David M Bass

BASS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:25:22

David M Bass, when the tocsin of war sounded it awakened a patriotic response in the hearts of loyal sons throughout the nation. Many men in every section of the north had watched with interest the progress of events that culminated in the hostilities between the north and the south and when they saw that the war was to be no mere holiday affair that it could not be crushed out in a few weeks or even months, they offered their services to the government. Such was the history of Mr Bass and now he is numbered among the veterans who aided in preserving the Union. His entire life record had been commendable and he deserves mention among the representative citizens of Boone county.
A native of Indiana Mr Bass was born in Owen county, on Sept 6, 1840 his parents being Edward and Mary (Bessler) Bass, both of whom were born in North Carolina. In the year 1854 the father became a resident of Boone county, Iowa, and purchased a farm near the one upon which our subject now resides. He was a very industrious and hard working man and always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. From the time he arrived in Iowa until his death he remained continuously upon one farm, there dying at the age of 82 yrs. His wife survived him and almost 92 yrs of age at the time of her demise. In their family were ten children, who reached years of maturity, while four are still living: Mrs Matilda Cole, James B, John and David M. those who have passed away are Jessie, Sarah, Hannah, Betsey, Martha and Rachael.
David M Bass was a youth of fourteen when with his parents he left the Hoosier state and came to Iowa. His educational advantages were somewhat limited but his training at farm work was not meager. He assisted in the cultivation and development of his father’s farm and was thus engaged until 1862, when he could no longer content himself at the plow and donned the blue uniform of the nation, as a defender of the Union cause. He became a member of Co K Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Vicksburg, the siege of Atlanta and was in some hard service under General Sherman. At the battle of Atlanta on July 2, 1864, he was wounded and in April 1865 he received an honorable discharge.
When his military career was ended Mr Bass returned to his home in Iowa and here engaged in farming on his own account. He had previously purchased a tract of land on 120 acres, but this he afterward sold, and in 1868 he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, and which has been his home for more then 1/3 of a century. It comprises 120 acres of rich land and he has made excellent improvements upon it, so that it is now a model farm of the community. His attention is given to the raising of grain and stock and he makes a specialty of Durham cattle, keeping full blooded stock.
In 1866 Mr Bass was married to Miss Susan Harter, whose birth occurred in Germany, Feb 14, 1941. Their union has been blessed with six children, who are yet living: William M, Nettie, Laura, Samuel, Grace and Maude. Mr Bass has served as a member of the school board and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. He is connected with Crooks Post No 329, G A R and often delights in recounting the scenes and experiences of army life. He is numbered among the early pioneer settlers in Boone county, has witnessed almost the entire growth of the state and has seen many changes since he arrived here. There was wild game in the county when he took up his abode with in its borders and much of the land was still in its primitive condition as it came from the hand of nature. Today he owns and excellent farm, as a visible evidence of his life of industry. As a citizen he is as true to his duties as when he followed the old flag, manifesting his loyalty to the Union cause by active service upon the battle fields of the south.

1902 Boone County History Book