USA > Connecticut > Representative citizens of Connecticut, biographical memorial > Part 18
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Samuel Bassett
A LTHOUGH Samuel Bassett was a native of New York City and his family were all New Yorkers, yet all the associations of the busy active years of his manhood are with the town of New Britain, Connecticut, which was his chosen home during the greater portion of his life, and which in his death on August 14, 1911, lost one of its most distinguished citi- zens and one who had its interests most closely at heart. Mr. Bassett was the son of William A. and Glovina (Ryder) Bassett, both of New York, the former of whom lost his life while in charge of the New York news fleet when his son was but sixteen months of age, so that the latter had no recollection of him. Samuel Bassett was born in New York City, September 25, 1841, and there spent much of his boyhood, attending a private school for the elementary part of his education, and later completing his studies at the Classical and Commercial Institute in Port Chester, New York, from which he graduated October 1, 1860. He distinguished himself in his studies, drawing the favorable regard of the professors and instructors upon him and making the most of the liberal education which he thus en- joyed. He had been out of school but a short time when the bitter disputes between the opponents and supporters of slavery reached a climax, in the outbreak of the Civil War, and Mr. Bassett was prompt to respond to the needs of the Union and enlist in the army. He saw much active service and became first a first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth New York Infantry, and later as captain in the Sixth New York Heavy Artillery. In the same regiment as Mr. Bassett were three young men, brothers and members of a family of Smiths, which had long been resident in Peekskill, New York. These young men were friends of Mr. Bassett, who in 1862, while the war was still raging, was married to Miss Jennie Smith, their sister. She was a daughter of Philip and Mary Smith, of Peekskill, where they occupied a very prominent position socially. The wedding was cele- brated September 2, 1862, and among the guests was Chauncey M. Depew, who had known Mrs. Bassett all through her girlhood. Mrs. Bassett joined her husband in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, while he was located there during the war, but was unable to stay any great length of time, as the Con- federate army took from her everything she had, including her wedding dress and other clothes, so that she was obliged to return to New York in a . calico dress.
At the close of the war Mr. Bassett returned to the North and for a time found employment as paymaster in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. During the five-year period which he spent in this work, he met the late Mr. Andrew Corbin, who was at the time looking after his business interests in New York City. Mr. Corbin was impressed with the ability and sterling good qualities of the young man and offered him a place in the concern of the P. and F. Corbin Company, of New Britain, Connecticut. The position was to be that of paymaster, and Mr. Bassett accepted at once, accompanying Mr.
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Corbin back to the Connecticut town, when he returned there in 1872. From that time on Mr. Bassett made New Britain his permanent home until the day of his death, and grew more and more closely identified with the life of the city, taking a most active part in business, politics and every other move- ment of importance connected with the place. He remained for sixteen years in the employ of the Corbin concern, but long before the expiration of that period he had become a conspicuous figure in the political world, and had held a number of offices of responsibility and trust. It was not, indeed, more than five years after his making his home in the town that Mr. Bassett was chosen first selectman of the town, holding that position from 1877 until 1893, when he resigned to accept the appointment of President Cleveland as postmaster of New Britain. He continued to be postmaster until 1898, when he accepted the nomination of his party for Lieutenant-Governor of the State. Mr. Bassett was a Democrat, and he realized that his chances of election were exceedingly slim in a State where the normal Republican ma- jority was very large. He did not hesitate, however, for any fear of lost prestige, but showed his devotion to his party and its aims by at once accept- ing the nomination. As he expected, the party ticket was defeated, but Mr. Bassett did not discontinue his efforts in the cause of his party and its prin- ciples. In the year 1900 he was nominated for mayor of New Britain on the Democratic ticket, and was elected to that office on that occasion and twice after that held the same office. During his term as mayor he was chosen to fill the office of a selectman who had died, and it thus came about that he acted in the double capacity for some time. In the spring of 1910, he was appointed a member of the Board of Assessors by Mr. Halloran who was at that time mayor.
Mr. Bassett's interests and activities were not, however, limited to the spheres of business and politics. He was a prominent figure socially in New Britain, and belonged to most of the important social and fraternal organi- zations in the place. He was particularly prominent in the Masonic order, and held a number of important offices. He was past master of Centennial Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; high priest of Giddings Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; master in Doric Council; grand master of the grand lodge; grand high priest of the grand chapter, and grand master of the grand council. Besides these Masonic offices Mr. Bassett was deputy chief of the Red Men, past assistant quartermaster of the Putnam Phalanx, and a member of the New Britain Lodge of the Elks.
During his college days Mr. Bassett had become a member of the Epis- copal church, but Mrs. Bassett was a Baptist and after his marriage to her, he attended that church with her, becoming a devoted attendant at divine service in the First Baptist Church of New Britain. His charity was of a large and comprehensive kind which included all men without reference to creed, race or color, and he was ready to support any movement which seemed to him for the advancement of the city or any of its members. He served for a long period and with devoted energy on the board of directors of the New Britain General Hospital.
The above is a record, more or less complete, of the formal relations of CONN-Vol 111-10
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Mr. Bassett with the community of New Britain, but of the informal position which he held in the minds and hearts of his fellow citizens it is not so easy to speak with adequacy. His political career was an excellent example of how personally popular he was, since, though a Democrat, he was honored with the longest term as selectman and mayor that any one has enjoyed there, though the place is something of a Republican stronghold. His elec- tion, under these circumstances, three consecutive times to the office of mayor was an honor that Mr. Bassett prized very highly, and he was prac- tically as well pleased, during a campaign he made for the position of sheriff of Hartford county, that, though he was defeated, he nevertheless carried every ward in the city of New Britain, his Republican home town. Such esteem and affection felt by a whole community for one man tells its own tale, and declares him the possessor of those sterling qualities of character, upon which alone such general recognition can be built. At the time of his death the City Council met in special session to take appropriate action, the city flag hung at half mast and practically all the city officials attended the funeral in a body. His death was felt as a personal loss by a great number of his fellow men, and all the news publications of the locality united in declaring how greatly all would miss the cheer and good spirits which radi- ated from him.
Mr. and Mrs. Bassett were the parents of one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Bassett survives her husband.
One reason for Mr. Bassett's great popularity was undoubtedly the name he made for himself as the friend of the poor man. Scrupulous about his appearance-he was known as the "silk hat mayor"-his democracy was so essential in his nature that all men felt it instinctively, and the poor recog- nized him as their champion. Among the concrete things that he performed in their behalf was the introduction into New Britain of the practice of regular weekly payment of wages to employees. This he first put into effect in the offices of the Corbin people, and it was afterwards taken up by em- ployers generally who realized the justice of the plan. One of the note- worthy traits of Mr. Bassett was his great fondness for home and all the relations of domestic life. Within the sacred precincts of his household he was always cheerful and optimistic, never allowing outside troubles to in- trude themselves upon the family circle. His devotion to his "ain fireside" was quite remarkable in a man so greatly occupied with the conduct of public affairs.
Edward howard Preston
E DWARD HOWARD PRESTON, whose untimely death on December 7, 1912, cast a gloom over the town of Rockville, Connecticut, and its environs, was undoubtedly one of the best known and most popular figures of his time in that section of the State. He was a member of a family which for many years had made its home in Tolland county, his parents being Dr. G. H. Preston and Sarah (Cogswell) Preston, the former being a highly regarded physician of Tolland, where he practiced medicine for many years. Edward Howard Preston was himself born in the town of Tolland, Tolland county, Connecticut, on June 5, 1851, and there passed his childhood and early youth until he reached the age of seventeen years. In the meantime he had gained a first-class education in the various local institutions of learning, the Monson Academy, and finally the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Connecticut. In this latter institution he completed his studies, and upon graduation, left the parental roof and repaired to Hartford, where he secured a position as errand boy in the dry goods establishment of Talcott & Post, getting his start in the busi- ness world from the bottom rung of the ladder. This was in the year 1868, and he continued in the employ of this firm for upwards of twelve years, during which time he was advanced rapidly to more responsible posts. His quick and alert brain, his altogether sunny and winning personality, and his capacity for steady hard work, made him a valuable adjunct to the business, and won for him the promotions he received. But these qualities, though they drew the favorable attention of his employers to himself, were in the end the means of his separation from them. For thus it happened: The young man was possessed of the worthy ambition to be independent in business, and left no stone unturned to accomplish his end. At the end of twelve years of earnest, intelligent labor, coupled with the most consistent frugal- ity, he found himself in a position to realize his ambition and embark in business on his own account. His first venture was in South Coventry, whither he repaired and, with his brother-in-law, established a manufactory of bed quilts. He continued in this line for the better part of a year, when the opportunity arose for his purchasing the furniture and undertaking busi- ness of Peter Wendheiser, who was well established in these lines in Rock- ville at that time. Mr. Preston quickly availed himself of this opportunity, and in the month of September, 1881, he removed to the town which for so many years was to remain his home and the scene of his busy career. From the outset his enterprise was successful, and under his capable management he had before a great while developed a very large business and established a most enviable reputation for reliability and integrity in the town. Mr. Preston was thirty years of age when he came to Rockville upon his new venture, and three years later, in 1884, he bought out the carpet business of Henry & Grant, and adding it to the other lines he was already operating, conducted them all with a high degree of success until the time of his death.
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From that time down he was regarded as one of the most substantial and representative merchants of Rockville, and even as he grew in prominence in business circles, so did he grow in the affection of the community. As his business came in time to be one of the largest of its kind in Tolland county, his interests also widened, and he became connected with a number of im- portant financial institutions, such as the People's Savings Bank, of which he was a director for many years, and was eventually elected president, an office which he held until his death. He was also a director of the Rockville National Bank, the Rockville Building and Loan Association and of the Rockville Fair Association Company. His connection with these concerns gave him a place of much influence in financial and business circles, an in- fluence which he always exerted in the most disinterested, unselfish direc- tion, and to the best advantage of the community. He was extremely public spirited, and was always interested deeply in any movement looking to the welfare of the community, giving generously of time, money and energy to its furtherance.
But it was not by any means as merely a business man that Mr. Preston was prominent in his adopted community. He was an active participant in many departments of the city's life, and prominent in all those wherein he took part. He was a conspicuous figure in the social world of Rockville, especially in connection with club and fraternity activities, being a member of many orders and similar organizations. It is characteristic of Mr. Pres- ton that whatever he entered he followed enthusiastically, and this was cer- tainly true of his career in the Masonic order, of which he was a very promi- nent member. He was a member of Fayette Lodge, No. 69, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Adoniram Chapter, No. 18, Royal Arch Masons, of Rock- ville; Washington Commandery, of Hartford, Knights Templar; and the Norwich Consistory, of Norwich. He had attained to the thirty-second degree of Masonry. He was also a member of the Rising Star Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Rock- ville Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen; Rockville Council, Order of United American Mechanics ; Court Hearts of Oak, Foresters of America. Besides these orders he was member of the Rockville Business Men's Asso- ciation, and an honorary member of the Rockville Turn Society. Mr. Preston was closely identified with the local military organizations and was a member, and later, a veteran of Company K, First Regiment, Connecticut National Guard; and a lieutenant in the Putnam Phalanx of Hartford.
Mr. Preston was married, April 11, 1883, to Miss Isabelle E. Pinney, a native of Ellington, Connecticut, and a daughter of the late Edwin Pinney, of that town. Mrs. Preston survives her husband, as do also a brother, George Preston, a prominent hardware merchant in Norwich, and a sister, now Mrs. Henry Young, of Tolland.
It was more as a man, as a personality, than for anything formal which he achieved in the business world or any other department of the com- munity's activity, that Mr. Preston held the regard of his fellow citizens. Indeed, in this direction he may be said to have held a unique position in Rockville. His sunny good temper was proverbial, and attracted friends until he doubtless possessed more than any other man in the city. "Ed"
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Coward Howard Preston
Preston belonged to the community in a very unusual manner, and quite aside from any material advantage which may have accrued to the place from his activities, his life is woven into the fabric of Rockville's history and has become an essential part thereof. Never was this more emphatically shown than on the sad occasion of his funeral. It was undoubtedly the largest gathering that had ever drawn together in Rockville to do honor to the memory of one of its citizens, and during the ceremony every place of business, including even the saloons, were closed as by common consent. The expressions of grief and respect were spontaneous and so universal that the family felt a general acknowledgment was appropriate and printed a card of thanks in the papers. It is fitting, however, that those who knew Mr. Preston personally should have the last word in his praise, and accordingly this sketch will close with their expressions. The Rockville papers, and, in- deed, many of those in surrounding places, joined in a perfect chorus of praise of the man and regret for his death. The "Hartford Globe" and the "Springfield Republican" had prominent articles, and the local publications noticed both his death and funeral most fully. The "Leader" published an article, two columns in length, in its edition of December 12, entitled "Casts Gloom Over Entire Community," and in the same issue an appreciative editorial. In the same paper of later date there appeared two accounts of the funeral services, from one of which the following is quoted :
More eloquent than any written or spoken word was the funeral of the late Edward Howard Preston, notice of whose death appeared in Tuesday's "Leader." It was a mag- nificent tribute to the memory of this good man, who brought so much of joy and bright- ness into the lives of others. Public services were held at 2.30 o'clock at the Union Con- gregational Church, following prayers at the Preston residence on Park street for the family and relatives. Church and chapel were not large enough to house those who desired to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. Many who were unable to get into the church, after the service was over, passed through the church and viewed the remains. Many eyes were wet with tears.
"The Rockville Journal," in its issue of December 12, says in part :
This community was stunned by the news of the death of Edward H. Preston, which occurred at 1.10 Saturday morning at his house on Park street, after a brief illness. People at first were incredulous ; they couldn't believe that genial "Ed" Preston, as he was known to everyone, was no more ; they were dumfounded by the news; it seemed as if everything had come to a standstill ; all were appalled by the news and wondered how the community could get along without him, he had been with us so long and filled such a prominent place.
Mr. Preston had always been one of our most useful and active men, a splendid type of citizenship; genial and jolly, optimistic and overflowing with good nature. As one of the many who had known him intimately remarked, he had never been seen out of temper. He was genial and generous, always ready to listen to a call for assistance and extend a helping hand, as many a person can testify.
The death of Mr. Preston is certainly a severe blow to Rockville, as one cannot name a man who would be more missed. His activities were so many and varied, all of which he entered into with enthusiastic and intelligent interest.
Rockville certainly suffered an irreparable blow in his death; no one can exactly fill the place he filled, either in a business sense or in the affections of his townspeople.
Not less than the papers were the various business concerns and social organizations of which he was a member, in the expression of affection and
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sorrow. They all passed resolutions of a notable character. Those of the People's Savings Bank were as follows:
Whereas, the untimely death on the 7th day of December, A. D. 1912, of Edward Howard Preston, president of the People's Savings Bank since July, 1908, is keenly felt by all officials in the bank in which he rendered a faithful service for over twenty-four years and in whose welfare he manifested at all times a profound and abiding solicitude ; and we sharing in the general grief and desiring to manifest our sensibility on the occa- sion of his death: Therefore
Be it Resolved, That his broad kindliness of nature, his sweetness and gentleness of character, his lofty integrity, his tender affections and home virtues, his glad hand and his smile of sunshine, were among the many kindly and unselfish attributes which we knew and loved. By us and by the community at large he will live in grateful memory as a gentleman of noble heart, an affectionate husband and a sturdy friend.
The resolutions of the Rockville National Bank were:
Whereas, in the inscrutable wisdom of an omnipotent Providence, our friend and fellow director, Mr. Edward H. Preston, has been suddenly removed from us by death, therefore
Be it Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss of a man of his sunny nature, one who always had a pleasant word and a smile for old and young ;
That we realize his loss to us in a business way, of his knowledge of men and his ability to advise in financial matters ;
That we appreciate and hereby acknowledge the comfort he has been to many of us in a professional way, that while he could not carry our burdens at such times, yet by his sympathetic consideration of us, and his willingness to do all he could to help us, he has made some rough places smoother, and he has made us his firm friends ;
That we extend our sincere sympathy to his family in their deep affliction ;
That we cause these resolutions to be spread on the records and a copy sent to Mrs. Preston.
Among the other resolutions of orders and other organizations, one more may be quoted. They are those of the Veteran Corps of Company K, First Infantry Regiment, Connecticut National Guard, which run as fol- lows:
Another comrade has answered the last roll call and passed from our ranks.
Comrade Edward H. Preston was a charter member of Company K and served his term of enlistment with loyalty and fidelity. We of the earlier days will recall his cheery ways and the deep interest he took in the welfare and success of the company.
He will be greatly missed from the community in which he was for many years a leading and influential citizen, and from our meetings and councils.
We desire to place on record a tribute to his memory and worth as a good citizen, loyal friend and true comrade and to express our sympathy to the family.
Resolved, That this minute be spread upon the records of this corps and that a copy of the same be sent to the family.
The Rev. Mr. Charles H. Ricketts, of Norwich, concluded his effective address at Mr. Preston's funeral with the following quotation from Long- fellow :
Take them, O Death ! and bear away Whatever thou canst call thine own ! Thine image stamped upon this clay Doth give thee that, but that alone.
Oliver Wendell Holmes' "The Boys" was also quoted (by the Rev. Mr. P. E. Thomas) as descriptive of Mr. Preston, as follows:
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You hear that boy laughing? You think he's all fun But the angels laugh, too, at the good he has done ; And the children all laugh as they troop to his call, And the poor man that knows him laughs loudest of all.
It seems appropriate to close this brief account of a good man with an original poem by "F. M." dedicated
TO THE MEMORY OF "ED" PRESTON.
Now he, whose work of tender ministration So oft has lightened Death's oppressing load, And brought some touch of kind alleviation, Himself has gone the unreturning road.
But thinking of his life, who dwells on sadness? Though his the frequent partnership with grief, His heart was ever filled with warmth and gladness, Not gloom was his, but radiant belief !
Yet not because his heart was void of feeling Through long familiarity with pain, For oft his manly sympathy brought healing To stricken souls, and bade them hope again.
Yes, he has passed ; but for long years remaining Will stay with us the memory of a face Whose open frankness, still new friendships gaining, Was wont to brighten many a gathering-place.
His brothers, in the mystic bonds united, His friends who knew him only as a man, Alike will miss his greeting, that delighted As honest, hearty goodness only can.
To those his very nearest, who shall offer The rightful comfort at this clouded hour? Yet are we still constrained some words to proffer, However weak-God's voice may give them power !
Farewell ! dear "Ed." Yet not in hopeless pity We speed you to that bourne past human ken, But trust you leave our own for some glad city Where dwell the souls of Nature's Gentlemen.
Charles L. Smith
O NE of the representative merchants of Hartford, Connecti- cut, and one of its most deservedly honored citizens, was Charles H. Smith, whose death occurred there on Friday, May 24, 1907, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a member of one of the oldest New England families, which from the earliest colonial times has held a distinguished place in the regard of the community. The founder of the family in America was Richard Smith, one of the original proprietors of the town of Lyme, Connecticut, in which region his descendants have made their home ever since. Another ancestor of Mr. Smith was Elder William Brewster, who landed at Plymouth in 1620, one of the original "Mayflower" colonists, and from whom Mr. Smith traced descent in both paternal and maternal lines. Scarcely less distinguished was Mr. Smith's ancestry, in the maternal line, through which he was able to trace his descent from Samuel Gorton, one of the striking figures of New England history in that early time, whose strong beliefs and personality made him something of a storm center, and who, when driven from his places of abode by his irate opponents, founded, with some associates, the town of Warwick, Rhode Island. Mr. Smith's parents were Elisha and Mary (Gorton) Smith, both natives of East Lyme, Connecticut, where they passed their entire lives. He held the rank of sergeant during the War of 1812.
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