Springfield-Greene
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LOUIS N. BASSETT. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. Consequently a critical study of the life record of the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this paragraph may be beneficial to the reader, for it has been one of usefulness and honor and indicates how one may rise to positions of responsibility in the industrial world while yet young in years if he directs his energies along proper paths and is controlled by proper ideals.
Louis N. Bassett, superintendent of terminals of the Frisco Lines at Springfield, is a worthy representative of a distinguished family. He was born August 21, 1874, in Allen county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel H. and Mary (Whipp) Bassett. The father of our subject was born in Ohio, October 1848, and there grew to manhood and received a limited education, and there he married and spent his earlier years. His wife was also born and reared in the state of Ohio and was educated there, the date of her birth being in September, 1850. To these parents eight children were born, namely: Ollis O., Mrs. Rosie Buchanan, Sarah (deceased), Louis N. (subject), Clara, Samuel, Jr., DeWitt and Glen.
Samuel H. Bassett is a fine example of a successful self-made American. He made up for his early lack of education of a higher order by wide home study and by contact with the world until he became an exceptionally well informed man, and, choosing a military career, has attained a prominent place in the United States navy, having been connected with the navy department since 1896, and is now occupying the responsible position of auditor of the navy, with offices in Washington, D. C., and is discharging his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of his superiors in that department. During the Civil war he joined the Federal army in the fall of 1863 and served very gallantly as a private in the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I. He saw a great deal of active service in the far South, and was with General Sherman in his campaign about Atlanta and was on the memorable march to the sea. At the close of the war he was mustered out, and honorably discharged. Many years ago he worked in the internal revenue department in northwestern Ohio and from that went into the navy, in which his rise has been rapid. He has shown much natural ability, and this, combined with keen observing powers and the fact that he has been a diligent student of everything that pertained to his work, has made him very efficient as well as popular in this branch of the government service, and he is popular and well liked in government circles in Washington. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
Louis N. Bassett grew to manhood in Allen county, Ohio, and there received a good common school education, later studying at the Ohio State Normal, at Ada, that state. He began his railroad career in 1896 in Kansas City, Missouri, as messenger boy for the Frisco in the terminal department there, and he has remained with this road to the present time. Being diligent, quick to learn, faithful and reliable in all his work, he has been promoted until he now holds a very responsible position. He became chief clerk in that department, which position he occupied until in 1908, when he was appointed superintendent of terminals at Springfield, and has since held this post in a manner that has proven him to be entirely capable and worthy of the high degree of trust and esteem in which he is held by the company. He looks after the operation of trains, both passenger and freight, also the yards, tracks and station. He is regarded as one of the best men, in this particular field, the Frisco has ever had, and he is frequently complimented by his superiors for his efficient and prompt work.
Mr. Bassett was married April 3, 1895, in Ohio, to Genevieve Murray., who was born in Allen county, that state, where she was reared and well educated. She is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Depler) Murray. Mr. Murray was one of the oldest residents of Allen county and was twice married and reared a large family. To his second wife eight children were born, three of whom were triplets. Dr. Robert D. Murray, the brother of our subject's wife, was, at one time, government physician, specializing in yellow fever, and was United States surgeon for many years and was located at Ship Island, Mississippi, for a time, and then went to Macon, Georgia, and was instrumental in wiping out the yellow fever epidemic at New Brunswick, Georgia, and in 1903 died in Key West, Florida.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bassett, namely: Clifford, born September 19, 1904, and Howard, born August 29, 1906.
Politically, Mr. Bassett is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, including the blue lodge and other degrees of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and including the latter. He is active in the affairs of the order, in which he stands high. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Personally, he is a man of fine character, is a good mixer, and has made a host of friends since locating in Springfield.
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