The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-09-06
DEATH CALLS
AGED Lawyer
Of THIS CITY
I. n. Bassett, Charter Menber Of
the State Bar Association, Died
at the Ago Of 9s Years.


Isaac Newton Bassett, aged IS
years, oldest lawyer in Illinois, a
charter member Of the Illinois
State Bar association. died at his
home in Aledo Sunday morning at
$3.50 from the infirmities Of age.
Mr.. Bassett, who until a few
weeks ago, had taken an active in
terest In local affairs, has been
blind for several years. His daugh-
tiers. Miss Bessie Bassett and Miss
Laura Minota Bassett. with whom
the deceased has made his home,
have for several years, very devot-
eddy cared for their father, reading
the newspapers to him and assist
ing him in his activity Of the COM
munity. MIR. Bassett, who was the
last surviving charter member Of
the Illinois State Bar association,
practiced law in Aledo until March
l, 1916. Even since that time, ac-
cording to States Attorney E. A.
Hebel, who was associated with Mr..
Bassett at the TIM kof retirement,
the deceased had administered sew
eral estates and was frequently
consulted in law cases.
Widely known.
Mr.. Bassett was one of the best
known lawyers of the state and was
the Oldest member of the Aledo
lodge No. 252. A. F. & A. NJ. He
was at one time a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church and la
ter member of the Congregation
al church. He held offices, ranging
from board of supervisors of New
Boston township, to president of
Mercer County Bar association and
Master in Chancery of this coun-
ty and was, at different times, Sec
retary-treasurer and junior warden
of the Masonic lodge. He also
served as city attorney for Aledo
and was for four years a member
Of the board of school directors.
Born in Quincy.
Mr.. Basset was born on Sept. s,
1925, in Quincy, Lewis county, Ken
lucky. He came to Mercer county
in 1852. settling near New Boston
where for two years he was engaged
with his brother, L. A. Bassett, in
mercantile pursuit in his home vii
lage. He received a common school
education in his native county, at
tending the district schools but for
three months of the year until he
was IA years of age. He took w
the study of law in 1850 and contin
ued after coming to Mercer coun-
| ty. ~----
Married in 1917.
In 1S47 he was married to Scien.
da Isle Moore of Scioto county
Ohio. To this union there were
born six children, two Of whom
are deceased His first wife dief
in January, 1861, and in February
Of the next year, Mr.. Bassett wa:
married to Mrs. Caroline Harrour
Yerty and to this union were borr
four children, only two of whom
are living. In 1854 he was elected
supervisor of New Boston townsh: p
a member of the first board of su
pervisors in Mercer county.
In the same year he was license;
to practice law and opened Offices
in keithsburg with Elias Willett
in 1856. He was elected count,
treasurer in the same year and wa
neglected two years later. T.
served as Master in Chancery O
the circuit court in Mercer count.
for one year, but resignedon &C
count of his large practice.
/ Moved to Aledo in 1857.
! In the fall of 1857 he moved t
Aledo and had made his home her
continually, except for an absenc
for one year, which was spent il
Colorado. He was a member OF tn
convention which organized the Re
publican party in 1854. He was as
ISOLATED with a number Of differen
attorneys in this county during hi
: lifetime. The last partnership Wa
with States Attorney E. A. Hebe
Several of the most prominent law
yers now practicing in this com
munity read law in Mr.. Bassett'
office when they were young mer
! among whom is Oscar E. Carlstron
: who is now a candidate for the Re
publican nomination for governor.
Funeral Wednesday.
Mr.. Bassett is survived by tn
following children, by his frs
wife: Mrs. Flora A. Graham @
Aledo, Laura Minota. also of Aledt
Thomas W Of Kent, Wash, and Mr..
! Luella Adams. wife of j. S. Adam
of Galesburg. BY the second unto
he is survived by DR.. Victor H. Bias
sett of Savannah, Ca, and Mis-
Bessie BGssett at home. \
Funeral services will be held a
the home in Aledo on Wednesda,
which would have been the est
birthday Of the deceased attorne,
DR.. A. Judson Arrick, pastor of tn
First Presbyterian church of .Aledt
, will be in charge. The remain
, will be laid to rest in the Aled
cemetery.