Thomas O. Bassett

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Thomas O. Bassett

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Thomas O. BASSETT is a member of the firm of BIRCH & BASSETT, at Dover, the same being dealers in coal, wood, and grain and also agents for the Ford automobile. Mr. BASSETT owns some valuable real estate in Morris county and has been town assessor of Dover for the past ten years. He was born at Mine Hill, Morris county, New Jersey, March 29, 1876. His paternal grandfather was John BASSETT, a native of England, and his father, Richard BASSETT, was born and reared in that country and immigrated to America as a young man. He was engaged in the milk business for forty years and he is now living in retirement at Mine Hill. He married Sarah OPIE, of England, and to them were born the following children: William, Thomas O., Richard.

After receiving a good common school education at Mine Hill, Thomas O. BASSETT entered Coleman’s Business College, in the City of Newark, New Jersey, and there acquired a thorough commercial training. His first employment was with the F. F. Birch Company, of Dover, for which concern he was bookkeeper for ten years. January 27, 1912, Mr. BASSETT, in company with William F. BIRCH, purchased the business of the BIRCH Company and they now have a large and profitable establishment dealing in coal, wood, and grain, in addition to which they likewise handle Ford automobiles. Messrs. BIRCH & BASSETT are known as substantial and enterprising business men in Dover, where they figure prominently in civic affairs. Mr. BASSETT has a beautiful home in this city and in addition thereto own some valuable real estate in and adjacent to Dover. For three years Mr. BASSETT was the popular and efficient incumbent of the office of assessor of Randolph township and for the past ten years he has held that position for Dover. He is an unswerving Republican in politics and in a fraternal way is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church.

Mr. BASSETT married, October 14, 1904, Susan LOWRIE, born and reared in Morris county, New Jersey, daughter of Abner C. and Phoebe (VICTOR) LOWRIE. She has three sisters, as follows:

Elizabeth, wife of Richard BASSETT;
Sadie, married Edwin VANDERHOOF;
Lulu, wife of Ralph FANCHER.

Mr. and Mrs. BASSETT are the parents of one son,

Thomas R., whose nativity occurred in the 11^th of January, 1912.

Mr. BASSETT is decidedly active as a business man and he is conscientious and diligent in performing his duties as a city official. He and his wife are well liked in Dover where they figure prominently in social affairs.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).