The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-11-22
DAUGHTER OF
Il JUDGE BASSETI

1; JUDGE BASSETl
Mrs. Ellen 6assett. Davidson, Daueh
Ter of First Judge Of Crawford
County, Dead.
REMAINS BROUGHT TO oENIsoh
Came With Parents to Dcnison in tht
Year 1S54-Better Known to Old
Residents as Mrs. Richards.
r-g! gris GsT-14'. (-----7 .:tuiIEl ii.UU0
i! Mrs. Ellen Bassett. Davidsons daugh
ter of John Richardson's Bassett' the
afitst judge Of Crawford county, died
at Clarendon, Texas. November 18th
,and was brought to Denison Tuesday
to be laid at rest beside her father
and mother, in Oakland, cemetery. Mrs
Davidson had been In failing health
for some time and some three months
ago removed to Texas, where it was
hoped the milder climate might be OF
some benefit to her. =
Ellen Bassett was born in Walworth
county, Wisconsin, June rs, 1841, be.
ing at the time of her death IS years,
months and rs days of age. In the
year 1854, when thirteen years of age,
she came with her parents to Craw.
ford county. Shortly after the arriy.
al Of the family here Crawford county
was organized and her father was ap.
pointed the first Judge, position
which he held for ten years. 1t was
under his supervision that DenisOn
was located, named and the court
house built on the square where the
present fine. edifice now stands. The
Bassett family first resided in a log
cabin in Coon Grove, three miles south
of Denison. This home was known
for miles around for the hospitality
shown, not only to friends, but stran-
gers. 1T was while living in Coon
Grove that Mr.. Bassett acted as coun-
ty judge. For seventeen years the
family resided in the grove just north
east of Denis -, at what later was
termed TT. Pufdy Later the family
resided in Dow City and Arion. Ellen
Bassett was first united in marriage
to Mr.. Purdy and resided at the fort
for a number of years, She divided
her time with her family and helping
care for her invalid mother. The de-
ceased leaves to mourn her death the
following children: Mrs. Laura Slo-
cumb, Spencer, S. D.; Mrs. Carl Heath,
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Mrs.
Ruth Davidson lsmay, Mont. -Four
children are now deceased.
The deceased will be better remem-
bered bt the old residents of the coun-
ty as Mrs. Richards. She had much
to do with the upbuilding of the new
town and took an active interest in
its welfare. To her invalid mother
belongs the distinction Of naming Den
ison. When the town was located and
a. name was to be selected, Mrs. Bas-
sett suggested that it be named Deni-
son in honor OF Mr.. wv. Denison,2
who was sent here by the Providence
Land company to start settlement.
+ Funeral services we're conducted at
the Baptist church in DenisOn Tues
tiay afternoon at o'clock, Rev. Hamil-
ton. the new pastor, officiating. The
funeral was largely attended by those
who wished to pay their respects TO
this pioneer.ssettler. Mr.. Sears Nc
Henry spoke briefly of the life of Mrs
Davidson as follows: s8
81 have been asked to say something
In regard to. the life Of Mrs. Davidson,
better known to US as Mrs. Richards.
The request came to me so late that
shrink from this duty because OF lack
Of time for reasonable PREPARATION.
1.-the history of Crawford county
would be incomplete without a record
of the family of Judge Bassett and JUS
descendants. He was one of the ear
ly settlers and the county was organ
lied about the time he came here. he
was one of the first magistrates. wei
older settlers will remember his daugh'
ter, Mrs. Richards, as the good moth.
er of Laura Slocumb and my boyhood
friend, Jim Purdy, at their home now
known as FIT. Purdy, a mile distant
from this city. 1t was here that Mrs.
divided her time caring for
her own little family and helping her
father care for the invalid mother 1t
was in this home where the stranger
and friend always found welcome in
to CHEEKY atmosphere, where Bap.
lists were wont to hold sociables and
friends of old met to make merry.
mrs. Richards was a christian wo-
man with more than the ordinary at
She was ambitious and en-
ergetic. She was an efficient worker
In the church here and her friends IN
the church at Dow City will also recall
her splendid help there She was a
loyal worker for the cause of temper
ance and her influence was always on
the side of help and uplift.
"For number of years she lived
at Dow City, making a home for her
Ruth and Gala. Later she
lived at Arion, where she was post
mistress and in this capacity :, she
showed her business and executive
ability and was much loved by her
friends for her .neighborly deeds. She
was help to every community IN
which she lived and for the old friends
| am glad to follow tire apostles ex-
iortatien Comfort We therefore one
another and give this testimony of
our regard for the real worth Of the
life of the departed and our consola-
lion for those who mourn"
BOARD COMPLETES CANVASS |
ssyss (cont;nI5ed fr8n1 baae nne) 81