Biographical Sketch of Jonathan M. Bassett, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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General Jonathan Miles Bassett, for many years a distinguished lawyer
and representative citizen of St. Joseph, was born in New Haven,
Connecticut, February 17, 1817.  After receiving a good common school
education he was apprenticed to the printing trade.  He completed his
education in Springfield, Illinois, where he also read law, with Gov.
Cailin, and was admitted to the bar by Judge Stephen A. Douglas.
Shortly after, he moved to Quincy, Illinois, where he was for several
years engaged, first, in the publication of a newspaper, and after-
wards in the successful practice of his profession.  In 1844, he 
moved to Missouri and settled in Plattsburg, Clinton County, where he
resumed the practice of law.  He was chosen a delegate to the state
convention called at Jefferson City for the purpose of framing a new
constitution, which, it might be added, on being submitted to the 
people, was rejected.  While in attendance at this convention he 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Nannie Dixon, of Raleigh, North
Carolina, whom he married in 1850.  The result of this happy union 
was two children, Henry D., born August 26, 1851, and Derdee Bell,
born in 1856, and married to John Maddox.  He, shortly after, located
in St. Joseph, where he soon achieved eminence in his profession.  He
was at one time mayor of St. Joseph, and for four years filled the
position of circuit attorney for this judicial district.  In the late
civil war, he early declared himself an uncompromising Union man, and
did much to rally the loyal sentiment of Northwest Missouri.  He co-
mmanded a company of the militia, and was, for two years, provost
marshal of the district in which St. Joseph was included.  General
Bassett was a man of powerful frame and commanding presence.  He was
an able, fluent and persuasive speaker.  Few men who have taken the
active part in public life that did Gen. Bassett have left the world
with fewer enemies and more personal friends than he did.  His death
occurred suddenly in 1871.

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