Surnames: Bassett, Gardner, Pagelsdorf, Beaver, Catlin, Zandwic

The Loyal Tribune 08 March 1945

Bassett, Byron L. #2 (20 NOV 1863 - 1 MAR 1945)

Byron LaFayette Bassett, 81, died at St. Joseph’s hospital in Marshfield at 12:10 a.m. Mar. 1, after an illness of several weeks. He was taken to the hospital on Feb. 12. His death was the result of pneumonia and the complications of old age.

Mr. Bassett was born in Mayville, Dodge county, on Nov. 20, 1863. His mother died when he was a small child, and soon he came with his father, sisters and brother to Clark county. He received his education in Spencer and in Beaver and York townships. When a very young man he started in logging camps and at the age of 16 years bought a piece of wild land in the town of York. This remained his home for the rest of his life, 65 years.

He was married to Carrie Gardner on Oct. 18, 1891. Mrs. Bassett died at the age of 34, leaving four children for Mr. Bassett to care for. He was a kind and loving father, giving care and attention to these motherless children for many years. He was also a good neighbor and will be missed by many in this vicinity.

He was fond of out-door life and as recently as last hunting season went with a party of deer hunters to the north woods.

His three daughters, Mrs. Mike (Alma) Beaver, Mrs. Ed (Sylvia) Pagelsdorf and Mrs. Haskell (Vivian) Catlin of Loyal, and his son, Clayton, of York township survive. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and by a sister, Mrs. Mary Van Zandwic, of Chicago.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 Monday afternoon at the farm home and at 2 o’clock in the Loyal Methodist church, with the Rev. M. E. Taylor officiating.

The hymns, "The Old Rugged Cross," "In the Garden" and "It Is Well With My Soul," were sung by Mrs. Ray Prior, Mrs. Calvin Prior, J. R. Colby and R. B. Colby, with Miss LaVonne Smith as accompanist.

Seven granddaughters carried the flowers; Mrs. Katherine Bauer, Miss Louise Beaver, Miss Dorothy Beaver, Miss Eunice Bassett, Mrs. Eleanor Engevold, Mrs. Melva Guzman and Mrs.. Sam Bruckert.

The pallbearers were Will Benedict, Henry Anderegg, Claude Catlin, Rollie Benedict, Horace Vandeberg, and Newell Turner.

Burial was in the York cemetery.

In the death of Mr. Bassett, we mourn the passing of another of the early pioneers of this vicinity, one of those who by their difficult labors helped make this life easier and more pleasant for many. We extend our sympathy to his loved ones.