Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-05

The partnership formed continued un-
I'll 1881. when Mr.. Bassett purchased the
business and continued it alone. In 1897
he formed partnership with Joseph
Eaton and this continued until April of
this year. when they sold the business.l
Mr.. Bassett had, therefore, continuously
done business in the same store for 81
years. There by steady application ana
unremitting toll he worked out an educa-
ton for his three sons at Coburn Classi-
cal Institute and Colby College and for
his daughters at the institute and one
Year at Wellesley. Better gifts than
these he could not have made for them.
There, too. he worked out his home.
At the March meeting CT the town or
Winslow in 1870 he was elected town clerk
and held Office continuously until March,
1903. In March, 1907, he was again electeu
clerk and served for 10 years more, maxi
ing a combined. service of 10 years. He
declined this year reelection at the
annual town meeting. which unanimously
adopted resolutions in recognition of his
long and faithful service. During these
years he had made an official record OF
those events in his own family. which
cover generations OF family life, for he
recorded the births of his FIVE children.
of nephews and n.eces. the MARI ages or
two sons and a daughter of a brother
! and brother-in-law. the Deaths of his
father and mother. of his fatherin-law
and mother-in-law. of his two daughters
and of his wife. A remarkable record in
deed.
! He was appointed postmaster in 1865 by
President johnson and, excepting eight
years from 1885 to 1889 and from 1898 TO
1871, during the administrations of Pres
ident Cleveland, he served until his res
ignation about month ago. His resig-
nation had not, pending the appointment
: of a successor. been accepted. So that he
still held the office at his death.
He served as cor3ty commissioner o.
kennebec county from 1901 TO 1870.
! In 1851 he was elected trustee Of the
| Waterville Savings Bank and presi-
! dent in the fall of 1916 and served I'M
/ til he died.
/ He has been the president of the
Winslow Public library since its or
! ganization.
! He was a lifelong and strong Re-
/ publican and influential in the party
| councils. Locally he was for many
years the party leader. Nomination by
! It as town representative to the Leg
/ islature was usually equivalent to an
| election. Mr.. Bassett was often urged
! to accept the nomination but always
J declined. Partisanship, however. new
! err blinded his eyes to the public well
4 fare This he placed first and never
was he known to countenance or lend
his aid to anything he thought inim-
ical to the best interests of the COM
munity.
/ He was a member of Waterville
Lodge Of Masons and of St. Omar
Commandery.
! So ends the life Of a noble son OF New
( England. as harmonious, happy, full
and helpful as her records can show,
although as simple as those lives,
which inspired the poet Gray to write
/ his famous elegy, yet it was splendid
! ~ rounded. His home and friends and
native town received the benefit Of all
those strong traits. which made his
, life truly successful and would have
made it 80, wherever it was lived. He
! was fond Of hard work and seemingly
| tireless, straightforward. candid. hon
\ est, possessed Of common sense and
/ good judgment. Of even temperament,
generous, fair, public spirited in
: MARKED degree and lover of all his
fellow men. Although not a member Of
: the Congregational church. which was
near his home, there was no more con-
slant attendant, no one, who gave for
it's maintenance more generously o.
4 md Qf7nct a
strong believer in the maintenance in
the con,ii.;;-:.v Of every institution,
which, could enrich community HE.
/ Were the church % he renovated. a Ii
brarp established, landmark to be re-
stored J. w. Bassett was always a
| member and a working member of the
| committee in charge. Were any one
sick or IN distress he appeared at the
| door He was always thinking about
what he could do for others. During his
past sickness he sent by a friend a
message to the selectmen suggesting
! that special messengers be sent through
t the town to explain the enrolment
! law, as he believed that some through
! lack of information would unwittingly
incur penalty. To his own parents
| and parents-in-law alike he was 10y
al helpIul son. AS years passed anu IL
was seen that he did justly and and
10, ed mercy and walked humbly
among his neighbors, that he was
steadfast to duty, there grew up for
| him confidence and sincere respect. 1t
was said of him that his word was as
goodsas a bond" and there came the
deep affection which seems to grow
with confidence and respect. so that
friends and neighbors as well as the
members Of hts family spoke of him
in terms Of love and affection. Among
them all his memory will be fondly
cherished an incentive to dutiful, kind
ly, unselfish living until the shore Of
the Silent river is reached and then
beyond.