John G. Bass, one of the prominent citizens of Clayton Township, was born on Long Island, July 21, 1828. When twelve years of age he left home, and went to Albany, N.Y. thence to Buffalo, Chicago, Ill., Charleston, Ia, Galena, Ill., Benton, Wis., McGregor and in 1852 started for the gold fields of California, and arrived there on August 3, of that year. On July 3, during their journey, a terrible snow storm occured between the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains. He remained in California two years, then returned to McGregor via New York. Previous to going to California he was engaged in the stove and tinware business, in partnership with Mr. Miller. In 1857 he disposed of his interest to that gentleman and acted as Road Supervisor three years and Assessor two years of Mendon Township. He was a member of the first city board after the incorporation of McGregor. In 1866 he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and purchased the steamer "City of McGregor," which he ran as a ferry-boat between McGregor and Prairie Du Chien until 1872, when he bought 240 acres of land on section 27, Clayton Township, upon which he has since resided. On Nov. 25, 1850, he married Phoebe Ann Draper, who was born in Essex, N.Y., and taught the first school in McGregor, many of the now business men in the county being her pupils. Eight children have been born of this union, viz: John J. Jr. who was born Jan. 7, 1857, and was killed by lightning Aug. 20, 1879. Geroge R., born Nov. 22, 1859; Sarah F., born Oct. 10, 1861; died Mar. 20, 1865; Ida M., born Aug. 24, 1863; Charles Andrew, Oct. 6, 1865; Frank Ulysses, Jan. 11, 1868; Albert Timothy, Jan. 16, 1870; Emily May, Feb. 7, 1872; Lyman Rowlin, Feb. 16, 1874, and Anna E., Aug. 16, 1876. Mr. Bass in religious faith is a Christian, and in Politics is a Douglas Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 715-716 |