Byron L. Bassett, 1863

History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918

BYRON L. BASSETT, a well-known farmer of York Township, was born in Mayville, Dodge County, Wis., Nov. 20, 1863, son of Edwin B. and Mary (Furlong) Bassett. The father was a native of Massachusetts and the mother of Ireland, the former being a farmer, who located at Dundee, Wis., from which place he removed with his family, about 1870, to Neillsville, Clark County. Without stopping there long he began farming at Spencer, where he remained for some years, finally locating in section 9, York Township, on a tract of partly improved land. There he remained, except last few years of his life spent with his son Byron, until his death. His wife died in Fond du Lac, Wis.

Byron L. Bassett attended school in Spencer, and in both Beaver and York townships. He grew to manhood in York Township and when strong enough began working in the woods with the logging gangs, which occupation he followed for twenty winters, during one winter of which he conducted a camp for Mr. Simmons. In 1879 he bought his present place in section 9, York Township, having been saving money for such a purpose ever since he was 16 years old. The tract was perfectly wild and there was neither a road nor trail to it. Here he erected a barn and started improvements, and then, being ready to enter upon domestic life, was united in marriage with Carrie Gardiner, a native of Canada, whose father, Wolf Gardiner, was a pioneer in section 8, York Township. After his marriage Mr. Bessett built a frame residence on his land, a building that he has since enlarged. His tract consisted of forty acres and he had a yoke of oxen and two cows. He often walked to Neillsville and back, taking produce or bringing supplies. His subsequent career has been one of steady progress and he now has eighty acres of land cleared by his own work and has a good basement barn, 36 by 66 feet in size. Mr. Bassett raises a good grade of stock and is doing a profitable business as a farmer. He has held office as a member of the school board. His wife died Mar. 29, 1904, at the age of 34 years. She left four children: Alma, who married Michael Beaver, and has three children, Catherine, John and Louise, all residing with Mr. Bassett Sylvia, wife of Ed Pagelsdorf, who has two children, Carroll and Harold and Vivian and Clayton.