Bio of BASSETT, Joel Bean (b.1817 d.1912), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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JOEL BEAN BASSETT - Vol III, pg 691-692
On the pages of the pioneer history of Minneapolis appears the name of Joel Bean
Bassett, who became one of the early lumber manufacturers of this city and was
afterward identified with the flour-milling industry. He was thus closely
associated with two of the most important enterprises which have been directly
resultant in the upbuilding and progress of Minneapolis and there is no man who
has ever enjoyed in larger measure the confidence, respect and goodwill of his
fellow citizens than did Joel B. Bassett. He was born on the 14th of March,
1817, at Wolfboro, New Hampshire, and was a nonagenarian at the time of his
death, having almost reached the ninety-fifth milestone on life's journey when
he passed away at Los Angeles, California, February 1, 1912. His parents were
Daniel and Mary Bassett, members of the Society of Friends. That the family is
noted for longevity is indicated also in the fact that the father reached the
venerable age of eighty-eight years.
The only educational opportunities which Joel B. Bassett enjoyed were those
afforded by the district school at Wolfboro, but throughout his life he was a
close and discriminating student in the school of experience, in which he
learned many valuable lessons. At the age of seventeen he left home and went to
Bangor, Maine, with the desire to enter upon some gainful occupation, and there
he became identified with the lumber manufacturing industry. The opportunities
of the growing west, however, attracted him and in the early '50s he made his
way to Minneapolis, where he erected a sawmill and was almost continuously
engaged in that business until 1897, or for a period of more than forty years.
He also broadened the scope of his activities when, in 1882, while still engaged
in the manufacture of lumber in Minneapolis, he erected a flour mill known as
the Columbia mill, which he conducted for a number of years. His business
interests were wisely, systematically and carefully conducted and at all times
his integrity and fair dealing stood as unquestioned facts in his career.
There were times, too, when Mr. Bassett was called upon for public service,
which he faithfully, capably and promptly performed. In the spring of 1868 he
was appointed agent for the Chippewa Indians and held the office for about two
years, when he resigned. While acting in that capacity he secured some lands for
his wards in White Earth county, Minnesota, and moved some of the tribe there.
In the early days he also served in the state legislature and was an alderman in
the Minneapolis city council. Whether in municipal or state affairs he gave
thorough and earnest consideration to all the vital questions which came up for
settlement and the weight of his aid and influence was ever found on the side of
right, progress and improvement. He was an ardent republican from the inception
of the party until in the '80s, when he became affiliated with the democratic
party.
About 1853, at Lincoln, Maine, Mr. Bassett was united in marriage to Miss
Aurelia B. Carpenter, a daughter of Washington Carpenter, and they became the
parents of one child, William L. Bassett. In his fraternal relations Mr. Bassett
was a Mason, becoming a charter member of the first Masonic lodge at
Minneapolis, in which he held office, while at all times he was most loyal to
the teachings and high purposes of the craft. He was also a consistent member of
the First Universalist church of Minneapolis. One who knew him well said of him:
"Joel Bassett was the justest man I have ever known and honorable to a degree.
The men who logged his timber, or their own, for him wished no contracts or
written memoranda, a verbal agreement being regarded as sufficient; and often if
some faulty memory led to a divergence of views, it was usually settled by the
other man good-naturedly saying: 'Well, Joel, you decide what is fair and that
goes with me,' knowing that Mr. Bassett never got the best of it. A fitting
epitaph for his tomb would be the well known words: 'Write me as one who loved
his fellowmen.' He was very simple in his habits, generous as well as just, so
that working for him was a pleasure and there never occurred any labor troubles
among the employes in his lumber mill or flouring mill. It was always his wish
to reason things out and he never lost his temper. Moreover, he could see the
other fellow's side as clearly as his own and wanted the scales to balance
right. As a father he was 'par excellence,' and there was none who knew him who
could ever Justly speak a word detrimental to him, because of the high
principles which at. all times governed his career."