Thomas Jefferson Bassett family papers

The Bassett family has a long association with DePauw University. It started with Thomas J. Bassett who came to Greencastle in 1869 without money or friends, but with determination to obtain an education. By working at every job he could find, he paid his way through then Indiana Asbury and graduated with honors in 1875. Thomas J. Bassett organized and was the first editor of the Asbury Monthly.

Following graduation, Bassett remained at the university until 1881 as instructor of ancient languages. He served as a school principal in Aurora, Illinois for three years and then returned to DePauw where he was principal of the Preparatory School for 13 years.

In 1883, Bassett entered the Rock River Conference and in 1887 transferred to the Northwest Indiana Conference. In the NW Conference he served regular pastorates at St. Paul's, Lafayette, Thorntown, Goodland, West Lafayette, Valparaiso, Hammond and Monticello.

On September 14, 1874, Thomas J. Bassett married Miss Anna E. Ridpath, of Putnam County, who at the time was a teacher in the public schools of Greencastle. They had five children: Pearl (DPU 1894), Clarence (DPU 1898), Lelia (DPU 1897), Rolland (died at age 4), and Bernice (DPU 1910). Bassett died in 1922 and is buried in Forest Hill cemetery.

Bernice Bassett Wyman was Thomas J. Bassett's youngest daughter. She graduated in 1910 and taught in high schools through 1917. She went on to be a principal but, in 1919, moved to Tokyo, Japan to teach. She eventually returned to the U.S. and retired in Waterville, Maine.