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Blairstown Press; October 28, 1904
Passed into New Life H. L. Bassett Gives Up the Earthly Struggle at an Early Hour Tuesday Morning
Blairstown Loses the Second of its Prominent Citizens within Three Months
Business in the City at a Standstill While Tribute is Being Paid the Deceased
Henry Lyman Bassett
Henry Lyman Bassett was born in eastern New York on Aug 1, 1833, and died at Blairstown Ia., on Tuesday, October 25, 1904, at the age of 71 years, 2 mos. and 24 days. In 1837 the family emigrated overland to Ohio, the next year moving to Iowa, residing in the southeastern part, in Muscatine and Washington counties. On March 8, 1857 he was married to Lydia Jones. Of this union six children were born. Two girls died while the family lived in the log house northwest of Blairstown. The others, Ida B. Clearwater, Harry Albert Bassett, Bertha L. Hartung, and Thaddeus S. Bassett, are yet spared and have enjoyed annual visits at the home. In 1862 the family moved to Benton county and settled northwest of Blairstown, the family residing in a log cabin while Mr. Bassett was building another house.
He was a very great church worker. The ruling passion of his life, was to see the church built up and strengthened. He had been a member of the Methodist church since its organization a half century ago. His consistent life, his clear knowledge of spiritual things and his devotions to the cause of the Christian religion all found expression in his valued services to the church in sharing its responsible offices and guiding its business affairs, together with generous contributions of his possessions to its several benevolent enterprises. Recognizing his ability and Christian character, he was repeatedly elected to the office of the Sabbath school superintendent holding that position for 30 years. It was with much sorrow his resignation was accepted from that office but it became necessary on account of Mrs. Bassett's continued frailty of body.
A widow and four children survive Mr. Bassett, all of whom receive our tender sympathy in their affliction.
The funeral services of the deceased were held in the M. E. Church, Thursday at 1:30 p. m., conducted by Dr. Van Ness, presiding elder of the District, along time friend of the deceased, and the pastor. The remains were borne from the house to the church by Messrs. John Book, H. Lipe, W. O. Davis, M. D. Barney, W. H. Ehred and I. K. Wise, fellow citizens and old neighbors of the departed. An overflowing congregation listened to an eloquent sermon full of hope and consolation in which the speaker answered the question, "If a man die shall he live again?" Magnificent floral tributes from the Masons, Legion of Honor, Ladies Aid society and Sunday school of the M. E. Church besides quantities of personal offerings banked the alter about the casket. The services were conducted at Pleasant Hill Cemetery with the Masonic ritual under the auspices of the local lodge.
Mrs. Bassett and family desire to express their thanks to the many friends who during Mr. Bassett's sickness were so kindly attentive and who have shared their grief in this deep sorrow and bereavement.
{Submitter comment: Henry Lyman Bassett was my great-grandfather. The submitted obit. is the last part of a long article about his death. I have not included the first 5 paragraphs but only that portion of the article that had as a sub-header in the article - "Obituary"}
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