Capt. Charles S. Fassett Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 647-648

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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CAPTAIN CHARLES S. FASSETT, the efficient postmaster of Hitchcock,South 
Dakota, and one of the best known citizens of Beadle county, is a 
native of Jackson county, Michigan, and was born August 18, 1841. He 
was the eldest of ten children born to Samuel and Mary (Dunham) 
Fassett. His parents were New England people, and his father at present 
resides in Spink county, South Dakota. 

A farmer boy until the Civil war broke out, our subject enlisted in 
Company I, Sixth Michigan Infantry, and was commissioned second 
lieutenant, August 20, 1861. His first experience under fire was at 
Sewells Point, Virginia, followed soon afterward by Fort Jackson, 
Vicksburg, and others. In action at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in August, 
1862, he was wounded, and special mention was accorded him in praise of 
the steadiness of his command. He was promoted to first lieutenant, in 
July, 1863, and joined in the expedition to Bayou Tesche. About this 
time the Sixth Infantry was converted into heavy artillery, and thus 
remained until the close of the war. In the spring of 1863 our subject 
was detached from his regiment and assigned to the command of a company 
of regulars in a battalion of exchanged troops that had been 
surrendered to the confederates early in the war. While in this command 
the battalion accompanied General Banks' expedition through the 
Opelousas country on his way to the investment of Port Hudson. While in 
the field Lieutenant Fassett was given the command of the battalion and 
moved to Governor's Island, New York harbor, where he was retained in 
command of the battalion several months. On returning to the regiment 
he was appointed acting ordnance officer for Port Hudson. Upon the 
opening of the campaign in 1864 he was detailed as adjutant of the 
regiment and served in that capacity until his muster as captain, July 
21,1864. With his battery he manned the guns at Fort Gaines until the 
close of the war. He was mustered out August 20, 1865. 

Returning from his war service, Mr. Fassett resumed his studies at 
Albion, and later completed a scientific course at Hillsdale, Michigan, 
receiving the degree of B. S. For many subsequent years he was engaged 
in educational work. For a number of years he was an instructor, and 
four years served as superintendent of schools in Ottawa county, 
Michigan. As a relief from the confinement of the school-room he took a 
tour through the western states and established himself in the 
furniture business in Nevada, then returned to Michigan. After a short 
sojourn there he went to Spink county, South Dakota, and filed a claim 
on land near Hitchcock, in February, 1882. He established the 
"Hitchcock News," and was editor and proprietor of that sheet for 
several years. He was state engineer of irrigation, and made a study of 
the artesian well system. During Harrison's administration he was 
appointed postmaster at Hitchcock, and has recently been reappointed to 
that position. 

Our subject was married in 1870 to Miss Louise M. Dickford, a native of 
New York. Two children have been born to them, Leonard, deceased, and 
Charles B., who is attending college at Huron. Captain Fassett is a 
member of the T. O. Howe Post, No. 33, of the G. A. R., which was 
organized in 1883, and of which he is commander. He also holds 
membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has served as 
county commissioner of the second district, and is a representative 
citizen of Beadle county.