity, brought to him the respect of his
fellow-citizens. This crowned him with
more than one political honor. He was
elected to the City Council, and after
wards county commissioner
In politics, Mr.. Basil is a Republican,
and in religion Methodist, being q stew
ard and trustee of Wesley Chapel He
lives on MARYLAND avenue. under the
shadow of two old colonial mansions, in
a splendid home, which he has recently
erected, where surrounded by all the APP
pointments of wealth. he is the beloved
of an affectionate family.
AS an evidence of Mr. Basirs energy,
in 1882 his two fine stores were burnt
out, with his residence. Nothing was
saved except his stock of groceries and
one suit of furniture. He rented store,
and was ready TO begin business the next
day. His loss by the fire was $4,000
above insurance.